BRIGHTON SHOCKS
Brighton’s best horror movie fest is back at The Caroline Of Brunswick, guaranteed to give you nightmares at best and an evacuated stomach at worst. There’s a triple tribute to an Italian gore maestro, a documentary on video nasties followed by two seldom seen examples; a Far East, far-out strand of Asian badness, the greatest porno-comedy-horror ever committed to celluloid and much, much more. Pop in to the pub to pick up a free vintage Scala-style programme for full details. Oh, and it’s all totally free.
FROCKS & ROCKS
The Martlets Hospice is holding a High Tea at the Vintage Me event on Saturday 5th from 10am to 5.30pm at the Unitarian Church, just along from the Theatre Royal. For your three quid entry you’ll get to ogle models parading in vintage gear from the 1940s-60s, as well as perusing the rails for your own same-era outfits and shoes pulled from the Martlets shop on Church Street. It’s not just about the clothes though, there’s jewellery and books, plus you get tea and cake. Get involved and make a difference.
IN TENTS ENTS
Since the demise of naughty old Beachdown, Meadowlands is the closest you’re going to get to a local festival, and it’s certainly worth the short shlep to Glynde. May 27th-29th are the dates for your diary, when you can see over 40 bands including our own Doll & The Kicks, Jo Harman and Mirrors, plus this year’s introduction of a comedy and spoken word tent. Free camping, DJs, vendors, street traders, bars, light shows and interactive entertainers should all make for a good start to the summer and the festival season. Tickets from meadowlandsfestival.com.
KOMEDIA LAUGH IT OFF
Even the very dim should be able to work out the field of excellence celebrated by the Chortle Awards, and we’re pleased to announce that two of Brighton’s finest have had their backs slapped in this year’s list. Komedia is the deserving winner of Best Comedy Venue In The South (the ninth time they’ve walked away with it) and Stephen Grant, host of its Krater Club, now has a Best Compere gong on his mantlepiece. Nice one, funny fella!
THE CATWALK’S MEOW
Back for its sixth year, Brighton Fashion Week returns on May 31st for its strongest line-up yet. As well as the three catwalk attractions of the Couture, Brighton Frocks and RTW Shows, new this year is the Love Fashion, Hate Sweatshops charity gig with a load of major bands playing in association with War On Want. The Fashion Emporium returns with purchase opportunities for the gear on show, as does the Trashion Show, with an apparently controversial new couture collection. Search Brighton Fashion Week on Facebook for diary details and tickets.
CRAM IN SOME RUNNING
Remember when you gamely said you’d run the 2011 Brighton Marathon? Remember being one of the 15,000 entrants who registered in the first 30 days? Remember endlessly putting off starting your training? Does that sound familiar, you shambling, wheezing mess? The 26-mile race is fast approaching now, hitting town on April 10th, and the latest news is it’ll be started by gold medallist Steve Cram. And if you’re buzzing off finishing the race, or just from cheering a loved one in, you’ll want to celebrate at the after party with Alice Russell at the Brighton Centre.
DIGITAL SCHMIGITAL
When he’s not snapping spruced-up Brightonians for our Street Style feature, Kevin Meredith is a renowned ambassador of SLR avoidance via the medium of the toy camera. The lack of professional settings often produce quirky and unexpected results, all collected in Kev’s new book ‘Toy Cameras – Creative Photos’. It’s a well-explained and compiled collection of the art, literally from Fisher-Price upwards, that shuns the mega-pixel for true analogue warmth. More details at lomokev.com.
SEVEN INCHES? PLEASE!
The annual Record Store Day is rolling around again next month, with 150 indie stores taking part on a day of exclusive releases and PAs. Brighton is well represented by Rounder and Resident, both bezzy mates with SOURCE, so the fact that they’re both chasing the award for best record shop makes it tricky. We obviously can’t decide between them, but you can vote for your favourite at indierecordshop.org.
Words by Steve Clements, Nick Coquet
2011