Brighton Lights: What to do in the city – w/c Tuesday 16th May
Music & Entertainment with Joe Fuller
1 Initially scheduled to play in Brighton, due to some difficulties the De Le Warr Pavilion in Bexhill has kindly stepped in to host Thee Oh Sees this Wednesday. The prolific garage rock band are sensational live, and the generous bill also includes Fuoco, Gang and RIDDLES.
De La Warr Pavilion, 17 May, 6.45pm, £20
2 The best policy for The Great Escape is to do some prior research, try to catch a few artists you’re keen on but accept the bustle and flow of the animal: relaxing and enjoying whatever you stumble across. My tip is for Ibibio Sound Machine however: a disco/funk band who fuse African and electronic elements to fun, danceable effect.
Paganini Ballroom, 18 May, 9.15pm
3 In case you missed it: Brighton Festival is hosting the UK premiere of The Gabriels, the latest play by Richard Nelson after his wildly acclaimed The Apple Family Plays. Three separate shows dissect the election year in an American household, which you can marathon in one day or spread over several evenings.
ACCA, 20-21 May, £10-£22
Credit: Lieve Boussauw
4 Or for something completely different, musically speaking, you could try out accordion and cello duo Belem. The truly unique collaboration merges classical elements along with tango and folk traditions: combining merriment and melancholy in foot stomping, propulsive songs.
All Saints Church, 19 May, 9.30pm, £17.50
Comedy with Victoria Nangle
5 Jeremy Hardy comes to town as a part of this year’s Brighton Festival, mixing pithy and heartfelt social commentary and timely political perspective with a silliness that has seen his tone deaf singing lauded on BBC Radio 4 (specifically on I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue). Calmly asking the questions that need raising, this curious and inventive mind is a treasure to witness.
Theatre Royal Brighton, Wed 17 May, 7.30pm, £16/10/5
6 A fence-sitting former drag queen, with a gift for gag-writing appreciated by the Edinburgh Comedy Award panel in 2015 when he was shortlisted for the Best Newcomer prize. John Hasting’s star is shining bright, making his latest show ‘Works!’ a tempting enterprise at a bargain price (it says free, but be ready to pop a donation into the bucket at the end).
Laughing Horse @ Caroline Of Brunswick, Sat 20 – Thurs 25 May, 2.30pm (20-21) & 8.45pm (22-25), free
Arts with Brighton’s Arty
7 Techies rejoice. A new virtual reality art space ‘Gallery Ghost’ opens its doors to the public in Brighton this month. Its first exhibition by the iconic British artist George Underwood – who made his name painting album covers for rock legends including David Bowie – is a sell out. So check out galleryghost.com and make sure you at the front of the queue for its next adventure.
8 Artists Open Houses is in full swing. And if you’re looking for a real Brightonian experience then head to City Retreat on Salisbury Road, where local legend Val Fawbert is exhibiting her remarkable contemporary palette knife impressions in her delightful walled city garden studio. Not to be missed.
www.valfawbertcityretreat.com
artymagazines.com
