WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON in April

Toby Jones Big Jeff Johns

Rachel Holmes

Red Lorry, Yellow Lolly

n Throughout April, Bristol’s Southmead

Hospital

An exhibition of graphic prints by artist Andy Goodman will be on show at Bristol’s Southmead Hospital this month –organised by Bristol’s NHS Fresh Arts Programme. Goodman is an independent designer and illustrator at Fivebargate Studio and creates children's picture books and original designs for prints and greetings cards. fivebargatestore.myshopify.com

Arnolfini: A Year in the Field

n Throughout April, online In March 1981, Arnolfini hosted a multidisciplinary project based on the creative documentation of a ‘year in the life of a field’ by artist Lizzie Cox. The piece was eventually presented as an eight-foot square fabric box, hung with textiles printed with motifs recalling the changing seasons.

Forty years on, when successive lockdowns have meant that the slow, steady observation of the natural world has taken on a whole new significance, the Arnolfini has invited another local artist, Sam Francis, to spend a year investigating Cox’s project. The project will be part of the Arnolfini’s 60th celebrations. arnolfini.org.uk

Big Jeff Johns: Welcome To My World

n Throughout April, online Prolific Bristol music fan Big Jeff presents his debut exhibition of artworks entitled Welcome To My World. In this inspirational collection, a total of 34 paintings will be released in three phases and aims to surprise and challenge the viewer. bristolbeacon.org

RWA: Easter Egg Painting

n 2–18 April, online This workshop is for all the family to enjoy together. Follow a step by step video to create beautiful painted eggs to decorate your home for spring and Easter. Have fun preparing your eggs and learning how to paint with enamel paints, which will ensure your decorations will remain beautiful for years to come. rwa.org.uk

The Parking Lot Social

n 14–15 April, Bristol Airport In keeping with the local restrictions, The Parking Lot Social is now set to go ahead at Bristol Airport on 14–15 April.

The drive-in tour brings with it a host of entertainment, including classic movies, car-aoke, bingo, quizzes and more. As well as a unique kids event and a live comedy night, this year’s event also features a screening of Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban, a brand new Easter Panto and DriveTime Drag show with the stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Attendees will be entertained in their cars from a vast custom-made stage, with shows broadcast across two 60ft screens. theparkinglotsocial.co.uk

Festival of Ideas: Paul Nurse

n 15 April, 6–6.45pm, online Nobel Prize-winning scientist Paul Nurse explains the fundamental ideas in biology and their uses today. In the event titled, What is life?, Nurse sets out to describe what it means to be alive by exploring five great ideas that underpin biology. He introduces the scientists who made the most important advances, and, using his personal experiences in and out of the lab, shares with us the challenges, the lucky breaks and the thrilling eureka moments of discovery. bristolideas.co.uk

Desert Island Theatre with Toby Jones

n 19–28 April, online Toby Jones is stuck on an imaginary island. He’s taken seven pieces of theatre with him, and he wants to explain why.

The first guest in Bristol Old Vic’s new series titled Desert Island Theatre is Toby Jones in conversation with long-term collaborator and friend Tom Morris. Jones recalls, and attempts to recreate, seven moments of theatre which have had a profound effect on him and his career. bristololdvic.org.uk

Festival of Ideas: Rachel Holmes

n 19 April, 1–1.45pm, online Rachel Holmes discusses how today’s campaigners can emulate the success of the Suffragettes in extending democracy in the event titled, What Can We Learn from Sylvia Pankhurst and the Suffragettes?

Sylvia Pankhurst was a natural rebel, a talented artist, prolific writer and newspaper editor. A free spirit and radical visionary, history placed her in the shadow of her famous mother, Emmeline, and elder sister, Christabel. Sylvia Pankhurst was the most revolutionary of them all. bristolideas.co.uk

Festival of Ideas: Ruth Ben-Ghiat

n 20 April, 6–6.45pm, online In the event, How Do We Deal With Strongmen Leaders?, Ruth Ben-Ghiat looks at how strongmen leaders rise and fall and the lessons for democracy. bristolideas.co.uk n