As well as hoop you can try your hand at loads of other activities including crafting, aerial hoop, fans, pole dance and much much more.

Includes two live shows, the best of the UK & Bristol's vegan food and unlimited chocolate.

Image: Sould and Cells

We are thrilled to announce our Autumn Theatre and Arts programme, a dynamic exploration of grassroots social justice which celebrates underrepresented voices and shares untold stories from Bristol and beyond.

“This season is an ode to the underrepresented voices and cultures that make up our social fabric, redefining and exploring contemporary arts through the lens of social justice.” Esther Afikiruweh, Combined Arts Producer, Trinity

The series features film screenings, spoken word performances, theatre and dance and kicks off with an immersive audio trail, 'Duppy Hunter: A Local's Guide to St Paul's' on 03 Oct. Audiences are invited to embark on a playful exploration of St. Paul's, assuming the role of Duppy Hunters in pursuit of an elusive spirit hidden amongst the streets and sights of this vibrant neighbourhood. This unique ‘listening experience’ is a collaboration between Trinity and the renowned Tamasha Theatre Company whose work supports both emerging & established Global Majority artists and arts organisations Coney who create playful digital experiences.

On 12 October, we welcome community artists Carlota Matos and Hiba Elhindi, who, in collaboration with the refugee and asylum seeker support charity Borderlands, will host 'Theatre of Migration'. This evening promises engaging panel discussions, screenings, and sharings, delving into the world of participatory theatre and the ethical considerations of creating theatre based on lived experiences, particularly from the perspective of refugees and asylum seekers.

The powerful documentary, 'I am Judah', will be screened on 20 October. The film tells the poignant story of Easton resident Ras Judah, who was unjustly tasered by the police in 2017. Despite a criminal trial, the officer responsible was found not guilty, and in September 2018, she was also cleared of misconduct. "I Am Judah" critically examines this case, giving voice to Judah as a community elder and shedding light on the broader issue of police injustices affecting many others.

Returning to Trinity on 05 November, dance artist Akeim Toussaint Buck and Crystal Zillwood present their performance, 'Souls and Cells'. This mesmerising showcase delves into themes of heritage, ancestry, and moments of inter-connectiveness through the medium of movement, dance, and sound.

As a culmination of the season, we join forces with the Afrika Eye film festival on 17 November for the 17th festival edition. Together, we will present a screening of 'Neptune Frost', the 2022 science fiction romantic musical film co-directed by Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman, alongside performances from spoken word artists.

Our Autumn Theatre and Arts programme promises to be a season of thought-provoking and inspiring events, celebrating diversity, social justice, and artistic expression. Join us as we elevate underrepresented voices and share powerful stories that resonate with the many communities who live in Bristol.

About Trinity Presents:

This is part of Trinity Presents - our in-house programme of music and performance, bringing world-class artists and emerging talent to inner-city audiences.

Panel discussion as part of 'Final Frontier'. Image credit: Khali Ackford

In partnership with St Paul’s Carnival/Trinity and Citizens In Power, we have been exploring how a representative group of citizens from across the west of England could create a cultural strategy and delivery plan for the region. Following our research phase we are now undertaking a series of ‘citizens panels’ with people from across region.

We will host three panels during September and October in which we will ask citizens to review the initial model for a Citizens’ Assembly for culture that was developed by the working group. The findings of the three citizen panels will be assembled into a report that sets out how the recommendations have been implemented in the design of the 2024 Citizens’ Assembly for culture. We are then planning follow-up sessions with people and organisations working in the cultural sector during November and December.

The citizens panels will be hosted by David Jubb (Citizens In Power) and small discussion groups will be facilitated to ensure everyone has a voice in the process. The reason for involving citizens in the design process is that we believe that a wide range of citizens can help improve the idea and make it more relevant to more people from across the region.

If you would like to find out more and explore questions about the idea and the process then we will be at the ‘Festival of the Future City’ on Oct 19 at Watershed where we will share our journey so far. The event will be open to questions from and conversation with the audience at this free event.

The citizens panels mark an exciting next-step for the Citizens For Culture project, made possible with the support of the Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch) and Arts Council England through the West of England Cultural Compact fund.

