PAVILION ICE RINK
We like the idea of going ice-skating over Christmas, so now there’s a decent sized outdoor rink at the Pavilion, we’re all about it – picturing ourselves laughing and skating about with rosy cheeks and festive jumpers and shit. There’s also a Due South restaurant and bar, a crèche to dump your brats in and a beginners area for idiots. It could become a nice annual tradition, if no one gets killed or anything.

NIGHTMOVES
A new mid-month Saturday night fixture comes to Jam in the shape of Nightmoves – resident DJs spinning slow jams, boogie, disco and funky house to a reported backdrop of 80s Miami décor and palm trees. This doesn’t mean, however, that attendees should shun socks and roll up the sleeves of their pastel-coloured linen suits while conducting cocaine wars via enormous mobile phones. Just in case there’s any confusion, like.

ANGST VS FUN
The tagline for this new regular event is “Swap books you don’t want for those you do with people you don’t know yet” and is part of The Mesmerist’s schedule of quirky but cool events. Turn up with some books you’ve read and you think might impress strangers, talk about them to the strangers, swap them with strangers, possibly get off with the strangers, all the while listening to some out-there music and drinking booze. The first social swap shop is on Sunday 12th December from 3-8pm and there’s a website at www.angst-vs-fun.com.

PAY & DISPLAY POP-UP GALLERY
Gloucester Road is home to a new pop-up gallery and shop from Wednesday 3rd-Wednesday 24th December, an ‘ephemeral emporium’ according to the organisers. Exhibitors include Brighton first-timers Gemma Booth and Sharon Elphick, as well as Modern Toss, Maria Rivans and Cardigan, showing off their limited edition prints, photography, mid-20th century furniture and a bunch of other desirable stuff besides.

KITSCH
Those of you who used to brave Po Na Na will know the kind of space on offer here. For the tucked away venue on East Street has now been transformed into a Tiki Paradise. Thursdays sees ‘Kitsch’ night, where you can get your piña coladas for half price and your slightly less tropically obvious sambuca shots for £1.50. Dance-friendly tunes and bamboo walls – kind of like Easter Island on rave night.

MOJO TO GO GO
After a summer break, Mojo To Go Go returns with a new, more central venue on Saturday 8th January at the Volks. Joining the Mojo team is Simon Bridger (Da Doo Ron Ron, Brighton Soul All-Dayers) for sublime 60s soul, r’n’b, garage, psych and ska. Resident DJs and guests spin vinyl over two floors from 10pm to 3am. Future dates will be the second Saturday every two months.

LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR
Alas, the Freebutt may have closed its doors to noisy bands, but fear not, live music fans, as promoting the promoting talent behind the cherished venue is venturing into pastures new. Under the new moniker, (and possibly tongue in cheek?) Love Thy Neighbour, will be putting on shows throughout the city, bringing us the bands we love. Debuting at The Hope on Friday 10th December, The Rural Alberta Advantage will be taking the stage, playing heartfelt folk songs from their hometown of Alberta – get your tickets in advance for this one.

ONE-STOP RECORD SHOP
Purveyors of fine vinyl, Pure Pleasure Music and Vinyl Underground, have teamed up to create a crate-digger’s paradise above vintage shop Wolf & Gypsy on Sydney street. They’ll be stocking a heady mix of electronica and hip hop rarities, specialising in new underground dance releases, vinyl-only issues, Detroit house as well as 7″ bargains. A lot of stock is coming out of storage, and with the amount of experience these guys have, you can expect to find some real gems piled high in there.

GEOMIUM
If you’re the kind of iPhone user who walks about town watching yourself from above on a real-time satellite feed while simultaneously listening to earnest blog recommendations and scanning the barcodes on prohibitively expensive imported lager bottles, this could be for you. Geomium is a new Brighton app that lets you plan your social life on your phone, kind of like the olden days. Look up local gigs, eats and drinks, see who among your friends is nearby and arrange to meet up, all in real time. Just like talking on the phone in fact, but obviously better. Or you could have a look at the iPhone (etc) friendly SOURCE website.

WORDS BY NICK COQUET, NICKY MARCHANT, LYDIA STOCKBRIDGE