Introduction

This guide is designed to help you put on on a great night, avoid pitfalls and ensure you maximise profit for your chosen cause.

The Venue

Capacity - Trinity is a 650 capacity venue and a challenging space to fill, even for experienced promoters.

If you are a small group or individual and this is your first gig, we would suggest finding a smaller space free of charge such as a pub-room or bar, that you are able to pack out.

Costs - Trinity is a registered charity. Our live-music progamme provides a way of generating vital revenue to fund our own charitable activities.

Trinity receives frequent requests for free space for benefit gigs and unfortunately we are unable to offer the venue for free.

Regardless of how worthy the cause we are simply not able to cover the costs of raising funds for other charities at the expense of our own charity. However, each year, Trinity is able to subsidise costs associated with a limited number of benefit gigs, you can find our more about this scheme below.

Check out the Bookings area of our website for more info

Who

Team - Organising an event is not easy. Don't go it alone; put together a committee or core team of friends and volunteers that will take responsibility for key tasks.

Charity - if we host a benefit gig, we would like confirmation from your chosen charity that they are happy for the event to go ahead.

Artists - Trinity is committed to paying Artists fairly; where Artists have agreed to wave their fee, we require that the Organiser ensures that they have worked to find a fair alternative method of payment. Publicity for the Artist during the run up to the Event does NOT constitute fair payment.

Audience - research your chosen theme and music act/genre so you know where to place your marketing, how you will attract an audience and how to compete with other events happening at the same time.

Check out our Gig Hire FAQs for more info

When

Date – this sounds obvious but it’s important to check listings to see what else is on around that time. Bristol is a creative hive, so there will always be something else on. Try to avoid direct clashes with artists of the same genre, or booking an act if they have recently played somewhere in the city - especially if it was for a free or cheaper event than the one you’re planning to run.

Lead-in - You will want to promote your event with at least three-months lead-in time to get the word out and ensure you sell-out.

Six months is better and gives you time to downsize to a smaller venue or cancel the event if you haven’t sold enough tickets.

Budget

Budget - Agree a realistic budget when you start and stick to it. This should include: Artist Fees; Venue Hire; Technical Sound & Lighting; Promotions and Marketing; Expenses and Rider. Be realistic about what you will make for tickets and how you will cover costs if you only sell half your ticket allocation.

Pre-sales - Trinity is a destination venue, we do not benefit from a large passing trade and rarely get ‘walk-ups’. It’s important you pre-sell as many tickets as possible and we may suggest to pull the night if you haven’t sold at least 300 tickets.

Sponsorship - try to find a local or corporate sponsor or someone that may fund the up-front event costs. It will give you a bigger budget to work with which will help to get the word out and attract more people to the event.

Contingency - factor in a small contingency budget, but make sure you stick within your limits, as it will be you that ends up out of pocket.

Promotion

Presence - make sure you have a strong online and social media presence. Ensure everyone you know likes and shares your event info

Acknowledgement - in all your literature, make sure you clearly state what charity is being supported and also use Trinity's logo so people know where you're having the event.

Décor

Keep it simple – it's easy to get carried away, but bare in mind this element of your event isn't going to make you any more money and may end up costing you more in time and effort than is needed. Simple drapes and spotlighting goes a long way and won't break the bank.

Leave No Trace – we’re a listed building and have limits on where/how you can attach décor.

Check out our Terms & Conditions for more info

Remember

Competition - you have to make sure you put on a professional night that people want to come to. In Bristol, gig-goers are spoilt for choice as far as live music is concerned, which means making your night a success is all the more challenging.

So what? - the cause is not often enough to get people to part with their cash; you have to be offering people something they want to pay for. Think to yourself, would you pay the price you’re asking to see the act you’re programming?

Honesty - Do contact us any-time during the run up to your event to discuss your plans, questions or queries. Be honest with us about how it's going - we can help you to spread the word and give advice around any aspect of your event and/or rearrange the event if things aren't going according to plan.

Fundraiser Scheme

Each year, Trinity is able to subsidise costs associated with a limited number of benefit gigs, where the charitable cause supported, helps us to meet our own charitable objectives.

For more information, please download our Guidelines and complete an Application Form

Please note, applications must be received six-months before the proposed event date.

2015 was the year of Bristol Green Capital, a European award that celebrated our green city, inspiring us to be more green!

Trinity Community Arts got a year of funding from Bristol 2015 (Quartet) to run the "Grow it, Cook it, Eat it!" project. We wanted to get local residents of all ages excited about growing, cooking and enjoying healthy food together!

Our ideas were also supported by the Easton and Lawrence Hill Neighborhood Wellbeing Grant, to expand on our offer of sessions and activities exploring green themes under our "Garden to Tummy" project.

Our Project Coordinator Helen Winstanley, led on activities from March to December, involving 780 participants (including volunteers) from the local community, schools and target groups in a range of permaculture activities and events at The Trinity Centre, Garden and Arts West Side.