Find out more about the project

Image Credit: Alastair Brookes

We’ve had an amazing summer of music, arts and community events at Trinity and we wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of the amazing things that have happened at Trinity over the last few months.

Garden Party

On May 14, 2023, Trinity Garden Party welcomed the community to our annual, free event featuring live music, arts, workshops, and performances.

The Den, our outdoor stage, showcased a diverse lineup of talented artists from Bristol and the South West. From Laimu's soulful jazz, Ben Baddoo's Ghanaian percussion, and Magugu's Nigerian rap set the musical tone, we had an amazing range of musical talent on display. The day concluded with an energetic performance from jungle legends Ruffneck Ting duo Dazee and Jakes. Upstairs in Fyfe Hall, local poets, comedians, and spoken word artists entertained, including familiar faces and new local talent.

Workshops throughout the day offered diverse experiences for attendees of all ages. Movema's Dance Workshop ignited the Main Hall, while DMAC's Drumming and Storytelling circle was a hit. Crafts, garden activities, and a Recycle City workshop engaged children and the local community.

With over 2,200 attendees and £3000 in donations, your generosity enables us to host more community events like Garden Party in the future.

Movema

We continued our partnership with award-winning Dance company Movema throughout the summer, delivering a programme of Dance and Movement-based workshops with two Hannah More and St Nicholas of Tolentine Primary Schools.

This summer we celebrated the end of the project with a series of weekly after school Carnival Dance workshops. Held at Trinity, children and their parent/carers, along with Movema, created their own carnival procession that celebrated and took inspiration from the rich cultures and heritages of the group.

Day Parties

Day Parties in our outdoor venue, The Den, continued throughout the summer. We hosted a range of in-house day parties, including a Booty Bass x RepresentAsian takeover, as well as fan-favourites Teachings in Dub ran their first ever day party at Trinity in August. Rave on Avon, a multi-venue festival around Bristol, found it's new home on Old Market this year, and we were lucky enough to host the main stage at Trinity.

House of Weaving Song

As part of Bristol’s Playable Cities project, we hosted The House of Weaving Songs in Trinity’s Community Garden, an outdoor interactive artistic installation celebrating Somali culture. The House of Weaving Songs was created by dhaqan collective, a Somali Feminist art collective led by Ayan Cilmi and Fozia Ismail. The installation featured traditional Somali tapestries that when touched ignited the stories and musicality of Somali women’s weaving songs.

We've got loads of amazing events lined up for autumn and winter at Trinity, click here to see what's on.

To join in the painting, please follow Google Maps, or use What3Words - and type the reference '///living.unity.homes' to find the location. You do not need to bring anything along on the day as all materials will be provided.

Public Painting Days:

Phase 1 for Newtown Residents - Wednesday 23rd August to Friday 1st September
Wed 23 and Thu 24 10.00am to 6.00pm
Fri 25 and Sat 26 12.00 to 8.00pm
Mon 27 to Thu 31, 10.00am to 6.00pm
Fri 1 Sept, 12.00 to 8.00pm

Phase 2 for Wider Bristol - Wednesday 13th September to Friday 22nd September
Weekdays, 9.00am to 5.00pm
Weekends, 10.00am to 6.00pm
There will be celebration days with performances on September 2nd and September 23rd

About Brick project

Brick project is delivered by artists Dan Petley and Fraisia Bruist-Papazian and in partnership with Newtwon Network and Trinity, will see individual bricks on a wall opposite Trinity Centre painted – creating a collage of community artwork. Each artwork created on a brick will then be uploaded to the Brick Project Website, and will be labelled showing who created the artwork so that people are able to share their creations.

As Bristol commemorates 650 years of city status, we invite you to join us in celebrating the extraordinary journeys that have shaped the city into a thriving hub of diverse cultures and artistic expression, showcasing the artists who have defined Bristol’s musical and cultural legacy.

This free music and arts event features an eclectic mix of local artists, bands, DJs and performers. Garden Party is family-friendly, offering an array of workshops and activities to engage and inspire visitors of all ages.

Lineup:

• Ruth Royall
• Azula Bandit
• Suntou Susso
• TIANNA
• Sijya
• Zahra O'Shea
• Next-Gen Sounds

Access - if you have access requirements please let one of our team know how we can help.

