WHAT’S ON

MUSIC AT GREEN PARK BRASSERIE n Green Park Brasserie, Green Park

Enjoy live jazz/funk/soul/swing at Green Park Brasserie on Weds and Thurs from 6.30–8.45pm and Fri and Sat from 6.30–9.45pm. Music includes dynamic duos, modern trios and a Hot Club style quintet. greenparkbrasserie.com

PHOTO I FROME n Various locations in Frome

Until 12 July

This is the second edition of Photo | Frome, an inclusive festival dedicated to showcasing and celebrating local, national, and international levels of photographic endeavour and filling the creative community of Frome with photos. The 2023 theme, 'Decolonising Environments', explores the complex and often conflicting relationships between human communities, places, and the natural world. photofrome.org

FOREST OF IMAGINATION

Until 14 July, open to public Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon 10am–4pm n Assembly Rooms, Bath

Bath’s award-winning, free-to-attend contemporary arts event, Forest of Imagination, is back once again this summer – inviting adults and schoolchildren to ‘Assemble in the Forest’ and connect with nature in a host of imaginative ways. Spaces inside and outside will be transformed into a series of playful, nature-inspired art experiences with multi-sensory installations, soundscapes and sculptures, artists' workshops and a host of creative and community projects from artists, designers and businesses. Free entry for all. forestofimagination.com

FACE TO FACE: VICTORIAN AND EDWARDIAN PORTRAITS OF BATH AT WORK n The Museum of Bath at Work

Camden Works, Julian Road, Bath

Throughout July

Come to the Museum of Bath at Work’s current exhibition and meet people ‘face to face’ from 130 years ago. The photographs were taken of people in Bath in the 1890s and 1900s in the studio of Tom Carlyle Leaman at number 7, The Corridor off Union Street.

These amazing pictures give us a real window on the past, especially the clothes that were then in fashion, accessories, and the way people styled their hair. Tickets £10/£9/£5. bath-at-work.org.uk

RICHES OF THE EARTH: THE BEAUTY OF MINERALS

Until 7 October n Bath Royal and Literary and Scientific Institution, 16–18 Queens Square, Bath Riches of the Earth reveals the beauty of minerals through the astounding forms and vibrant colours of more than a hundred carefully selected specimens from the BRLSI collection. The exibition is free to attend. brlsi.org

TUESDAYS@1 ORGAN RECITAL SERIES

Tuesdays, until October, 1pm n Bath Abbey

A large screen enables the audience to watch the organist controlling over 4,500 pipes, on four keyboards whilst using their feet! No admission charge although the Abbey would welcome a contribution to the retiring collection. bathabbey.org

SHAKESPEARE LIVE: THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

3–8 July 8pm n Cleeve House, Seend, SN12 6PG

The contemporary Venetian setting in this passionate production directed by Andy Cork taps into the themes of money and greed, love and betrayal, the role of law, religious conflict, revenge and mercy, and the failure to forgive, all as relevant today as they were in the 16th century. You can get numbered tiered seats in the covered stand and some groundling spaces. Visitors can picnic in the gardens before the show, food and drink is available, and on Saturday evening there is a Gala with live entertainment before the show.

Tickets £13–£18 shakespearelive.com

U3A MONTHLY TALK: WITCH FINDER OF THE WEST COUNTRY: JOSEPH GLANVILL

6 July, 9.45am coffee, 10.30am talk n Bath Pavilion, North Parade Road

Historian Tony McAleavy will describe the extraordinary career of Joseph Glanvill (1636–1680) who was the rector of Bath Abbey and played a prominent role in the persecution of local women accused of witchcraft. Glanvill was a prolific writer and wrote books promoting the authenticity of witchcraft and attempting to reconcile belief in witchcraft with modern science.

Admission free for members and a donation of £2 for non-members. u3ainbath.uk

A SUMMER MUSICAL FINALE

7 July, 7pm n Bath Abbey

The young choristers of Bath Abbey Melody Makers and Wells Cathedral Song Squad united bring you a lively mixed repertoire in a concert that will celebrate the end of their musical year. The programme includes sacred and secular works, such as Hurford’s Litany to the Holy Spirit, Handel’s Art thou troubled and Russell Hepplewhite’s Earth. The music will be interspersed with lighthearted poetry read by the children. Pre-concert drinks bar available from 6.30pm. Tickets £15. bathboxoffice.org.uk

