Sorry, but we’re going to have to do it. We know you’re probably sick and tired of it, but how can we not? Yes, we’re talking about the weather and the utter insanity of it right now. We know it’s April, but we seem to have had not four but forty seasons most of this week. Happily, sunnier times are in store for this weekend – both literally and figuratively – as we’ve got (sustainable) shopping, sounds, and surprises in store.
Swap til you drop
New weekend, new… wardrobe? We’d certainly be happy with that. If you’re edging towards a bit of a clear out or fancy some sustainable-as-it-gets shopping, then this may be the little push you need, as the lovely team at Hove wellness studio Flow State are hosting a clothes swap on Sunday. You’re welcome to turn up even if you don’t have items to swap – anything left over at the end of the day will be donated to charity. As well as clothes, there’ll be music, good chat, community and maybe even some sweet treats. Happy swapping!
Sunday 21st April; 2pm – 5pm; free
Flow State, 48 Brunswick Street West, Hove, BN3 1EL
Tickets here
Get into the groove this Record Store Day
Brighton’s indie record shops are getting stuck in to this year’s Record Store Day. Resident Records (28 Kensington Gardens, Brighton, BN1 4AL) are opening from 8am if you want to be the first to get your hands on this year’s exclusive releases. They’ll also have live music from Hutch, Currls and Billy Bragg, free goodies and a charity raffle (drawn at 6.15pm). Capsule Records over in Hove (37 Western Road, Hove BN3 1AF; from 8am) are getting involved too with some excellent hip-hop releases and local DJs on the decks all day. As well as plenty of sexy RSD releases, Bella Union in central Brighton (25 Church Street, Brighton, BN1 1RB; 10am – 5pm) have got a DJ set from Simon Raymonde to accompany your RSD purchases (which, incidentally, will get you 10 percent off any Bella release AND a free raffle entry). And because they love you, you’ll also get a free doughnut and coffee. Music to our ears. It’s the very first RSD for Family Store Records and Gallery (74 North Road, Brighton; from 9am) and to celebrate, visitors will be regaled with music from Slack City DJs during the day and in-store performances from Hollow Hand and Grazia from 5.30pm. Finally, Rarekind Records (104 Trafalgar Street, Brighton, BN1 4ER; from 9am) are putting on a special event at their neighbouring pub The Great Eastern with DJs playing vinyl all day and all night (3pm – 1am).
Indulge in some pre-loved shopping
There are a couple of preloved shopping events on this weekend – one for every day, in fact. First up, Secret Store Pop-Up is back with more exciting designer treasures, this time at Sutherland and Sadler in West Hove (Friday and Saturday; 10am – 5pm; 154 Portland Road, BN3 5QL). Jeweller to the BOTI team (we wish!) Emma Stanton will also be selling her gorgeous gold and silver boho-luxe pieces. Over in central Hove, Platf9rm are back with with the third edition of their yard sale (Sunday; 11am 4pm; Church Road, Hove, BN3 2AF). Expect excellent pre-loved goodies (if the last sale is anything to go by), local street food, booze, coffee and music. Tickets are £5 and include a free coffee, plus all proceeds go to the humanitarian aid effort in Gaza.
Take yourself to the cabaret
We’ve always had a soft spot for the LGBTQ+ venue that’s now The Actors (ex The Marlborough) and if you, like us, love a spot of jazz and burlesque, we reckon you’ll enjoy the return of Bebette’s Cabaret to the pub’s upstairs secret speakeasy this Saturday. Take some music, pepper it with some drag comedy and theatre, add in a soupçon of debauchery and beautiful burlesque emcee Bebe Boheme and wash it all down with a tasty tipple or two, and what do you get? That’s right, the perfect recipe for a great night out.
Saturday 20th April; 8.30pm; £19.12
The Actors, 4 Princes Street, Brighton, BN2 1RD
Book tickets
One for the food and plant lovers
There’s a free grow-your-own day at Woodingdean Community Centre on Saturday (11am – 3pm; Warren Road, BN2 6BA) with plants, free seed kits, local food, and – one of our favourite things to grace a community event – a tombola! And, over in Preston Park on Saturday (9am – 3pm), there’s a spring festival celebrating local food, featuring tasters, fresh Sussex veg, and locally made sweet and savoury treats. You’ll find all the good stuff next to the velodrome.
Go to the launch show of a Brighton band
Brighton band Hill Collective are, appropriately, playing at excellent music pub The Rose Hill on Saturday. The local avant-garde jazz ensemble are launching their debut album Tonal Prophecy. Jazz musician Eddie Myer has called it “a compelling refutation to anyone who still thinks that jazz is no fun”. So there you go.
Saturday 20th April; 7pm; from £10
Rose Hill Terrace, BN1 4JL
Book tickets
Get stuck into some immersive drawing
Immersive drawing? What’s that? Cult Classics is a new drawing event that was set up to blend community, creativity and colourful fun – a joyful antidote to the times we’re living in. Their first immersive event back in February dived into the 80s and this Friday, it’s Wonka time! Yes, it’s a life-drawing ode to all things sweet and chocolate-y – with artist Bella Franks swapping pencils for poses to take on the role of Willy Wonka himself, top hat and all. But it’s not just about drawing, they’ll be dropping a suitably sweet soundtrack, with free hot drinks and biscuits in the breaks, and a few surprises along the way. Whether you’ve not picked up a pencil since you were at school or fancy yourself a bit of a Picasso, everyone is welcome. Dressing up positively encouraged!
Friday 19th April; 7.30pm – 9.30pm; from £9
Draw Brighton, Unit 1 South (level 5), New England House, New England Street, Brighton, BN1 4GH
Book tickets
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