Play your part in Trinity's future and support events like Garden Party, with a suggested donation of £3 per person.

Please note that no alcohol and no dogs can be brought on site. Bag searches will take place.

About Trinity Presents

This is part of Trinity Presents - our in-house programme of music and performance, bringing world-class artists and emerging talent to inner-city audiences.

Movema's Easter Dance Club. Photo credit Alastair Brooks

We were able to provide 150 local residents and users of the Trinity Centre supermarket vouchers as part of the Winter Crisis Fund. The support has come at a crucial time when families are grappling with unprecedented costs due to the ongoing cost of living crisis.

To allow for a fair and accessible process, we developed a user-friendly online form where individuals could indicate how they met our four predefined criteria for receiving vouchers. We then worked with key stakeholders to share the scheme, including printing flyers to distribute among resident groups and parents/carers whose children participate in activities at Trinity.

"I am in receipt of a low income. The shopping voucher really helps with everyday shopping, e.g., food, cleaning products. Furthermore, by being awarded the voucher, I feel listened to and valued. Thank you."

This initiative enabled us to offer some relief to the challenges posed by rising living costs, and the distribution of vouchers primarily benefited local residents with caring responsibilities. 78% of the vouchers were allocated to families whose children attend local schools or children's centres or take part in Trinity's Children and Young People program.

About the Winter Crisis Fund:

The Winter Crisis Fund is an initiative of The Society of the Merchant Ventures.

About Molly Mural

Molly Mural is a UK female Bristol mural artist. Curious and playful, Molly’s signature bold and colourful cut-out shapes span building murals, basketball courts, and streets to set designs, interiors and fashion.

Many of the events this summer will take place in the community garden. Photo credit Alastair Brookes

Check out our free and affordable activities to take part in as part of our Summer programme of activity.

Meet the Unicorn

Head down to Trinity and uncover a mystical unicorn as part of this yrs city-wide arts trail that is raising money for Leukaemia Care, the UK's leading leukaemia charity. Trinity’s unicorn, named 'Silence Provokes', has been painted by Bristol-based artist Emma Blake-Morsi. People can visit the Unicorn during opening hours (9am-5pm Monday - Friday) and most weekends. However, as Trinity is an active community space, we do apologise but access may be restricted to the site during day parties or wedding.

Explore Somali Culture

As part of Playable City we are hosting 'The House Of Weaving Songs' (07 July-09 July) an outdoor interactive artistic installation celebrating Somali culture featuring 360 audio and tapestry.  Click here to find out more.

Nature and Play

Throughout the Summer we are teaming up with Central Bristol Children's centre for 'Stay and Play' for 0yrs-11yrs (and their grown ups). These sessions, on Friday's, will offer nature and play activities - for free. We will be also running a cafe where you can buy hot drinks and healthy snacks. Click here to find out more.

Family Theatre and Picnics

Following the success of The Ash the Oak and the Standing Stones early this year we have again teamed up with Tidel Tales Collective to bring another magical show The Hare, the Moon and the River Picnic Series (18 Aug). Come along - and bring a picnic.

Arts Workshops

We've got a selection of community-focused arts workshops running at Trinity throughout the summer.

During July and August Newtown residents are invited to take part in free community painting sessions where you can take part in a mandala painting activity. Hosted by Brick Project CIC the sessions will run between 5:00pm-7:00pm - the meeting point is located just across the Clarence Road, which is next to the Trinity Centre.

Starting on 17 July we have Creative Wellbeing Workshops at Trinity, delivered in partnership with Age UK Bristol and Alive Activities. Take part in free in art, crafts, and activities as well as learning ways to look after your wellbeing, while exploring ways to unwind and relax. These drop in sessions are open to everyone. Age UK and Alive Activities would particularly like to welcome Refugees and Asylum Seekers aged 50+, as well as locals living close to the Trinity Centre

On 21 July we will have an Artwork Design Workshop with artist Molly Mural. This is a creative workshop and help design a new public artwork for Stapleton Road, drawing inspiration from local culture, history, and community values you will be able to use various techniques. Click here to sign up.

Community Cafes

Starting on Weds 19 July we are inviting our key community partners to 'take over' The Den and Garden for the afternoon. We will be welcoming key community partners such as Newtown Network to host activities and celebrate the work that they do. We will provide free hot and cold drinks as well as healthy snacks.

