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6 events,
Spike Island presents a major solo exhibition of new work by Phillip Lai (b.1969, Kuala Lumpur), bringing together a body of sculptural commissions that continue the artist’s exploration of the material world around us. This will be the most significant institutional presentation of Lai’s work to date. Lai’s sculptures combine everyday objects with his own… Continue Reading RAIN/RUIN by Phillip Lai 
Spike Island presents Feedback, the largest solo exhibition by Nigerian-British artist, filmmaker and DJ Olukemi Lijadu. Developed through research in Chicago, Lagos and Bristol, the exhibition centres on a major new film commission marking a landmark in the artist’s moving image practice. The film uses audio feedback as a metaphor for the circulation of rhythm,… Continue Reading Feedback by Olukemi Lijadu
Free
Lebanese artist Mounira Al Solh invites you into a vivid world where ancient mythology collides with contemporary experience. In this exhibition, she poignantly and playfully navigates a multitude of complex themes such as identity, migration, trauma, inequality and gender. This multidisciplinary exhibition includes her critically acclaimed Venice Biennale pavilion installation A Dance with her Myth… Continue Reading A land as big as her skin by Mounira Al Solh
Free
In this series of minimalist oil pastel drawings, curated by Rainmaker Gallery, Jason Wesaw reflects on reconnection, resilience and the healing power of return. Through subtly textured surface and carefully chosen colour, these meditative works unfold with quiet intensity. Jason Wesaw is a multi-disciplinary artist, educator, and peacemaker. He is an enrolled member of the… Continue Reading Returning by Jason Wesaw 
Queendom Rising is a new photography exhibition by Bristol-based photographer George Netana celebrating women from Bristol’s diverse diaspora communities. This portrait series is inspired by the artist’s lived experience as a mother of Māori daughters growing up in diaspora, and explores how identity, belonging, and cultural memory are formed and sustained across generations and geographies. She has… Continue Reading Queendom Rising: Portraits of Diaspora by George Netana
Free
Rooted in West African cultural heritage, CRAZE WORLD uses symbols, figures and patterns to confront social issues such as racism, police brutality and censorship. The work in this collection reflects the belief that art plays a vital role in shaping public thought. It provides an opportunity for viewers to encounter these visual narratives and consider… Continue Reading CRAZE WORLD by BÓLÁRINWÁ |
7 events,
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Tune into Ujima 98FM on Wednesday 29 April, 2–4pm, for a very special live takeover show hosted by DAN artist and Chair, DJ Bashmal, plus guests. Settle in from wherever you are, at home, in the office or on the road, and find out everything you need to know about DIASPORA! This show will be… Continue Reading DIASPORA! Takeover On Ujima Radio
Free
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8 events,
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Join Carole Nomessin, Elemental Medicine Woman, for this sacred fire ritual from the Huichol people of Mexico, loaned to the Western world as a reminder of how to sit together and tend our spirits. This two-hour session invites you to place offerings into the fire while walking with your own prayers, entering a space where… Continue Reading Sacred Fire Ritual
Free
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The Snug, Tobacco Factory Cafe Bar, BS3 1TF Join artist BÓLÁRINWÁ for the closing of CRAZE WORLD, an exciting exhibition showing 7 April to 10 May. This intimate closing party offers a chance to engage with the artist as he discusses the core themes of his work. The evening will feature poetry readings, film screenings… Continue Reading CRAZE WORLD Exhibition Party
Free
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17 events,
Diaspora Island gathers Bristol-based artists with roots across the world, weaving together perspectives on the human condition and the shifting meaning of home. Moving between folk tales, dance, and acts of resistance, the exhibition traces how memory, culture, and activism intertwine to shape identity across borders. Curated by Emma Allen. Woven Narratives and Batik Flag… Continue Reading Voices of the Diaspora
Free
This hugely popular annual event gives you access to explore the studios, see works-in-progress, learn about different creative processes, and buy unique work directly from the artists. The family-friendly programme includes events, performances and workshops for you to test your own creative skills and experience artists’ ideas first-hand. In Spike Island’s galleries, discover major exhibitions… Continue Reading Spike Island Open Studios
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First Friday is a monthly social and showcasing event open to anyone. It takes place in the Pervasive Media Studio every First Friday throughout the year except for August and January. As well as the chance to socialise in the Pervasive Media Studio, attendees joining the event will also get to see a selection of… Continue Reading First Friday
Free
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Explore safety, support and grounding within your mind and body in this workshop embodying the earth element through creative visualisation. Over 2 hours, you’ll be guided through embodied movement, meditation, pastel creation and reflective journaling, and take home your own canvas picture. No experience needed. Tea, mats and materials provided. Book your tickets here. Facilitated… Continue Reading Meditate & Create
£38
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Join us at The Station for the launch of DIASPORA! 2026, our city-wide celebration of cultural diversity through the arts. This event marks the official opening of the festival and offers an opportunity to gather with members of the Diverse Artists Network community. To take part in a special celebration of the water with a… Continue Reading DIASPORA! 2026 Opening Ceremony
Free
Come and join us for the launch of the Voices of DIASPORA! exhibition, curated by artist Emma Allen, showing at The Island from 1-4 May. It is a chance to preview the work, meet the practitioners involved, including artists from the Black Creatives. This event takes place straight after the DIASPORA! 2026 Opening Ceremony. Age:… Continue Reading Voices of DIASPORA! Launch Party