This year we finally had the capacity to explore city-wide partnerships and make the most of existing partnerships and links. We worked with residents from St Judes, SPAN (Single Parents Action Network) and early years, something we have not done before, and showed parents and teachers a green space for their children to play in and practical skills for all of them. Helen was also able to play an active part in the Bristol 2015 programme, attending events, training, carrying out meetings and networking with other partner groups, identifying opportunities for collaboration and joint delivery of activities.

Throughout the year, we explored green and seasonal themes suggested by you all, over 60 sessions including: Foraging Walks, Holiday Lunch Clubs, Stay & Play sessions, Cob Building, Spoon Carving, Willow Weaving, Chutney Making, Raw Food workshops as well as Monthly Community Days.

All of our sessions, as usual, were free but we welcomed small donations from participants, that helped us take our projects even further.

Trinity was also able to support the Community Garden group in their quest to fund, develop and deliver new gardening and skill based weekly sessions for all ages and abilities, funded by Awards for All and The People's Health Trust. We also enable the Wild Walks for Well-being group to grow in numbers and activities.

It's also worth mentioning that May saw our busiest Garden Party ever!

We finished our growing season with a Harvest Celebration in November, were 250 participants from all our projects, their families and friends joined a range of activities in our Garden, from foraging walk to apple pressing and pizza making in our new cob oven.

Thank you all for taking part in our Garden projects and events this year! We will continue sharing learning opportunities, projects and ideas with you to help us create a happier, more sustainable living in Bristol in 2016. Watch this space!

Do you programme your own gigs? Trinity is a 650 capacity venue and most music events are currently organised by promoters or individuals who hire the venue and run their own gigs/clubs. We programme a number of live music events including Garden Party and Fireworks. We also programme theatre and performance as part of the IGNiTE project.

How do I get a gig at Trinity? Much of Trinity’s live music programme is organised by regional and national promoters. If you would like to perform as a support act, please email to info@3ca.org.uk with the gig you’re interested in and a link to your music and we can forward onto the relevant promoter.

Do you give the venue for free for benefit gigs/fundraisers? Trinity is a registered charity and our live-music progamme provides a way of us generating vital revenue to fund our charitable activities. We cannot provide free use of Trinity for benefit gigs as there are associated costs that have to be covered (security, staff, technical costs). See Benefit Gigs: Tips for more info.

Can we have the bar revenue? Trinity receives limited public funding and we use our bar revenue to subsidise our own charitable activities, as well as paying for the running costs and ongoing repair of the Trinity Centre. For live-music events, including fundraisers, Trinity retains all bar revenue and you, the promoter, retain all door revenue - this is the incentive to sell as many tickets as possible in order to ensure your event is a success.

I know someone who's SIA - can we use them for security? We want to ensure that our venue is safe and that our licensing conditions are upheld. We have a regular security team who we use who know the venue and help us to deliver safe events. If you would like to discuss security arrangements further, please contact your bookings administrator.

Can we sell food? We can allow sale of food as part of live events and have a small kitchen, suitable for reheating of food. Food providers have to hold appropriate certificates and insurance and present evidence of how food is prepared and stored. If you would like to sell food as part of your event please discuss this in advance with your bookings administrator. Please be advised, use of kitchen may incur an additional cleaning deposit.

Can we use the garden and/or upstairs hall, as well as the main hall? Our upstairs and outdoor spaces have stricter curfews. Use of outdoor/upstairs spaces may incur additional costs for security, staffing and licensing and may not necessarily increase the capacity of your event significantly. Please discuss with your requirements with your bookings administrator.

Can we have fire-breathers? Pyrotechnics are not permitted within the internal spaces. We have a limited number of days per year during which we can host events externally and any use of flammables must be adequately insured and risk assessed. Be sure to discuss with your bookings administrator any fire-display ideas you have well in advance so that we can ensure your event runs smoothly.

Can you reduce the rates for a smaller capacity event? There are standard costs which are incurred including a minimum number of security and staff. Therefore there is limited room for reducing fees from our standard rates. If you feel you require a smaller capacity, it might be worth approaching a smaller venue who will be able to work with you to stage the event you want.

Can we use our own tech and equipment? Any equipment you bring into the venue must be appropriately PAT tested. In order to ensure high quality of sound we stress that promoters use our in-house L'Acoustics PA and work with one of our preferred suppliers for other equipment and engineer requirements. If you wish to go it alone, your bookings administrator will need to know who's running the tech side of things, so that we can ensure your event is delivered to a high standard. Check out our Tech Spec for more info.

Can you help us promote the event? We list all events on our website and social media, as well as listing in our quarterly listings brochure. We also display and distribute posters and flyers, please speak to your bookings administrator about any help you need with this. The more lead-in time your event has, the wider we can push the event.

