Serviced Accommodation Bristol > Bristol local information > Events May 2010
Major Events, Exhibitions,Theatre, Music & Panto
Major Events
1 – 31 May
Festival of Ideas
Various venues
The Bristol Festival of Ideas aims to stimulate the minds and passions of the people of Bristol with an inspiring programme of discussion and debate.
9 May
Bristol 10k Run
Bristol City Centre
The race route will be similar to the Bristol Half Marathon course, along car-free roads, starting from At-Bristol, following the harbourside then along the Avon Gorge and Cumberland Road returning to At-Bristol via Prince Street Bridge and will be a great opportunity for runners to experience a short version of the Half Marathon course.
15 May
Flight show
At-Bristol
Fasten your seat belts ready for the brand new show about the science of flight.
29 – 30 May
Bristol Vegan Fayre
Harbourside
100 Stalls with loads of vegan produce and information. Massive savings on loads of vegan products + services. The Main Stage will feature headline acts and live music throughout the event.
Family Fun
1 – 3 and 29 – 31 May
Bristol Harbour Train Rides
Brunel’s ss Great Britain
Be transported back to the days of steam when Bristol’s Museums, Galleries & Archives’ most popular exhibit – the impressive steam train - chugs into action once again for a new season of harbour trips.
2 May
Hands On… Toy Time
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Have fun creating your own moving toys (a snapping crocodile, a rocking horse and lots more) and discover what children played with in the past by handling some traditional toys.
Suitable for children aged 2-11 years. No need to book, just drop-in (10.30am – 4.00pm).
29 May to 6 June
Trail events
Brunel’s ss Great Britain
Horrid Torrid Tales Trail: Discover passengers’ nasty onboard experiences (7-11 years).
Titchy Tales Trail: Fabulous fun for young voyagers (6 & under).
Ongoing
Animate It!
At-Bristol
Morph will join a host of other Aardman Animations favourites in At-Bristol’s new permanent exhibition, Animate It!
Besides Animate-it! there are many more exhibitions to explore, such as Move it!, All about our world!, Storytelling!, Eat HQ! and Experi-mania!. At-Bristol brings science to life!
Get Close to Nature
1 and 25 May
Events on Troopers Hill
Troopers Hill Nature Reserve
Troopers Hill is a local nature reserve owned by Bristol Parks. It is on a hillside overlooking the River Avon that has been used as a mine and quarry in the past.
Saturday, 1 May: Work Party - 10.00am
Tuesday, 25 May: Meeting - 7.15pm
Throughout May
Various events
Tyntesfield
1 – 3 May: Second Hand Bookstall Spring Sale. Grab a second-hand book bargain and help support the many conservation projects at Tyntesfield.
2 May: Tree Gazing. Enjoy exploring Tyntesfield's stunning trees with expert, Tony Titchen. A fantastic walk for gardening or horticulture enthusiasts, or just if you want to learn something new!
12 May: Bat Walk. Discover the elusive residents of Tyntesfield with the Warden on this fantastic evening walk.
16 May: Spring Walk with the Head Gardener. Discover the beautiful spring colours, flowers and leaves on the estate with the Head Gardener. Suitable footwear should be worn.
23 May: Thai chi on the Lawn. Back by popular demand; relish a truly unique experience on the lawn of a Victorian country mansion. Enjoy an impressive display from the Bristol School of Tai Chi and have a go yourself!
29 May – 2 June: Photofest. Bring your camera to Tyntesfield this week, get inspired by the gardens and enjoy a full programme of photography workshops, competitions and exhibition.
31 May: Yoga on the lawn. Enjoy the beautiful gardens from a completely different perspective with this truly enjoyable class. Yoga mats and warm clothing essential.
2, 12 and 16 May
Special Walks
Westonbirt Arboretum
2 May: Dawn Chorus Walk. Join us to discover a symphony of birdsong. A hot drink will be provided at the end of the walk (unsuitable for children under 12. Meet at the Great Oak Hall. Limited to 25 places. £5 per person).