Free
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With a unique electronic and jazz fusion, Brian d’Souza’s Auntie Flo live band brings together a host of talented musicians from around the world to perform tracks spanning five acclaimed albums worth of material. Book tickets here. Venue: Strange Brew Ages: 14+ (under 18s must be accompanied by adult) For access information refer to venue’s… Continue Reading Auntie Flo (full band show) + Moncaya LIVE
£12 – £15
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Reflecting on an increasingly digitised world, JASAD (Arabic for Body) draws from the breath-centred essence of the Nay (ca. 5,000 BC) to create a distinctive solo setup. In this performance, Faris Ishaq plays the Nay and a leg-mounted frame drum simultaneously. Drawing from his global jazz background, Faris fuses original Tashbib melodies, a percussive and… Continue Reading Faris Ishaq in Concert
£10 – £14
Head to the Pipe & Slippers on Stokes Croft for a stellar DJ set from Devon-born artist, Somatic. No need to book, just turn up. Known for his boundary-defying sets, Somatic blends global sounds ranging from and Reggaeton to Jungle and Bollywood Bass. His track Fighting Fear has gained over 850k plays, and his versatile… Continue Reading Somatic DJ Set
Free
Mestre Gilmar Santana is a master of maracatu de baque virado from Igarassu, Pernambuco, Brazil, and a direct heir of a long-standing family tradition. He is the grandson of Dona Mariu and the son of Dona Olga, who passed this cultural knowledge through generations. Today, he leads the Maracatu Estrela Brilhante de Igarassu, a maracatu… Continue Reading Afon Sistema with Mestre of Maracatu
Free
Kilengi Dance Party is coming back to The Jam Jar this May. What better way to kick off DIASPORA! than at Bristol’s newest global bass party? Curated by DJ, bassist and producer Marla Kether, Kilengi is a celebration of dance music from the afrodiaspora. Expect Afro House, Baile Funk, Dembow, Amapaino, Kuduro, GQOM, Bubbling, Bouyon… Continue Reading Marla Kether Presents: Kilengi Dance Party
£6 – £13.50
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25 events,
Come and explore the work of the Diverse Artists Network, the Bristol-based development agency behind the DIASPORA! festival, through this exciting exhibition: Out of Many. Founded in 2020 by Deasy Bamford and Vandna Mehta, DAN acts as a bridge between artists, venues and audiences across the South West. Experience this vibrant collection from talented regional… Continue Reading Out of Many: The Diverse Artists Network Exhibition
Free
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Join Circomedia in Portland Square this Early May Bank Holiday weekend for a fantastic, diaspora-led day of free, family friendly activities. No need to book, just turn up. The Circomedia team will be filling the square outside their St. Paul’s Church venue with joy and creativity. From participatory circus and performance workshops and shows, to… Continue Reading Circus in St Pauls
Free
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Ten African and Caribbean women across generations come together to sit, reflect and speak, opening a rare and intimate window into the stories, tensions and wisdom that pass between us. This workshop, led by Odiri Ighamre, marks the launch of Internal Conversations, a living exhibition woven from visual interviews, personal testimony, photography, academic insight, film… Continue Reading Internal Conversations
£3 – £15
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Tashi Shabdro is a popular Tibetan circle dance performed during festive and joyful occasions. Join a large group, led by artist Tenzin Sangmo, as you come together in celebration, promoting happiness, social connection and friendship. ABOUT TENZIN Tenzin Sangmo is a Bristol-based artist with a passion for sharing Tibetan culture with wider communities across the… Continue Reading Dance Day at The Island Dance Space: Tashi Shabdro Tibetan Dance Workshop
£3 – £15
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A creative craft workshop open to all ages, where participants use recycled materials and textiles to create a flag or banner that represents and celebrates themselves and their identity, however they see it. Led by textile artist Ruth Ramsay. Visit the venue’s website for accessibility information. Venue: Easton Community Centre, Kilburn St, Easton, Bristol BS5 6AW… Continue Reading Flag Up Your Identity – Easton Community Centre
Free
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Join musician Alphonse Daudet Touna for a steel pan workshop exploring African Caribbean melodies and rhythms. By the end of the session, participants will come together to play a short tune as an ensemble. No experience needed, just turn up. This event is part of Jam on the Horizon, 15 hours of music from around the… Continue Reading Steel & Beats
£3 – £15
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Join artist Marina Moreno for an online talk exploring her practice, with a focus on collaboration and socially engaged work. Marina will also introduce an exciting opportunity for DAN artists to collaborate on a new project centred on migration, displacement and transnationalism. Joining details will be shared after you book. ABOUT MARINA MORENO Marina Moreno… Continue Reading DIASPORA! Online: Connecting Across Borders: Collaboration, Migration & Socially Engaged Practice
Free
5 venues, 8 Stages and 15 hours of music from all around the world. All day and night, you can expect all of the regular global sounds you know and love, including but not limited to dub, soukous, reggaeton, salsa, highlife & afrobeat. Now across 5 venues, Jam On The Horizon takes place at The… Continue Reading Jam on the Horizon
£25 – £45
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Side eYe is excited to be delivering a workshop on storytelling and world-making. They’ll be working through different mediums of art, seeing how you can incubate your creativity using collages and responding to stimuli. There will be opportunities for creative writing and art creation, and resources to develop yourself will be shared in the session.… Continue Reading Storytelling & World-making
£3 – £15
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Join Medea for this Persian dance taster workshop focused on popular and accessible dances from Iran. This session offers an introduction to the movements and rhythms of Persian dance in a supportive setting. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience, come along to learn the steps and enjoy the music of this cultural… Continue Reading Dance Day at The Island Dance Space: Try Persian Dance & Have Fun
