What’s on in Bristol this autumn… September 5, 2008

If, like me, you felt the sinking sensation of slipping headlong into autumn this week, inevitably followed as it is by winter, coupled with the gentle sigh of resignation about schools going back, festivals mostly over and summer holidays a distant memory, fear not because there’s still so much to look forward to…

This weekend is a good example – The Organic Food Festival at the Lloyds Amphitheatre (with Tatty Bumpkin sessions at 11am for anyone with kids of 2-7 years), The Steam Fair at the Downs, some rumblings of something afoot on Sunday afternoon at St Werburghs City Farm, the Victoria Park Action Group Fun Day on Saturday at, well Victoria Park and the Love Festival on Wells Rd on Sunday 10.30am-5pm. Bristol is a crazy old place isn’t it? This show is currently on at the Tobacco Factory and sounds great www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com/shows/detail/baby_just_cares_for_me/

The Storytelling Cafe at La Ruca on Glos Rd returns on Thurs 11th Sept – open mic and really friendly, come and do a story, song, poem or comedy for 10 mins or less or come and watch, doors open 7.15pm, start promptly at 7.45pm.

Sat 13th Sept is Doors Open Day where loads of venues in Bristol will be open to the public for this day only (like Redcliffe Caves which links me nicely on to…)

Fri 19th Sept is …International Talk Like a Pirate Day, come dressed or talking as a pirate or at least prepared to sing along to a sea shanty or two at the Llandoger Trow, outside if it’s fine from 7.30pm onwards. This was a brilliant evening early in the year and that was only just the warm up! You probably won’t share my child-like excitement about this but you know a part of you is just itching to go…

Sat 20th and Sun 21st is the Bristol Community Festival, the new Ashton Court, go along and support it if you can www.thebristolfestival.org

Weds 24th Sept – Folk Tales – stories and music at the Sea Scout Hut in town, email me for more details – this is Devil Night as after this night you’re not meant to eat blackberries as the devil is supposed to have urinated on them. Nice.

Fri 26th sees the start of the Bath Children’s Literature Festival this was brilliant last year and well worth a visit (also loads of good stuff on at The Egg at the moment).

So find some time to enjoy conkers, crispy autumn leaves, mellow red wines and an evening of music, story or rum drinking.

Idle Pleasures… September 5, 2008

beat the post-summer blues and indulge yourself in one of these this autumn…

taking a bath, poking the fire, slouching, leaf catching, waiting for the tea to brew, messing about in boats, tree houses, strolling through the city, procrastinating, the deckchair, taking a nap, deja vu, public benches, river swimming, reclining on the top deck of the bus, the beach, just looking, melancholy, walking with toddlers, singing, sunbeams, sticking matchsticks in vegetables to make vegetable aliens, looking at maps, gathering food from the hedgerows, putting out the washing, being ill, sleeping in your clothes, sitting on the loo, grottos, face pulling, competitions, tree climbing, reading poetry, sleeping outside, dreaming, telling, stories, feeling the wind in your hair, staring, dressing gown, autumnal sneezing, chatting to the postman, learning the names of trees, writing a real letter, conkers, wandering round old churches, shadow watching, garden shed, sit down protests, contemplation of things that fly, squeezing bubble, wrap, whistling, whittling, morning sex, getting dressed, smiling, breast feeding, libraries, doodling, slippers, skimming stones, pacing, merry making, lying around in fields, butterfly hunting, cloud watching, hiding, snow, charity shops, leaning on gates, overnight trains, star gazing, gossip, philosophising, good company, building houses of cards, cycling, dancing, choosing to get wet in the, rain, launderettes, reading Edward Lear poems out loud to children, folding paper, reading gravestones, walking back home drunk, bell ringing, lying in hammocks