Photo credit: Ice Road by Raucous, Jack Offord, Jacobs Wells Baths

"Bristol is brimming with dance talent in many forms, and it is well overdue for a dedicated space of its own" Deborah Baddoo MBE, Bristol Dance Futures Producer

Former dance centre and Victorian swimming pool, Jacobs Wells Baths has recently been saved from potential disposal by Bristol City Council following their announcement to launch an open process for expressions of interests to manage the building via a Community Asset Transfer.

In 2019-21 we were part of Bristol Dance Futures, a consortium dedicated to building dance profile, capacity and infrastructure in Bristol. The project highlighted the rich potential of dance in the city and created legacies including cross-sector working across health and community development.

We asked Bristol Dance Futures Producer, Deborah Baddoo MBE, to reflect on the project and to share how it could help reimagine a community space, such as Jacobs Wells Baths.

"During my time as producer for Bristol Dance Futures it was clearly evident that there is a huge gap in terms of a dance specific space in Bristol.

Obviously, it is important to bring dance into other organisations who may not normally have access to dance activity, but there is a thriving dance community throughout the city, hiring commercial studios, performing in unsuitable spaces and trying to book spaces in venues for rehearsals, classes and workshops.

Post Covid-19, now more than ever, the powers that be are recognising the valuable role that dance and indeed all the arts have on helping individuals on their journey to wellbeing and the special role that dance has in connecting people, improving mobility, releasing stress and enhancing creativity, to name only a few of the benefits of dance.

A dedicated dance space such as Jacobs Wells Baths has potential to be a place where many exciting initiatives can flourish, a networking space for dance, a rehearsal space, and importantly hub for dance and wellbeing activity in the city.

Dance in Bristol has gone through many changes and manifestations over the last 25 years, but these have always tended to be piecemeal, short-lived initiatives having limited long-term impact for the sector as a whole.

Bristol is brimming with dance talent in many forms, and it is well overdue for a dedicated space of its own. A dedicated space will help enable the dance sector in Bristol to continue to grow and be a catalyst for exciting new developments and a much needed home for dance in this vibrant city."

Deborah Baddoo MBE, Dance Producer

If you would like to join a conversation on what the future for Jacob Wells could be, please click here.

The health and safety of the people using our Centre is our top priority you can find out what we are doing to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak here.

Want to drum and dance? It’s easy!

Ilu Axe has three groups or learning and performance levels, Beginner, Intermediate and Stage Group, with people moving from one level to the next as and when the pieces taught in the particular level (both the music and the choreography) reach the required standard.

Drums and sticks etc all provided. With our incredible, loveable teachers you’ll straight away begin learning the rhythms and the choreography and all the drum and stick technique stuff.

So if you’d like to get involved, please email courses.iluaxe@gmail.com

Please note: Trinity operates a 24hr Pay & Display Car Park and all Visitors are required to Pay & Display.

Ilu Axe has three groups or learning and performance levels, Beginner, Intermediate and Stage Group, with people moving from one level to the next as and when the pieces taught in the particular level (both the music and the choreography) reach the required standard.

Drums and sticks etc all provided. With our incredible, loveable teachers you’ll straight away begin learning the rhythms and the choreography and all the drum and stick technique stuff.

So if you’d like to get involved, please email courses.iluaxe@gmail.com or use the joining form here.

Please note: Trinity operates a 24hr Pay & Display Car Park and all Visitors are required to Pay & Display.

Hype's mission is to use dance and movement to help young people excel. The award winning urban dance company for 5yrs- young adult, runs weekly all year round (apart from the six-week summer) holiday and runs an open door policy so new dancers can join any time.

Class times:

• 6pm - 7pm 5yrs-11yrs (primary school age)
• 7pm - 8pm Teen/young Adults classes-(For 12+)

Cost:

• £8 pay as you go weekly. Classes can be paid on the door via card/contactless payment or exact cash each week .