£3 – £15
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Five women from completely different backgrounds bring their own unique solo performances to this showcase. Taking place in an empty shop unit in The Galleries, transformed into a makeshift theatre, each show allows women of different diasporas to take up space and tell their story. This DIASPORA! event is part of Compass Presents’ A Love… Continue Reading A Love Letter to Broadmead: Five Women, One Show
Free
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Freedom Soul Dance is a beautiful combination of West African, freestyle and contemporary dance, led by dance practitioner, penny Marie. Filled with fun, joy and expression, Penny’s classes give you the confidence to dance in your own way while learning choreography suitable for all levels. ABOUT PENNY Penny Marie is a Bristol-based dance practitioner with… Continue Reading Dance Day at The Island Dance Space: Freedom Soul Dance
£3 – £15
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Four local poets read and discuss their work alongside contributors from the Africa Migration Report Poetry Anthology series. This series publishes anthologies exploring African and African diasporic migration and immobility through diverse poetic voices. Click here to register. To date, the initiative has released two collections: Japa Fire: An Anthology of Poems on African and… Continue Reading DIASPORA! Online: African & African Diasporic Poetry, Bristol
Free
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Experience the vibrant rhythms of the Sudanese Daluka, a drum that is central to women’s celebrations. This session showcases Aghani Abanat (girls’ songs), an important part of wedding rituals in Sudan. Join this interactive circle of drumming, clapping and movement to experience the rhythmic heart of Sudanese female heritage. No experience needed, just come ready… Continue Reading Daluka Circle: Sudanese Women’s Rhythms
Free
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The UK’s premier pan-Asian improv group are back with their mission to bring epic laughs from the diasporASIA to Bristol. Bringing playful improv from their monthly night in London – followed by a friendly audience jam. You can choose to sit back and relax as an audience member all the way through, or put yourself… Continue Reading Comediasians
£10 – £15
An eclectic DJ set, mixing genres from the Caribbean, UK, South Africa and Brazil. No need to book, just turn up. About Azumei Azumei is a Bristol-based DJ and producer, and co-founder of the women-led label Bad B!tch Dubz. Following a debut UK tour and appearances at Glastonbury and Love Saves the Day, she’s firmly… Continue Reading Azumei DJ Set
Free
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French collective House of Unity bring their explosive fusion of live instrumentation and electronic club energy to The Canteen this May. No need to book, just turn up. ABOUT HOUSE OF UNITY The collective channels the spirit of classic house through a modern groove. From piano-soaked classics and timeless vocals, all the way to chunky… Continue Reading HOUSE OF UNITY
Free
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17 events,
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This workshop introduces the origins and techniques of Fusion Bellydance, offering a relaxed approach to its distinctive movements. Participants will learn key steps to build a collective phrase, focusing on building a sense of community through dance. There is no requirement to show your midriff; however, wearing a hip scarf is encouraged. This session is… Continue Reading Bridging Resistance with Fusion Bellydance
£3 – £15
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A vibrant community market, featuring local makers, family friendly activities and delicious food vendors. Come along and celebrate your local community at Kings Chase Shopping Centre in Kingswood. Featuring performances from Rad Banaria, Kennedy Chinyere, Nicole & Louisa, and Özcan Ateş accompanied by Liam. Suitable for all ages. EVENT PROGRAMME 10.45am-11.25am: Rad Banaria With a… Continue Reading Social Sundays at Kings Chase
Free
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Head to the Ranch Adventure Playground in Southmead for a day of family fun. Textile artist Ruth Ramsay will be there, running a Flag Up Your Identity workshop. Make a colourful flag that shows the world who you are. Puppet Afro-Leana has flown in from Jamaica especially for this event. Come and dance with this… Continue Reading Family Fun Day at The Ranch Adventure Playground
Free
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Relax, release & reconnect through healing vibrations with magical gong practitioner, Annette, and singing bowl sensation, Rounik. Come and join Annette and Rounik for a deeply relaxing and reflective New Moon Sound bath in Bristol’s breath-taking, mystical former church, The Mount Without. Sound healing is a wonderfully restorative and relaxing experience, nourishing us on so… Continue Reading Sound Baths at The Mount Without
£24.54 – £29.96
Amadou Diagne has centuries of West African Music at his fingertips. A former member of The National Orchestra of Senegal, Amadou rose to become one of the top West African Stars and a busy musician on the vibrant Dakar music scene. This event is part of Bristol Folk Bristol at St George’s Bristol. Get your… Continue Reading Bristol Folk Festival: Amadou Diagne
£19 – £37
Vulva Voce re-write the ‘string quartet’ as we know it. Taking influence from folk, jazz, classical, techno and funk, they create original music which honours women’s stories throughout history A must-watch collective, alongside their string instruments, Vulva Voce use singing, movement and anecdotes to connect with audiences. The result is a genre-defying, universally appealing live… Continue Reading Bristol Folk Festival: Vulva Voce
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In this workshop, artist, singer and dancer Batch Gueye leads you through traditional griot songs from West Africa. Drawing from the musical heritage of Senegal, Casamance, The Gambia and Mali, you’ll explore the spiritual chants of the Senegalese Baye Fall people and learn songs associated with their leader. Singing becomes a form of prayer, teaching… Continue Reading West African Singing Workshop with Batch Gueye
£3 – £15
Live Bristol is a monthly mixed-genre music platform dedicated to uplifting emerging artists and strengthening the grassroots scene. Rooted in equality and representation, each event creates a space for diverse voices to be heard through the shared power of live performance. This session is a special for DIASPORA! We are bringing our community together to… Continue Reading Live Bristol: DIASPORA! 26 special
Free
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16 events,
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Come dance and draw with dancers with Sachin and Anna. This session is a special for DIASPORA!, offering festival-goers the chance to dance and draw live performers in a collaborative setting. Anna, from South West Dance Theatre, will lead dance activities based in ballet, commercial, and contemporary styles to help participants explore the qualities of… Continue Reading Dancing & Drawing with Sachin & Anna
£3 – £15
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‘What we cannot imagine cannot come into being’ – bell hooks Join mental health and performance charity Many Minds for an interactive and inclusive workshop inviting you to dream with others, of the future we are longing for in a collective act of imagination, care and resistance. Centring people’s experience of culture and identity, we’ll… Continue Reading Collective Dreaming for the Future with Many Minds
Free
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Enjoy a tour of the harbour from the water in this special collaboration with Bristol Community Ferry Boats for DIASPORA! Explore the city’s maritime history, from its role in the transatlantic slave trade to the Floating Harbour as it stands today, alongside a special performance from Bristol poet, Muneera Pilgrim, reading her poem In Praise… Continue Reading Bristol Harbour History Tour: DIASPORA! Special
£3 – £15
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Makaani Arts is a new collective aiming to champion and showcase music and cultural crafts from the Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) diaspora, spanning from Morocco to Pakistan. Makaani means ‘my place’ in Arabic. Or, ‘I belong here’. Makaani Arts are inviting performers and practitioners with shared regional heritage to celebrate their art. Bridging cultures… Continue Reading Makaani Arts Hosts: Spirit of SWANA
Free
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Come and sing soulful, a cappella arrangements by 20th century soul icons. All singing levels welcome. About Dionne Dionne Draper is a professional singer and actor who brings people together. Sing with Soul is where Dionne’s passion for Black music and distinctive music direction meet, inspiring soulful choir experiences across the UK. Dionne has recorded… Continue Reading Sing with Soul
£3 – £15
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Join artist and set designer Alexia Dobre for Miniature Worlds of Broadmead, a hands-on creative workshop rooted in giving old objects a new life. Using reclaimed and everyday materials, participants of all ages will explore storytelling, design and model-making, building their own tiny dream spaces inspired by Broadmead’s spaces, histories and identities. This DIASPORA! workshop… Continue Reading Miniature Worlds of Broadmead: A Model-Making Workshop
Free
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Join Mamadou Keita, from Guinea-Conakry, for a mixed-level Djembe workshop at the Jam Jar, inviting you to play and sing soulful West African rhythms in a collaborative setting. Limited drum hire is available, so please book in advance to reserve a djembe or feel free to bring your own. Tickets are available now on Headfirst.… Continue Reading Foli – Bristol Djembe Players
£10 – £15
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Formed in 2025 by singer-songwriter Yiran Liu, Hazed Date is a Bristol-based five-piece emerging from the city’s vibrant Queer POC community. Their sound is a compelling blend of heavy, distorted textures and delicate indie-rock lyricism, exploring themes of sapphic yearning and the search for sanctuary. ABOUT YIRAN As a first-generation immigrant and queer woman, Yiran… Continue Reading Hazed Date
Free
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12 events,
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Are you feeling stuck in your creative process or unsure how to start a new idea? When we encounter roadblocks, we often try to solve them through logic alone, which can lead to feeling overwhelmed or exhausted. Join Viola for this 90-minute workshop using embodiment and meditation to help you gain clarity. By integrating the… Continue Reading Flow & Radiate
£3 – £15
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Join us for a meaningful and creative afternoon as we come together to mark Red Dress Day, honouring Indigenous women in Canada who are missing or murdered through violence. This free, informal pop-up workshop is an opportunity to slow down, reflect and connect through making. You’ll be invited to decorate and message second-hand red dresses,… Continue Reading Raising the Red: Red Dress Day Craft Workshop
Free
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In 2004, in the SuperBowl halftime show finale, 23 year old Justin Timberlake ripped off 37 year old Janet Jackson’s top. Her breast was exposed on screen for nine sixteenths of a second. A pop icon and role model for many black women, and an outspoken ally for the LGBTQ community, the moment derailed Jackson’s… Continue Reading Nine Sixteenths @ Exeter Phoenix
£6 – £16
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An exciting new dance-theatre-spoken word collaboration from Divija Melally and Saili Katebe. One Foot In The Dark is an exploration of our known and unknown experiences of identity, culture and change through text and movement. It comprises a double bill of a solo The Skeleton Is White and duet Six Degrees From Home, both honest… Continue Reading One Foot in the Dark
£14
Monthly live Roots Reggae and Dub session at The Canteen, hosted by legendary drummer Alex Dawson (Hotsteppas/Run Come Down). Special guests will be invited to jam with the house band opening up the stage for Singers, Mcs and musicians to show off their skills in true Bristol fashion. No need to book, just turn up.… Continue Reading Riddim – Reggae/Dub jam
Free
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14 events,
