BIG SCREEN JUSTICE
Local crime fighting rockers The Justice Force 5 feature in a new documentary concerned with titting about in a spandex outfit and generally saving the world from dastardly cackling villains. Superhero Me includes footage of the band’s rammed EP launch at Coalition from last summer, as well as some valuable insight into the journey from mere mortal man to fearless caped crusader. You can see band in the trailer at tinyurl.com/superherome. (NC)
NO SNICKERING – IT’S THE MARATHON
Brighton’s very first marathon takes place on Sunday 18th, starting at Preston Park and ending at Madeira Drive. There are 12,000 places available with many runners racing the 26.2 miles for a local charity. If you can’t be bothered to pound the pavements yourself, enjoy the marathon as a spectator – there are 12 entertainment sites along the route as all those poor red-faced and puffing people run to destinations they could have got a bus to. (PW)
TILL FILL THRILLS
Calling all irresponsible credit card holders! The first ever Brighton & Hove Festival of Shopping kicks off on Thursday 1st, showcasing all things fashion for visitors to the city throughout the month. There will be daily activities and prizes within the city and hundreds of stores from the high street to the smaller boutiques are participating, with some of them offering exclusive discounts and offers for fashionistas and resessionistas alike. (PW)
HAIRY YES, EXTINCT NO.
Metal fans of Brighton unite, Mammothfest has arrived. It was born out of a dream, nay a vision, to bring to Brighton some of the finest international bands as well as highlighting local acts such as Blind Eye Fury, Here There Be Monsters, Uncle Debauchery and Swallowing Shotguns. Mammothfest, debuting in September, will be held at Hove Town Hall, where 27 bands, including the greatly renowned Orange Goblin, will rawk their way across two stages to an unabated crowd of 1,300. (LS)
TAKING BRIGHTON TO THE VALLEYS
Surf’s up! Students, grab your pop-up tents and head to South Wales this June to witness what was voted by festivalgoers the UK’s Best Small Festival in 2009, Beach Break Live. Set this year in the beautiful surrounds of the Welsh coast, complete with woodland adventure park and dry ski slope to boot. Carrying the torch for Brighton music is fresh talent the electronic avant-garde SOURCE cover star Burns, to Doll & The Kicks’ indie pop pomp performing alongside festival favourite Beardyman. (LS)
NO MR BOND, WE EXPECT YOU TO READ
As modern society mongs out in front of YouTube and Facebook with drool dripping down its chin, it’s worth remembering that back in the olden days we read books for our entertainment. City Reads is an annual citywide reading initiative and has just launched in Brighton. The idea is that the whole city buries its nose in a particular tome and chats about its themes at bus stops. This year it’s Ian Fleming’s From Russia With Love, the 5th Bond outing from 1957. There are copies being given away all round the place and related bookish events around town til the end of May. (NC)
MOONLIGHT SERENADE
St Martlets Midnight Walk, having managed to raise £164,000 over since its inception, the women of Brighton and Hove are donning flashing bunny ears and strutting their stuff again on Friday 18th June. The 13-mile circuit begins and ends at the Brighton Racecourse, with refreshment pit stops en route and a goody bag at the end. “It’s all about dressing up and spending a night walking through Brighton with friends,” Organiser Antonia Sheperd says, “a way of remembering loved ones”. (LS)
BARD FEST
The poetically named The Book And The Rose festival held on Sunday 25th in Jubilee Square is a daytime event, proclaiming the vainglorious words of our beloved Shakespeare. It’s also inspired by the Catalonian Saint George’s Day traditions of proffering a book to symbolise culture, along with a rose to show love for your loved one. A whole host of book and flower stalls stand together, as well as a stage introducing a delightful cast of Brighton traditional and contemporary folk and poetry acts like Hammer & Tongue. (LS)
SUSSEX ECO AWARDS LAUNCHED
The Sussex Eco Awards promotes awareness of the need for green living in all aspects of public life, businesses and schools. New to this year’s awards held in September, food companies and volunteers, the unsung heroes of the green movement. Brighton has always been a conscious city, and the Sussex Eco Awards stands as a bar to maintain these high standards. Today is the official launching day of the awards, get nominating via their website sussexecoawards.org.uk and more information on how to get involved.
CYCLES SOUNDTRACK GLORY
Gloria Cycles’ ascendency continues with the inclusion of their sweet indie pop song ‘Religious’ on the soundtrack of what looks like being a massive hit movie. My Last Five Girlfriends is a Brit rom-com that looks like a cross between Nick Hornby and Richard Curtis – IMDb rates it as a very respectable 8.4 with ‘witty and ingenious ideas’, which bodes well. It follows a good few months for the Cycles, touring Europe and having ‘Wonderbus’ in a Samsung camera advert. Their LP – which has been delayed for the film – is out now. (JK)
ORDINARY? OUT!
After the successes of last year, Out Of The Ordinary festival is back once more to celebrate the Autumn Equinox in spiritual style. Situated nearby at the family-friendly Knockhatch Adventure Park, OOTO is a three-day celebration of music, merrymaking and meditative reflection. Walking around the chakra-themed site, discover poi and circus performances, arts and crafts for families, to workshops in the healing area, or find your inner calm within the Peace Circle at the heart of the festival. (LS)
Words by Nick Coquet, Lydia Stockbridge and Pia Webley
