Things are hotting up for our big Guinness World Record attempt for the largest Samba Dance which is now officially registered. Bristol is home to a number of Samba artists, dancers & drummers, who provide a vibrant backdrop to some of the city's key events including Harbourside Festival and St Werburgh's Farm Fair. If, like us, you feel we can beat this record, join in and learn the simple routine, created by World Jungle Samba Dancers and head on down to Stapleton Road Make Sunday Special.

Last week we popped along to Circomedia to hear all about Bristol Circus City who have now announced their full programme. We are very pleased to have Bromance, by barely methodical theatre, in Fyfe hall, 21^st – 23^rd October ‘a jaw-dropping magnificent show.’ Lots more great shows to catch in this new month long festival.

For those creatives out there we are hosting a very special meeting with MAYK, Situations and Dr Edson Burton to share the word on Theaster Gates new commission here on Tuesday 18^th August – amazing opportunity to find out how you can work get involved and be part of this incredible event.

Just added Nitin Sawhney to our live listings, one of the most distinctive and versatile musical voices around today headed our way in November.

Also, if you have a moment please vote for us as Just Giving's Charity of the Year 2015 From free music courses for young people to arts, heritage and permaculture projects for wider community, Trinity offers something for everyone. Each year the centre is used by over 40,000 people and we give over 1,000 hours of free space to other grass-roots groups to run their projects and activities for the community.

Finally still time for any last applications to our Operations Assistant vacancy – closing Friday 31 July

Celebrating EID Night, Bristol Somali Youth Network are hosting a very special fundraiser at Trinity, Wednesday 23 September. An evening of live music with Kultuun Bacado, Faysal Yare and Aiderus Malibu, accompanying them will be DJ Hajji playing a mix of RnB, Dancehall, Afro Beats plus Somali mix. Join us from 10pm.

New live music announcements include Devin Townsend, who earlier this year capped off a European headline tour with a sold-out show at London’s legendary Royal Albert Hall venue, will be performing a very special acoustic night on Saturday 10^th October.

A little later in the year we are pleased to confirm Netsky will be visiting the Centre. Pioneer of liquid drum 'n' bass, this Belgian based musician has now evolved an incredible new live show.

As part of celebrating Black History Month in October we have two excellent solo performances coming up. She Called Me Mother stars BAFTA and Golden Globe nominee Cathy Tyson, and invites the audience into the life of Evangeline Gardner – a homeless, 70 year old African-Caribbean woman, estranged from her daughter, who finds herself living on the streets. With the “potential to be a modern classic - the emotional potential of the play is boundless”. Catch this show Wednesday 14.

Saturday 17 October we host Nine Lives, written by Zodwa Nyoni, performed by Lladel Bryant and directed by Alex Chisholm. Threading together humour and humanity to tell the real personal story behind asylum headlines. “Fleeing from his home in Zimbabwe where homophobia threatens his life, Ishmael has sought sanctuary in the UK”. Described by Adam Bruce, A Younger Theatre as “ a cracking piece of theatre that offers a glimpse into an issue that’s present in the country and around the world today.”

We also have social dances as part of Celebrating Age Festival this September - a perfect opportunity to dance, meet people or just enjoy the music over tea and cake. The first, LGBT Tea Dance hosted in partnership with Bristol LGBT Forum, is Wednesday 30 September. The second, Celebrate with Dance in partnership with Link Age, will feature live music on Friday 9 October.

Meanwhile behind the scenes Liz Clarke is working away in Fyfe Hall on her new show Cannonballista ”Part installation, part workshop programme, part intrigue, Liz has invited local women to engage in three day-long workshops sharing her making processes and practices. They will discover participants' individual Super Hero Alter Ego- or the parts of themselves that are extraordinary, untapped and unexpected. Participants will be invited to play their own unique part in the final show, Cannonballista Friday 17th & Saturday 18th July.

2015 is the UNESCO International Year of Light and on Saturday 10th July South West Dance Theatre are preparing a Sci/Art showcase day, Light Lab, to celebrate fusing arts and science. “There will be a light lab of workshops to play with ideas behind the physics of light and how they can be used in dance and other arts, as well as hosting an exhibition where artists and scientists from academia and industry can show off some of their great light-inspired work. The day will culminate in a show by several dance companies, including SWDT, performing light inspired repertoire.

Fancy joining the team? We are seeking an Operations Assistant to join the Operations Team to help with the ongoing upkeep, maintenance and repair of the Trinity Centre and with the administering of our car park – an essential revenue stream that supports our community, arts, education and heritage activities.This post is a 6mth Internship for 18-24-year-old, currently on JSA. Check out the website for more info.