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Join the DIASPORA! special of this regular, friendly creative drop-in space. You will get the chance to imagine, design and learn and how to make welcoming signage for community spaces. No art or making experience needed. Free light lunch from 11:30 (usually sandwiches with vegetarian and dairy-free options). No booking required. For all ages.
Free
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The Fight Well Project is a theatre show and engagement project exploring the validation and respect of Black women’s bodies within the healthcare system. As part of this work, Corinne Walker leads a creative workshop specifically for Global Majority women who have experienced negative healthcare outcomes. The session combines writing exercises, music and discussion to… Continue Reading DIASPORA! Online: The Fight Well Project: Finding Hope & Validation Within Black Women’s Health
Free
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A gentle creative writing and journalling workshop exploring identity, memory, culture and liberation. Through accessible prompts and grounding wellbeing practices, participants are invited to process, imagine and express themselves in a reflective, culturally aware space. Open to all levels, it supports people in reconnecting with their stories of resistance and leaving with greater clarity and… Continue Reading Writing to Resist
£3 – £15
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This participatory workshop led by facilitator, Katie Despres, uses Systemic Constellations to explore how family, culture and histories of migration shape our lives. Moving beyond talk therapy, the session uses guided exercises to reveal unseen generational patterns and provide fresh perspectives on how we belong in the world. Participants will engage directly with these dynamics… Continue Reading DIASPORA! Online: What We Inherit, What We Carry: An Introduction to Systemic Constellations
£3 – £15
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Hosted by film blogger and critic Oreoluwa Ige (Binge God), this session features a selection of films from Inaz Hussain (Belong), Louise Ndibwirende (Rice at Home) and Jessica Olivia Neill (Green Hills). Each work explores themes of identity, home and belonging, and what that means to people with a history of migration. After the screenings,… Continue Reading DIASPORA! on Screen
£9 – £11.50
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Colonial history has wiped many stories off the map. In this one-woman show, Inez Aponte follows a fragile thread back in time to meet the mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers that carried her family to safety and freedom. Mixing tales from Surinam’s oral tradition with family history, she explores themes of home, rootedness and belonging.… Continue Reading Un|Earthed – Of Mothers, Grandmothers & Freedom
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An exciting new dance-theatre-spoken word collaboration from Divija Melally and Saili Katebe. One Foot In The Dark is an exploration of our known and unknown experiences of identity, culture and change through text and movement. It comprises a double bill of a solo The Skeleton Is White and duet Six Degrees From Home, both honest… Continue Reading One Foot in the Dark
£14
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19 events,
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This creative writing session uses mindfulness techniques to celebrate your unique self. Held in a supportive and playful atmosphere, the workshop focuses on personal expression and wellbeing. Participants are encouraged to explore their creativity at their own pace. All are welcome, regardless of previous experience. Please arrive at 9.45am for a 10am start. ABOUT AGATA… Continue Reading Writing for Wellbeing with Agata Palmer
£3 – £15
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The Great Oak Tree Hub invites you to a fun and friendly sewing craft day. Come along and learn how to make your own small tote bag to take home. This session is perfect for beginners, experienced sewers, or anyone interested in learning a new skill. Email thegreatoaktreehub25@gmail.com to book your place. The Great Oak… Continue Reading Sewing Craft Day: Make Your Own Tote Bag
Free
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A contemplative and guided tea experience that will nourish the body, soothe the mind and excite the spirit. Tea has long held a sacred place in the heart of Eastern culture. Our Breathe and Brew session will begin with mindfully drinking tea and using grounding breath to connect to the healing effects of the tea’s… Continue Reading ATTIC Teas: Breathe & Brew
£3 – £15
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Join poet, Sharena Lee Satti, for this all-abilities workshop exploring how identity and home can shape creative expression. The session invites participants to reflect on their own stories, the echoes of memory and the spaces they inhabit, transforming personal experience into authentic poetry. Through gentle prompts, guided exercises and discussion, participants will: – explore how… Continue Reading DIASPORA! Online: Estate to Stage: Echoes, Breath & Words
Free
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Big Team are hosting our annual Elevate Us networking event. The aim of this event is to explore how people with neurodiversities navigate creative freelancing. The panel will focus on sharing the personal and practical experience of those currently in the creative industry, gain insights of what it is like working in the industry, receive… Continue Reading Neurodiversity and Creative Freelancing: Elevate Us
Free
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A free monthly meet-up for creatives, artists and technologists interested in making things happen in/with communities. Whether you already work with communities or are curious to begin, you’re welcome here – all that’s needed is a genuine interest in community-centred, collaborative ways of making. These meet-ups are always evolving in response to the group. Currently,… Continue Reading Community x Arts x Tech Meetups
Free
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Raise the Bar Raise the Bar presents Poems of DIASPORA! Featuring four headline poets, representing four different continents: Daljit Nagra, Maureen Onwunali, Bohdan Piasecki and Chloe Tenesha. Plus our resident DJ spinning tunes from across the world. Raise the Bar’s Spring quarterly show is presented as part of DIASPORA! 2026. Expect another dynamic, thought-provoking and… Continue Reading Raise the Bar: Poems of DIASPORA!
