As an iconic Arts Centre with forty years of music programming experience under their belt it should come as no surprise to you that the Trinity team are continuing to push boundaries with their IGNiTE programme of performance in 2017.

Ranging from the playful to the sometimes hard-to-swallow realities of life, the newly announced spring selection of programming is destine to challenge and excite audiences. Fergus Evans, Trinity’s theatre and dance producer says that all the shows presented are ‘a celebration of the spaces we make for ourselves when none of the boxes fit quite right.’

Mixing the exciting with the unexpected, the season’s five shows set out to provoke conversations. In I-Dentity Rider Shafique explores being mixed race and what it is like when you are neither but also both. Liz Aggiss’ giddy and sometimes sinister Slap and Tickle cheekily explores female sexuality and growing older. What you see is not always what you get in Alesandra Seutin's  C'eci n'est past Noire (This is not Black) - a journey through identity politics, Beyonce and, a few parlour games. Putting the Band Back Together is a playful story about why we give up on our dreams and how we find them again. Gather the round dinner table in Daughters of the Curry Revolution and find out what it means to be the daughter of a migrant.

At Trinity you're never just a member of the audience, and this carefully selected programming certainly reflects this. From picking up an instrument and joining Unfolding Theatre’s house band to learning new ways to move with Alesandra Seutin (Vocab Dance Company). You can sign up to be a member of one of our test audiences and see work in development from our resident artists. Let us know what you think of the show you’ve seen or volunteer as a steward. The message is clear: Don't just come see a show. Take part. Speak up. Start something.

Alongside our regular programme of live music and community events, we present world-class, innovative artists whose work is about issues that matter to people now, starting conversations and sparking debate. IGNiTE is supported by funding from Arts Council England.

Further Info:

Tickets go on Sale 10am Friday 3rd Feb http://www.3ca.org.uk/ignite ​ ​

Slap and Tickle, Liz Aggis 18th March 7.30pm £10 / £8

Ceci n'est pas Noire (This is not Black), Alesandra Seutin I Vocab Dance Company 25th March, 7.30pm £10 / £8

Putting The Band Back Together, Unfolding Theatre 21st April, 7.30pm £10 / £8

I-Dentity, Rider Shafique 28th April, 7.30pm £10 / £8

Daughters of the Curry Revolution, Afreena Islam 5th/6th/7th May : 3pm / 5pm / 7pm £12 / £10

God Save The Trinity Centre

Click here to get to our Crowdfunder & support Trinity Community Arts

Artists Jimmy Cauty and Andy Council have created original and exclusive pieces of artwork to support The Trinity’s Crowdfunder Campaign, to launch on Wednesday 1^st February. Funds raised will support our Conservation Project to carry out urgent repair works to the Trinity Centre roof, towers and stained glass windows.

Elecro-pioneer and founding member of The KLF, Jimmy Cauty has produced an original poster, God Save The Trinity Centre (pictured, left). Following their visit to Trinity last year as one of the first stops on the ADP Riot Tour, artists from Jimmy's L-13 Light Industrial art collective - Billy Childish, Harry Adams and Jamie Reed - have all collaborated to produce the punk-inspired artwork.

Cauty said God Save the Trinity Centre was, “inspired by the rich musical heritage of the Trinity Centre, particularity the punk bands who played there in the late 70s, and it reminds us of posters we used to make in those days.”

Jimmy's support comes at a time when it has been rumoured that KLF are set to  reunite in 2017 – Sorry to disappoint! But a full denial has been reported in the NME and The Guardian.  However, it is also reported that 'something is coming' in August to mark the end of a self imposed moratorium that silenced them for 23 years.

The Trinity Fox

Local urban artist and illustrator Andy Council, best known for his Bristol Dinosaur and Creature-Creations featuring Bristol’s historic buildings, has also produced an original piece in support of Trinity's emergency repairs appeal.

Titled Trinity Fox the illustration features some of the historical buildings in Old Market. Speaking about the work, Andy said; “The Trinity itself is an iconic building in the city and it's been a while since I've included it in any of my Bristol ‘creature-creation’ pieces. Also included in the ‘urban beast’ are buildings from the nearby Old Market area. I've been wanting to focus on Old Market for some time now, the buildings there are really interesting and have so much history.”