Further information

• New starters can start on any Wednesday as its new routines each week at our open for all classes so there is no need for a trail class.
• First session is half price classes are 'closed classes' which means parents are unable to sit and watch as it is more comfortable for the students to progress and be themselves.

Follow Hype Dance Company

• Instagram
• Hypes Facebook
• Hypes Tiktok
• Email
  
  

For girls aged 10–18

Girls only session led by experienced female youth workers (anyone who identifies as a girl)

Sign up form will need to be completed upon first session

Delivered by Bristol Horn Youth Concern & Trinity Community Arts through the Love Stapleton Road Young People Programme

This is a safe, welcoming and supportive space where young girls can make new friends, build confidence, discuss issues you want to learn about, and take part in fun activities and speak openly in a positive environment. You will have an input with who you would like to come to sessions also.

We would love to see young people from across Bristol join us every week. Please come along and share this with families, schools, youth groups and the wider community to help us spread the word.

Summer Family Sessions - Image Credit: Alastair Brookes

Are you a maker? Want to share your skills, interests or hobbies with your community?

On the 05 October we are teaming up with Eastside Community Trust and Somali Kitchen to host a free celebration of community creativity. This free event will take place at Easton Community Centre from 10am –4pm as part of the UK-wide Fun Palaces weekend.

During the day, there will be community volunteers offering a range of skill swaps – from a Fix It cafe to craft activities. Alongside this we are looking for other community makers to host their own skill swaps. This could be anything from a crocheting workshop to a keynote on stamp collecting – the day is all about sharing your skills with your neighbours!

We are offering each maker £50 towards materials/costs of your choice

How to get involved:

• Fill out this form, letting us know what skill you want to share.
• Deadline is midnight on Sunday 15th September.
• If you have any questions, please contact esther@trinitybristol.org.uk

Event information

• Fun Palace, 05 October 2024
• Easton Community Centre, Kilburn Street BS5 6AW
• Cost – free no registration required – just turn up
• Click here to find out more

Eastside People and Places is three-year project delivered by Trinity, Eastside Community Trust and Somali Kitchen (CIC). Together, we are delivering a programme of events and activities aimed at bringing people together; reducing loneliness and isolation and helping people feel included and welcome.

As part of the project, Trinity is offering support, help and guidance to people who have an idea for a community activity. Community Activities Coordinator, Stefan, works closely with community groups/ individuals to help shape ideas, create connections and plan activity.

"I never have have thought I would ever enjoy doing anything like this, but I've absolutely loved it - thank you". Creative coffee morning participant at Rosevear House

Stefan has helped residents of retirement housing Rosevear House establish a regular creative coffee morning following Trinity's Community Arts Project - The Wish List. In these coffee mornings an established artist supports participants to develop their creative ideas. Alongside this, local families whose children attended our Green Shoots After School Club will be launching their community-led regular playgroup for early years in the new term.

Regular groups have also been supported to re-ignite or establish activities, including 'Rhythm of the Night', a club night for people with learning disabilities and their friends, the new community-led LGBTQ+ theatre group, AmQueer, plus a new a relaxed and friendly social for over-55s East Central Mingle.

We are now looking to programme our Autumn/Winter activity and invite Community groups/ Individuals who have an idea for an activity that brings people together to contact stefan@trinitybristol.org.uk for a chat.

Click here to find out more about the Eastside People and Places

Eastside People and Places is supported by The Bristol Impact Fund

If you love dancing, used to dance when you were younger, have always wanted to dance, or are drawn to performance, this company is for you! The focus will be on developing and expanding movement and dance skills, exploring different aspects of movement, and creating a dance performance based on members' ideas and experiences.

Two weekly session run

Mondays, 5.45pm - 7.15pm - Online (back soon at Trinity, Fyfe Hall)

Fridays, 12pm - 2pm - Main Hall

Cost £3 per person, per session

The company is led by Julia Thorneycroft.

