We are delighted to announce the first wave of live acts for our 2019 winter programme.
We are constantly striving to create the most unique and spectacular events to ensure that your Christmas celebrations are filled with all the wonder and excitement of the festive season. This year is particularly special as not only does The Spiegeltent return to Bristol’s Harbourside district for its eight season, but we also launch our brand new Spiegeltent in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle area. The events listed will be available in both cities as well as a couple of special live shows individual to each city. Full listings at the bottom of this page.
The Spiegeltent launches with the amazing Benjamin Zephaniah
Our opening week sees the return of the incredible Benjamin Zephaniah & The Revolutionary Minds. Benjamin Zephaniah is a pioneering dub poet, musician and acclaimed author whose live performances are the stuff of legend. Benjamin’s music has inspired a whole generation of artists and performers and he continues to lead the light with his recently released (and critically acclaimed) album ‘Revolutionary Minds’. As always, his shows are entertaining and educational in equal measure and all centred around that dance-inducing rhythm of the ‘reggae heartbeat’. Details of Bristol show and details for Liverpool show.
The return of our legendary Sunday Socials
The theme of the ‘reggae heartbeat’ is a perfect segue to our first Sunday Socials of 2019. Our Sunday Socials are family-friendly day events centred around great food and fantastic live music. The first Sunday Social in Bristol will be headlined by Jerry Dammers; keyboardist and songwriter for the iconic ska outfit, The Specials. Jerry will play an extended DJ set playing mainly vinyl Reggae, Ska, Funky, Rhythm & Blues. With music properly taken care of throughout the afternoon, you can kick back in the sumptuous and relaxing atmosphere of The Spiegeltent, peruse the Sunday papers whilst you sup a pint, tuck into a tasty festive roast dinner and soothe your soul with a freshly-mixed Bloody Mary. Jerry will also be performing at one our Sunday Socials in Liverpool.
For the other two Sunday Socials, we have planned something extra special this year. We have created (separate) Sunday Social events for Bristol and Liverpool Spiegeltents with live acts and performers with a special connection to each city.
For Bristol Spiegeltent we have Laid Blak – a truly unique group of musicians specialising in the reimagining of soul, funk, hip-hop, dub, jazz, rock n’ roll. They have taken to the live music scene by storm and have supported the likes of Ed Sheehan, The Wailers, Lee scratch Perry, Desmond Decker, John Legend, D Marley, Horace Andy.
For Liverpool Spiegeltent’s final Sunday Social we have collaborated with the UK’s award winning Reggae festival, Positive Vibration. This event will be sound-tracked by some fantastic DJs spinning records and pumping out reggae music all day long. It will be headlined by Liverpool actor and performance poet, Levi Tafari and we’re absolutely thrilled to be hosting such an iconic and talented artist.
We bring Swing back to the festive party scene
After the success of their sold out 2018 Bristol shows, we bring back the absolutely amazing ‘White Mink: Electro Swing Speakeasy’. We are also ecstatic to be introducing this show to a new audience in Liverpool. Step aboard our figurative time machine and prepare yourself to be transported back to the days of Swing music and the intoxicating temptations of the Speakeasy bar scene. Vintage harmonies, incredible live jazz and a blend of entertainment that’s heady, mesmerising and surprisingly fresh and contemporary. This is the vintage experience that’s not afraid to mix things up musically, re-imagining swing for the 21st century. In other words, it’s going to be one heck of a party.
For those left behind by the time machine but also desirous of a bit more Swing in their life, we also have Spiegel Swings performing at Bristol Spiegeltent and the Mersey Swing live show in Liverpool Spiegeltent. Plenty of chances to get your groove on and watch in wonder as the professionals fly about the dance floor.
Immerse yourself in our unique and exclusive events
If you are an appreciator of dance then you’ll be blown away by our Immersive Singin’ in the Rain Expanded Cinema Show. Step inside 1920’s Hollywood with this one-night-only production of musical classic, ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ – a brand new show and exclusive to the Christmas Spiegeltent. Watch as the silver screen comes alive and one of the greatest musicals becomes reality. Delight in this fully immersive experience as the performers dance, sing and cavort amongst you and help tell one of the most romantic stories in cinema history. Details of Bristol show and Liverpool show.
Fun and entertainment for the whole family
Not all the fun is reserved for the adults as we have a range of events for the children to enjoy in both Liverpool and Bristol. Baby Disko is exactly what it says on the tin; a disco for children and a chance for them (and the parents) to get dressed up and dance the day away. This is for the little’uns that are aged 5 years and under with the added bonus of a circus clown show.
We’ll also be putting on a Family Cabaret for adults and children alike. This is a show filled with all of the spectacular showpiece performances you’d expect at a cabaret and is all finished off with a family disco – a chance to try out some of the moves on display during the cabaret.
For those inspired by some of our events and those looking to learn and perfect some of the techniques involved we’re putting on a Circus Skills Workshop as we hook you up with trained circus performers who will teach you all the tricks of the trade and have you entertaining friends and family with your impressive array of new skills.
Live music and mystery in Bristol
We have a fantastic live music concert starring uber talented The ShowHawk Duo who have dazzled audiences worldwide with their spectacular approach to playing the guitar. Their playing style has broken down barriers between acoustic and electronic music. They have re-thought traditional musical structure creating their own all-encompassing genre.
For those with a more extravagant flair, join us for the return of our Masquerade Ball. A fantastic occasion designed for the revellers, pleasure mongers, luscious lords and glamorous ladies – book your tickets early for our Masquerade Ball – it’s the highlight of the season’s social calendar.
We look forward to welcoming you
We’re so excited to be hosting all of these events and can barely contain ourselves as we await our winter launches in both Bristol and Liverpool. These events have proven to be immensely popular so don’t delay in booking your tickets and treating yourself to a Christmas festive season to remember. We will be adding to our events as we confirm more acts and exciting live shows so please keep posted.
Bristol Spiegeltent Events
- White Mink: Electro Swing Dance – Friday 29th November 2019
- Circus Skills Workshop – Saturday 30th November & Saturday 21st December 2019
- Baby DisKo – Saturday 30th November & Saturday 21st December 2019
- Club Spiegel – Saturday 30th November 2019
- Benjamin Zephaniah – Wednesday 4th December 2019
- Spiegel Swings – Saturday 7th December 2019
- Sunday Social: Jerry Dammers – Sunday 8th December 2019
- The Showhawk Duo – Wednesday 11th December 2019
- Family Cabaret & Disco – Saturday 14th December
- Sunday Social: Laid Blak – Sunday 15th December 2019
- Immersive Theatre: Singin’ in the Rain – Wednesday 18th December 2019
- Masquerade Ball – Saturday 21st December 2019
Liverpool Spiegeltent Events
- Benjamin Zephaniah – Wednesday 28th Novemeber 2019
- White Mink: Electro Swing Dance – Saturday 30th November 2019
- Mersey Swing – Sunday 1st December 2019
- Circus Skills Workshop – 7th December 2019
- Baby Disko – Saturday 7th December 2019
- Sunday Social: Positive Vibration with Levi Tafari – Sunday 8th December 2019
- Immersive Theatre: Singin’ in the Rain – Wednesday 11th December 2019
- Family Cabaret & Disco – Saturday 14th December
- Sunday Social: Jerry Dammers – Sunday 15th December 2019
