SPOTLIGHT Bristmas
LET THE BELLS RING OUT FOR BRISTMAS If you head down to the city centre this month, you’re in for a big surprise. Actually, hold that thought; it’s almost impossible to be surprised by Bristol at Christmas. The only surprise would be if there wasn’t a surprise. And sure enough, the city’s wondrous creativity is currently out in force, with a campaign to light up the night with some of the most loved seasonal lyrics of all time. Organised by Bristol City Centre BID, over 100 business have come together to make a little bit of magic happen, and to bring unexpected joy during our evening walks. Every day, another building will be lit up with lyrics, from Fairytale on King Street to Jingle Bell Rock on St George’s, creating an illuminated trail. Tier, schmier: get ready to Step into Christmas, Bristol. We got this. For more: bristolcitycentrebid.co.uk
Music
SOUNDS OF THE CITY, BABY
© @BRYNWEBLEY
2020 has sparked creativity all over the country, and now Bristol Beacon is calling on the people of Bristol to express their feelings about the Year of Weirdness through words and music for a new participatory project. Inspired by the mass singing events of World War II, held at the Hall formerly known as Colston, A New Song for Bristol aims to bring the city together through music. The submitted pieces will be collected into a living archive as part of Bristol Beacon’s heritage exhibitions on the venue’s reopening; some will be hand-picked as the inspiration for new pieces of music by Bristol-based artists such as Lady Nade (below). A New Song for Bristol is open for submissions from the public until the end of January. For more: bristolbeacon.org/anewsongforbristol
History
HIDDEN BRISTOL
ristol pen oors have launched a new idden ristol app, o ering three audio walking tours that reveal the hidden secrets of Bristol; a perfect lockdown activity over the holidays, either alone or taken with your household bubble. Created by theatre-makers, historians and curators, the guided walks celebrate three aspects of the city: Vibrant Bristol: Street Art and the Painted City; Hidden Harbour: Stories of a Radical City, and Historic Bristol: Through Time and Temple. Originally experienced by over 2,500 people during Bristol Open Doors in September, the tours are available for a one-time purchase of £5.99; each download supports the charity behind Bristol Open Doors. For more: bristolopendoors.org.uk
6 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk