This is a wonderful Dancing school, generations of people have been taught there. It is run by Miss…read moreAngela Redgrave, a wonderful dancer. The children are taught Ballet, Tap and Modern, it not only teaches them to dance, it teaches them discipline, and self confidence. They have a summer school facility, where the children can spend some of their time during the school holidays, and they are sometimes chosen for the Panto, or other productions at the Bristol Hippodrome.

Sad to say we find the behaviour of the Bristol School of dancing less than professional…read more They expect us to pay all the way from May to January despite telling them in May that our child in May could no longer attend the classes. There is no waiting list for this class and no children clambering to join. We had previously discussed it with the teacher who then denied all knowledge of any conversation. They have sent letters that threaten bailiffs and have quite interesting beliefs that basically imply that they expect parents to decide for their children and make them go for a full term even after you have given notice, either that or they just want your money?!? It works like this. If you decide (not your child- heaven forbid they might have their own opinion) on the second session that your child is not going to carry on then you have to pay until the end of the term. Nothing wrong with that but you also have to pay for the next term too in full as you didn't tell them on the first day of the term. Therefore you either give them the money for the next term and write it off or you 'make' your child complete the full next term in the knowledge that they don't want to be there and probably that the school don't want them there as they clearly do not want to be world famous dancers and have snubbed the Bristol School of Dancing! Be very aware of this school. Obviously this is just my humble opinion.

We chose a Burlesque workshop with Pink Kitten Dance School. Our poor instructor was faced with a…read morenumber of extremely hungover / still half drunk hens who put us through our paces. First of all we were taught how to walk alluringly across the floor! Easy eh? We stumbled ungraciously and self-consciously across the floor in our high heels! However by the end of the class we were all able to do a routine. Dita Von Teese isn't going to be hanging up her boa anytime soon but it was a fun activity which really bonded the hen group and taught us some saucy tricks to use at home! The workshop took place in the club part of Java on a lovely light up dancefloor which gave that additional glam factor! We borrowed feather boas but bring your own cardigan (buttons rather than velcro, this isn't The Full Monty) to help you practice your reveal! No nipple tassle twirling required, you can wear a little top under your cardi. I wore shorts, a top, cardigan and high heels. It may be gentle exercise but were definitely sweating our toxins out towards the end of the workshop.

I heart Pink Kitten! I recently moved to Bristol from America and was mourning the loss of my…read moreburlesque and pole teacher there. As a shy retiring type and still very new to any sort of dance, I was hesitant to dive in with strange teachers in an unfamiliar place. But the PK students and teachers are some of the loveliest and most encouraging people I've met here. After trying several of the schools in Bristol, PK is my favorite! Great burlesque and pole, along with amazing circus classes...my newfound workout passion. Also, the student showcases mean opportunities for as much or as little individual creative expression as you want. My self-confidence has soared, and I've transformed from "scared to wear a swimsuit" to feeling so sexy and super-strong these days. And as a non-dancer I can safely say, absolutely anyone can and should try this! Take on a taster session and believe me, you will love it.

I have learned Pole Dance at three different pole schools and Spin City is by far the best, with…read morestructured courses, routines to build on each week and static and spinning poles. I have always found all of the instructors friendly, there is always flexibility when trying to find a session to suit, with lessons being run 7 days a week, including practice sessions every weekend, which are free when you have attended a free class! Pole fitness is a great way to keep fit while having fun, and it is so much more motivating than the gym, with there always being a new move to learn. I couldn't recommend it more!

Away from the city centre in run-of-the-mill Southville, the Tobacco Factory Theatre is unlikely to…read morebe found out straight away by a visitor to the city. The building, in red brick, is understated, and this isn't a fancy place like the Hippodrome or the Old Vic. It's theatre in the round, with seating on all sides of the stage. Apparently the theatre started life the result of ripping out the Imperial Tobacco offices that were here and they've managed to keep a clean, sparse feel that actors and directors love. I won't venture too many opinions on what sort of performances this makes for. I will say, though, that when I went to see Richard III, things felt very intense. They put on a range of performances here, a highlight being the dedicated Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory theatre company. Don't let the culture on offer scare you off. With tickets often less than a tenner, there doesn't have to a big to-do about going out here though. It's got a fairly relaxed and informal feel to it too. The Tobacco Factory is a smart addition to Bristol's arts scene.

Named after the original use of the building, (I have actually met people drinking in here that…read moreused to work for the cigarette company), The Tobacco Factory has got that kind of industrial kudos thing going on. The steel front doors are as easy to access as the vault doors at Fort Knox, but everything gets a whole lot easier once you've grappled your way in. The lay out is simple in this cavernous space, and the bar, with its dedicated food severing area, practically stretches the full length of the room. Amply staffed to cope with the numbers that often descend on the place, the team work well together, and so there's never too long to wait at the bar. I like to call in to make use of the free wi-fi and to plug in whenever I'm in South Bristol. I always order myself some tapas, usually manchego (which comes with a selection of delicious bread) along with some olives - the servings are incredibly generous, and so this is more than enough for one person. Up Fest will take place at the Tobacco Factory on 5 and 6 June, and promises to be a blast. with live music, dj's and 250 artists exhibiting their work. Tobacco Factory has a huge beer garden with a covered section for smokers if the weather turns nasty.