What is the venue's position on 'legal highs'? 'Legal highs' - along with other illegal substances - are not permitted by law at the Trinity Centre. The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 states that it is an offence to produce, supply, offer to supply, possess with intent to supply, import or export psychoactive substances (aka 'legal highs', for example, Nitrous Oxide).

How do I hold a date? If you're looking to hold a few dates while you wait to confirm artists, we are able to do this as long as there is adequate lead-in time. If you've pencilled a date and someone challenges this, we will get back to as soon as we receive the challenge. You will have 48hrs in order to confirm the date; we will usually require a 50% deposit to secure a date, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Image courtesy of Nathan Hicks

Trinity Community Arts (TCA) has been awarded funding from Heritage Lottery Fund for the Trinity Centre Conservation Project.

Funding for an initial development phase will enable the centre to carry out surveys of the Grade II* listed building, in order to come up with a plan for repair works in 2017. Works will focus on repairs to the north aisle and slate roof, original stained glass window and stonework.

Over the last few years, there has been much investment to improve the Trinity Centre's facilities. With a footfall of over 50,000 each year, the planned repair works will help to ensure the community arts centre can continue long into the future.

Emma Harvey, Centre Manager of Trinity said; “Thanks previous support from English Heritage and the Big Lottery Fund, The Trinity Centre was removed English Heritage At Risk Register in 2014. However, with an old building like this, there is still much work to be done to repair the building. This support from Heritage Lottery Fund will help to ensure the community can continue to enjoy the space for decades to come."

The project will compliment previous capital repair and redevelopment works and will be the final major-works phase relating to the repair and conservation of the historic fabric. The capital works programme will be complimented by a range of heritage learning activities, including training in traditional heritage trades.

Alongside funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, the project development phase has also been supported by the Ashley, Easton, Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood Partnership and the Quartet Community Foundation, with other supporters including Bristol's Rotary Club and Burgess Salmon.

Over the next year, the Trinity team will be working to raise the total funds needed to carry out the repair works and there will also be a number of job opportunities relating to the project. If you are interested in showing your support for the project or would like to know more visit: www.3ca.org.uk/activities/renovation for more information.

About Trinity's heritage

The Trinity Centre, Bristol, has been a diverse hub of community arts activities since its de-consecration as a place of worship in 1976. The building has been a prominent music venue for 50 years and has played host to a spectacular role-call of acts, becoming an important landmark in the globally exported 'Bristol Sound'.

Built between 1829-1832, the 'Waterloo Church' is considered to be one of the finest examples of the work of architects Thomas Rickman and Henry Hutchinson. Trinity is an important Grade II* listed building, which retains significant townscape value in the context of Old Market Conservation Area, defined as "an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance."

Trinity's 41 stained-glass windows are one of the most striking but neglected features of the building. Built in an English Gothic Revival style, most of the mullioned windows and clerestory feature non-pictorial stained glass and have a Geometric Patten style using simple shapes. The building features a pictorial stained-glass panel in one of the South-East façade windows, with classical figures set against a background of vibrant colours, flanked by diaper quarries and foliage.

Trinity is situated within one of the most culturally diverse and economically deprived areas of the South West. Race, migration and the changing demographic of the surrounding area have played an important role in the history of the building. Over the years, the building has been managed by different community groups, who have all had a role to play in making the centre what it is today.

The Trinity Centre Conservation Project will help to explore some of this history and provide opportunities for people to share their stories and experiences, as well as learn about traditional heritage trades. Visit our Archive for more information.

Image by Jane Porter, BCC

BBC 6 Music presenters Steve Lamacq and Mary Anne Hobbs broadcast live from the Watershed last night, announcing that Bristol is to host BBC6 Music Festival 2016. There will be a spectacular line-up of acts gracing the city, including Bristol based legends Roni Size and Tricky, as well as Primal Scream performing as part of the launch of their new album Chaosmosis.

Hobbs said; “The 6 Music Festival is such a special event because it brings all the elements of what we do as a digital radio station into a physical space: the artists, the whole of the station’s staff and presenters, and of course our wonderful listeners.”

She went on to state that “this year, the festival is coming to Bristol, a place where music is such a primary element of the DNA of the city. It’s going to be a truly unforgettable experience.”

The festival will take place between 12–14 February, across venues including Motion, Colston Hall, O2 Academy Bristol, Basement 45 and the Trinity Centre.

Blue Aeroplanes and Geoff Barrow (Portishead)'s band Beak will also be among the performers, with full line up to be announced on 19 January. Check out the BBC6 website for more information.

Last month, the centre picked up a special judges panel award from the M&S Energy fund, to cover the cost of the installation, with match funding support from the Naturesave Trust.

Installation work was carried out by local firm Clawtech Electrical. The project marks a success for the city of Bristol during its Green Capital year.

Energy savings from the installation will help support ongoing maintenance costs of the much-loved, grade II* listed, community arts centre and ensure that Trinity can continue to provide free hall space to other community projects.