As one of Bristol's leading community arts spaces, Trinity is proud to have the support of the city's arts community. In 2016, graffiti artist Stewy also provided his support, producing a series of limited edition prints and mural in memory of DJ Derek and in support of our youth music programme.

These latest original artworks will be auctioned online to raise vital funds to save the Trinity Centre - so watch this space for further announcements!

Donations to our Conservation Project can be made through Just Giving at or by Text Giving ROOF31 £5 to 70070. Click here to read more about The Trinity Conservation Project and the work Andy and Jimmy are supporting.

We want to make sure every young person has a chance to access music learning. We work with young people from a range of backgrounds, from across Bristol and the South West, to help them achieve their potential.

“I found the Trinity to be brilliant and I had great support from the staff” Mitchell, Music Student

Trinity specialises in engaging those who face barriers to participation. Since 2005, we've worked with some of the most vulnerable and socially excluded young people; from young people who feel they are not ready for full time work or education, to referrals from youth offenders and young people in care and hospital.

“This was the first activity that I was interested in, I had not been out my room until this point! I met some of the other young people and got to know them. I really like Al and Dave, they have helped me settle in.” Teenage Cancer Trust Inpatient

Young people referred to us have become disengaged from mainstream learning due to their complex learning needs, behavioural and health issues. After facing exclusion, young people are left feeling isolated from society, leading to anger management, youth-offending and other destructive behaviours.

“I really enjoy the drumming. It’s the first time I’ve ever done any sort of drumming and find smashing on the kit helps me to release my anger. I feel good when I come to Trinity. It gives me something to look forward to every week.” Under 16 who had been excluded from school

Young people either self-refer or are referred to us by youth organisations, including the local council authority social care teams, mental health trusts, pupil referrals units, foster carers, youth offender teams and other charities. These agencies have fed back to us about the positive changes they have seen in the behaviours and attitudes of the young people who we’ve supported.

“My staff at St Matthias are extremely happy to have found this brilliant and rare session, that has had a hugely beneficial impact upon the social and educational progress of our students. I can't rate the experience highly enough and can only commend the Trinity staff and their incredible understanding and patience in working with SEN students. Long may it continue!” St Matthias Pupil Referral Unit

We provide intensive music courses - music production, lyric writing, composition, guitar and percussion - helping young people to develop skills and abilities, achieve accreditations and re-engage with mainstream learning.

“The song writing session that Dave from Trinity delivered last week has inspired her so much that she has gained the confidence to go to voice coaching lessons at school!” Tact Care Foster Carers

Click here for more information about our courses for young people.

“Thank you for doing such powerful and difficult stuff! Great to see Political Art and Social Change”. Audience Member Cathy, Cardboard Citizens

A HUGE shout-out to all the companies and artist who have been part of Season One.

To recap: Ultimate Dancer brought: Holy Smoke, a surreal exploration of shamanism that filled Fyfe Hall with, a lot of smoke, while Jo Fong’s An Invitation… , playfully and delightfully enticed audiences.

“Warm, friendly, powerful and outstanding performance”. Audience Member An Invitation, Jo Fong

Peter McMaster explored masculinity and age with: 27, An Ecstatic Ritual of Life and Death. Cardboard Citizens brought debate and conversation with Cathy and we were immersed in a New York Club with Uchenna Dance’s: Our Mighty Groove.

“Excellent. Really got the club vibe and the personalities of the dancers where excellent! Had a great time! Thank You”. Audience Member Our Mighty Groove

Programme Manager, Rhiannon Jones, and Producer, Fergus Evans, have been busy presenting Season Two to our programming forum, so eyes peeled everyone to early 2017 when we will launch this to the public.

Behind the scenes

“Very useful workshop with Jo Fong. Always useful to be exposed to how others work.” Workshop participant

Our building is used by many different groups in many different ways (through the Trinity Community Initiative) and we are dedicated to improve how our communities participate and engage with performing arts.