Also new to the website – Mercury Rev coming to Bristol Monday 5th October. More announcements in the pipeline too so keep an eye on the website.

Please note Bump Roller Disco, Friday 10th July has been cancelled, next event is Friday 4th September

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If that was not enough we've now announced our Make Sunday Special After Party featuring Zhou ft Rider Shafique (Young Echo Sound), Evermoor Sound (Dub Theories Records), Sasha Steppa to keep the vibes going just that little bit longer – best of all its free.

Looking further ahead we have an ever expanding Autumn programme. Latest additions include Bristol Stands Against Modern Slavery: An evening of film and Q&A with anti-slavery experts and the premiere of Unchosen’s Films Against Slavery.

We are also proud to present Nine Lives by Zodwa Nyoni. This new show, performed by Lladel Bryant, tells the story of Ishmael, fleeing from his home in Zimbabwe where homophobia threatens his life as he seeks sanctuary in the UK. Nine Lives threads together humour and humanity to tell the real personal story behind asylum headlines.

For the dancers out there we have a fantastic new mini programme of contemporary dance classes now open to bookings with Laïla Diallo and Lisa May Thomas. Both offer contemporary dance techniques including released based practice and drawing from their own experiences as artists, practitioners and teachers.

Finally as the summer season turns from planting to harvesting we have some final exciting workshops out in the garden. If you've always fancied making your own chutney, whittling a spoon, weaving a willow basket then check out the regular events page or our Garden Project Page for more info.

Presented by Diverse City and Bristol City Council, Doing Things Differently is a new festival coming to Bristol that takes a playful look at experiencing, learning and doing something different. In September audiences will be able to see shows from a range of performing companies. A playful look at doing something different this autumn…

Doing Things Differently is about celebrating, learning and talking about equality in the arts. Experience great shows from a range of performing companies, including Weighting from the UK’s integrated professional circus company, Extraordinary Bodies in Castle Park.

Our strap-line 'A Centre for the people' came directly from our experience of facilitating and supporting 'communities' regardless of age, gender, sexuality ethnicity, income & ability such as theatre group the Misfits and their monthly Rhythm of The Night accessible disco. As well as providing a carefully managed and lovingly maintained spaces, we support groups which, with a little additional support, can expand their activities to something extraordinary. As part of the festival Misfits have partnered with Funky Llama, all the way from Plymouth to bring an alternative version of this ever popular event.

On Friday 16 we invite you to an intimate performance of On the Edge of Me in which the voice of one actress echoes the struggles of an entire generation of people facing unemployment, anxiety and depression...a solo dark comedy about the life of recent graduate, Remi, who confronts life as she knows it.“Brilliant, poignant and touching.’”

That same night we will also be hosting “one of the most incredible stories ever committed to film”. From the lawless streets of Kinshasa, Congo, comes Benda Billi, five years in the making which follows a group of street musicians as they struggle to record their first album. Hailed as the new Buena Vista Social Club, “Benda Billi is an inspirational, infectious, hilarious and life-affirming story of a dream that becomes reality”.

As this is a festival of doing as much as watching and learning we are pleased to be hosting Cardboard Citizens as they bring their celebrated 2 day workshop How to use Forum Theatre as a tool for social change with communities. This training is ideal for Arts and Social Sector practitioners who want to develop their practice to support working with disengaged groups from an organisation which has been making life-changing theatre with and for homeless people and disengaged groups for 25 years.

Still to come before the end of the month we have a fabulous Roaring 20s Fundraiser this Friday, including live music, bar, games, raffle, best dressed prizes, mini vintage treatments and much much more! Tickets available on the door.

Next week we kick off June with Earl Sweatshirt, “talent so boisterous and music so innovative”, making an appearance all the way from LA “displaying grade-A lyricism in brilliantly dark fashion that you'd only associate with hip-hop's elite”, Odd Futures greatest asset launches out on his first solo UK tour.

Next week we also welcome the start of a two week run, returning from its UK tour and sell-out run at Edinburgh Festival 2014, the award-winning FellSwoop Theatre (Ablutions, Belleville Rendez-vous) present Current Location; an allegorical response to the ongoing and ever-increasing number of ecological disasters. A site specific production, developed specifically for Trinity Centre, Current Location will immerse and enlighten audiences in the significant issues and questions surrounding climate change:

“Quietly gripping and thoroughly unsettling, this piece climbs inside you, like the best examples of sci-fi”. Wildfire / Exeunt

Also announced on the website last week and coming up in July we have the UK’s sell out beer festival, Craft Beer Rising, launching its first cider event in Bristol this summer. Already confirmed: Prince Fatty & MC Horseman, Don Letts, Portishead sample digger Andy Smith, DJ Format & Boca 45. The Nextmen have just been added to the bill too so this is certain to sell out - get your tickets in early.