Feeding back about the award to Trinity, the M&S Energy Community Energy Fund Team said; “We thought that this project was most in keeping with M&S’s core business values - integrity, innovation, inspiration, and in touch with the community. We were all very impressed with the level of community engagement [the] project has demonstrated and look forward to seeing the impact of our funding.”

St Werburghs City Farm was also among the winners of the awards. It received funding towards installing 15 solar panels to their new education centre 'The Connection Centre Solar Systems Project, which will educate children and young people about green energy.

M&S Energy Community Energy Fund
The M&S Energy Community Energy Fund has been established to enable more communities in the UK to generate renewable energy and become environmentally and financially sustainable. During September 2015 a public vote took place to decide which community groups across the country would win a share of the £400,000 funding available. There are plans to run a similar funding programme in 2016.

The Trinity Centre Conservation Project

The Trinity Centre Conservation Project will compliment previous repair and redevelopment works, helping to protect the building's fabric into the future. Trinity are campaigning to raise funds to carry out a final programme of works between 2015-2017.

Installing Solar PV panels on our community centre are a key part of this programme, to help the building become more sustainable and allow Trinity to continue to provide free and subsidised hall space for community activity.

This is the final major-works phase relating to the repair and conservation of the historic fabric. Capital works with be framed by an activities programme of workshops and events, including training in traditional heritage trades.

Photos by Jessica Bartolini

The Trinity Community Garden (TCG) has opened 2 new positions, each on different days so one could apply for both if one wishes!

Working in partnership with our Garden Co-ordinator and led by the direction of TCG Management Committee, you will plan, deliver and evaluate a varied programme that will draw in local people from all different backgrounds.

Both roles are freelance contracts for 6 months, fixed-term, from April to November 2016 - 7hrs a day for 1 day a week. Salary £10 p/hr.

1) Community Project Co-ordinator
2) Therapeutic Gardening Co-ordinator

Essential criteria for both posts:

• A strong understanding and knowledge about permaculture principles, sustainability practice, eco-systems, plants and wildlife

• At least 2yrs experience of working within community projects and vulnerable people

• Experience delivering outdoor cooking sessions with garden produce

• Knowledge of herbs and their benefits; food nutrition and healthy eating; organic food growing

• Proven ability to plan and co-ordinate a project

Desirable criteria for both posts:

• Experience working in a community/voluntary organisation

• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds

• First Aid and Basic Food Hygiene qualifications

• Marketing Skills

Please note a DBS (formerly CRB) check will be required.

For more information, including role specifications and application form contact, Charlie Hanson:

T: 07787520837 / E: itsasigncharlie@gmail.com

Closing date for applications Monday 21 Dec, 7pm.

Interviews will take place on the 11 and 12 January 2016.

The Trinity training department was pleased to arrange an incredible opportunity for young people from the local area to observe legendary producer, composer, DJ and multi instrumentalist Nitin Sawhney sound check just hours before his much anticipated packed out show here at Trinity Centre.

Backed by a full 8 piece band, including three vocalists, flutes, tablas, guitar, bass and drums. Nitin kindly allowed the students access to the technical process providing a rare glimpse into the intricacies involved with the professional music industry practice of sound checking for a high profile show.

Nitin Sawhney is one of the most distinctive and versatile musical voices around today. Firmly established as a world-class producer, songwriter, DJ, multi-instrumentalist, orchestral composer and cultural pioneer, Sawhney has become a latter-day Renaissance man in the worlds of music, film, videogames, dance and theatre.Sawhney’s output as a musician is highly prolific.

He has scored for and performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras, and collaborated with and written for the likes of Paul McCartney, Sting, The London Symphony Orchestra, A.R. Rahman, Brian Eno, Sinead O’Connor, Anoushka Shankar, Jeff Beck, Shakira, Will Young, Joss Stone, Taio Cruz, Ellie Goulding, Horace Andy, Cirque Du Soleil, Akram Khan, Deepa Mehta, Mira Nair, Nelson Mandela and John Hurt. Performing extensively around the world, he has achieved an international reputation across every possible creative medium.

Nitin was also kind enough to have a chat with our students afterwards to discuss his experiences and share insights into the music industry. Everyone at Trinity would like to express our sincerest thanks and gratitude to Nitin, his band, crew and management for making this opportunity possible.

Eek, where does the time fly – lots of exciting stuff to tell you all about coming up

This week we have a mega weekend including Ausform Micro-fest (pictured above) featuring drag queen regulars from the London cabaret circuit, Maxi More and IMMA / MESS. Later the same night we open up for the DEEP Medi Weekender, two nights of sounds system culture and music curated in partnership with Teachings in Dub.

After that we come crashing in to December with a packed Friday night featuring Massive Owl Theatre's new show Castle Rock, a distortion of the film, Stand By Me and Bump's Christmas Special; expect all the usual fun just a few more crazy costumes and probably some pretty terrible/amazing festive tunes.