Alongside our main IGNiTE programme Uchenna Dance delivered two open classes, including one to HYPE Dance, Trinity’s weekly street dance class for 5-25yr olds. Jo Fong worked with with Gerry’s Attic, a new resident older people’s Dance Company to deliver a workshop that explored participants relationship to dance.

Team IGNiTE are super excited to be continuing to connect artists and communities in the New Year.

“Our work together comprised of sensory exercises, partner work and an exploration to our own relationships to dance … what I saw there was something like a real curiosity about sensation and presence, inhabited bodies, thinking bodies, a hyper awareness and yet a directness, an honesty of approach and a committed attention.”

Jo Fong reflects on working with Gerry’s Attic

2017 (and beyond)

We do tell subscribers of the IGNiTE mailing list FIRST about shows, tickets offers, workshops and opportunities. So if you are not subscribed, you definitely should be. Email us at info@3ca.org.uk and we can pop you on.

If you are on that list you will be the first to know about our first batch of resident artists, which we will be announcing soon who have been selected with help from our fabulous Programming Forum:

On board we have Tom Marshman (Independent Artist) , Kate Yedigaroff (MAYK), Dr Edson Burton, Natasha Benjamin (HYPE), Julie Thorneycroft (Gerry’s Attic) and Jasmine Haque (Awaz Utoah).

& for now, a very merry signing off from me (Sarah), Fergus, Edson and Rhiannon and the rest of the team.

See you in 2017.

The consultation focuses on our existing services, building characteristics and facilities, and amongst other things it will help to inform our 2017 Learning and Participation Programme.

This new online survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete and is open until the 10th November.

Tell us what you like and we'll endeavour to keep doing it. Tell us where there's room for improvement and we'll look at where we can implement change to get it right.

We've acted on your suggestions since we last consulted you in 2012 - See You said, We did!

So please, take a few moments to complete our new Community Consultation.

This online survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete and is open until the 10th November.

As a big thank you, we will enter your details (if submitted at the end) in a prize-draw to win a pair of tickets for the event of your choice!*

Your responses will be kept confidential and will not be used for any purpose other than research conducted by Trinity Community Arts.

For more information about this survey and how the results will be used, or to have a chat face to face with Ruth, please contact us at: info@3ca.org.uk

*subject to availability

ABOUT IGNiTE – Performance for the people

IGNiTE is a series of residencies, workshops and and live performances featuring artists reflective of Bristol’s diverse communities. Trinity sits at the meeting point of three wards - Easton, Ashley (St Pauls) and Lawrence Hill - whose residents make up Trinity’s local community.

Find out more information about the wider IGNiTE Programme and to have a look at our programme strategy.

As part of IGNiTE we will be offering six residencies to artist or companies with strong links to Bristol and its communities.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AS AN ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

• free studio space in our iconic Fyfe Hall.

• an opportunity to share work to a mixed audience of programmers, other artists, and local people

• access to networks and programmers, including formal professional development opportunities

• advice and guidance as appropriate from key members of Trinity staff and partner organisations

• free hot desk and meeting space, subject to availability

To find out more information about who we are looking for and how to apply download our artist brief. The deadline for applications is Friday 18th November 2016 at 5pm.

Local artist Stewy, visited Trinity to create a full-size stencil of DJ Derek, to help promote Trinity's Youth Music Training Programme.

The family and friends of Derek Serpell-Morris - better known as Bristol reggae-music legend DJ Derek - have been supporting Trinity's Youth Music Training Programme through a memorial fund set up in the late DJ's memory.

'Sweet Memory Sounds' helps to raise vital funds and donations to help keep Trinity's music training activities running, so that we can continue to provide opportunities for young people to engage with music - often at very challenging times in their lives - so that they can get back into learning and employment.

Artist Stewy is a keen supporter of the Trinity Community Arts charity and, when he heard about the work Sweet Memory Sounds have been doing to raise vital funds for Trinity's youth work, was keen to get involved and show his support.

The iconic image of DJ Derek - which has appeared in several locations across the city, marking some of his favourite places - is located in the Trinity Centre's Main Hall; a prominent position for visitors and gig-goers of the Trinity Centre to see and enjoy.