FROME FESTIVAL

7–16 July n Various locations

During this week Frome will come alive with music, art and culture as the Frome Festival returns for its 22nd year. With over 200 events taking place across 10 days, the Festival aims to celebrate the best of Frome, with events and activities taking place in many places and spaces across the town –from venues and galleries to pubs and parks. Get the full listings and book tickets at fromefestival.co.uk

THE WORLD IN 2050: SOCIETY

7 July, 7.30pm n BRLSI, 16 Queen Square, Bath Victoria Ward’s virtual talk will share some of the insights from the three future worlds: Do No Harm, The Frugal Turn, and Earthshot, as a starting point for audience discussions about what society looks and feels like in the future(s) of 2050, and how we might, from today, think about our own commitment to be good ancestors. The talk is part of BRLSI’s World in 2050 series. Tickets £4–£8. brlsi.org

FLOWER ARRANGING WORKSHOP

8 July, 10am–12.30pm n Bath City Farm, Kelston View, Whiteway, Bath BA2 1NW

Guided by the farm’s knowledgeable staff, you will learn how to work with flowers and decorative plants to create your own posy or table centrepiece to take home. All materials will be included, using flowers grown on the farm. Bring a packed lunch or alternatively use the farm café. £15 per adult, £10 concessions. bathcityfarm.org.uk/events

FEASTS AND FABLES

8 July, 7.30pm n Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon Bath Minerva Choir presents ColeridgeTaylor's colourful and wildly popular cantata

Hiawatha's Wedding Feast. Also songs from young tenor Joseph Spratt, and closing with Bob Chilcott’s attractive and entertaining Aesop’s Fables. Tickets £20/£15. wiltshiremusic.org.uk

BATH BACH CHOIR: MENDELSSOHN'S ELIJAH

8 July, 7pm n Bath Abbey, Bath Mendelssohn’s much-loved oratorio Elijah narrates the biblical story of the Old Testament prophet Elijah in the form of recitatives sung by the soloists interspersed with Bath Bach Choir singing various airs and choruses. Mendelssohn was influenced by both Bach and Handel, adding his own enthusiastic and dramatic style that captures the audience’s interest from the opening to the final chorus. Baritone Matthew Brook is singing the part of Elijah. The choir will be accompanied by Southern Sinfonia, with Marcus Sealy playing organ continuo. Tickets £11–£30. bathbachchoir.org.uk

THE MIKADO

10–15 July, 7.30pm plus selected matinees n Ustinov Theatre, Saw Close, Bath

Sasha Regan’s award-winning all-male Gilbert & Sullivan stars are pitching their tents at Theatre Royal Bath for THE MIKADO. Expect plenty of cheer and tuneful earworms from a sensational cast singing all the familiar rollicking G&S classics including A Wand’ring Minstrel, I, Behold the Lord High Executioner! and Three Little Maids From School Are We Tickets from £27. picturehouses.com/ cinema/little-theatre-cinema

HERSELF (CHARITY SCREENING)

14 July, 6.30pm n The Little Theatre Cinema, St Michaels Place, Bath

A young mother escapes her abusive husband and fights back against a broken housing system. She sets out to build her own home and in the process rebuilds her life and rediscovers herself. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, written by Clare Dunne and Michael Campbell. Starring Molly McCann, Clare Dunne and Ruby Rose O’Hara. The screening will raise money for local charity Julian House. Tickets £11.20–£12.70. picturehouses.com

BATH CONCERTINO

15 July, 7.30pm n St Luke’s, The Wellsway, Bath

A concert in aid of the Dorothy House Foundation, with Romantic Splendour, Schumann’s Cello Concerto, with soloist Linda Stocks, plus Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture and Italian Symphony. Entry £10 cash. Accompanied children free.

NICKI LEIGHTON-THOMAS: ONE GOOD SCANDAL

15 July, 8pm n Chapel Arts, Lower Borough Walls, Bath Born and raised in Bath, Nicki LeightonThomas’ first album Forbidden Games (Candid, 2011) was The Evening Standard’s Album of the Week and received 4* reviews in The Guardian and The Times. Nicki’s vocals can be heard on work ranging from artists such as Gary Husband and Belinda Carlisle. Tickets £20/£22. chapelarts.org

