ZEITGEIST

Debate

Think you can do better than our current politicians? Want to share your ideas with them and policy makers from across the country? Join conversations on regeneration, net zero, the future of the media and how we can transform our public services at the annual Radix Big Tent Ideas Festival on 11 June at Queen Square. Held this year in Bristol at the invitation of Mayor Marvin Rees, the festival will give you the opportunity to contribute to policies in Bristol, the region and across the country.

• bigtent.org.uk

Listen

River Town returns for the first time in three years for a summer programme of world-class roots and country music. Presented by Bristol Beacon and running from 11 June –1 August, River Town brings an unparalleled programme of blues, gospel, country and bluegrass, from across the pond and closer to home, performed by global icons and rising names. Crowds can expect barn-storming live Americana music this summer. With more than 20 musicians from the Americana scene, including big names such as Richard Hawley, Judy Collins, Martha Wainwright, Adia Victoria and Lee Fields, River Town brings the sounds of the Deep South to the South West.

5

Celebrate top things to do in June

Bristol Pride is a unique and important event that celebrates the LGBT+ community and offers the chance to connect and bring people together. As well as showcasing the city’s wonderfully diverse community, Pride is about overcoming prejudice, hatred, reducing isolation and showing members of the LGBT+ community that they are not alone. Running from 25 June to 10 July, Bristol will welcome Canadian singer-songwriter and Grammy Award nominee Carly Rae Jepsen as well as Alexandra Burke, RuPaul’s Drag Race Canada winner Priyanka, Bright Light Bright Light and Scissor Sister’s Ana Matronic.

This year will also see the return of the Pride Parade March, louder and prouder than ever as Bristol Pride marks the 50th anniversary of the first pride march in the UK.

• See the full programme of events at: bristolpride.co.uk

Enjoy

Join in with the UK's largest celebration of the natural world from 10–18 June. Learn about and take action for nature by coming along to one of the fantastic 90+ activities lined up across Bristol and Bath this summer. There's something for everyone in the exciting programme, including 16 online events to join in with from home. This year’s festival is jam-packed full of wildlife workshops and talks, gardening taster sessions, wellbeing walks, film screenings, literary readings, family activities, exhibitions, livestreams, special guest appearances, and more.

• Places are filling up fast... book your spot on your favourite activities now to avoid disappointment! Visit festivalofnature.org.uk to find out more

Join

The Human Nature Project is Light Box’s community-level response to the escalating public mental health crisis in the UK. The project provides free, professionally led forest therapy sessions, open to the general public.

The Human Nature Project in Bristol takes place in Leigh Woods Green Barn on Tuesdays and is launching on 28 June with a morning session (10am –12pm) and an afternoon session (2pm –4pm). To learn more about The Human Nature Project, check out the short film and pilot report via the website below.