In addition to the mural, Stewy also donated 100 original DJ Derek screen-prints, to help raise funds for Trinity's youth music programme.

Emma Harvey, Centre Manager of Trinity said; "We're so grateful for all the support Sweet Memory Sounds have provided us so that we can continue our work with some of the most vulnerable young people in the city. As regular feature at Trinity gigs back-in-the-day, with Stewy's latest mural in place, this feels like a fitting tribute to Derek. We all want to say a massive thank you to Stewy plus to Jen, Mat and Derek's family for their continued support."

About our Youth Music Programme

Trinity has a strong track record of skills development and training, providing music learning activities for 150 young people in 2015/2016 and supporting some of the most vulnerable and socially excluded young people:

“Trinity is important for me because it keeps me off the streets and gives me the space and time I need to express myself. It has helped me build my confidence and has challenged me to try things I don't usually do. They also helped me get a work experience placement.” Nail, Trinity music student (2015)

We have delivered music training to disengaged young people aged 16-25 since 2005; specialising in engaging young people who face barriers to participation and working with some of the most vulnerable and socially excluded. Our work is critical to our locality and fully supports our mission in empowering all areas of society to shape the arts and culture in their own communities.

Click here for more info about our programme.

Images - Stewy (Right); DJ Derek mural in Trinity's main hall (Left)

Images courtesy of ©Laure Noverraz

Following the securing of a grant from Arts Council England, Trinity launched IGNiTE: a programme of performance, artist residencies and workshops.

"IGNiTE melts the brilliant parts of our creative city into a shining new whole." Dr Edson Burton, Engagement Officer

Trinity has built a strong reputation for engagement across different communities and across different disciplines. It is a well-established music venue, and has further developed as a centre for learning and creative activity. With this is mind programme manager, Rhiannon Jones specifically created a platform for programming that directly engages the local community and centre users, aptly named the Programming Forum.

Click here to view the final project report or visit the Artists area of our website for information about the artists we supported through the programme.

The Royal Sussex Lodge of Hospitality said they wanted to support a local charity that works closely within the local community. They chose Trinity as they know how vital the Centre is in providing space for community groups, also the benefit the space has been for the local community for over forty years.

The group were also aware of the impact that Trinity's Youth Music Programme has, helping vulnerable young people to access music, often at very challenging times in their lives.

The Lodge wanted to support Notes for Notes and the forthcoming Conservation Project, which will provide essential repairs to the iconic Trinity towers and the building.

Keep an eye on our growing fundraising appeal and pledge your support via our Just Giving page.

You can support Trinity's Notes for Notes Appeal, text ROOF 31 £5 to 70070 or donate at www.3ca.org.uk/donate

The Trinity Centre 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."

Since forming in 2003, TCA have been carrying out a phased programme of capital repair and redevelopment works, in order to renovate the historic asset and conserve it for future generations. We are approximately 1/3 of the way through the capital works programme and have invested over £1m with support from public funding.

The development and improvement of the premises, to maximise community benefit and potential revenue to ensure sustainability for any group running the space, has been a vision for many since as early as 1976.

The space has had several periods of significant investment, including the construction of an intermediate concrete floor and replacement of several windows by Bristol City Council between 1987-1991.

Ambitions to conserve the building and develop the space as a hub for community, arts, youth and education activities can be seen in Bristol City Council's business plan for the Centre from 1989, which related to the installation of the existing second floor and proposals to install a mezzanine to create additional training spaces.

Due to the complicated nature of the 1987 church conversion, the severity of dereliction and subsequent degradation, the building still remained in need of renovation and development.

TCA's board and management have worked in line with some of these past visions for the Centre and have also embarked on several consultation exercises to explore how Trinity could best meet local needs and desires.

Previous works included introducing a lift, training rooms and accessible WCs to help improve access to community training resources on the first floor. Our facilities team have also worked to carry out maintenance and repair works supported by small grants funding from groups such as landfill trusts and our own income generation.