Day Parties & Weddings

During the summer months (July-Sep) we will be hosting full-site Days parties. These are for 14+ (under 16's must be accompanied by an adult). This includes veteran soundsystem Downbeat Melody (16 July) and Booty Bass x RepresentAsian (29 July) - tickets start at £5.

Ice Road by Raucous performed in Jacob Wells Baths. Photo credit Jack Offord

In October 2022 a decision was taken to pause the process of awarding fixed-term funding to the arts and cultural sector of Bristol, in order to ensure transparency and independent decision making.

Trinity are advocating for a similar level of scrutiny regarding the future of our city's community infrastructure, given these decisions will have a far greater long-term impact on our social and cultural fabric.

Our work to promote the plight of the city's community buildings falls in line with Trinity's charitable objective to "provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare". Recently we outlined the value of our many community spaces in Bristol in our report: "A community canvas – building the case for community infrastructure 2022-2026"

The disposal of Jacobs Wells Baths

Since January this year we have been working with stakeholders to create a vision for Jacobs Wells Baths, a Grade II Listed building that holds within its walls a wealth of architectural and social heritage - from its time as a public swimming baths to its 30 year history as a dance hub.

Following the information that Jacobs Wells Baths is now being put forward for disposal Emma Harvey, CEO of Trinity Community Arts, has submitted a statement to Bristol City Councils Full Cabinet meeting 04 July 2023.

Emma Harvey CEO Trinity Community Arts Statement:

For over 15 years, I have been raising concerns about Bristol City Council's failure to adequately classify and protect its community buildings.

Today, I once again bring forth my concerns regarding the disposal process being tabled today. It highlights a lack of protective asset class for buildings like Jacobs Wells Baths and Ujima House, which have been listed for disposal alongside disused plots of land, an old lock-up garage and a former public toilet.

The reduction of irreplaceable community buildings to footnotes in a 400-page agenda pack raises questions about how irreversible decisions are made about the assets we own. Disposing of irreplaceable assets without adequate scrutiny or a consistently applied process jeopardises our connection to the past, erodes our present identity, and threatens the resilience of future communities. Such a decision should involve greater care than may given by an ‘estates rationalisation’ exercise, when these decisions risk eroding the city’s landscape of public spaces where our communities - growing in size and diversity - can connect, build trust, and foster unity.

"Bristol has the opportunity to lead the way and, rather than disposing of these cherished spaces with a dismissive wave, we could seek to adopt a new ‘Public Realm’ asset use class that can change the way we define and protect civic and cultural domains for all citizens. These assets belong to the people of Bristol and as our elected representatives you are entrusted by us to act as our guardians of these shared spaces."

These spaces are more than physical structures and worth considerably more than an old bog or a dumping ground. They represent a tangible connection to our city's heritage and have witnessed countless memories and community gatherings that have shaped our city's social fabric. Not only do these spaces connect and improve the daily lives of people in their surrounding areas, they can also act as significant local economic multipliers, generating jobs and supporting small businesses. Specifically Jacobs Wells Baths is the only community hub within a locality with a combined population of 25,000 residents.

As Trinity has already set out, it has every potential to service the needs of this locality’s diverse communities; residents of HMOs and adjacent social housing blocks, older and young people, who have no other hub for locally based service provision.

I ask the members of today’s Cabinet what is the legacy you want to leave behind?

I urge the Cabinet to re-evaluate this process, as the Mayor has done with other recent called-in decisions, such as the Cultural Investment Programme.

I urge members to consider the 2019 Land for the Many independent report, which advocates for changing the way we make decisions about these critical assets.

Bristol has the opportunity to lead the way and, rather than disposing of these cherished spaces with a dismissive wave, we could seek to adopt a new ‘Public Realm’ asset use class that can change the way we define and protect civic and cultural domains for all citizens. These assets belong to the people of Bristol and as our elected representatives you are entrusted by us to act as our guardians of these shared spaces.

Though your time in office may be limited, the decisions you make today will have lasting consequences for the communities of tomorrow. Please do not miss this once in a lifetime chance to make a positive impact to safeguard the legacy of these and other community buildings for the enrichment and well-being of present and future Bristolians.

Further information

We support Power to Change's We're Right Here Campaign that is building a united movement for community power.

Read more in George Monbiot's Land for the Many independent report that focuses on changing the way our assets are used, owned and governed

The unicorn at Trinity

We are pleased to be hosting a Unicorn as part of the magical arts trail taking place throughout July and August in celebration of Bristol’s 650th anniversary.

The art trail features 60 life-sized unicorn sculptures that have been individually designed and painted by some of the South West’s leading artists and will be raising money for Leukaemia Care, the UK's leading leukaemia charity.

" I recognise our health care systems aren't exempt from many of the inequalities in our society, and wanted to create a contrasting design that hopes to raise awareness of this while also celebrating the vibrancy of colours, patterns and textures commonly associated with some ethnically marginalised communities." Emma Blake-Morsi, artist Unicorn Fest

Trinity’s unicorn, named 'Silence Provokes', has been painted by Bristol-based artist Emma Blake-Morsi and is inspired by leading research by the British Journal of Cancer on ethnic disparities within cancer patients, with the intention of raising awareness about inequalities within healthcare.

People will be able to visit the Unicorn most days between 9am and 5pm. Throughout the summer holidays we will also be offering a programme of affordable/free to access activities as part of our Children and Young People's programme so if you are bringing family, or young people you care for, and want to plan your visit - click here to find out more.

Click here to find out more about the trail including how to download the app and buy a map.

Please note that Trinity is an active community space, visitors are advised to check our listings as access may be restricted to the site during day parties or weddings.

More about this Workshop

This session will include writing exercises inspired by the theme’s show of gender identity and breaking binaries, while covering performance skills, in preparation for the open mic section of the show.

These workshops will be in preparation for the ‘Dancing To Music You Hate’ which kicks off at the Wardrobe Theatre on Monday 10th July at 7.30 pm.

Attendees of this workshop will be given priority for the event’s open mic, though slots are not guaranteed. The workshops are open to participants of all levels, backgrounds and genders. Attendees are invited to bring 1-2 of their own poems that they'd like to work on.

More about the Artists

Jasmine Gardosi is an award-winning spoken word poet, beatboxer and multiple slam champion of national and international renown. Dancing To Music You Hate is her brand new, debut show about gender identity, coming to terms with queerness, and finding the words. Commissioned by Warwick Arts Centre, it premiered there in October 2022 to standing ovations.

More about Milk Poetry

Milk Poetry selects the finest, freshest poets from the UK and beyond to produce the most nourishing and eclectic spoken word bonanza you could ever hope for. Curated and hosted by Malaika Kegode (Writer of Outlier) – monthly Mondays at The Wardrobe Theatre.

We partnering with Tamasha Theatre to explore hidden stories from the Windrush generation.

You are invited to break bread with playwright Mel Pennant and Director Anastasia Osei-Kuffour and to listen to Mel’s audio drama ‘A Stranger in a Strange Place’.

This will act as a starting point to discuss the thoughts, feelings and memories of Windrush which will feed into a new audio play.

This is part of a project to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Windrush, supported by The National Archives, which will culminate in an online listening party in October 2023.

There will be 2 workshops at the St Paul's Learning & Family Centre on the below times;

Thursday 22nd June 2.30 pm to 5 pm  and Friday 23rd June 10 am to 1 pm

You can attend either workshop, you do not need to bring anything along to participate, and there will be refreshments provided for everyone.

More about the Artists

Mel Pennant is a playwright, screenwriter and novelist. In 2013, she won the Brockley Jack Write Now 4 award with her play No Rhyme. In 2017, Mel was shortlisted for the Alfred Fagon Award for her play A Black Fella Walks into a Bar. Her play “Seeds" was on a national tour in 2020 before lockdown brought it to a halt.

Anastasia Osei – Kuffour is a Director, Writer, Producer and Poet. Anastasia’s work includes: All Roads (BGAC, Theatre Peckham, New Wimbledon Theatre Studio & Tramshed); On The Ropes (Park Theatre); Faith, Hope & Glory and Precious Little Thing (BBC Radio 4); Typical (Soho Theatre, the film: Soho Theatre On Demand); Seeds (UK tour, Leeds Playhouse, Live Newcastle, Derby Theatre & Warwick Arts Centre); Cuttin' It (Royal Court UK Schools Tour) and Footprints on the Moon (Finborough). See her website for more: www.anastasiaoseikuffour.com

Tasks may include weeding, planting, watering, creating wildlife habitats, and basic orchard maintenance.

