by Michelle Inniss, directed by Cara Nolan, starring Cathy Tyson

When she gon come? I lookin at de people dem but I can’t see her. She a pretty lookin ting, she does stan’ out amongst these faces dripped in dissatisfaction…

Evangeline is waiting; she has been waiting a long time. She waits for the Black Swan to glide through the station and show her a little warmth and kindness. She waits for a ticket home to Trinidad, the sun, the mango trees, and the street vendors selling curry. She waits for Shirley the daughter she let walk away all those years ago.

I try not to tink about she too much, 'cause de pain dem thoughts bring it like a heard of buffalo runnin wild in a field, an I beneath dem foot.

Will her daughter ever return to her and can she ever forgive the Mother that let her go?

She Called Me Mother invites the audience into the life of Evangeline Gardner – a homeless, 70 year old Afro-Caribbean woman, who finds herself living on the streets. The play brings together Evangeline and her estranged daughter Shirley and is written in poetic Trinidadian vernacular rarely heard on our stages.

She Called Me Mother stars BAFTA and Golden Globe nominee Cathy Tyson, best known for her stage work with the RSC and the Liverpool Everyman and on film in Mona Lisa (1986)

She called me Mother is written in poetic Trindadian vernacular rarely heard on British stages.

"I believe She Called Me Mother has the potential to be a modern classic. We are going into territory that hasn't been explored on our stages before. The emotional potential of the play is boundless. I hope this play will be a rewarding experience for our audience and all those with creative involvement." (Cathy Tyson actor/producer)

This debut show from Pitch Lake Productions, founded by actor Cathy Tyson, writer Michelle Inniss and director Cara Nolan will be the second show to tour for the Black Theatre Live consortium, dedicated to bringing inventive BAME theatre to venues across the country. It follows the recently concluded tour of Tara Arts new version of Macbeth.

“I’m delighted that our consortium have selected such an exciting prospect for our first commission. The poetry of the script blew me away” (Sarah Brigham, Artistic Director Derby)

Doors: 7.30pm

Show Start: 8pm

Unchosen is proud to announce the premiere of Unchosen’s Films Against Slavery.

Modern slavery remains widespread in the UK with the Home Office recently estimating that there are between 10,000 to 13,000 victims at any one time. It can affect men or women, boys or girls; it can affect people from any background, of any nationality including British nationals as well as those trafficked into the UK.

A film screening will be followed by a panel discussion with anti-slavery experts where people from all communities are invited to attend this free event to find out what slavery might look like in their area and what they can do about it.

Don't worry if you can't skate or even don't own any skates, we have plenty of skates to hire and our lovely Roller Girls & Boys will give you a helping hand if needed.

Doors open at 2pm till 5pm and expect a mixture of good tunes and vibes from our roller-disco team.

Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.

Through Trinity providing subsidized hall space for us, we have been able to put on social events for people with learning disabilities over the last 8 years.

It is very hard for someone with a learning disability to have a normal social life. So with Trinity helping us put on full on monthly nightclubs is amazing. We have nearly  200 people dancing the night away at each Rhythm of the Night event and it is getting bigger and better. Join us on the last Thursday of the month and see for yourself...everybody is welcome!

2017 has been the best so far and we are thinking of inviting DJs and musicians with disabilities to perform at these social events, as we did with Plymouth's Funky Llama in 2016.

Trinity has supported these successful nightclubs with staff time, facilities and equipment. This partnership approach has been rewarding for everyone.

We have also seen from their wider community work that Trinity is committed to being a centre for the people of Bristol. Trinity has made a fantastic use of a valuable building and given it a new lease of life.

Tony Holdom, Creative Director, Misfits Theatre Company UK.

1. Is 100% celebration of life. We are born from nothing and go to nothing. Let’s enjoy it together.

2. Has no doctrine. We have no set texts so we can make use of wisdom from all sources.

3. Has no deity. We don’t do supernatural but we also won’t tell you you’re wrong if you do.

4. Is radically inclusive. Everyone is welcome, regardless of their beliefs – this is a place of love that is open and accepting.

5. Is free to attend, not-for-profit and volunteer run. We ask for donations to cover our costs and support our community work.

6. Has a community mission. Through our Action Heroes (you!), we will be a force for good.

7. Is independent. We do not accept sponsorship or promote outside businesses, organisations or services

8. Is here to stay. With your involvement, The Sunday Assembly will make the world a better place

9. We won’t tell you how to live, but will try to help you do it as well as you can

10. And remember point 1… The Sunday Assembly is a celebration of the one life we know we have

What should you expect from a Sunday Assembly event?

Just by being with us you should be energised, vitalised, restored, repaired, refreshed and recharged. No matter what the subject of the Assembly, it will solace worries, provoke kindness and inject a touch of transcendence into the everyday. A Sunday Assembly service consists of songs (usually pop) sung by the congregation, a reading, an interesting talk from scientists, charities, or anyone with an interesting story, a moment of reflection games, and an address which gives a take home message. Afterwards we have tea and cake and a chat.

But life can be tough… It is. Sometimes bad things happen to good people, we have moments of weakness or life just isn’t fair. We want The Sunday Assembly to be a house of love and compassion, where, no matter what your situation, you are welcomed, accepted and loved.

Outside of the event we organise small groups (Smoups), and other social activities such as Wonder More (science) clubs, music groups, peer-to-peer support and local volunteering.

Most of all, have fun, be nice and join in.

Future meetings: Sunday 12th April 2015 / Sunday 3rd May / Sunday 7th June

Movema Schools Workshops - Image Credit: Ted Stargatt

As part of our children and young people’s programme we are working with Bristol-based dance company, Movema to deliver a year long activity of dance in local schools and at Trinity.

“It's been incredible to see individuals participate and have a positive attitude” - Teacher feedback

For the first part of the project, delivered in the autumn/winter term, Movema connected with Hannah More, St Nicolas of Tolentine and Evergreen primary schools to deliver their ‘World in a Box’ dance programme. Children who attend these schools have higher levels of protected characteristics including Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).

In collaboration with teachers, the company identified children whose access to the arts may be limited by opportunity to take part in weekly workshops at their school. Across eight weeks, 174 children aged 5yrs-10yrs took part in the programme which included workshops exploring Indian, Caribbean and African dance, games and confidence-building activities and elements of arts and crafts.

The workshops had a positive impact on the children who took part; 80% of the children taking part said they had learned more about different cultures, 73% agreed they had learned new dance skills and 86% said they now wanted to do more dance as a result of taking part in the programme.

During the next stage of the programme in the winter and spring terms, children will be invited to take part in World Dance workshops during school holidays which will culminate in sharing what they've learned with their families and friends. Following this,  Carnival Dance Workshops will take place at Trinity. In these workshops, children will have the opportunity to celebrate celebrate St. Pauls Carnival.

Click here to read the announcement of our partnership with Movema.