Recently completed phases, 2013-2014, include a repair works scheme to the South Aisle lead roof funded by Historic England (formerly English Heritage) and match funders and a development works programme to bring the upstairs hall space into use, funded by Big Lottery Fund Reaching Communities Buildings and match funders.

With building of Trinity's size and importance, there is still much investment needed to realise the full extent of this facility.

In 2016 we commenced a year-long development phase funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, to carry out a scheme of repair and conservation works at the Trinity Centre in 2017.

Click here to read more information about the Trinity Centre Conservation Project.

More about the Trinity Centre

The Trinity Centre is a deconsecrated Georgian church, now a community centre, brought back into to use by the current management Trinity Community Arts (TCA) in 2004.

The space was deconsecrated in 1976 and has been run by community groups for the past four decades. Protected by a covenant that says it is only to be used for community purposes, it was a base for the African-Caribbean Community and is still strongly connected with the constantly evolving ethnic landscape of the local area.

Since 1992, the building has been a prominent music venue. It has played host to a spectacular role-call of acts, becoming an important landmark in the globally exported 'Bristol Sound'.

The Trinity Centre is a significant iconic space. Built in the Gothic-revival between 1829-1832 it is a Waterloo Church and considered to be one of the finest examples of the work of architects Thomas Rickman and Henry Hutchinson.

The building is situated within one of the most culturally diverse, economically deprived areas of the South West. Race, migration and the changing ethnic landscape have played an important role in the history of Trinity and the surrounding area. East Bristol remains a focal point for migration to the city both domestically and internationally.

Cultural diversity has shaped our community and made it the vibrant and exciting area that it is today. Central and East Bristol is at the heart of the city’s diversity, helping to create a unique cultural and creative environment for everyone to enjoy and benefit from. By renovating and conserving the Trinity Centre, we want to provide an affordable community arts hub for inner-city Bristol in order to make sure everyone has the opportunity to shape arts and culture in Bristol.

Text ROOF31 £5

to 70070 to   donate to the

Trinity Centre Conservation Project

The Scott Arms in Dorset hosted The Strummerjam ‘Jerk Shak’ Garden Party in celebration of the birthday of Joe Strummer - British musician co-founder and lead vocalist of the Clash - and to raise a glass to the late DJ Derek, who sadly passed just over one year ago.

Donations for the raffle came from the Scott Arms, Wilkswood Farm Butchers Shop and Worth Matravers Tearooms. The Hattie Brown Brewery donated a barrel of 'Sweet Memory Ale' and Charlie Newman at the Square and Compass donation of a barrel of 'Johnny Appleseed Cider'. The event raised funds for Sweet Memory Sounds - the legacy set up in memory of DJ Derek by his family and friends, to support good causes that would have been close to his heart.

Funds raised will support Trinity's Youth Music Programme, working with young people who have become disengaged or excluded from mainstream education. Using music, we help young people increase their confidence, skills and abilities and help them to re-engage and get back into learning.

A big thank you to DJ Jack and his family for selling an amazing amount of raffle tickets and for supporting Trinity's youth music programme.

Read more about our work with young people here.

Due to successfully being awarded Arts Council support through the Grants for the Arts funding we are now recruiting for two great Freelance Posts to join our Trinity Team.

We are seeking a freelance Marketing Officer who can work with us to implement our Marketing Strategy, to help raise the profile of the Ignite project, encourage participation and engage audiences in our developing in-house programme.

We are also seeking a freelance Producer who can work with us to implement our Programme Strategy, to help programme and deliver a diverse range of activities and events that reflect our values and respond to our communities and centre users.

We are looking to engage with consultants who are confident, resourceful and creative, who can operate in a busy, changing environment.

Ignite is a year-long project 2016/2017 during which we will implement our Programme Strategy through a series of residencies, workshops and live-performance, featuring up-and-coming artists reflective of Bristol’s diverse communities.

Through an enhanced in-house programme, targeted residencies, commissioning opportunities and bridging activities that foster connectivity between resident creatives and centre users, we will help affect real change in the diversification of arts in Bristol.

Click here to visit the Job Vacancies section of our website for more info.