This will also be a nice opportunity to have a cup of tea, relax and enjoy our Green Space.

Sessions are held Fortnightly on Wednesdays - Time: 10.00 - 13.00

Sessions will be led by Trinity's Garden Team. You'll also be working alongside a small team of friendly volunteers.

No previous experience in gardening is required, as all training will be provided.

Tools, equipment and drinks will be provided, and you are welcome to bring your own lunch. Lunch and travel expenses may be claimed back once you are a regular Trinity Volunteer.

Sessions are for 18+ only.

How to take part:

- If you would like to volunteer then first you will need to register with Trinity as a 'Volunteer Gardener'.

- After registration, our Garden Manager will contact you to have a friendly chat within 14 working days.

- You may then be invited to a taster session to see if the sessions feel right for you.

- Please do get in touch as we will do our best to accommodate everyone's individual needs.

In partnership with St Paul’s Carnival/Trinity and Citizens In Power, we are exploring how to co-create a cultural strategy for the West of England region with citizens.

During this research phase, funded by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch), we invited a range of collaborators from the sector who place participation at the heart of their practice to hear from some of the best speakers working in democratic decision making right now.

Part 5: Deliberative Workshops

In January and February 2023 we organised three deliberative workshops with the aim of devising a long-term, citizen-led process that will shape a cultural plan for the area.

In our first session, we heard from Sarah James, the Creative and Cultural Programme Lead at West of England Combined Authority. She spoke about the Combined Authority’s Cultural Compact – a group consisting of representatives from four Unitary Authorities (Bath and North-East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire) that aims to focus and amplify the role of culture in the region as a driver for economic success, placemaking, community cohesion and personal wellbeing. Sarah talked us through the evolving Cultural Plan for the region and how this connects with other active cultural conversations in the area.

The group then briefly discussed the application process for previous rounds of the government’s City Of Culture competition, from the initial expression of interest through to the judges’ panel visit and interviews. It was agreed that it would be up to the Citizens’ Assembly for Culture as to whether an application for future competitions would be relevant or not.

The group then moved on to discuss the idea of Deliberation – a key methodology used in Citizens’ Assemblies. We heard from Professor Alan Renwick (Deputy Director at UCL’s Constitution Unit) who described the key components which lead to deliberative and consensus decision-making and how this differs from a more conventional debating approach.

Following this first session, we felt that it would be good to bring some of the principles Alan Renwick discussed to life with a couple of stories from inside a Citizen’s Assembly. Therefore, to start our second deliberative workshop, Executive Director of St Pauls Carnival and regular Citizens’ Assembly facilitator LaToyah McAllister-Jones shared some stories that helped immerse us back into the world of assemblies, understand more about their conduct, and remind us that there is expertise around these kinds of participatory processes in our teams and region for us to draw on.

Following this, we spent some time delving more deeply into the way Citizens’ Assemblies are organised and delivered. Sarah Allan, one of the UK’s leading experts in Citizens’ Assemblies, who is Director of Capacity Building and Standards at Involve, joined us to explore the way assemlies are designed along with some of the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the assembly model. She delved into the governance of Citizens’ Assemblies, and how the different stages of assemblies work. After considering the core components of a Citizens’ Assembly, we deliberated together to create a list of other exercises or approaches that we thought could add value to the assembly model.

In the final session, we came together to explore our ideas for a citizen-led process for the west of England region. We set out to create a long-term and affordable and citizen-led process that could create a Cultural Plan for the region. Our main questions and themes were: How can the process itself be creative & cultural? How can the process be inclusive and diverse at every stage? Who are the stakeholders in the process and how can we bring them on the journey? Could the assembly have a federal structure with sub-groups to reflect the different areas across the region? Based on the experience and discussions from all three of the deliberative workshops, we outlined a process as a basic prototype, to be tested with citizens and the wider sector in autumn 2023.

Find out more about the project