Bristol Beacon announces reopening plans
The Paraorchestra will perform on the opening night before a free "housewarming" party
Last updated 24th May 2023
Bosses at music venue the Bristol Beacon tell us they're excited for the autumn, after announcing the plan for its reopening.
The concert hall has been shut for years for major refurbishment work, which has made headlines for the amount it's cost.
Today (24 May) they've revealed Paraorchestra will perform on the opening night of Thursday 30 November, alongside a 360 degree light display, put together by Surgeons Girl, Charles Hazlewood and Limbic Cinema.
The paraorchestra, which features both disabled and able-bodied musicians, has been chosen to perform because of the amount of work done during the refurbishment to make the venue "one of the most accessible" in the UK.
"The venue’s front of house and backstage areas have been made completely level-access, meaning previously inaccessible dressing rooms, entrances and facilities are now open to all artists, with vastly improved access for audiences to all performance spaces also a key feature," a statement from the venue reads.
Todd Wills, Artistic Director at Bristol Beacon, said: “When considering how to mark the occasion of reopening Bristol Beacon, we thought immediately of Paraorchestra.
"Not only does the ensemble represent the spirit of inclusion and reinvention that we cherish in this city, but they were also incredibly open to collaborating with other Bristol artists to create something truly innovative and celebratory.
"This is at the heart of what we want to do at Bristol Beacon - collaborating with artists at all levels, from local to international, to create a space that is truly open to all and full of possibility."
Ticket details for the opening night will be announced soon.
Following the opening night, Bristol Beacon will also open up for free all day on Saturday 2 December, for an event called The Housewarming.
This will see multiple artists performing all across the venue as Bristolians are encouraged to check out the new look site.
Charles Hazlewood, Paraorchestra Artistic Director, said: “Bristol Beacon’s reopening is a moment of enormous importance to the people, the culture and the city of Bristol.
"We are proud to be Associate Artists of Bristol Beacon, and for the very first performance on this bright new stage, Paraorchestra are excited to premiere a standalone, bespoke commission."
To keep up to date with more news and reopening announcements about Bristol Beacon, you can sign up to their e-newsletter here.
You can also sign up for more information about the opening specifically, here.