Also, don't forget the monthly regulars, Bump Roller Disco, Lil' Bumpers and Rhythm of The Night.

Part participation-theatre, part dance contest, full out endurance contest, there’s only one rule: you keep moving your feet. “To say that Dance Marathon breaks down the fourth wall is an understatement. It eliminates it.” - Vancouver Sun, February 2010

Based on the the physically gruelling spectator sport from Depression-Era North America, Dance Marathon invites you to strut your stuff to the live band under the always watchful eyes of the judges. Buy your tickets now for what promises to be a unique experience both completely exhilarating and exhausting which has already been hailed with critical acclaim “★★★★★ - Dance Marathon is tremendous fun. Beg, borrow or steal a ticket for this original, life-affirming show. “ For more info on Mayfest line up so far visit: Bristol Old Vic's website

If you want to get your dance fix this next month then check out Get Lucky, a triple bill from Julia Thorneycroft Dance or for more live performance see the SOLO Showcase, two evenings of new shows including four premiers from Alice Human, Ale Marzotto, Bella Fortune and Hannah Sullivan as well as an installation piece from Jo Hellier and if you want to roll on back to the 80's then skate on down to Bump Roller Disco.

Participants will take part in 4 workshops with company members to create a short piece to be presented alongside TrashDollys, and a mixed program of performances from Bristol based artists on Saturday 27th January. The community cast piece will explore themes around isolation, and the value of communication in young people.

DATES:
The rehearsals and performance will take place at the Trinity Centre, Bristol. You will be required on the following dates:
23rd January | 5pm – 7pm
24th January | 5pm – 7pm
25th January | 5pm – 7pm
26th January | 5pm – 7pm
27th January | 3pm – 5pm (Rehearsal) | 7pm – 9pm (Performance)

SIGN UP: To sign up for a place in the community cast, just email participation@trashdollys.com - please include your name, age, and a line or two about you and what interests you in the project. Its free to take part!

Circus City is the UK’s fastest growing circus festival, attracting the very best contemporary circus from across the globe and showcasing Bristol’s abundant homegrown talent. Circus City aims to put Bristol on the map as an international capital of contemporary circus.

This year, Trinity Centre is one of the key venues with Swing Circus staging a weekend extravaganza of swing dance featuring circus and dance shows, specialist choreographers and workshops to get your toes tapping 20 - 22 Oct

We are also super pleased to see the return of performer Grania Pickard to the Trinity Centre to tell the story of growing up with her brother Sean, who has severe learning disabilities, epilepsy and autism. Using physical theatre, aerial circus, audience interaction and storytelling she brings the world they share to life in her show He Ain't Heavy.

Last but not least we will be hosting Circus Shorts on Friday 27, a fantastic chance to see emerging work by a range of artists working with circus. An evening full of new ideas, different approaches and experimental skills served up fresh for your enjoyment.

There’s something for everyone in the Circus City programme – music lovers, dancers, circus aficionados, theatre goers, party animals and families. The very nature of circus is to push the limits of what’s possible in pursuit of the extraordinary – we encourage you to keep this spirit in mind and take a risk on something new.

Circus City co-director Kate Hartoch.

For more info about the rest of the festival check out Circus City's website here.

'It’s impossible to hear swing music without a smile on your face or tapping your feet. We want to harness that playful energy to create uplifting, energetic circus and dance shows. Get those happy feet a-movin’, and swing your booty in a hulahoop - guaranteed to leave a smile on your face and a spring on your step, it’s the Swing Circus!'

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DIASPORA! Festival Flag Making Workshop

DIASPORA! Festival is a vibrant celebration of people, arts, culture, film, and more, taking place at host venues across the city on Early May Bank Holiday weekend 03 - 06 May. Brought to the South West by Diverse Artists Network, the festival aims to reflect the rich variety of talent within the south west’s global communities, with an emphasis on the creative arts that reside within these communities. Trinity is very proud to be partnering with Diverse Artist Network to bring Diaspora to Trinity, through a programme of workshops, music events and arts.

“Brilliant people, really welcoming and great level of diversity and lovely to talk to people from different backgrounds” - Diaspora! Flag Making Workshop Participant

As part of Diaspora’s engagement fringe programme in the lead up to their festival weekend, Trinity partnered up with them to deliver their programme of free creative workshops named ‘Flag Up Your Identity’. These workshops were open to all and served to unleash the creativity of the workshop participants to make a unique flag that embodied their identity and heritage. Participants were encouraged to create unique flags influenced by their cultural roots and their personal journey. Over the Easter period, Trinity welcomed over 30 participants who made wonderful flags which will be showcased at Trinity and other locations around the city.