Saturday 5, The Fantasy Orchestra return this year bringing us their very special David Bowie Party, encouraging you to come dressed as your favourite Bowie personality and for those musically inclined they'll be starting the proceedings with a 'David Bowie Berlin period' open mic session!

There is also still time to bag yourself a ticket for an evening with Miriam Margolyes. All proceeds from this night will go to support our youth training programme so excellent entertainment and a good deed all rolled into one.

Later in the month we still have Netsky, Aadhunik, the return of Twinkle Brothers and the City Rockas Festive Link Up to come, presenting plenty of opportunities to get dressed up and strut your stuff before we reach the big NYE Party to end the year on.

Music students from across the city recently attended an intimate Q&A session with talented up-and-coming multi-instrumentalist, singer song-writer Jack Garratt - just hours before his ‪‎sold-out show here at Trinity Centre, ‪‎Bristol‬.

Jack's biography states: "Jack combines electric guitar, drum machines, keyboards, and an R&B-friendly falsetto to fashion smooth, club-ready electro-pop. Hailing from Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, England, Garratt started writing songs at the age of 12. When he got his first laptop in his late teens, he began experimenting with more advanced music production, eventually releasing the single "I Couldn't Want You Anyway" in early 2014. It made waves on the Internet, especially in the U.K., and led to festival appearances as well as a sold-out London record-release show later that year for Remnants, his debut EP on Island."

Jack kindly took time out of his busy touring schedule to speak to students, answering questions that covered a wide range of topics. These included the creative process, approaches to song writing, the perils of touring and how to go about establishing a successful career within the modern music industry.

His main piece of advice was simply to enjoy what you do and stay to true to yourself.

Everyone here at Trinity wishes Jack all the best of luck and success with his album release early next year.

Trinity aims to provide unique opportunities for young people from challenging circumstances who are interested in developing a music career. Our in-house music training department has begun an exciting new initiative that provides young people with a chance to meet some of the national and international touring artists that perform within the legendary Trinity Centre – one of Bristol's key live music venues.

The first of these sessions took place in October 2015 with prolific Canadian multi-instrumentalist, heavy-rock legend, Devin Townsend. Devin was the founder, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist in extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad (1994-2007) and has also had an extensive career as a solo artist.

Passing through Bristol on a rare 7 date UK acoustic tour, Devin happily took time out of his busy schedule to take questions from a group of 10 music students. Devin was incredibly welcoming throughout and the young people were visibly in awe as Devin discussed the perils of rock 'n' roll excess and unrealistic over ambition. He stressed that music should remain an enjoyable creative process, as opposed to a career driven choice, which was very inspiring for the young people.

He gracefully allowed the students to observe his sound check, giving the group a unique insight into the professional processes involved in ensuring sound levels for each instrument are balanced and correct, in order to best match the acoustics of the space and artist. Finally, he took time at the end to sign CDs and have photos with the students, before carrying on preparing for the show at Trinity, which was a huge success and well received by the audience on the night.

A big thank you to Devin for making our first Industry Insights session possible!

Review from Theatre Bristol Writers in Residence: Fraisia Dunn

Nine Lives is a one-man show about asylum seeker Ishmael, played by Lladel Bryant, from Zimbabwe and his struggle to gain asylum in Armley. Bryant does a superb job of bringing the character to life, he is animated and convincingly plays Ishmael, and the characters he comes across, with lightness and ease.

The play explores what happens when Ishmael, who is seeking asylum because he is gay, starts the asylum process in Britain. The production focuses on the loss, creation and slippage of identity when faced with such a situation. How much of himself does Ishmael leave in Zimbabwe, how much does he hang onto and how much does he make himself anew?

This production, with beautiful African music introducing new aspects of the story, is a very honest and human account of this confusing, heart breaking and totally transformational time in Ishmael’s life. The script is excellent, the performance strong and honest and the design is elegant. There are no theatrical fireworks here, but there do not need to be, a simple story of Ishmael’s arrival and the difficulty in the decisions he has to make are powerful enough.

The script is written by Zodwan Nyoni, for Leeds playhouse where she was writer in residence in 2014. One of the effective aspects of Ishmael’s story is that it is entirely individual, prompting audience members to realise that asylum seekers are not a homogenous group in the same situation with the same concerns and problems, but each one is a person with their own very particular set of circumstances. Ishmael has to decide if he tells other African asylum seekers about why he is seeking asylum with the knowledge that he might be persecuted by his own countrymen or keep it quiet so he can seek the comfort of those with a shared background.

The narrative never rests, Ishmael is not allowed to settle, his story has no resolution. This echoes the transient, ever changing and never-resolved state that he is in. While he awaits the government’s decision as to whether Britain can harbour him, he has no firm ground to stand on. This production is very pertinent and has a lightness of touch that allows it to transcend the media coverage of this plight and depict one person’s difficult journey to a new start.

