We say hello to the new Water Margin now known as Jam, Power Plate classes, D’n’B at the Jazz rooms and more. Pleased to meet you!
JAM ON IT
Rising from the ashes of the not-actually-burned-down Water Margin comes a new name for Brighton’s gig and club venue circuit. Seasoned club operators Anthony and Ollie (ex Audio head honchos) have taken it over, given it a refurb and renamed it Jam, with plans to expand the venue’s reputation from an after-hours boozerama to a first choice destination for live music and comedy as well as continuing its legacy as a club host.
One of the key differences with the new Jam is that while downstairs remains a sound system-driven gig and club venue, upstairs is resolutely DJ-free and thus more conducive to quiet afternoon and evening drinks. The peckish can avail themselves of a new food menu which will contain a unique-to-Brighton bar snack – toast made from tasty local breads and, you guessed it, jam.
There’s no confirmed DJ schedule yet, with the venue testing the water with different nights over the coming weeks. Likewise the music and comedy bookings are only just starting to take shape, with the first confirmation being the Loop Festival launch party on Friday 8th, featuring a live set from Heels Catch Fire and DJ action from Nathan Fake.
GOOD VIBES
If you want to get toned and fit for some half-dressed beach perving this summer, Power Plate classes might well be what you need. You throw some circuit-type moves while standing on a vibrating plate, and it transmits waves of energy throughout your flabby, wasted body and generally sorts you out. Muscle tone, body shape and cellulite are all soon a thing of the past. Classes are 30 minutes long at Perfect Vibe on Stone Street.
PRAYING FOR A NEW VENUE
Opening up for business this month is Fletch At St Andrews on Waterloo Street, Hove. A Grade 1 listed church, it’s teamed up with the Iron Duke across the road to put on over 100 shows as part of the Brighton Fringe, setting itself up nicely as a venue to be reckoned with lovely old ecclesiastical acoustics to boot.
NEW HERO, NEW QUIZ
Sorted For Es And Quiz is, as you might expect, a hybrid of the twin disciplines of clubbing and quizzing. Hosted by New Hero, the first night is on Thursday 7th, with the quiz kicking off at 9.30 and the club getting going at 11.30, both with resident DJ and quizmaster Tony Of The Sea at the helm. We should point out that actual Es aren’t available, what with their being illegal and all.
D&B AT JAZZ ROOMS
Thursday 14th sees the launch night for grammatically challenged drum’n’bass and dubstep night BaRBaRiK, at the Jazz Rooms on Ship Street. DJ stints come courtesy of Unlikely from Dubpressure and Trevelyan from Undiluted.
NONE MORE METAL
The Hobgoblin continues its rock assault on the city with the launch of Havoc & Malice metal nights, with over 60 bands booked in already for the coming months. It’s free to get in, the next dates are Sunday 3rd and May 9th.
LECTERN RETURN
Lewes Road’s multi-screen football favourite The Lectern has been reborn as a new gig venue for emerging local talent – bands, DJs and promoters looking for a gig should call 01273 685258. They’ve also got the ex No Name head chef on board for his famed Sunday roasts, Motown DJs on Fridays and the monthly amixtapeaffair.com gig plus NUS booze offers, pool and TV sport.
PARIS IN THE SPRING
If you want to get the Parisian look without actually getting off your arse and leaving Brighton, you could do worse than visit a new boutique that’s opened on East Street – Comptoir des Cotonniers (which our resident translator – er, the internet, tells us means counter of the cotton plants – make of that what you will) is all about the Gallic gear that’ll set you apart from the Anglo herd this summer.
