WINTER PRIDE: WARM CLOTHES OUT OF THE CLOSET
As part of Brighton’s thriving LGBT scene, Pride is more than just a sun-kissed party in the park. Through raising funds at off-season events like this, they’re able to offer support to many community groups whose financial survival might be tricky without it. Another important part of this series of events is that while there’s obviously going to be the camera-friendly elements of diamante and drag, Winter Pride caters for all walks and ages of gay life. The LGBT community is obviously extremely diverse, and it’s a very lazy stereotype to sum it up with pictures of blokes dolled up in heels. Here, for every cabaret there’s a workshop, as well as information stalls, live music and even free nail treatments and anti-ageing facials.
Coming at a time when other festivals haven’t woken from winter hibernation yet, Winter Pride is a welcome distraction with something for everyone from all orientations. Highlights include an evening of line dancing and thigh slapping at the Hanover Community Centre, The Clare Project’s Nude Swim event, Brighton Bothways – a bisexual workshop at the Jury’s Inn, and a Queer Cheer VarietyShow at Charles Street.
Sat 7th – Sun 15th. Various venues brightonpride.org
BOOZE NEWS
If a pint of wife beater isn’t quite exotic enough for you, stagger down to the 19th Sussex Beer & Cider Festival at The Hove Centre from Thursday 12th to Saturday 14th. It’s a CAMRA event so you can guarantee some heady local brews, book your four hour session in advance on 0844 847 1515.
JUSTIN TIME
The Justin Campaign Football Festival is raising awareness about homophobia in the game, in memory of Justin Fashanu, with an outdoor tournament at Jubilee Square and Library on Saturday 7. Also part of proceedings will be a documentary screening, art exhibition and en evening table football contest.
MAN MAKETH THE CLOTHES
The University Of Brighton is holding its first and second year Fashion and Textiles Fashion Show at St Georges Church, Kemptown, on Friday 20th, with a sexy raffle in aid of Cancer Research.
MORE BEACHDOWN FOR YOUR BUCK
This just gets bigger and better. Super Furry Animals and The Zutons have just been added to an already great line-up for the second Beachdown in August, with yet more names to be added soon. The organisers say that they’ve sold a quarter of this year’s tickets already, so don’t hold out for the weather report.
NAMES ESCAPE US
This year’s Great Escape in May is taking shape with some great names already confirmed: local heroes Metronomy, super-hyped (but justified) Strokes-like outfit The Soft Pack, and bar room pop stars The Miserable Rich will be joined by Vivian Girls, The Big Pink, Kissy Sell Out, The Golden Silvers, Esser, Future Of The Left, VV Brown and more. See escapegreat.com for full details and grab your early bird tickets.
WHITE WATER GRAFTING
White Air, the Isle Of Wight’s hugely successful extreme sports festival is moving to Brighton. Windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing, kayak racing, jet ski freestyle, skate, BMX, mountain boarding, mountain biking and, phew,parkour are just a handful of the sports that you can watch the professionals break limbs and blow minds with. Better still though, mere mortals will get the chance to have ago themselves. There’ll be a big party too – with rumours that Rob Da Bank of Bestival fame will be booking the bands. It happens all the way along Marine Drive on 18th-20th September.
