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!
]]>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.
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.
This is one of several that sprung from US producer K. Gordon Murray, who during the 50s purchased, redubbed and rereleased a bunch of foreign fairy tales for American audiences. Some of his ‘hits’ include Little Red Riding Hood and the Monsters (1962), The Robot vs. The Aztec Mummy (1957) and Samson vs. The Vampire Women. The latter two (as well as this film were famously lampooned on Mystery Science Theatre 3000).
In this dubbed Mexican Christmas film, Santa lives in outer space with Merlin and a host of racially-stereotypical children and some very sexual machines. However when Lucifer attempts to ruin Christmas by killing Santa and “making all the children of the Earth do evil”, the scene is set for the weirdest festive film you’ve seen this side of Elves (1989).
]]>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
]]>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.
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.
Read a review of Miriam's recent show: The Importance of Being Miriam (April 2015, by Diana Simmonds)
Mince pies and mulled wine available.
Doors: 7pm - Tickets: £18 adv (£16 concessions) - Seated performance.
Fundraiser in aid of Trinity Community Arts - funds raised will go toward supporting Trinity's youth training programme.
Photo: Kyte Photography
]]>Asian Arts Agency presents Aadhunik: a new Asian Music night exploring the best of contemporary South Asian music. Launching this December, Aadhunik brings a night of explosive, Bhangra-infused rhythm and music to Bristol and London. We’re delighted to present DJ Rekha from New York City’s long-standing and amazing Basement Bhangra at the forefront, accompanied by UK-based The Dhol Foundation and more exciting artists yet to be announced.
DJ Rekha’s long-running and famous Basement Bhangra nights have been a part of the New York scene since 1997, along with her weekly radio show Bhangra and Beyond. Named the “Ambassador of Bhangra” by the New York Times, DJ Rehka’s set will combine visual elements with her unique Bhangra sound to send audiences wild!
The Dhol Foundation’s explosion of drum and bass, table, hip-hop, and Bhangra rhythms have made them a favourite around the UK, while master Dhol Drummer Johnny Kalsi has played with artists from all around the world, including the Afro celts, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and Avril Lavigne. The UK’s finest rhythm machine will set Trinity alight!
DJ Bobby Friction has represented the British Asian sound all over the world, from Asia to the US, from the Middle East to the whole of Europe. He’s built his reputation as a genre-mixing musician at a range of incredible shows, from an outdoor New Year’s Eve gig in Bangalore to playing for such festivals as Glastonbury, Bestival, WOMAD, the World Music Festival in Chicago, and Burning Man.
Come along and celebrate contemporary South Asian music at its best in this brand new music night that will set itself at the forefront of British Asian sound, produced and presented by Asian Arts Agency.
Tickets on sale Wednesday 21st October
]]>Gates open 6pm
Lockjaws exhibition from 6pm - 6.45pm
Invisible Youth: 6:40pm
The Ambling Band: 7:00pm
Fireworks: 7:30pm
Inside:
Blind Bat: 8-8:30
Mr Benn ft Eva Lazarus: 8:30pm- 10pm
Mr Benn: Reared on a tasty diet of Aswad, The Specials and King Tubby, 90s hip hop, plenty of jungle and hi-life rhythms, the musical influences behind DJ / producer Mr Benn’s sound are vast and wide but always rooted in a passion for the heavy, heavy bass that his home town of Bristol is so renowned for.
Eva Lazarus: A love of many different styles show to be a key part of her writing and performance, this has become an identity stamp for her in her chosen collaborations, showcasing her as writer who can credibly handle different genres.
Suggested donation £2
Please note priority will be given to those with flyers which are used as tickets - these can be picked up one week before event
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:
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.
]]>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
]]>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.
Free entry - Donations to the event or to the group are very welcome. All proceeds will go towards the performing group uniforms and travel costs to competitions and charitable events.
Tasha, Hype's dedicated dance instructor said; “We are going to the UK Street Dance Challenge in Alton this November - the cost of the coach is over £1,000 and the parents just can't afford it on top of the entry fee, which was £99 per person. It's events like this that we really need transport money for.”
If you would like to support these hard-working young people, please join us on Saturday or contact the troupe directly via thype@hotmail.co.uk / 07717 574482.
You can also text HYPE00 [and the amount you want to donate] to 70070 to donate to they Hype dance project.
*HYPE stands for Helping young People Excel - they are an urban, hip-hop dance troupe who rehearse at Trinity every Wednesday, coming up with exciting and vibrant street dance routines that they can perform and compete with at both local and national level.
]]>The weird and wonderful cast of characters from ATTACK! Pro are back for the spookiest night of professional wrestling you'll ever see! Goblins and ghouls from across the country will flock to the Trinity Centre on Sunday 18th October for the most horrifying offering of the ATTACK! Pro calendar.
Featuring all your ATTACK! favourites including;
24/7 Champion YxB Pete Dunne
The Pride of Wales' Eddie Dennis
The Wild Boar
'Ginger Jesus' Mike Bird
'One Man Wolf-Pack' Kid Lykos
Culture Squad (Luchadora/Brookes)
Anti-Fun Police (Dunne/Smile)
& MUCH MORE!
*Please Note!* No physical tickets will be posted for this show. Please bring a copy of your PayPal transaction number and present this with your name on the door!
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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: