Playgroup postponed
Originally scheduled for the start of this month, Playgroup Festival has been postponed for seven weeks due to ecological concerns. The heaviest summer rains on record rendered the Eridge Park land (a Site Of Special Scientific Interest) unable to sustain setting up the festival site on time. Playgroup now takes place September 21st-23rd, by which time forecasters predict the unseasonably severe British weather to have improved. An Alternative Playgroup Festival party fills the gap at the Blind Tiger, August 3rd-5th.
Fatboy’s Pride
Following up his successful twin Amex shows back in June, Fatboy Slim has been confirmed for this year’s 20th anniversary Pride Brighton & Hove event. He joins the Freemasons on the bill at the Wild Fruit Dance Tent in Preston Park on September 1st, with Alexandra Burke headlining the Pop Stage. In further stadium DJ news, Chase & Status have been announced as Supercharged Arena headliners at Stanmer Park’s Shakedown festival on October 6th. On a similar subject, Supercharged’s Wednesday at Audio has now ended after over a decade at the breaks coalface.
Bingo star
Rock’n’Roll Bingo is back at the Concorde 2 on Saturday 11th, raising money for the Sussex MS Treatment Centre, with live music from Sweet Sweet Lies, Mean Poppa Lean and Fran Classic. The identity of this year’s mystery guest caller, teasingly trailed as being from one of the greatest British comedies of all time, will be revealed on the CelebBingoBrighton Facebook just before the night. Get in for £5 and get your cards marked for some fab prizes.
Photo submissions
Details of the fifth Brighton Photo Biennial, taking place from throughout October, have been announced. This year’s theme is ‘Agents Of Change: Photography And The Politics Of Space’, featuring work from activists, squatters, urban explorers and many others. Submissions are also sought for a Photobook Show at Jubilee Library during the biennial. For details on how to enter your self-published photo works for free, visit bpb.org.uk before September 6th.
HELLO DAVE
Brighton Comedy Festival returns to the city during October, in a new partnership with every student’s favourite post-pub TV channel, Dave. This year’s big name guests include Jack Dee, Mark Thomas and Ross Noble, with Alan Carr hosting the opening night gala at the Dome on October 5th. Visit brightoncomedyfestival.com to book.
Chilli burns
The annual Fiery Foods Festival (FFUK) returns to Victoria Gardens in September, with a celebration of the hottest foods from around the world. This year, the festival expands to three days, kicking off on Friday 14th with live music and some tongue burning feats of gluttony and endurance, including a world record attempt at the most jalapeno peppers eaten in one minute. More sedate entertainment includes the Chilli Gardeners’ Question Time and a home-made Amateur Hot Sauce Competition.
FREE GAK
With their bright yellow walls and vibrant shop shutters (the work of renowned street artist Ben Eine), the Guitar, Amp & Keyboard Centre stores on North Road have been supplying musical hardware, nudge-nudge photo opportunities and cheap gags for lazy headline writers (see above) for 20 years. They celebrate this milestone on August 4th, with a day of freebies, raffles, deals and demonstrations.
Open art
From September, galleries and artists’ houses around Brighton will open their doors for a new series of evening visits. The First Thursdays initiative takes place, as the name suggests, on the first Thursday of each month, from 6-9pm. Brighton’s open houses are always popular during their May and December seasons, and First Thursdays expands on this by inviting the city’s commercial galleries to get involved too. Keep an eye on firstthursdaysbrighton.co.uk for updates.
Photo by James taylor