DIASPORA! Festival continues throughout the May bank holiday weekend, kicking off with the official opening ceremony for the festival taking place on Friday 03 May 4pm – 7pm. Expect an evening of dance, music, poetry, food, and folklore, showcasing the extraordinary talents of our local community while fostering meaningful cross-cultural connections. Tickets are free, find out more here.

After the opening ceremony on 03 May, we will be hosting Pangea at Trinity. Pangea is a club night which celebrates sound system music from around the globe, bringing together a diverse range of genres including Samba, Bhangra, highlife, gospel, dancehall and much more. Click here to get tickets.

Closing out proceedings, on Sunday 05 May we have Alkebulan, African Storytelling Village, a day of African arts and culture featuring captivating storytelling to vibrant dance performances. Featuring local artists from the likes of Kabbo Hue Ferdinand, MoYah, Ian Solomon-Kawall, Penny Avery, and Mohammed Errebba, this event promises an unforgettable cultural showcase. Find out more here.

We are very proud to be partnering with Diverse Artists Network for DIASPORA! Festival, highlighting our commitment to providing accessible cultural events for the community, and a space to learn arts and crafts as well as opportunities for participants to skill share.

Photo Credit: Sam Howard

For the last 15 years, Teachings in Dub has been a staple of the Bristol dub scene and has become one of the longest running club nights in Bristol. Formed by Stryda (Dubkasm) and Pinch at Clockwork Nightclub on Stokes Croft until 2008 when Teachings found its new home here at Trinity.

Dub and soundystem cultures have been an integral part of Bristol’s music scene. During the 1970s and 1980's a DIY culture of soundsystems sprung up, particularly around East Bristol, allowing young people in Bristol to participate in the city’s music scene from the ground up.

Teachings in Dub has allowed for a new generation to participate in Bristol’s history of dub music. Teachings co-founder Stryda writes that the event has “always been about bridging the gap between the older generation and the new and ensuring the culture is maintained and respected but the vibes are passed on”.

"We aim to give elders a space to enjoy the music and vibes they grew up on as well as a window for newcomers to enter a music scene they may have otherwise not even known existed” - Stryda, Teachings in Dub co-founder

Stryda attributes Teachings’ long-standing popularity to providing “an authentic space to experience real undiluted soundsystem vibrations. The Bristol music scene is respected worldwide but is built on Reggae and soundsystem. We aim to give elders a space to enjoy the music and vibes they grew up on as well as a window for newcomers to enter a music scene they may have otherwise not even known existed”.

Teachings has hosted some of the biggest names in dub and roots reggae, including Jah Shakka, Iration Steppas, Channel One Soundystem and Aba Shanti-I, and will host celebrations for 50 Years of Jah Tubby this month on 17 Sep, before celebrating 15 Years of Teachings in Dub on 25 Nov.

Volunteers sort through clothes in the Graffiti Room. Photo @Khali Ackford

A big thanks to everyone for their support during the Caring at Christmas day shelter at Trinity.

Across the project a total of 2307 hot meals and 2400 sandwiches where served to around 100 guests a day in the Day Centre at Trinity. We have been really delighted to team up and with Caring at Christmas for this much needed ambitious project,  during the crucial Christmas period when provisions become scarce in Bristol for those experiencing homelessness.

Thank you everyone for helping to make it happen!

Regular Trinity users donated Christmas trees to decorate the main hall. Photo @Khali Ackford

Trinity became a day shelter with support, food and social activities. Photo @Khali Ackford

Dinner awaits. Photo @Khali Ackford

Caring in Bristol team members outside Trinity. Photo @Khali Ackford

More upcoming gig highlights include Drenge - successfully relying on the heavily distorted guitar riffs of the grunge era; Babes in Toyland - original late 80s post punk band whose raw live show "captured a musical and cultural moment; angry, talented and unfettered by societal norms"; Dunkelbunt + The Secret Swing Society - " labelled “a wizard of tone colours“ and “specialist for exquisite music & spice blends" are also new to the listings.

This month we still have Honeyfeet, Bombs, Simon Panrucker, Count Bobo,Eva Lazarus & Snareophobe + more all playing live Saturday 14th February and Teachings in Dub finally announce their line up for Deep Medi including Commodo, Kaiju, Kahn, Gantz and Compa. This goes on sale Thursday so get in quick as guaranteed to sell out.

For those interested in performance check out Get Lucky - fantastic triple bill from Julia Thorneycroft dance or SOLO Forum Showcase - two evenings of new shows including four premiers from artists Alice Human, Ale Marzotto, Bella Fortune, Hannah Sullivan and Jo Hellier all happening in March.

We have plenty more up on the events pages so check them out.