£6 – £8
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Expect ultra-tight musicianship and unstoppable energy as Nubiyan Twist bring their electrifying blend of jazz, afrobeat, soul, hip-hop and dance music to the stage with a brand new line-up and live show for 2026. Known for their powerful big-band sound and uplifting live shows, the 9-piece collective fuse global grooves with UK jazz finesse, percussive… Continue Reading Nubiyan Twist
£25
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Drawing from an expansive palette of R&B, neo soul, contemporary jazz and poetic songwriting, British-Nigerian award-winning singer-songwriter and musician Ego Ella May is creating music that resonates deeply across generations and cultures. Her work is united by her profound reverence for jazz – for Ego, it’s ‘the root of it all’ – and a fearless… Continue Reading Ego Ella May
£18
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Priscilla Andersohn is a singer/ songwriter rooted in the London/ Bristol scene. She crafts atmospheric alternative pop built on live instrumentation and emotional depth. Performing with bass, guitar and percussion, her music unfolds slowly and expansively, blending rhythm and texture into an immersive live experience. Priscilla’s sound is moody, spacious and quietly powerful, drawing audiences… Continue Reading Priscilla Andersohn
Free
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Tuto Barrios creates a vibrant fusion of multi-instrumental Colombian roots and electronic production. Charango, marimba, gaitas and percussion weave through deep MPC beats, bringing together tropical groove, Andean melody and dancefloor energy accompanied a guest percussionist or DJ. No need to book just turn up. Age: 18+ Venue: The Plough Inn, BS5 0EG Access: Contact… Continue Reading Tuto Barrios
Free
A genre-spanning set to keep you moving and grooving with our very own Giulia with a G. Expect percussive and melodic house and techno from around the world and everything in between. No need to book, just turn up. ABOUT GIULIA Born of Italian and Romanian heritage and raised across Europe and the US, Giulia… Continue Reading Giulia with a G
Free
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14 events,
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Bristol’s long-running Playback Theatre Company offers you an exciting opportunity to experience the basics of Playback Theatre. Come to The Wardrobe Theatre for a friendly, relaxed workshop to create spontaneous improvised theatre. Book now via Wardrobe Theatre. ABOUT PLAYBACK THEATRE Playback theatre is a unique form of interactive, improvisational theatre where audience members share personal… Continue Reading WORKSHOP: Playback Theatre – An Introduction
£15 – £25
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Join us for an afternoon of conversation, short film and live music exploring the Kurdish situation in the Middle East. Led by artist Taban Yasin and friends, this is a free, informal drop-in session. Featured image: Levi Meir Clancy. ABOUT TABAN Taban Yasin is an actress, writer, filmmaker and dancer who began her artistic career… Continue Reading Kurdish Diaspora: Talks, Film & Music
Free
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Be transported BAC in Time on Friday 8 May 2026 – VE Day with a community show performed underneath Concorde. Local Learning are keeping their tradition alive of telling true stories of people who have lived, worked, and grown up in Filton, Patchway and Southmead that are then woven into a theatre show and performed… Continue Reading Meadows to Meaders 6: BAC in Time Theatre show
£2 – £4
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Relax, release & re-balance body & soul in a heart-opening, healing Sound Bath in Bristol with Sound Therapist, Rounik Sethi. Rounik weaves ancient, healing sounds using Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, monochords, Koshi chimes and other sacred instruments. Book now. @rounik_sound_healing For access information refer to venue’s website
£20.21
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People from the Global Majority, who may or may not identify as Artists, are invited to come and share their poems, songs, movement, theatre pieces etc in the supportive cosy nest of the Kiota community. Hosted by Kiota’s Artistic Director, Aisha Ali (they/ them) the space is not only for sharing work in all stages… Continue Reading Kiota Open Mic
£8 – £10
Join stellar DJ and professional vibez-merchant JAZPA ONE for a set of eclectic Afro-centric bangers to get those gun fingers going. With his high-energy performances, crowd-raising persona and soul-winding tracks, JAZPA ONE is no stranger to raising the roof. Head down to the Pipe & Slippers to nice up the dance. No need to book… Continue Reading JAZPA ONE DJ Set
Free
Eclectic DJ set, mixing genres from the Carribbean, UK, South Africa and Brazil. No need to book just turn up. Age: 18+ Venue: The Plough, BS5 0EG For accessibility information, contact the venue. About Azumei Azumei is a Bristol-based DJ and producer, and co-founder of the women-led label Bad B!tch Dubz. Following a debut UK… Continue Reading Azumei DJ Set
Free
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24 events,
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This is a session inviting women of the Global Majority to come find the medicine of movement through reconnecting with their body and the natural world around them, organised by Soul Trail Wellbeing CIC. Age: 18+ Venue: Eastville Park Access: Please contact event organiser Spaces are limited – book now on Eventbrite.
