The school holidays are almost over and where has the time gone? The time has flown by. Now we’re already shopping for uniforms, stationery, books and backpacks. Well, Bristol City Centre BID is giving us one last chance to enjoy the summer (and hopefully some good weather) with the launch of a brand new family-friendly music festival, Old City Sounds.
Taking over Bristol’s Old City on the last Saturday of the school holidays (August 26),
it will be a celebration of the “city’s songful soul” over the August Bank Holiday Weekend. The free-to-attend event will offer a range of music genres to enjoy across four ‘melodic zones’ on the streets of the Old City between 12 – 6 pm. These areas are King Street, St Stephen’s Church, St Nicholas Street and St Nick’s Market, so all within easy walking distance.
“It’s a joy to be part of the team that creates these new and innovative takeovers that both support local businesses and celebrate the musical talent we are lucky to have here in our city,” said Vicky Lee, head of Bristol City Centre BID.
The iconic annual Old Duke Jazz Festival will spearhead the ‘Old City Jazz’ zone on King Street. It will be hosting plenty of local live jazz talent, as well musicians from further afield too. Expect a celebration of all things folk, funk and swing – as well as the music to go late into the night.
To keep the children entertained on their last few days of freedom, the ‘Old City Kids’ area will be set up in St Stephen’s Church garden. Here they can enjoy storytelling by one of Bristol’s oldest independent bookshops, Stanfords. Plus, there will be bubble artists, face painting, circus performers, jugglers and giant garden games. Over on St Stephen’s Street, local Bristol musicians will play versions of favourite children’s classics.
Welcoming local musicians from BIMM, St Nicks Market will host a bumper edition of its summer busking series. The ‘Old City Acoustics’ zone will see Bristol’s talented buskers play those weaving through the stalls and eateries. While on Corn Street, the Bristol Indies’ Market will be selling locally-crafted gifts, vintage clothing and other treasures.
Lastly, the ‘Old City Eclectic’ area on St Nicholas Street will also host musicians from the city and beyond. Multiple music genres will be represented, from virtuoso flamenco guitarist Flamenco Thief to the new soul vocals of China Bowles. So don’t miss out on Old City Sounds this August Bank Holiday Weekend. It might be your last chance for summer fun this year before the kids go back to school.