WHAT’S ON

What’s on in September

Yoga at the American Museum & Gardens

The Dresser at Theatre Royal Bath

ARTISTS’ SHOWCASE Throughout September

n Out of the Blue Gallery, 6 Upper

Borough Walls, Bath

A beautiful new gallery right in the heart of Bath is showcasing some of the best British artists and ceramicists. Set across two floors, the gallery is packed with great pieces. Look out for must-see exhibitions arriving at the gallery soon. outofthebluegallery.com

BRLSI: JURASSIC ARK Throughout September

n 16 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HN BRLSI is bringing a unique collection of 19th-century Somerset fossils right up to date with new discoveries from their recent excavation at the site, which lies beneath the hills near Ilminster, Somerset. Here was discovered a beautifully preserved Jurassic ecosystem, 183 million years old. First displayed in 2014, Jurassic Ark is an exhibition that brings this hidden treasure trove to life, illustrating how these ancient creatures lived and interacted, how they died and were preserved, and what they can tell us of the history of life. brlsi.org

JAZZ FACTORY: LEARN TO IMPROVISE Every Monday throughout September

n Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon Jazz Factory is a weekly jazz workshop for instrumentalists and vocalists. It welcomes and caters for players of all levels, experience and ability. Go along and give it a try! You will work in small groups led by professional musicians in a supportive atmosphere. The workshop meets every Monday evening in term time at Wiltshire Music Centre. jazzfactory.co.uk

PRISONS IN ENGLAND & WALES 2 September

n Online by U3A U3A in Bath is an organisation for retired people who want to find purposeful activity, enjoyment and companionship. It is an organisation fully driven by its members who, for a nominal fee are able to participate in a range of activities from the purely educational to the recreational. The only criterion for joining is that of being retired. This month, Charlie Taylore is set to speak at a lecture entitled Prisons in England and Wales. Visit the website for times and updates. u3ainbath.org.uk

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL 8–9 September

n Komedia Bath Embark on a thrilling night of adventure with a brand-new collection of short films from the world’s most prestigious mountain film festival. The Banff Mountain Film Festival joins the world’s best adventure filmmakers and explorers as they push themselves to the limits in the most remote and stunning corners of the globe. Witness epic human-powered feats, life-affirming challenges and mind-blowing cinematography – all on the big screen at Komedia Bath. komedia.co.uk

IFORD FESTIVAL Until 18 September

n Belcombe Court, Bradford-on-Avon The Iford Festival is returning to the stunning 18th-century grounds of Belcombe Court on 21 August. Rarely open to the public, the Grade I listed house is set in 60 acres of glorious formal gardens, parkland and woodland, and the organisers are taking full advantage of the outdoors for this exciting series of events in a spectacular saddlespan structure. ifordarts.org.uk

GENTLE YOGA & GUIDED MEDITATION Every Thursday throughout September

n American Museum & Gardens Join the American Museum & Gardens’ yoga experts from the YMCA as they take you through a themed yoga class each week. A typical class will include standing and seated yoga postures designed to ease, stretch and relax you. americanmuseum.org

RODE COMEDY FESTIVAL 9–12 September

n Pitch Perfect Camping, BA2 7QU The Rode Comedy Festival is returning for its second year with a stellar line-up of bigname acts. Enjoy performances from Olivier award-winng improvised production Showstopper! The Musical; TV superstar presenter and comedian Joel Dommett; comedy legend Stephen K Amos; Taskmaster’s Mike Wozniak; and BAFTA-nominated comic Spencer Jones, to name just a few. Organised by Kiwi Somerset-local, multi-awardwinning comedian Jarred Christmas and his wife Amelia, a creative arts PR who has worked at London’s Design Museum, together known as Pop-up Comedy, this is not one to miss. popupcomedy.org/shows

THE DRESSER 9–18 September

n Theatre Royal Bath This month, Julian Clary and Matthew Kelly will step into Ronald Harwood’s beautifully observed 1980s play The Dresser (rescheduled from September