12 and 16 May: Wildflower Walks. Discover the wealth of wildflowers growing at Westonbirt.
3 May
Postman Pat and Jess the Cat
Bristol Zoo Gardens
Come and meet ‘Postman Pat and Jess the Cat’ as they head to the Zoo this bank holiday – special delivery!
16 May
Conserving the plants of the Avon Gorge
The Avon Gorge & Wildlife Project
Join Libby Houston and Mandy Leivers for a special ‘International Plant Conservation Day’ walk. On this gentle stroll to the small rare plant display on the Suspension Bridge, we’ll talk about the conservation of the plants that make the gorge such an important wildlife site.
16 May
Clifton Rocks Railway Open Day
Clifton
The Clifton Rocks Railway was a major engineering achievement in the 1890s and operated for 30 years. Clifton Rocks Railway will be open on Sunday 16th May from 10am - 4pm for special tours.
22 May
Prickly tales and foxy fables - Family walk
The Avon Gorge & Wildlife Project
(The Downs)
Join storyteller Martin Maudsley on an animated walk around the Downs. He’ll bring to life tales of plants and animals for International Biodiversity Day. A chance to stretch your legs and enjoy a flock of furry, feathered and floral stories.
27 May
Candles and Blossum Tree Walk
Bristol Zoo Gardens & The Downs
Enjoy the candle flowers of the majestic horse chestnut trees and cream blossoms of the historic hawthorns in this evening stroll on the Downs with Tony Titchen. To book a place call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project on 0117 903 0609.
29 May – 1 June
A Superhero Celebration of Flight!
Bristol Zoo Gardens
Meet ‘Batman: The brave and the bold’! – come along to the Zoo on Tuesday 1 June where this superhero will be making personal appearances at various times throughout the day.
Super hero fancy dress – Free entry for every child dressed as their favourite superhero with a full paying adult, between 9am and 11am on Tuesday 1 June.
Exhibitions
8 May – 4 July
Fun with Software Exhibition
Arnolfini
This exhibition will be a historical group exhibition surveying the key experiments in the development of software. Making and using what has become known as software is experimentational, humorous, and eventful.
Until end of May
International Garden Photographer of the year
Westonbirt Arboretum
Unique to Westonbirt, the exhibition will feature, for the first time ever, the collected images from the trees category of this prestigious international award from the last two years.
Until 6 June
Zoe Williams Exhibition
Spike Island
An exhibition by Zoe Williams showing new work following her residency as part of the Roostein Hopkins Artists' Award 2009.
Until 04 July
Otto Zitko Exhibition
Arnolfini
Arnolfini is commissioning artist Otto Zitko to produce his first solo exhibition in the UK. He will produce an ambitious drawing-based architectural intervention especially for the Arnolfini’s exhibition and circulation space.
Ongoing
Plinth Project
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Container will be presenting a series of six newly commissioned works in an exciting collaboration with Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery. During May, Ian Penna’s work will be shown.
Theatre and Music
Sawmills Music Series
Until 31 May
Tyntesfield
Bristol's Pindrop Club will be returning to the Sawmill at Tyntesfield for their 2010 series of very special and intimate live acoustic music nights. For information and bookings call the Pindrop Club on 01275 810166. Last Saturday of the month.
1 May
Tipitina
Colston Hall
Top quality New Orleans Jazz from upstarts Tipitina. The name Tipitina comes from the title of a piece by the late Professor Longhair, and it is from the Prof and his students – Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint, Dr John et al – that they draw much of their inspiration.
5 – 9 May
Signs of a Star Shaped Diva
The Tobacco Factory
Caroline Parker gives a virtuoso performance as Sue and her alter ego Tammy as she takes us on a journey of fame, frocks and false eyelashes battling with true love from Bingley Bridge.