Julia has many years experience of creating, directing and teaching dance in professional, community and academic contexts. She is Programme Leader for the Dance Foundation Degree,City of Bristol College, and has Artistic Director roles for Kinesis Youth Dance Company, and Julia Thorneycroft Young Dancers Company. Her performance company, Julia Thorneycroft Dance, creates accessible dance theatre that explores current social themes and human nature, engaging the core human emotions of its audience. She is committed to reaching out beyond traditional theatre space into outdoor festivals and rural touring.

https://juliathorneycroftdancetheatre.com

Please note: Trinity operates a 24hr Pay & Display Car Park and all Visitors are required to Pay & Display.

Two weekly session run

• Mondays, 5:30pm - 6:30pm - Fyfe Hall
• Fridays, 12pm - 2pm - Main Hall

Please email here if you are interested in joining the class, Julia will need to speak with you before sign up. The company is led by Julia Thorneycroft.

About Julia 
Julia has many years experience of creating, directing and teaching dance in professional, community and academic contexts. She is Programme Leader for the Dance Foundation Degree,City of Bristol College, and has Artistic Director roles for Kinesis Youth Dance Company, and Julia Thorneycroft Young Dancers Company. Her performance company, Julia Thorneycroft Dance, creates accessible dance theatre that explores current social themes and human nature, engaging the core human emotions of its audience. She is committed to reaching out beyond traditional theatre space into outdoor festivals and rural touring.

Please note: Trinity operates a 24hr Pay & Display Car Park and all Visitors are required to Pay & Display.

Led by dance tutor, Barry Shields, the sessions are friendly and relaxed on a large dance floor.

From club style social dancing to ballroom, Latin and music across the decades.

Everyone is welcome, no partner is needed and open to absolute beginners.

Just turn up!

Suggested donation £3 which helps to cover the dance tutor.

Please note this class doesn't run on Bank Holiday Mondays.

Accepting Macmillan Taster Tokens! Find out how you can access this activity for free by calling the Macmillan Prevention and Re-enablement team on 0117 353 3042

Please note: Trinity operates a 24hr Pay & Display Car Park and all Visitors are required to Pay & Display.

Led by dance tutor, Barry Shields, the sessions are friendly and relaxed on a large dance floor.

From club style social dancing to ballroom, Latin and music across the decades.

Everyone is welcome, no partner is needed and open to absolute beginners.

Just turn up!

Suggested donation £4 which helps to cover the dance tutor.

Please note this class doesn't run on Bank Holiday Mondays.

Please note that there is no class on 04 Nov 2024

Accepting Macmillan Taster Tokens! Find out how you can access this activity for free by calling the Macmillan Prevention and Re-enablement team on 0117 353 3042

Please note: Trinity operates a 24hr Pay & Display Car Park and all Visitors are required to Pay & Display.

Trinity have partnered with Coexist Community Kitchen to deliver a series of community gardening and cooking sessions. The sessions are aimed at bringing people together from a wide range of backgrounds to learn more about gardening, harvesting and cooking in our beautiful garden.

“I’ve loved learning to cook authentic meals from different parts of the world, coming together with people from different backgrounds and learning about their food” - Toby, Participant

Coexist Community Kitchen work with individuals who are accessing support for mental health issues, addiction, loneliness, and anyone who would benefit from taking part in outdoor activities to improve their personal well-being. The group learn about and take part in harvesting fresh produce such as carrots, marrows and radishes, before coming together to cook a meal as a group. In one session, participants made Vietnamese-style vegetable spring rolls and pancakes with vegetables and herbs picked garden.

Over the summer we delivered six weekly sessions, with around 30 people taking part. Participants spoke about how these sessions help with mental well-being, reduced isolation and loneliness, and offered the chance to learn more about cooking and gardening. Being able to offer free, outdoor sessions is something that has become increasingly important, especially post-pandemic when isolation has become more common.