KEGGIE CAREW ON BEASTLY: A NEW HISTORY OF ANIMALS & US

17 July, 7.30pm n Topping & Co, York Street, Bath

Beastly is the 40,000-year story of animals and humans as it has never been captured before, seen eye-to-eye and claw-to-hand through those humans who have stepped into the myriad worlds of our animal relatives. Our relationship with animals has always been paradoxical, but the greatest paradox may yet be this: diversity of life can heal ecosystems. Keggie Carew talks about her latest piece of non-fiction with author and friend of the bookshop Richard Kerridge. £8/£20 including book. toppingbooks.co.uk

BATH COMEDY: EDINBURGH PREVIEWS FESTIVAL

17–29 July n The Hop Pole, 7 Albion Buildings, Upper Bristol Road, Bath

Two weeks of hand-picked, affordable preview shows forming a mini-Edinburgh Fringe right here in Bath! Featuring Freya Mallard, Stuart Goldsmith, Janine Harouni, Dan Tiernan, Nabil Abdulrashid, Fiona Allen, Larry Dean, Horatio Gould, Aideen McQueen, Samantha Day, Alex Kitson, Nick Doody, Dave Chawner, David Hoare, Sam Michael, Adam Flood, Ben Harrington, Matt Price, Sachin Kumarendran, Eva Bindeman, Rosie Holt and Ronnie Golden. bathcomedy.com

ELMWOODS VALUATION DAY

18 July, 11am–5pm n City of Bath Scouts, 7 Grove Street, Bath

Come and get no-obligation valuations for your jewellery, watches, designer handbags and fashion items. Elmwoods have weekly auctions and there are zero fees for selling. elmwoods.co.uk

BATH PHILHARMONIA & PACIFIC CHORALE

21 July, 7.30pm n Bath Abbey Pacific Chorale with Bath Philharmonia present Florence Price’s rediscovered Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight alongside Joseph Haydn’s stirring Nelson Mass in Bath Abbey. The Grammy Award-Winning Pacific Chorale is one of America’s great choirs, noted for its artistic innovation and commitment to expanding the choral repertoire. With Aundi Marie Moore (Soprano), I-Chin Betty Feinblatt (Alto), Nicholas Preston (Tenor), and Michael Sumuel (Bass). Tickets £25/£15/£10. bathboxoffice.org.uk

TORCHLIT SUMMER EVENINGS AT THE ROMAN BATHS n Roman Baths

22 July –31 August, open until 10pm Torchlit Summer Evenings are returning to the Roman Baths, offering visitors a chance to soak up the special atmosphere around the Great Bath and explore the museum long after the usual closing time. There will be a pop-up bar beside the Great Bath from 11.30am each day, selling Champagne, prosecco and soft drinks. romanbaths.co.uk

THE JAKE LEG JUG BAND

22 July, 8pm n Chapel Arts, Lower Borough Walls, Bath Songs of murder, betrayal, gambling, liquor and redemption. The Jake Leg Jug Band bring you the authentic sounds of 1920s and 30s America – Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Ragtime – and put their own twist on it. Tickets £15. chapelarts.org

FRANK AND PERCY

25 July –5 August, 7.30pm n Theatre Royal Bath, Saw Close

Bill Kenwright presents the National Premiere of Ben Weatherill’s Frank and Percy directed by Sean Mathias. This highly anticipated production sees one of our greatest stage and screen actors Sir Ian McKellen co-star as Percy alongside three-time Olivier Award winner Roger Allam as Frank. Tickets from £30. theatreroyal.org.uk

HAM FARM FESTIVAL

28–30 July n Ham Farm Cottage, Emerson’s Green, BS16 7AT

Evening double-bill concerts including Bristol’s own superstar singer-songwriter Lady Nade, prizewinning Celtic folk duo Filkins Drift and vintage 20s swing jazz cabaret Miss Kiddy and the Cads. Daytimes offer free interactive music workshops and family picnic concerts. Enjoy world-class music in an informal and intimate environment, esurrounded by nature and birdsong. Tickets evening double bill concerts £19.50/£15, free for under 18s. Daytime events mostly free but do need reserving. hamfarmfestival.com n

Looking Ahead

RUM AND REGGAE RACENIGHT n Bath Racecourse

4 August, 7.30pm

The Rum and Reggae racenight will be a unique Caribbean night with the food, drink and music from Jamaica alongside seven exciting horse races; all offering you the chance to experience the thrill of watching live horse racing. Gates open 3.55pm; first race 5.55pm; last race 8.35pm. Tickets £21, with access to public bars, eateries, and betting outlets along with the best views of the racing action. bath-racecourse.co.uk