6 May
Migrations: Tango Siempre: Malandras Del Tango
St George’s Bristol
This exciting new project from the Tango Siempre septet, augmented by their Argentinian guests Villena (Gotan Project) and Rozenthuler, evokes both the romance and sensuality of classic tango and Astor Piazzolla's radical deconstruction of it.
10 – 15 May
Dad’s Army Marches On
The Bristol Hippodrome
The play features classic episodes hand-picked by legendary writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft and includes adaptations of their own personal favourites, Branded and Mum’s Army. Sign up now for an evening of nostalgic pleasure and madcap mayhem with the would be heroes of Walmington-on-Sea.
16 may
Stewart Francis
The Tobacco Factory
An internationally-acclaimed stand-up comedian, accomplished actor and writer, Stewart Francis is one multi-talented performer. As a stand-up, Stewart has headlined all over North America and Great Britain, and performed in numerous venues worldwide.
21 May
Chamber Orchestra of Basel with Angela Hewitt (piano)
St George’s Bristol
For her return visit to St George's, Angela Hewitt is joined by the distinguished Chamber Orchestra of Basel to perform three of Bach's magical keyboard concertos.
22 May
The Martin Harley Band
Colston Hall
The Martin Harley Band are the UK’s premier blues and roots-influenced acoustic combo. An extraordinary songwriter and guitarist, Martin has a gift for making music that feels as comfortable and right as your favourite pair of shoes.
23 May
Lucy Porter
The Tobacco Factory
Lucy Porter’s latest solo show is a witty romp through the history of gold. In these times of recession, gold is prized more highly than ever, as other forms of currency grow worthless. What’s so special about gold, and why is it that human beings have long been obsessed with the yellow, shiny stuff?
24 May – 9 June
Far Away
Bristol Old Vic
Bristol Old Vic's Associate Director Simon Godwin begins his work for the company with Far Away, an extraordinary apocalyptic play by Caryl Churchill. With the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit on the horizon, Churchill's evocation of the end of the world seems timelier than ever.
28 May
Sing-A-Long-A Hairspray
The Bristol Hippodrome
A brand new Sing-a-long-a show based on the 2007 film starring John Travolta as Edna Turnblad.
With lyrics on-screen so everyone can join in.
It’s Baltimore and it’s 1962 – what better time and place for big-hearted Tracy Turnblad to indulge her passion for dancing!
Try something new
1, 15 and 21 May
Photo Walks with Graham Parish
Create Centre
Join photographer Graham Parish & Bristol Blue Badge guide Liz Gamlin on a leisurely walk around Bristol's harbourside from the Create Centre. Learn to understand your camera, listen to Bristol's unique history.
Various Dates until 3 July
Art History Day Schools
Royal West of England Academy
The RWA is launching a program of Art History Day Schools during 2010. Dr Jo Kear and Jan Cox, highly respected art history lecturers, have worked with the RWA to put together an exciting programme of sessions that will run on Saturdays between 10am and 4pm (booking essential).
Special Tours
Ongoing
The Bristol Packet Boat Trips
Wapping Wharf
Take a trip on one of the beautiful boats for a unique tour of Bristol and beyond.
Every weekend: Floating Harbour Tour
Every Sunday: Afternoon River Cruise to Beese's Tea Gardens
Ongoing
Bristol Ferry Boat Co
Harbourside / City Centre
The distinctive yellow and blue boats offer a range of services from within the city limits and out to the countryside beyond.
Fairs, Markets & Food
Every Wednesday
Bristol Farmers Market
Corn Street
Local producers from a 40-mile radius sell a massive range of food from cheese, fish, honey, cakes and vegetables to meat, game and poultry at this award-winning market.
First Sunday of every month
Slow Food Market
Corn Street
The UK’s first regular Slow Food market has become a monthly treat for lovers of real food. Slow Food embraces the theory of good food production.