We launch a new series of Community Cooking Sessions on 13 Sep. Click here to find out more.

These events are part of Eastside People and Places, made possible through funding from Bristol Impact Fund.

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

Sessions are on Wednesdays, Fortnightly. Time: 10.00 - 14.00 starting Wednesday April 10 2024

You'll be working alongside a small team of friendly volunteers.

Sessions are for everyone 18+ years old. Lunch and reasonable travel expenses may be claimed back once you are a regular Trinity Volunteer.

To express your interest in becoming an volunteer please click here and fill out the form.

No experience necessary as all training will be given.

All welcome All gardening tools and PPE will be provided. Refreshments are provided but BYO own lunch.

Please note: This is a session for regular volunteers and not a drop-in session

Garden Party 2024 - Image Credit: Alastair Brookes

On Sunday 12 May, we opened our gates once again for Trinity Garden Party – our, free annual day party, celebrating the start of the summer through music, dance and arts.

"It was a fabulous day - thank you to Team Trinity and everyone involved!" - Audience Feedback

In our outdoor venue, The Den, we programmed a diverse range of live music and DJs from across Bristol and The South West. The young musicians from our Next Gen Sounds programme kicked off proceedings, showcasing their musical talents that they’ve honed during the sessions. Following on, we had beautiful acoustic Folk from Eva Penney, groovy Latin rhythms from Los Gusanos, Moroccan Gnawa from Mohammed Errebba, and live Hip Hop from Komposa. Later on in the evening, DJs brought the energy, with an eclectic world music selection from Kesh, amapiano and UK Funky from Josephine Gyasi, and finally Selecta J-Man and Rider Shafique finished things off with a heavy selection of Jungle and Drum and Bass.

Inside, The Main hall was buzzing with performances from our resident dance group Hype Dance, a Turkish Belly Dance circle from Anna K, and finally The Greenbank Ceilidh Collective led the dance with a joyous ceilidh. Upstairs, Fyfe Hall hosted a range of creative craft workshops to keep the young ones busy.

We wanted to say a massive thank you to all who made Garden Party this year such a success; from the talented artists, workshop facilitators, stall-holders, local food vendors, the dedicated sound and lighting team behind the scenes, our hardworking bar staff, the entire Team Trinity, and, of course, all of you who joined us on the day. The event saw our largest ever turnout, with over 3,500 attendees, and thanks to your generosity we raised over £5000 in donations, allowing us to organise more community events like Garden Party as well as supporting our charitable mission of making the arts accessible to all. Garden Party just keeps getting bigger and better, with a 60% increase on last year's attendees, and a 65% increase on last year's donations. Thank you for coming down to support what we do and celebrating music, dance and the arts.

If you'd like to continue to support Trinity, click here to make a donation.

People gather in the main hall for this years drumming workshop Photo @Alexa Ledecky

Families taking part in the craft workshops in the Main Hall Photo @ Alexa Ledecky

Almatic's lead singer Katie during their set on the Main Stage Photo @ Alexa Ledecky

Children taking part in Cirque De Silk's aerial workshop Photo @ Alexa Ledecky

All the enjoyment early on in our community garden Photo @ Alexa Ledecky

Miss T, who attends sessions as part of our music making project plays the Making Tracks showcase Photo @Alexa Ledecky

Families enjoying the spring sun and vibes with Trinity and her iconic towers in the background Photo @ Khali Ackford

Wecil Collective perform in the Main Hall, including an cameo from Trinity's Engagement Coordinator Dr Edson Burton who MC'd on the mics Photo @ Khali Ackford

Bristol artist, DJ and producer Dutchie during her set Photo @ Khali Ackford

Rider Shafique and Sam Binga played the end set at this years Garden Party Photo @ Khali Ackford

Trinity T's everywhere! Photo @Khali Ackford

And it ends ... with Lottie Ball & Edson Burton hosts of this years Garden Party Photo @ Khali Ackford