Free
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Baisakhi is a South Asian festival marking the New Year and the arrival of spring. Step into this rich and vibrant cultural celebration through storytelling, music, dance, creative crafts and traditional food. Part of Desi Day – celebrating South Asian culture with a series of events at Arnolfini. Rooted in renewal, harvest and new beginnings,… Continue Reading Desi Day: Baisakhi: A Desi New Year & Spring Festival
Free
Fusing rhythms from the African diaspora with sounds from across the globe, to delving into the deeper realms of electronic music. Expect hypnotic melodies & captivating rhythms, coupled with percussive textures & rich, resonant bass lines. No need to book, just turn up. Age: 18+ Venue: The Plough, BS5 0EG About IKAMBA Hailing from the… Continue Reading IKAMBA DJ Set
Free
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CROWN/تاج is the UK’s first touring production combining classical Persian dance, contemporary dance and Sufi whirling to tell a story of displacement, identity and body sovereignty to an original soundtrack of live music and electronica. Maria Tarokh directs this female-led production, featuring brilliant contemporary and classical dancers and virtuoso classical Persian musicians. Watch the trailer… Continue Reading Company SHE Presents: CROWN/تاج
£13 – £15
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This musical theatre showcase features work by artists of the Caribbean diaspora, exploring themes of migration, identity and the enduring influence of the Windrush generation on British life. Farewell Jamaica by Neville Connor This interactive one-person play follows Neville, a Jamaican World War II veteran who migrates to Britain in the late 1940s. Through storytelling… Continue Reading DIASPORA! on Stage: Songs & Stories from the Caribbean Islands
£3 – £15
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Dance is a universal language. It builds communities, transcends time and holds history in our feet. Dances of DIASPORA! is a project conceived by the Diverse Artists Network to honour and showcase the many dance traditions we are proud to host in our city – living archives of migration, resilience and cultural legacy. Bringing together… Continue Reading Dances of DIASPORA!
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Vision Bame CIC presents Shifting Seasons Cultural Celebration. Join us for an afternoon of culture, community and celebration. Free entry, all welcome. Expect delicious international food, live choir performances, cultural dance, African drumming, celebrating diversity and community spirit. For more information please email bame.vision@gmail.com
Free
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Bristol-based DJ and producer, Indian Man, leads this interactive workshop. Come and learn how to DJ and explore the creation of immersive soundscapes. Taking place in the Community Workshop space on Floor 2 of Arnolfini Arts, this event is part of Desi Day – celebrating South Asian culture with a day of fun for all… Continue Reading Desi Day: Desi Futurism DJ Workshop
Free
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Across Bristol, Global Majority communities are already engaging in environmental work in many different ways – through community organising, food growing, cultural practice, land stewardship, wellbeing and care. However, much of this work remains unseen, disconnected and largely excluded from how climate action is shaped in the city. This gathering creates a space to bring… Continue Reading Global Majority Environment Gathering
Free
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Led by Bristol-based composer, producer, and educator AUGUST, this 2-hour workshop explores the creative possibilities of the human voice. Using frameworks developed through her pioneering work with experimental vocal ensembles, including the Bass Choir approach to bass-driven choral innovation, AUGUST will guide participants through improvisation, vocal experimentation, and arrangement techniques rooted in bass music styles.… Continue Reading Create Music with Your Voice: Vocal Workshop with AUGUST
£3 – £15
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Join artist Sayambrita Mukherjee for this fun, hands-on children’s workshop, exploring Baisakhi through crafts and cultural learning. Children will explore writing simple Bengali letters and New Year numbers, while creating colourful patterns inspired by South Asian spring and harvest celebrations. A playful and engaging way to connect with culture through art. This event will take… Continue Reading Desi Day: Baisakhi-themed Arts & Crafts for Kids
Free
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This free session, part of Desi Day – celebrating South Asian culture with a series of events at Arnolfini – focuses on raising menopause awareness within South Asian and other diverse communities. Drawing on her experience in community engagement, facilitator Sheetal Jethwa addresses the silence surrounding menopause by providing support and information tailored to specific… Continue Reading Desi Day: Empowering Women Through Menopause Awareness
Free
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A Baithak (‘bair-tak’) is an informal and intimate concert in which raga-based music is performed. This is the first in a series of baithaks in the Southwest to take place throughout 2026 in partnership with ZerOclassikal, The Mehfil Space, Curzon Cinema & Arts, and Arts Council England National Lottery Projects Grants. Ragas are the melodic… Continue Reading Desi Day: Bristol Baithaks: Morning Ragas
