June’s New in Town includes an acting course delivered by a feature film director, a brand inking new tattoo shop and the latest re-invention of Jam in Middle Street.
STICKY MIKE’S FROG BAR
Jam on Middle Street is reborn – we present Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar. Club host luminaries Dynamite Sal and Iain Huddy have taken over, combining it into a cocktail bar, art happening, club and cabaret venue and live music space. Quirky muso nights, grunge and shoegaze plus Brighton legends like Da Doo Ron Ron, Stick It On and the Brighton Rumble boys are all on the horizon, pushing the whole over-the-top, eccentric and bohemian personality that this town lives so large.
ELECTRIC PLAYBOYS
OHSO Social have a new Saturday DJ residency for the summer. The Electric Playboys, legends of the Pressure Point parties of the past, are moving in for a weekly heavy bass beach party. Reggae, soul, funk and hip hop soundtrack the sundown while the night proper is greeted with house, electro, breaks and d’n’b, all free til 2am.
STUDIO 111
Brit movie director Jan Dunn is opening a new film-acting summer school – Studio 111 comes to the Hanover Community Hall on Mondays and Tuesdays from July 25th, and aims to help actors’ preparation for screen work. Maevefilms.com/Studio111 has the details.
STICK IT ON
Stick It On have branched out to provide some have-a-go wedding reception entertainment. With help on hand if required, now everyone from your nan to your funny uncle can get on the ones and twos while bridesmaids and pageboys run about waving ‘Choon’ signs. It all gets organised at the invite stage, and they supply all the sound equipment. Why didn’t they think of it before? Search out the Facebook page for more info.
VIKINGS OF SKATE
Dropping in out of nowhere, Vikings Of Skate have already got a great range of t-shirts, full of wit and style. Al, who set the label up with his illustrator wife Sam, has been skating since the 70s, tearing up pools with the likes of Dogtown’s Shogo Kubo and Brit legends including Mad Mark Baker. Thanks to that heritage there’s a great balance of old school with a modern edge. Check out the range of eight limited designs at vikingsofskate.com or pop into Jello on Gardner Street to try them for size.
TATTOO WORKSHOP
Brighton moves one step closer to being the tattoo capital of the UK with the opening of a new studio in Providence Place. Tattoo Workshop has been launched by Stewart Francis, award-winning artist formerly of Angelic Hell, alongside Jed Harwood. It’s a bright, spacious studio with an eclectic display of artwork and the experience to deliver pretty much whatever you’re looking for. See examples of their work at tattooworkshop.co.uk.
THE OLD MARKET
Having been closed for a whole year, The Old Market in Hove has re-opened courtesy of the people behind beat behemoths Stomp. It’s had a major refurbishment and has already cut its teeth as a premier arts venue during the Festival and Fringe, not least hosting Kevin Meredith’s SOURCE Street Style exhibition. Check theoldmarket.com for June’s events.
PLAYGROUP
Hector’s House on Grand Parade has been taken over by fest-in-a-club party hosts Playgroup, after facing closure for some time. It’s a great live venue and now all bar profits are being ploughed back into the creative community via funding for small-scale creative ideas, which we think’s really cool – check playgroupbrighton.org for info and listings.
WORDS BY NICK COQUET, JAMES KENDALL