Review from Theatre Bristol Writers in Residence: Bella Fortune

She Called Me Mother is a story of distance. Distance caused by travelling from one continent to another. The distance that secrets create. Distance made by time. Distance between generations. Distance as enforced protection when love is lost to broken trust.

Evangeline is waiting, waiting for a woman, waiting for her black swan. Meanwhile she observes passers by. From her spot at London Bridge station she is only really visible to those who choose to see her. She is asking for money, an interaction and kindness in exchange for a magazine. Evangeline recounts moments in her long life that have led her to this place. Her past is set in Trinidad where she held many roles; she was a wife and, most importantly to the tale, she was a mother. She speaks out to us, explaining her history while the figure of a younger woman casually moves around in background like the ghost of a life lost. The figure is the thought at the front of Evangeline's mind, loitering in her present life, unable or unwilling to be shaken off.

When we finally meet this figure we are not surprised to learn that she is Evangeline's daughter Shirley. Through the Shirley we hear a different side to the tale. The gulf of experience between the two women is evident in their accents, use of language and points of view. Deeper secrets are revealed; alcoholism, abuse, protection and neglect. Could more have been done to prevent a lifetime's worth of damage? Once these buried pains are brought to the surface can a broken relationship be fixed?

When the two women come together their focus on us as an audience ceases. Suddenly they occupy the same space, the same place in time and we, the audience, are redundant. We are no longer listening to a story, we are now witnessing a coming together of a bygone relationship. There is something inharmonious about this jump of focus which is followed by an overly drawn out scene of attempted reconciliation that finds the actors vying for emotional one upmanship. However, She Called Me Mother, overall, feels like something of a breakthrough. As a debut play it more than succeeds in giving voice to traumatic experiences in a palatable fashion. Respect and realism are prioritised where the writing and performances could have easily swayed to sentimentality and the question of blame and accepting accountability is, authentically, never fully resolved. There is no fairy tale ending, no wave of a magic wand. But there is life and, for Shirley at least, the chance to live it.

The event on 6 December will see the BAFTA award-winning actress performing a rich-medley of stories, poems, Dickens, comedy & sing-song. It will be a unique chance to see one of the UK's most prolific performers in the beautiful and intimate setting of the Trinity Centre's newly renovated Fyfe Hall.

Miriam is an impressively versatile performer and storyteller, with a love of all things Dickens. Known for her roles in the Harry Potter movies, Blackadder and Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, the marvellous Miriam Margolyes also performs widely across the UK and Australia, in her one-woman such as Dickens' Women - in which she plays 23 different roles (men and women) from Dickens' books - and The Importance Of Being Miriam.

Reviewer Diana Simmonds (Stage Noise) said of Miriam's performance at the Sydney Opera House in April this year; “Margolyes is a fabulous storyteller and the stories she has to tell range from hilariously ridiculous to gobsmackingly 'omigod, she didn’t say that, did she?' But of course, she did – and does!"

Recently returning from filming in Jaipur, India, Miriam will be performing in Bristol for one-night only, in support of Trinity Community Arts, bringing her unique style of entertainment to the city and helping to raise funds toward our youth training programme.

Joining Trinity as the charity's Patron last year, Miriam said; "These days, the Arts have to fight for their place in our society & I saw when I visited Trinity that it is not only committed to encouraging & fostering the Arts in Bristol, but also to ensure young people from diverse backgrounds experience all aspects of Art & enable them to realise their dreams."

Tickets for the event are £18 adv (£16 concessions), available from Bristol Ticket Shop.

Click here for more information about the event.

Photo: Kyte Photography

The M&S Energy Community Energy Fund has been established to enable more communities in the UK to generate renewable energy and become environmentally and financially sustainable. Last month, a public vote took place to decide which community groups across the country would win a share of the £400,000 funding available.

Trinity has been awarded £12,500 funding to contribute toward the installation of solar PV to Trinity Centre roof, which will match-fund £1,000 committed from the Naturesave Trust. Energy savings from the installation will help support ongoing maintenance costs of the much-loved, grade II* listed, community arts centre and ensure that Trinity can continue to provide free hall space to other community projects.

Installation of solar PV form part of Trinity's 2015 Green Capital Pledge to improve the centre's green credentials.

Emma Harvey, Trinity Centre Manager said; "A massive thanks must go out to all those who voted & supported us to win - we couldn't have done it without you!"

Feeding back about the award to Trinity, the M&S Energy Community Energy Fund Team said; “The judges felt [the] project was most in keeping with M&S core business values - integrity, innovation, inspiration, and in-touch with the community. We are all very impressed with the level of community engagement [the] project has demonstrated and look forward to seeing the impact of our funding.”

St Werburghs City Farm were also amongst winners of the awards. They received funding towards installing 15 solar panels to their new education centre 'The Connection Centre Solar Systems Project, which will educate children and young people about green energy.

