WHAT’S ON

Exultate Singers at St George’s Bristol

classic Ealing comedy Passport To Pimlico. Due to the importance of Burgundy in the plot, audiences will be able to taste wines made from the two key grapes from the region: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. bristolfilmfestival.com

Birdsong Workshop

n 7 –9 May, WWT Slimbridge

Wetland Centre

Join the wardens to explore the reserve at one of the most productive times of the year. Learn how to identify these birds by sound as each one has a most beautiful call and song. Followed by a breakfast bap in the Kingfisher Kitchen. wwt.org.uk

Cycling 3,500 Miles Around Pandemic Britain

n 9 May, Redgrave Theatre Simon Parker is an award-winning travel writer and broadcaster who has reported from well over 100 countries for the BBC, The Telegraph and Amazon Prime. In this multimedia presentation of short films, photos, audio clips and anecdotes he talks about cycling 3,427 miles around 'Pandemic Britain'. Simon also talks about his own struggles with anxiety, bereavement and mental health. The talk will be followed by a Q&A and his new book, Riding Out, will be available to purchase. redgravetheatre.com

Rachel Chinouriri

n 12 May, The Louisiana Rachel Chinouriri is a singer/songwriter from Croydon, her family moved to the UK from Zimbabwe not long before she was born. Rachel’s traditional African upbringing led to curiosity about her British cultural surroundings, and as a teenager she fell in love with acts such as Daughter and Lily Allen as well as the developing London Hip-Hop and R&B scene. thelouisiana.net

Exultate Singers: Bach’s Mass in B Minor

n 14 May, St George’s Bristol Exultate Singers and Bristol Ensemble join forces to perform Bach's Mass in B minor the great composer's final choral work, ‘the greatest work of art of all times and all peoples’, and the crowning achievement of his lifetime's work as a church musician. Tickets £14 to £28 plus booking fee from St George's box office; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

James Lisney

n 21 May, St George’s Bristol Pianist James Lisney celebrates his sixtieth birthday recital tour with a programme devoted to the music of Fryderyk Chopin which features two celebrated piano sonatas. For many years regarded as a miniaturist, Chopin’s radical solutions to large scale form have passed the test of time and now take their place at the heart of the piano repertoire. The programme also includes the Fantaisie in F minor, Op 49, and the Impromptu in G flat, Op 51, tightly constructed works that display another facet of Chopin's innovative and unforgettable mastery. Chopin elevated the Nocturne to the highest level of art, and the Op 55 Nocturnes reveal the dramatic and expressive contrasts possible within this genre. stgeorgesbristol.co.uk Part of renowned contemporary folk band Bellowhead, Sam Sweeney's debut solo offering 'Unfinished Violin' saw him nominated for Musician of the Year at BBC Radio 2's Folk Awards in 2019. Following this, Sweeney released his "mesmerising and irresistible" (Folk Radio) second album 'Unearth Repeat'. This latest release explores new sound palettes and incorporates a different line-up of instrumentation with the addition of double bass, keys, and both acoustic and electric guitars. bristolbeacon.org

Upfest

n 28 –29 May, various locations Upfest is renowned for bringing together street art’s freshest talents and this summer festival fans can expect to see incredible murals emerging in the streets of Bedminster starting from 5 of May. Following three weeks of street painting, the festival weekend will see hundreds of artists painting live with festival hubs at Tobacco Factory and Ashton Gate Stadium. For the first year the festival will take over Greville Smyth Park as its main venue with music and live painting across the weekend. upfest.co.uk

Bianca Del Rio

n 29 May, Bristol Hippodrome Renowned for her snarky frankness, impeccable timing and politically incorrect humor, Bianca was crowned “The queen of all Drag Race queens”, as well as New York Magazine's "Most Powerful Drag Queens in America”. Now, she is set to bring a comedy show like no other to the UK with her Unsantized tour. atgtickets.com

FAMILY DIARY

IDEAS FOR THINGS TO DO WITH THE CHILDREN THIS MONTH

Visit Westonbirt Arboretum’s superworm trail this May

Paula Rego: You Are Now The Storyteller

n Throughout May, Arnolfini Paula Rego’s artwork is well-known for retelling classic stories, fairy tales and nursery rhymes. Arnolfini is now inviting you to do the same or create your own, original tale. Pick up a free copy of ‘You Are Now the Storyteller’ when you’re visiting Arnolfini or download from the gallery’s website: arnolfini.org.uk

Superworm Trail

n Throughout May, Westonbirt

Arboretum

Join Superworm and friends on their brandnew adventure at Westonbirt Arboretum. Discover the small but mighty creatures in the much-loved story and learn about the everyday heroic feats of minibeasts in the forest. The new self-led trail in the Old Arboretum features brightly illustrated panels and a trail pack full of fun activities, including your very own mask, so set off with Superworm and become a forest superhero. forestryengland.uk

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe

n 3 –7 May, Bristol Hippodrome Direct from London, the acclaimed production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is touring the UK starring Samantha Womack as the White Witch. Step through the wardrobe this winter into the magical kingdom of Narnia for the most mystical of adventures in a faraway land. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and say hello to a talking Faun, an unforgettable Lion and the coldest, cruellest White Witch. The nation’s favourite novel, now on the stage. atgtickets.com

Scribble and sketch

n 7 May, RWA Join the Scribble and Sketch artists at

Head down to Bristol Zoo Garden’s daily animal feeds locations across the city on Saturdays once a month for free family workshops. These sessions are designed for children and grown-ups to take part in together everyone is welcome. Admission is free. No pre-booking required. Suitable for all ages, children must be supervised. rwa.org.uk

Bristol Film Festival: Avengers Assemble

n 27 May, The Planetarium Take your seats in Bristol’s incredible Planetarium at we the curious, the Festival’s destination for space and sci-fi films on the big screen. Explore the Planetarium’s Space exhibition before the screening and see if you’re cut out for a life in space, have a drink then recline in this unique screening space, as the lights dim and your journey begins. The festival’s May weekend of Marvel movies continues with the epic ensemble film, and denouement of Phase One, Avengers Assemble. With a Planetarium space show whisking you across the Solar System beforehand, you’ll really feel like you’ve gone out of this world. bristolfilmfestival.com

Daily Animal Talks and Feeds

n Throughout May, Bristol Zoo Gardens Bristol Zoo Gardens is the perfect fresh-air destination, set within 12 acres of awardwinning gardens. Get up close to Bristol Zoo’s incredible animals from gorillas and lemurs, to red pandas and penguins, and check out their daily animal talks and feeds. bristolzoo.org.uk