WHAT’S ON

What’s on in October

Circus City: LP (Long Play) Photograph by Clara-Pedrol House Gospel Choir at Trinity Centre

Bristol Bridge Club: Supervised Sessions

n Every Saturday, 10am – 12pm, via Zoom Bristol Bridge Club has been running free online supervised sessions with some teaching throughout the pandemic on Zoom and will continue to do so, every Saturday morning from 10am to 12 noon. To take part, go to Bristol Bridge Club’s website, click ‘Learn and Play’ and follow the links. bristolbridgeclub.co.uk

Autumn Stargazing 3D

n Throughout October, We The Curious This autumn, fly to worlds on the edge of our understanding and gaze up at alien skies in this spectacular journey through the astronomical discoveries we’ve made and the stories they inspire. This awe-inspiring show combines knowledgeable presenters with the first 3D planetarium system in the UK. It is suitable for beginners and experienced hobby stargazers. Recommended age 10 and up; wethecurious.org

Antique, Vintage & Collectables Fair

n 3 October, 10am – 3.30pm, Ashton Court

Mansion House

An Aladdin’s cave of fine jewellery, china, furniture, paintings, memorabilia, vintage clothing, retro items and so much more –available to browse at Ashton Court Mansion House on 3 October. With 40 indoor stalls plus a café serving light bites and cream teas, there’s truly something for everyone. Entry: £2, under 16s free. Main car park: Kennel Lodge Entrance via Portishead Road. Contact: anniehawksley@blueyonder.co.uk for more information.

Bristol Photo Festival: We Are Still Here

n 5 –30 October, The Vestibules We Are Still Here focuses on individuals affected by HIV/AIDS and their living spaces. The project aims to counter a decline in visibility of the HIV/AIDS community by inviting the audience in to these personal spaces, which have been curated to better the mental health of their inhabitants. Portraits by photographer Mareike Günsche will be displayed alongside images selected by the participants of objects from, and areas in, their living spaces which bring them joy. artspace.uk

Black Lives Matter: Readings & Conversation

n 7 October, 7.30 – 9pm, via Zoom As part of Black History Month, John Wesley’s New Room is hosting a free evening of poetry and conversation, coinciding with National Poetry Day on 7 October. This webinar will feature work shared by poets who have all recently been featured in the anthology Black Lives Matter – Poems for a New World. The keynote speaker –poet, writer and historian Dr Edson Burton –will be sharing some of his own poetry and taking part in a Q&A with anthology editor Ambrose Musiyiwa and Rev Dr Catherine Okoronkwo, the Bishop of Bristol’s advisor on racial justice. newroombristol.org.uk

Record Launch: John E Vistic

n 8 October, Klub Loco Bristol Deafendling Records Bristol presents the launch of John E Vistic’s new album, entitled Under the Volcano. The album contains 12 giant Vistic songs produced by Tom Hackwell, with artwork by the legendary Johnny Stingray. See John E Vistic at Klub Loco Bristol on 8 October. Book tickets at: headfirstbristol.co.uk

House Gospel Choir

n 17 October, 7pm –11pm, Trinity Centre An electrifying house meets gospel experience. House Gospel Choir is the place where spirituality and the euphoria of the dancefloor come together. Founded by creative producer and vocalist Natalie Maddix, HGC is a voice for those that can sing… but don’t always know the words! It’s a home for anyone who has ever found themselves lost in music at a festival, or in a night club… or on the bus on the way to work. trinitybristol.org.uk

Bristol Bridge Club: Beginner Lessons

n Starting on 19 October, Oldfield Road Bristol Bridge is back welcoming members and guests in their premises on Oldfield Road. Starting on 19 October, Bristol Bridge Club will be running 10 weeks of beginner lessons on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Join Bristol Bridge Club for a taster session before signing up to 10 lessons, which costs £100 including the documents to cover the lessons. Contact teaching@bristolbridgeclub.co.uk for further details.

The Working-Class Writers Festival

n 21 –24 October, at various locations The Working-Class Writers Festival is a dynamic new festival aiming to enhance, encourage and increase representation from the working class across the country, while connecting authors, readers, agents and editors. The festival will use physical and digital spaces, and will include panel discussions, speaker events and workshops. All events are free. bristolideas.co.uk

Family Space Day with Helen Sharman

n 25 October, Aerospace Bristol Bristol Aerospace is welcoming Helen Sharman, the first ever British astronaut in space, to speak about her experiences in space on 25 October. The talk –aimed at children aged 10 and up –will reveal how Helen

became an astronaut, the training she had to do before going to space, and what she did on her mission to the Mir space station. There will then be up to 30 minutes for visitors of all ages to put their questions to a real astronaut. As part of the museum’s ‘year of space’ 2021 celebrations, visitors will also have the chance to get hands-on with robotic rovers, launch a rocket, taste astronaut ice cream and step aboard the last Concorde ever to fly. aerospacebristol.org

Circus City Returns

n Until 16 October, at various locations Circus City returns this autumn with a programme of indoor and outdoor shows, interactive events, talks and much more. Presenting 35 shows from all over the globe, from suggestive satire to social comment; activism to audacious aerial acrobatics; and organic acoustics to risky ropework, this is not one to miss.

Circus City: Seasons By Upswing

n 9 & 10 October, St Werburghs Community Centre Hall Watch two acrobats become immersed in the wild as they dig, climb and lose balance in a joyful exploration of the nature in and around us. Seasons will ignite your senses and create a space to playfully reconnect with our natural world. Bring a cushion and a blanket to create your own comfy, safe space for this extraordinary, sweet, family show –and stay and play with acrobats Sian and Helena after the performance to try out making some juggling magic for yourself. bristolcircuscity.com

Circus City: LP (Long Play) by Olga Cirqanalogique

n 14 & 15 October, Unit 15, Premier Business Park On the eve of the apocalypse, Long Play is a cry of resistance that pays tribute to the generation of the new millennium. Bodies flicker in feats of aerial acrobatics and object manipulation, straining under tricks of light and sound that conjure a visual and acoustic underworld. This millennial temple, echoing with political speeches, cellphones, pop icons, wires, software and a bearded figure in high-heeled shoes, conjures a space for the celebration of error and human fragility. An escape hatch through which our dreams and fears can pass. bristolcircuscity.com

Circus City: Kerfuffle by Scottee & Friends LTD

n 15 & 16 October, The Mount Without A jukebox circus cabaret of camp classics for the queer community and their friends. When your family is chosen and you each own a similar shaped experience, sometimes you’ve just got to come together and share a deep breath out. Kerfuffle is a new variety confessional that invites you to sit more comfortably, take up space and let your hair down surrounded by pals. Kerfuffle will be one of the first shows at The Mount Without –Impermanence’s brand new venue, and a home for dance in the city. bristolcircuscity.com

Circus City: Kerfuffle