About the Trinity Centre

The Trinity Centre is a unique is a Grade II* listed, deconsecrated Georgian church, now a thriving community arts centre and independent live music venue, based in the heart of inner-city Bristol.

Led by Trinity Community Arts, our mission is to empower communities through the arts, to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to access and shape arts and culture.

We deliver projects with arts, education and heritage focuses to encourage participation and promote cohesion within these areas. The centre was used by over 40,000 in 2014, including 8,498 people participating in our community projects and activities.

Trinity provides free and subsidised hall use to community projects through our Trinity Community Initiative (TCI). In 2014 we provided 1,080 hours of free or subsidised hall space, so that community and grass-roots groups were able to run their projects and events.

About the Trinity Centre Conservation Project

The Trinity Centre Conservation Project will compliment previous repair and redevelopment works, helping to protect the building's fabric into the future.

Trinity are campaigning to raise funds to carry out the following programme of works between 2015-2017:

• repairing lead-work on the remaining North aisle (with insulation) to prevent water ingress to the training spaces below
• re-felting and repair to pitched slate roof, to prevent water ingress and damage to the re-developed hall spaces below
• masonry works to the stonework (excluding South aisle) and towers to protect the building's fabric from cramp damage
• restoration of original stained glass, including installation of secondary/tertiary glazings (internally and externally) to improve the energy performance of the building and opening devices to North and South high elevation windows to improve ventilation
• installing Solar PV panels on our community centre, to help the building become more sustainable and allow Trinity to continue to provide free and subsidised hall space for community activity.

This is the final major-works phase relating to the repair and conservation of the historic fabric. Capital works with be framed by an activities programme of workshops and events, including training in traditional heritage trades.

Click here for more info about the project.

Art Weekender – Bristol & Bath is a three-day celebration of the visual arts across the two cities taking place from Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November. Now in its second year, the Art Weekender is produced by Situations in partnership with over 30 arts venues, artist-led groups and arts producers. The weekender brings together exhibitions, one-off special events, artists’ talks, family activities and trails, public artworks and performances by outstanding contemporary artists in multiple locations across the two cities.

Trinity has joined forces with Lockjaws* to host a 5 day exhibition in Fyfe Hall and The Graffiti Room including exhibition and publication launch alongside a number of artist performances and artist collective interventions.

Curious about art? Want to be part of something big? Art Weekender are seeking inspired and enthusiastic people to become Ambassadors. Help celebrate the arts in Bristol and Bath, while learning professional skills and making new friends.

Art Weekender Ambassadors will be immersed in the festival, working directly with producers, artists and curators. You will be the public face, helping people to access exhibitions and events, and engage with new experiences and new ideas. Click here to find out more from the Art Weekender website.

In addition to Art Weekender Ambassadors Trinity is looking for 2 x volunteers to assist with the exhibition here on Sunday 1st November. Get in touch to find out more: info@3ca.org.uk

Voting has now closed for The Marks & Spencer Community Energy Fund.

We received 361 votes!

Even if we don't win we think that's pretty amazing so a massive THANK YOU to all those who supported us!

Still looking to show your support?

There are plenty of ways to support Trinity. Visited the 'Support Us' section of our website for more information.

Make Sunday Special 2015

Event summary

Family friendly, alcohol free event, featuring contemporary World Music, headlined by 47 Soul. Food, Stalls, Dance, Performances and Film as well as 'Get Active' workshops including Sport & Fitness, Science & Nature and Art & Craft.

Event background

Make Sunday Special (MSS) was a Bristol City Council led programme, delivering events in and around Corn Street in the Old City, on the first Sunday of each month. In 2015, MSS came to Bristol's neighbourhoods, as well as keeping the fun going in the city centre.

Our local event in Stapleton Road (23 August 2015) took place as part of this wider programme.

Ideas for Make Sunday Special Stapleton Road came from a public meeting at the Trinity Centre, attended by over 40 local residents, traders, artists and community organisations. The group wanted to see lots of activities for children and families, as well as food and music that represented the community - 'the world on one street'.

Project steering group

From the initial meeting, a steering group was formed, made up of a range of community, resident and trader representatives. This helped us to balance the interests of the different parties involved.

Steering group members:

Pat Usherwood (Stapleton Road Residents Group), Sonny Richards (Stapleton Road Traders Assc), Antonio Jordan (Felix Watch), Emma Harvey & Ripley Bullock (Trinity Community Arts), Stacy Yelland and Lorena Alvarez (Up Our Street), Clara Shuma (Afrika Eye), Cameron Bate (Easton Leisure Centre).

Event highlights

Having the ability to programme a diverse live-music and arts offer for the street brought people out to dance and celebrate in a way not usually seen on this street. In spite of the weather, those who turned out really enjoyed the activities that were on offer. Activity providers that did push through weather engaged the public well, in particular the offer for children.

