TALK: THE SPACE The Basement Thurs 1st
In the absence of the research the notion should have incited from us, it’s possibly a slight overstatement to suggest Cockney Rebel were a “key influence” on Blur and Suede, although their reappearance at the Dome later this year illustrates they still hold a certain level of sway. Frontman Steve Harley stars here (and might even play a short set if you’re lucky), joined by Ashley Pharoah, who was largely responsible for primetime BBC dramas Life On Mars and Ashes To Ashes. (BM)

ART: BRIAN ENO – 77 MILLION PAINTINGS Fabrica Fri 2nd
Better known for his ambient but powerful soundscapes this visual installation isn’t actually far removed. 77 Million Paintings is a continually evolving sound and moving image piece, which finds Eno exploring light itself as a medium. Generative software remixes handmade slides prepared by the artist in advance, to form 77 million unique artworks automatically, which begets the title. Recently shown at the Venice Bienniale and Milan Triennale, it now finds itself in Brighton’s Fabrica gallery where you can see and hear its wonder for free. (ZC)

COMEDY: SARA PASCOE VS HER EGO Upstairs At Three And Ten Fri 16th
Steady improvement is no guarantee of promise for stand-ups, most of whom seem liable to bomb without trace at any moment. Hyperactive sneerer Sara Pascoe is building on firm foundations though, already getting away with chucking in some of the lamest gags imaginable whenever temptation gets the better of her. When she hits the spot, which she frequently does these days, it’s because of her ability to combine whirlwind energy with tongue-twisting wit. Her ebullient self-hype could become convincing tonight. (BM)

THEATRE: MY ARM The Basement Sat 17th – Sun 18th
Tim Crouch’s story of a boy who holds his arm in the air for decades is a one-man journey which remains compelling if only for its use of props provided by the unsuspecting audience. It’s rare to see Crouch’s acidic observation of childhood thought patterns round these parts these days, what with the man himself winning a major publishing deal for the story and worldwide tours since it debuted at Edinburgh in 2003, so catch it if you can. (BM)

COMEDY: FRANKIE BOYLE Dome Sat 17th – Sun 18th
The acerbic Scot brings his brand of gallows humour to town with the endearingly titled I Would Happily Punch Every One Of You In The Face show. Having pretty much made his name on Mock The Week, his material became a bit too near the knuckle for a cowering BBC, namely his gag about the queen being so old her pussy was haunted. No longer on the show, this is your only chance to see him at his live best. It’s selling fast but there are extra dates for October on sale now. (NC)

FILM: THE CABINET OF DR CALIGARI Duke of York’s Wed 21st
Just in case an escapee from a lunatic asylum marauding around town with a hypnotized human death clock slave doesn’t sound cool enough in a world where The Wolfman actually gets released, The DoY has only gone and set this 90-year-old silent black and white classic to a live score. Creepy German expressionist cinema with added drums, bass, guitars, flutes, saxophones and cellos – there’s a tiny possibility this won’t be brilliant, but the risk isn’t worth staying in for. (BM)

EXHIBITION: DREAM HOME Phoenix from Sat 24th
In a prescribed twist on the Open Houses concept, the Phoenix (which has been looking a bit shiny and intriguing recently) is about to turn into a domestic labyrinth of darkened corners and hidden surprises. Sour milk and dirty washing (probably) aren’t on the agenda for the 11 artists involved, instead preferring to pour their hopes, dreams and fantasies into the space in between introducing a strange, eerie cast of characters along the way. Home is where the art is, etc. (BM)

COMEDY: KNOCK2BAG Latest Music Bar Thurs 29th
Inaugurating the hands-down winner of the worst-named comedy night at a venue rarely known for dusting off the comedy cobwebs on a pre-festival Thursday, the devisers of this London chuckle club must have considerable confidence in their new monthly session down here. Tim Key, the engagingly shambolic poet in residence on Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe, headlines a line-up of hotly-tipped relative newcomers including rapper-turned-gagster Doc Brown, excellent up-and-coming sketch quartet Delete The Banjax and punchline killer Fergus Craig. (BM)

THEATRE: ICARUS New Venture from Fri 30th
Even if the term site-specific makes you shift your focus quicker than direct eye contact from Mandy Dingle across a sparsely-populated bar, you have to concede that one day, before you get too old for all this festival nonsense, you too could end up embroiled in some theatrical hit-or-miss along Marine Parade. New Venture provides the first such opportunity this year, as three performers take you on a storytelling “emotional journey” inspired by Ovid’s hero-to-zero poem. (BM)

FESTIVAL: BRIGHTON FRINGE OPENING NIGHT New Road and Jubilee Square Fri 30th
Brace yourself, breathe deeply, roll up, roll up…it’s not quite here yet, but the Fringe is just around the corner for another year. By the time you read this you won’t even have to give yourself a seizure trying to scroll through hundreds of pages of online listings in the absence of a printed guide to the freaks and frivolities awaiting us all. Taster performances and previews kick it off here, continuing on a daily basis throughout the festival. (BM)

Words by Zac Colbert, Nick Coquet and Ben Miller