£3 – £15
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Join artist in residence at Knowle West Media Centre, Mereida Fajardo, for this hands-on creative workshop for beginners to learn how to make zines. Mereida will also give an introduction to her work and bring along examples of her comics and zines to look at. They’ll be a brief history of zine making and how… Continue Reading Zine Making Workshop with Mereida Fajardo
Free
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A creative craft workshop open to all, where participants use recycled materials and textiles to create a flag or banner that represents and celebrates themselves and their identity, however they see it. Led by textile artist Ruth Ramsay. For all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Venue: Community Building, St… Continue Reading Flag Up Your Identity
Free
DIASPORA! is thrilled to welcome WINK to the Canteen for their second festival session. Expect sexy basslines, waist whiners and all-round gorgeous energy. All free, no need to book – just turn up. WINK is a FLINTA DJ collective born in Bristol, dedicated to celebrating bass music in all its forms across the UK and… Continue Reading WINK Collective DJ Set
Free
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16 events,
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Join Foli – Bristol Djembe Players for a day of playing and dancing together to soulful West African rhythms. Led by guest teachers Abram Diallo from Guinea and Seneke Sillah from the Gambia, these sessions invite participants to bring their spirit, energy and drums to the circle. 10.30am – 12pm: West African Dance Led by… Continue Reading West African Dance
£20 – £60
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This creative workshop explores Armenian culture, language and memory through contemporary dance improvisation. Each letter becomes an inspiration for movement and each sound carries a memory. Participants embody the shapes, rhythms and resonances of the Armenian alphabet, transforming letters and words into living dance phrases. Through individual and collective exploration, the workshop invites people of… Continue Reading Dance with the Armenian Alphabet
£3 – £15
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Bristol storytellers Marcus Fagon and Shakeel Delwar are joining forces for an hour of stories aboard Margaret the Ferry. Together they’ll blend storytelling traditions from across Africa, Europe and South Asia. Expect humour, mischief, myth and a few quiet moments of reflection. Perfect for families and anyone who loves a good story. Board Margaret at… Continue Reading Stories from the Water with Marcus & Shakeel
Free
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This annual free music and arts festival celebrates 50 years of music at Trinity, bringing together a mix of local artists, bands and performers for a day of live music, creativity and community spirit. As always, the Garden Party is family-friendly, with workshops and activities running throughout the day, so everyone can get involved. DIASPORA!… Continue Reading Trinity Garden Party: 50 Years of Music
Free
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Join us for a warm and welcoming gathering, with music, tea, and cakes, where you can connect with others, get creative, and take part in something meaningful that celebrates creativity, diversity, and community spirit. Whether you’re part of a community group, attending on your own, or coming with friends or family, everyone is invited to… Continue Reading Afri Club X DIASPORA! Gathering + Community Flag Making Workshop
Free
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Join the Diverse Artists Network and friends for an afternoon of arts, crafts and ritual, to mark the closing of DIASPORA! 26. Come and connect to the spirit of the Avon through the power of making, ceremony and song. This event begins with an interactive workshop, crafting items for an alter, and ends with a… Continue Reading DIASPORA! Closing Ceremony
Free
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Join us for a film and food night at The Pearl Exchange in Bude, marking the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week. This event brings the community together to connect, celebrate diverse and inclusive spaces, and support positive mental health. Guests will share a Palestinian-inspired meal before watching Palestine Comedy Club, a 2025 documentary following… Continue Reading Film & Food Night: Palestine Comedy Club @ The Pearl Exchange, Bude
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Dur-Dur Band International revive the joyful, groove-driven sound of the legendary Somali group who helped define East Africa’s funk scene in the 1980s. Formed by original members including bassist Abdillahi Ujerry and featuring vocalist Fadumina Hilowle, the London-based eight-piece celebrates the vibrant legacy of Somali funk with a repertoire of classic hits and new arrangements.… Continue Reading Dur-Dur Band International @ Bristol Beacon
£28
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Head to the Bristol Beacon for the final event of DIASPORA! 26, as Soul/ R&B artist Geo Baddoo opens for Dur-Dur Band International. Book your tickets here. Age: 14+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult) ABOUT GEO Geo Baddoo is a Somerset-raised, London-based Soul/ R&B artist. Through soft, expressive vocals, organic grooves and… Continue Reading Geo Baddoo @ Bristol Beacon
£28
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