SKATE FATE?
The Level’s skate park has long been home to one of the UK’s largest skate and BMX communities, but the facilities are getting a bit worn out due to the awesome air-grabbing antics of its users. There’s talk of a new set-up though, and the newly formed Brighton and Hove Skate Parks Association are currently in discussions with the council regarding exact location, funding and design. If you know your shove-it from your kickflip you might want to get involved – go to bhsa.org or find them on Facebook.
FESTIVAL ESCAPISM
Bang in the middle of the city’s weighty festival schedule, The Great Escape hits town again between May 12th and 14th. As Brighton’s such a seething hotbed of new music, and every other person you see in the street has a guitar on their back, it’s fitting that the best of the bunch flock to our shores for this three-day gigathon. The Vaccines, Warpaint and Gang Gang Dance are all busy preparing their colour-specific M&M riders, plus there are big-room Dome shows from DJ Shadow, Friendly Fires and Sufjan Stevens. Full line-up at escapegreat.com.
CRAWL UP THE A23
If you can’t wait for the Escape, 2011’s Camden Crawl allows you to see a whole host of new acts while cheering on a load of Brighton bands. High Rankin, British Sea Power, Mumdance, The Qemists and Mirrors are all treading the NW1 boards on 30th April-1st May, and you could get hold of a pair of weekend tickets they’ve kindly bunged our way. Email [email protected] (subject CRAWL) for a chance to win them.
CARNIVAL RETURNS
Kemp Town Carnival makes a welcome full return on June 4th for the first time since 2007, when the area’s already colourful streets burst into life via the parades of flowers and robots, live band stages, choirs, dancing, and quite possibly people blowing whistles and enjoying percussive instruments along the route. During the run-up to the main event, April sees a whole load of fundraising going on, including a big do at the Concorde on Saturday 9th, gigs, bingo and comedy – go to kemptowncarnival.com to find out where you can get involved.
SHAKIN’ STANMER
Just when we thought Brighton outdoor music festivals had bitten the dust forever, along comes Shakedown Festival. This new one-dayer is scheduled for July 9th in Stanmer Park – they’ve already confirmed a headline DJ slot for Mark Ronson, plus sets from Example, Prok & Fitch, Kissy SellOut and Rivastarr, with loads more to be announced as well as clubby after parties. Tickets from shakedown.co.uk.
DRUIDS ARMS ITSELF
In what we really hope isn’t an echo of the whole Freebutt saga, The Druids Arms faces an uncertain future as new housing is planned to spring up around it, some as close as five metres from the popular pub and live music venue. The council are brokering talks with the developers, which so far have included offers of new smoking areas and soundproofing within the build to minimise inconvenience to new residents. All parties involved seem to be playing nice at the moment and it’s all ongoing, but it’s still a real worry in the light of recent closures elsewhere. All April events at the boozer are about raising awareness – search out their Facebook fan page for more info.
COOKING UP A STORM
Brighton & Hove Food And Drink Festival is loosening belts all over town until Sunday 10th, as a Spring Harvest precursor to their main event throughout September. On the menu are tipple tastings from the Sparkling Wine and Beer festivals, massive food markets, a city-wide restaurant week with fixed-price menus, a bus tour of local farmers and a Live Food Show. Local foodie faves like Terre á Terre, Drakes and Henry Butler wines are all involved – there are just too many delicious details to list here, so go to brightonfoodfestival.com for more info and tickets.
RECORD STORE DAY
If you value your music as a physical object – or just want to show appreciation to the people that have been sorting you out with great tunes all year – you’re probably queuing up already for the gems released on Record Store Day. Last year the new Blur single was the must have and this time, Saturday 16th, there are more than 150 limited editions at all our ace independent shops.
WORDS BY NICK COQUET