Jane Austen and the Art of Social Distancing Concert at The Holburne

Joel Dommett at Rode Comedy Festival

2020). Inspired by memories of working as Donald Wolfit’s dresser as a young man, Ronald Harwood’s evocative, affectionate and hilarious portrait of backstage life is one of the most acclaimed dramas of modern theatre. theatreroyal.org.uk

BATH HERITAGE OPEN DAYS 10–19 September

n At various venues across the city Venues will open up their doors this month for Heritage Open Days. The nationwide celebration of history, architecture and culture is a chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all for free. Look out for the Cleveland Pools event at Kensington Meadows, where organisers will have activities celebrating the great outdoors and heritage combined. On 11 September, visitors can watch skilled stonemasons from the Guild of St Stephen and St George at work and then, with their guidance, try carving themselves. See the full programme at: heritageopendays.org.uk

JANE AUSTEN FESTIVAL: GRAND REGENCY COSTUMED PROMENADE 11 September, departs at 11am

n Meet in front of the Holburne Museum As part of the Jane Asuten Festival –a 10day extravaganza taking place this month –enthusiasts are invited to buy a ticket, put on their costumes and join 300+ people dressed in Regency style, for this worldfamous official opening to the festival. Accompanied by Coldstream Guards 1815 re-enactors and led by our own town crier, stroll through this beautiful city to Parade Gardens near Bath Abbey. janeaustenfestivalbath.co.uk

CULTURAL FILM SCREENINGS

n Throughout September, The Little Theatre Cinema, Bath This month’s selection features Wong Kar Wai’s emotionally raw, lushly stylised portrait of a relationship in breakdown. Happy Together, showing on 5 September, stars Hong Kong superstars Tony Leung and Leslie Cheung as a couple travelling through Argentina while locked in a turbulent cycle of infatuation and destructive jealousy.

Mick Fleetwood & Friends will be showing on 7 September. This once-in-a-lifetime concert, captured at The London Palladium on 25 February, is an absolute must-see for any music fan out there.

On 21 September, Escape From Extinction will show rare footage of endangered animals and interviews with the world’s leading specialists and conservation scientists working to protect animals from all seven of Earth’s continents, and its mighty oceans. See the full programme online: picturehouses.com/cinema/little-theatre-cinema

BATHSCAPE WALKING FESTIVAL 11 September

n At various locations in and around Bath Bathscape has released the programme of walks for its popular annual walking festival, encouraging people to get outside and enjoy the landscape during the two weeks of events in September. This year’s festival will be launched with a family day in Kensington Meadows on Saturday 11 September in partnership with Cleveland Pools Trust. There will be plenty of naturebased activities including wild play from the Bath Area Play Project and a new walking trail suitable for all ages from Cleveland Pools Trust. bathscapewalkingfestival.co.uk

JANE AUSTEN AND THE ART OF SOCIAL DISTANCING 12 September, 7pm

n The Holburne Museum A musical evening exploring the art of social distancing in true Regency style; from letters between absent friends to lonely romantic poets. Songs and arias are interspersed with readings and commentary in a light-hearted take on what social distancing might have meant to Jane Austen and her contemporaries. janeaustenfestivalbath.co.uk

BATH SCOTTISH DANCERS Weekly from 14 September

n At various locations around Bath Bath Scottish Dancers are running a full programme of classes and events for those interested in learning Scottish dancing. Classes are running weekly at: Ralph Allen School from 14 September (every Tuesday), 7.30–9.30pm; Bathampton Village Hall from 16 September (every Thursday) at 1.30–4.30pm; and New Oriel Hall on Mondays, 2–4pm. Visit the website for more details about signing up. rscdsbath.co.uk

