Arts and Culture
Eastside: A multicultural hub of creative talent...
Eastside is a very creative place and is home to hundreds of visual and performing artists and there is always something different happening.
Check out the Events Calendar to find out what’s on.
Eastside: The multicultural heart of Bristol
Eastside truly is the multicultural heart of Bristol with people of all cultures and creeds living side by side resulting in a vibrant cultural scene.
Events celebrating the areas mutliculturalism usually take place during the summer. Theres the World On Our Doorstep festival, The Islamic Cutural Fair, the Sikh Mela and of course the world famous St Pauls Carnival which celebrates the areas African Caribbean community as well as a host of street parties.
During the rest of the year you will find interesting performances and events taking place throughout Eastside. In particular head for the Trinity Community Arts Centre in Easton or to Kuumba, the South West Agency for African Caribbean Arts in St Pauls.
Art, Open Studios and Galleries
Studios such as on Jamaica Street on Stokes Croft and Mivart Street in Easton (see more below) are hives of creative talent which open their doors several times a year allowing an interesting glimpse of artists at work. The Here Gallery on Stokes Croft is another place to check out... The gallery downstairs sees cutting edge art from around the world while the shop upstairs sells an eclectic and imaginative mix of weird and wonderful comics, toys, books and clothes.
Mivart Street Studios occupy a former Victorian factory squeezed into a residential street off St. Mark’s Road in Easton. The large, red brick building has housed various industries over the last hundred years including aircraft construction and clothing manufacture. Today it is home to an eclectic mix of artists, performers, designers, furniture makers, and small businesses.
The Mivart Artists have become increasingly well-known for their annual open studios event (usually held in October), but you can now visit them all year round through their website. The Mivart Artists site has links to many of the talented creatives working inside the building. Why not check it out today...
Performance Art
Eastside is a hot spot for performing arts. Head to the Trinity Community Arts Centre in Easton for live music and club nights. Kuumba, the South West Agency for African Caribbean Arts is based in St Pauls and is home to cultural performances, talks, events and workshops. Circomedia has also recently made Eastside its home. As Europes leading centre for circus with physical theatre they occupy a stunningly renovated church in Portland Square. Book in for a taster session on the flying trapeze, watch a performance or just drop in and watch the artists training!
