Be Kind

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A toddler stands at the front of a low stage next to microphone stands watching a musician singing and playing a lute.

Come and experience the creative worlds of people who find sanctuary in Bristol, and celebrate the huge spectrum of cultural traditions that make up the fabric of our city.

Bristol Beacon is excited to be a part of this years Bristol Refugee Festival programme, offering a jam-packed day event.

Co created and co delivered by people with lived experience, expect music and art workshops and a curated programme of films from across the world in a chilled viewing space. We will also be launching our instrument library, a scheme for refugee and asylum seekers to take home an instrument of their choosing for free. We will also have information stands of local organisations offering practical support and sign posting. And then expect amazing live music performances from local artists with refugee / asylum seeker lived experience.

Come along and celebrate with us!

Presented by Bristol Beacon

Age: All ages

Location: Activities will take place across the building, mainly in Bridgehouse Foyer, Stalls Bar and Terrace Bar.

Artists: Music performances

Kamand

Kamand is a freestyle dancer who has been dancing for eight years. For them, dance is a way to feel free and express emotions without needing words. It’s something personal that helps them connect with music and with themselves.

Over the years, Kamand has explored different styles, including waacking, hip hop, breaking, and traditional Persian dance. Each style has shaped the way they move and added something special to their freestyle.

What matters most to Kamand is the feeling of expression being able to tell a story through movement and just be in the moment. Dance isn’t just a skill for them, it’s something they truly love.

Ali

Ali is a Sudanese Oud instrumentalist, playing traditional classic music.

Moussa Kouyate

The Bristol Griot comprises griot and kora player Moussa Kouyate and trumpeter David Mowat.

Moussa is settled in Bristol this past 20 years, a Master Kora player from an ancient lineage, the Kouyate clan going back 800 years to the first Mandinga Kings of the Malian Empire. Moussa is we think the senior relative of all griots from West African residing in the UK. He’s had a tumultuous journey, from great gigs at Edinburgh Festival, Glastonbury, the South Bank, St Georges Bristol etc to a near-destitute life as a status-less person in Bristol. Yet always he has played and been a griot-community builder in his community notably around Dame Emily Park. his sound harks back to a rare era on his own home made lion-skin adorned kora. He is accompanied by long time friend trumpeter and promoter David Mowat. Together they made the album Tumultuous Journey with the band BEJE on Spotify and CD.

Artists: Workshops

MoYah

MoYah is a Mozambican born Afro fusion artist.

Workshop Summary:

Echoes of Exile is a one hour creative workshop exploring how Lusophone African artists use music to preserve culture, resist erasure, and build community across borders.

We focus on four powerful voices Bonga, Cesária Évora, and Plutonio who express themes of exile, belonging, and Afro diasporic pride through sound.

Through guided listening, lyric exploration, and creative reflection, participants will reflect on their own cultural identities and the role their artistic voices play in shaping memory and community.

Özcan Ateş

A Kurdish and Turkish artist born in Istanbul, they discovered music through an inner journey despite having no formal musical education, shaping their artistic path through their own musical experience and development. Since 2019, the artist has been based in Bristol, where they have built a strong presence within local music events while continuing to expand their musical career through performances at festivals and events beyond the city.

A performer of the bağlama, one of the key instruments in Turkish and Kurdish music, the artist also teaches bağlama and guitar in Bristol. In addition, they are a core member of the Dovetail Orchestra.

Currently working on a debut album, the artist performs in solo, duo, and full band formats, presenting both Turkish and Kurdish music alongside original compositions, offering audiences a distinctive and personal musical experience.

Sherien Elsheikh

Sherien Elsheikh is a talented Sudanese artist and designer with a passion for art, crafts, and cultural expression. Through her creative work, she celebrates heritage and identity while inspiring others to explore their own creativity. Sherien has a wide range of skills and experience across different artistic and craft disciplines, which she uses to bring people together through learning and creative practice.

Sherien delivers a variety of workshops and creative learning sessions, helping participants develop new skills, build confidence, and discover their creative potential. Her workshops are welcoming, engaging, and inclusive, providing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn, create, and connect. By sharing her knowledge and expertise, Sherien empowers others to express themselves, explore new techniques, and enjoy the benefits of creativity in a supportive environment.

Event times

Event duration: 12.00 – 18.00
All timings are approximate and subject to change

Session times

Workshops: Various sessions between 12.00 – 15.00
Instrument Library: 12.00 – 15.00
Film viewings: 12.00 – 15.00
Live music performances: 15.15

Music performance times

Kamand: 15.15
Ali: 16:00
Moussa Kouyate: 16:45
Lamin (DJ): 17:15

The venue

Bristol Beacon

Getting to the venue

Location: Bristol Beacon is located in the city centre with entrances on Colston Street and Trenchard Street.

Address: Bristol Beacon, Trenchard Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR

Bicycle

Bicycle racks can be found in front of the main entrance on Trenchard Street, Colston Street, and on the city centre promenade. Find your nearest cycle routes using Cycle Planner.

Car parking

Trenchard Street multi-storey car park is 50m away directly behind Bristol Beacon.

Bristol Clean Air Zone

Bristol Beacon is inside the Bristol Clean Air Zone. Check if your vehicle will be charged and how much you’ll have to pay.

Bus

The city centre bus stop is 250m from Bristol Beacon where most bus services stop.

View detailed travel information

Access

Mobility

Bristol Beacon foyer has level access from street level with lifts to all levels and areas.

Assistance Dogs

Registered assistance dogs and emotional support animals are allowed in the venue.

Hearing Facility

There is an induction loop at the box office. You can use this by adjusting your hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting. There is no hearing loop facility for the foyer stage.

View detailed access information