In particular, children enjoyed taking part in circus activities including stilt-walking and tight-rope walking, provided by the Invisible Youth! It was great for children to have the chance to skip and play freely in the middle of the street, facilitated by Playing Out, who got everyone involved in chalking on the pavement. Literati and Mufti provided indoor activities in the Trinity Centre and Stapelton Road Chapel and all had strong engagement from the community in their offer.

Easton Leisure Centre provided a great activity day as part of the event, offering tasters in classes and activities from Sea-Scooters to Zumba - it gave people the chance to try out something different, have some fun and get fit in the process.

People we spoked to on the day said it was just great to see something like this happening in the area as, with lots of things happening elsewhere, people felt that Stapleton Road often gets forgotten or left out. Traders and residents on the day said that the event was a great opportunity to have a positive public event for Stapleton Road.

'' The event had a lovely atmosphere''

''A wonderful showcase of Stapleton Road....had a great day''

“Kids love the circus and dance activities!''

''Just wish it was less wet!”

Future plans

If only we'd had sunshine! It's fair to say that the torrential rain put many people off. However, this did mean that those who did attend were from the immediate and local area who came out to see what was going on. Others braved it and came out in their wet-weather gear to take part and dance along with Bristol Samba and World Jungle Samba and everyone who came said that they just wished the weather had been better for us all.

As this was the first event, traders did not quite know what to expect! But hopefully, now that they have seen the first event along Stapleton Road, they will be keen to get involved in future events and benefit from the audience brought out by the event.

Event supporters

Trinity would like to say a big thank you to all those who came along to the first Make Sunday Special Stapleton Road. In spite of the weather, over 1,100 people came out to celebrate 'The World On One Street' and bring some good vibes to the neighbourhood. Thank you to all those who took part!

Special thanks go to:

• Bristol City Council for generously funding the costs of the event
• Steering group members for their time, effort and dedication
• Generous suppliers including Renteq, MJ Church and Kings Sound Reinforcement
• Activity providers for braving the weather and engaging children and young people in fun, creative activities
• NCS Engage young volunteers for sticking it out on a long, wet day and helping to collect donations toward event costs
• The Trinity team for their hard work and unrelenting commitment to delivering great events for the community
• Volunteer photographers Khali Ackford (images, top and below-left) and Jessica Bartolini (images, centre and below-right)
• Var from Telling Tales Film (view above)

She Called Me Mother Wednesday 14 October.

“I try not to tink about she too much, 'cause de pain dem thoughts bring it like a herd of buffalo runnin wild in a field, an I beneath dem foot.”

Meet Evangeline Gardner - a homeless, 70 year old African-Caribbean woman, who finds herself living on the streets and searching for her estranged daughter Shirley.

She Called Me Mother stars BAFTA and Golden Globe nominee Cathy Tyson, best known for her stage work with the RSC and the Liverpool Everyman and on film in Mona Lisa (1986)

She called me Mother is written in poetic Trindadian vernacular rarely heard on British stages.

"I believe She Called Me Mother has the potential to be a modern classic. We are going into territory that hasn't been explored on our stages before. The emotional potential of the play is boundless. I hope this play will be a rewarding experience for our audience and all those with creative involvement." (Cathy Tyson actor/producer)

This debut show from Pitch Lake Productions, founded by actor Cathy Tyson, writer Michelle Inniss and director Cara Nolan will be the second show to tour for the Black Theatre Live consortium, dedicated to bringing inventive BAME theatre to venues across the country. It follows the recently concluded tour of Tara Arts new version of Macbeth.

“I’m delighted that our consortium have selected such an exciting prospect for our first commission. The poetry of the script blew me away” (Sarah Brigham, Artistic Director Derby)

Nine Lives Saturday 17th October

Fleeing from his home in Zimbabwe where homophobia threatens his life, Ishmael has sought sanctuary in the UK. He waits to hear his fate, and for a new life to begin amongst strangers.…can he find a place to call home again?

The strangers are brilliantly brought to life by Lladel Bryant..you care as much about them as you do about Ishmael.

Performed by Lladel Bryant and directed by Alex Chisholm, the play threads together humour and humanity to tell the human stories behind the “negative reports in the public domain regarding refugees, asylum seekers and the word, immigration. (writer Zodwa Nyoni)

Nine Lives, written by Zodwa Nyoni as part of her residency as West Yorkshire Playhouse / Channel Four Writer in residence 2014, was first performed as part of West Yorkshire Playhouse ‘s A Play, A Pie and a Pint’ season.

“a cracking piece of theatre that offers a glimpse into an issue that’s present in the country and around the world today” (Adam Bruce from a A Younger Theatre)

Theatre at Trinity

These shows follow on from several successful solo shows over the last year including Chanje Kunda's Amsterdam last October and Solo Showcase in March which brought Bella Fortune, Alice Human, Hannah Sullivan and Ale Marzotto to the Centre. Fyfe Hall has the ability to create an intimate warmth, despite its grand size, making it the perfect space to get close up to the performance.