LUNA CINEMA 17–19 September

n Royal Victoria Park Royal Victoria Park is set to make the

FUTURES2021 –a free festival of discovery running from 24–25 September

Wellness Weekend

perfect setting for an open air cinema this September, with the big screen overlooked by the iconic backdrop of the Royal Crescent. Watch Notting Hill, The Greatest Showman or Star Wars: A New Hope beneath the stars and enjoy the magnificent view of the botancial gardens. If you get peckish, there will also be a selection of snacks, including popcorn, crisps and ice cream by Häagen-Dazs. Book your tickets at: thelunacinema.com

WORLD WELLNESS WEEKEND 18–19 September

n At various locations across Bath Following on from a coveted second UNESCO inscription as part of the Great Spas of Europe nomination, Bath is now gearing up for a weekend of wellness events across the city for World Wellness Weekend. Championed by Visit Bath in partnership with EHTTA (European Historic Thermal Towns Association), the weekend will bring together several of the city’s spa and wellness businesses which have organised a range of free or great value events for residents and visitors to enjoy including Thermae Bath Spa, the Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel and The Soul Spa, to name just a few. visitbath.co.uk/world-wellness-weekend

DOROTHY’S BIGGEST TEA PARTY 24 September

n At home, at work, in the gym or online Dorothy House Hospice Care would love members of the public to join in and be part their biggest Tea Party. Why not host or attend a tea party or coffee morning at home, in your workplace, at the gym, or even virtually. The idea is to have fun, bring people together, eat lots of cakes and raise funds to support the vital end of life care our local hospice provides. dorothyhouse.org.uk

LAWRENCES AUCTIONEERS 24 September, 9am–5pm

n Throughout Bath and Bristol Lawrences Auctioneers are running free home visits on 24 September from 9am –5pm. Valuer Andy Sagar will be available to value your objects and antiques throughout Bath and Bristol. lawrences.co.uk

GREAT BATH FEAST 24–26 September

n At various locations around Bath The Great Bath Feast’s festival weekend is set to take place from 24–26 September, followed by fringe events throughout October. The festival line-up features many of Bath’s renowned and much-loved culinary stars, including Ping Coombes, 2014 MasterChef winner; Chris Cleghorn from The Olive Tree; Richard Buckley from OAK; Gavin Edney from The Elder and more. Starting at Milsom Street and leading to New Bond Street, the streets will be lined with an array of market stalls that offer the best local and international food and drink. For three full days, food and drink enthusiasts can enjoy a buzzing market atmosphere. greatbathfeast.co.uk

UNIVERSITY OF BATH: FUTURES2021 24–25 September

n Online and in-person events around Bath FUTURES2021, a free festival of discovery for all the family, is back in Bath for 2021. With a mixture of in person and online events, the University of Bath is excited to be running events on 24 and 25 September.

Bath Scottish dancers

You could see Bath in a whole new light on a self-guided, time travelling walking tour, discovering some of the buildings and locations that have shaped modern science with a few surprising pop-ups along the way. Or if you fancy an evening of fun and laughter with some science know-how thrown in, Science Show-Off presents standup with a difference. futuresnight.co.uk

DREAM TO REALITY: PROTECTING THE PLANET WITH DR MYA-ROSE CRAIG 25 September, 5–6pm

n The Forum, Ballroom As part of Bath Festival’s Children’s Literature Festival, running from 24 September to 3 October, Dr. Mya-Rose Craig, also known as Birdgirl, will be speaking about her new book, We Have a Dream. It tackles discrimination in the debate over climate change. Mya-Rose spoke to campaigners from around the world about what needs to be done, exploring how you can support the young people of colour demanding urgent change for the world they will inherit. bathfestivals.org.uk/childrens-literature

SS GREAT BRITAIN: STARBOARD INSPIRATION WITH NICOLA SKINNER 26 September, 4–4.45pm

n The Guildhall Step aboard the SS Great Britain with Bristol-based author Nicola Skinner and embark on an epic journey. At the Children’s Literature Festival, Nicola will tell you the story of Kirsten, an apparently happy and successful 11-year-old YouTube star who meets a ship that comes alive… and is claimed by it as it breaks free from its dry dock. Inspired by the true history of