Things to do this weekend in Brighton | 16th – 18th February

It’s sunny as we type this, so is it safe to whisper that spring is on its way? Ok, we’ve probably jinxed it, but even if it’s tipping down, we’ve got some fantastic weather-independent recs for fun things to do this weekend.

Celebrate the fun of the 80s with some dance drawing

Dance drawing? What’s that? Cult Classics is a new immersive drawing event that was set up to blend community, creativity and colourful fun – a joyful antidote to the times we’re living in. This Friday is their first event and it’s a life-drawing ode to the 80s – they’ll be playing fun hits from the era of cheese, the model will be in full 80s gear and hosts serving free drinks and snacks will also be sporting their very best big hair and leg warmers. 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 16th February; 7.30pm – 9.30pm; from £9
Draw Brighton, Unit 1 South (level 5), New England House, New England Street, Brighton, BN1 4GH

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Get stuck in to a visual feast at a new foodie exhibition

We’d recommend not going to see this exhibition on an empty stomach unless you’ve got solid food plans afterwards (Billie’s, Village or Oeuf should do the trick for a hearty brunch). Feast, the latest exhibition at 35 North Gallery is a smorgasbord of mouthwatering comfort food, from full English breakfast to topping-laden cheesecake. Artist Bex King started the fun collection in 2020: “Painting food was not only a still life subject readily available during lockdown, but I also love the emotional resonance that food can carry,” she says. We say: it looks good enough to eat.
Thursdays to Saturdays until 24th February; midday – 5.30pm; free
35 North Gallery, North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YB

35northgallery.com

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 17th February; 8.30pm; £18.50
The Actors, 4 Princes Street, Brighton, BN2 1RD

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READ ALSO: Five ridiculously scenic walks on your doorstep

See a free film at the library

On the third Sunday of every month, Jubilee Library put on a free film. This month it’s stop-motion animation Marcel, The Shell with Shoes On. A down-on-his-luck documentary filmmaker finds an adorable 1-inch-tall shell and his grandma in the AirBnB he’s renting and starts to tell their story. The shorts he uploads to YouTube bring Marcel huge popularity and hope that he’ll be able to be reunited with his long-lost mollusc family who mysteriously disappeared. Funny and heartwarming, it’s perfect Sunday afternoon film fodder.
Sunday 18th February; 2pm; free (but donations welcomed), just drop in
Jubilee Library, Jubilee Street, Brighton, BN1 1GW

brighton-hove.gov.uk

Have dinner with a difference

Want to have a fun Friday evening and help out a good cause? The Sussex Refugee and Migrant Self Support Group and their sister organisation Jollof Café are hosting a late Valentine’s Day dinner to help raise money for their vital work supporting migrants in the local community. Enjoy a delicious meal while you meet some of the people who’ve been welcomed to Brighton and supported by the charity.
Friday 16th February; 7pm – 10pm; from £10
Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens Brighton, BN2 1SA
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Check out these foodies recs

It’s been a bumper couple of weeks of new foodie excitement, so the weekend is the perfect time to check them out if you haven’t had a chance yet. The city’s newest pizza purveyors Yeastie Boys have opened their new shop on Queens Road – their slices are mouthfuls of joy, but get there early as they’re keeping things sustainable, so when it’s gone, it’s gone. Falafel favourites We Love Falafel have opened up a new shop in Pool Valley and pop-up supper club Salads for Garage Girls are serving up their tasty thali, dahl and pakora at Presuming Ed’s every weekend (midday – 5pm). Finally, for the best focaccia sandwich fix (and excellent cheesecake), head to Caccia & Tails latest pink-hued outpost on Preston Road. You’re welcome.
Yeastie Boys
Salads for Garage Girls
We Love Falafel
Caccia & Tails