First Friday is a monthly social event open to anyone. These events are somewhere between the last meeting of the week and the first event of your weekend. You might meet an artist or an engineer, a school teacher or a city leader. It is a place to connect with someone you might not otherwise meet, and hear about stuff you didn’t already know. All are welcome - from inside and outside the city, online or in the Watershed building.

April's event

The next First Friday will take place both in Pervasive Media Studio and online on Friday 1 April 5pm - 6pm.

People joining online can participate in short conversations, facilitated by our chat roulette style software. You will be paired up at random for a series of five minute conversations, one-to-one with other guests. There is an option to take a break between each chat and you are welcome to pop in and out whenever you like. It's fine to join the event late and leave the event early.

People joining us in person will have the opportunity to have a look around Pervasive Media Studio and to find out more about some of the work that happens here. There will also be some equipment set up to chat with people joining the event remotely. 

For those joining us in person, we're really excited that Studio residents Alison Neighbour and Roxana Vilk will be there to show you some things they're working on. Think informal chats with interesting things to look at and try, rather than formal presentations!

Alison Neighbour is a scenographer, theatre designer, and performance maker, interested in using art to activate and empower communities and to connect people and place. Alison will be sharing footage and performance objects from Beacons, a large scale Quest and Performance that took place in Folkestone at the end of 2021.

Roxana Vilk is a singer, performer and filmmaker. Her work often explores the themes of human rights, cultural identity and migration. Roxana & her team will be sharing the Lullabies project, which celebrates the rich diversity of Bristol through lullaby songs and heritage stories.  They will bring the 'Binaural Baby' prototype with them, which they are recording participants' songs with, created in collaboration with studio resident Aaron Hussain. There will be the option to record lullabies at First Friday. 

The hosted element of the event will finish at 6pm. After that, in person attendees are welcome to continue conversations in the main cafe bar area.

 

Event booking information

To join us online sign up here. You will be asked for your email address so we can send you your personal link. Please try and use either Chrome or Firefox on a computer (rather than a mobile device).

If you are attending in person, there is no need to pre-book. Head to our main bar area, buy a drink if you want to, and then follow directions down to Pervasive Media Studio.

 

Keeping each other safe

If you are joining us in person, here is some useful information on what we expect from you and what you can expect from us.

We ask you to please do the following:

  • Where possible, take a lateral flow test before attending the event.
  • Wear a mask when moving around the building, unless you are exempt. You are welcome to take it off when seated and if you are eating or drinking.
  • Wash your hands regularly and/or use the hand sanitiser provided.
  • Not shake-hands with other attendees.
  • Socially distance at the event, wherever possible.
  • Not attend in person if you have any Covid symptoms or have been advised to self-isolate.

To help keep staff and visitors safe, Watershed staff will do the following:

  • Make sure that the venue is well-ventilated (the space can get cold, so we suggest wearing a jumper / coat)
  • Clean equipment between uses.
  • Manage the capacity to make sure spaces do not get too crowded.

 

 

If you would like to receive reminders and updates for future events, you can sign up to the First Friday mailing list here.

This event is supported by MyWorld. 

Studio themes