what to do this weekend: 8th – 10th June

If you're missing the scarlet tones of the Spiegeltent and the wood-chip smell of The Warren, we hear ya! As you stroll past the festival sites that are no more, there's no need to feel sad because, lucky us, we live in a city that has amazing stuff happening every single day. We've discovered some of the best things happening this weekend in Brighton & Hove, so you can get out there and enjoy them. Here's what we've got for you. A solo first in the city Photography graduate Lilly Simmons has brought her first solo show to Brighton. Gallery 40 will be hosting Come Gather 'Round People, which uses documentary and performance media to explore themes of family, fear and grief – something we can all relate to. What's great about Lily's work is that she's used photography as art therapy to overcome her own personal struggles with mental health and memories of past experience. “By investigating problematic topics using my own parents as subjects, I like to challenge the norm of documentary photography and raise questions on what is socially acceptable within art photography practice," she says. We'll be there! Until Sunday 10th June, daily 10.30am - 5.30pm; free Gallery 40, 40 Gloucester Road, Brighton BN1 4AQ lilygeorginasimmons.com Celebrate World Gin Day We don't know about you, but we don't need a special day to celebrate gin, we'd happily do that any day. Having said that, Saturday is World Gin Day, so if you're out and about in Brighton & Hove, there are plenty of ways to honour it. The Royal Sovereign on Preston Street are going all out and making a weekend of it, serving 2 for 1 gins all day Saturday and Sunday. That's two G&Ts (Fever Tree, of course) for just £5.75! And Brighton's newest prohibition cocktail bar L'Atelier Du Vin have created a tasting selection of five gins paired with Fever Tree tonic, for just £15 on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. We'd recommend booking in, though, as they get very busy, especially with their lovely new roof terrace. The Royal Sovereign, 6 Preston St, Brighton BN1 2HE, open midday - 1am L'Atelier Du Vin, 40B Kensington Gardens, Brighton BN1 4AL, open midday until late Bare-faced cheek If you're taking a casual stroll through The Level this Sunday, you might see more than you bargained for as the Naked Bike Ride is back! Anyone can take part and you can 'bare as you dare', so no pressure for a full frontal. Just one of the 50 cities around the world taking part in the mass ride, Brighton & Hove welcomes the chance to celebrate bikes, bodies and low-impact living. This year, supporters will also be celebrating the role of cycling in female emancipation 100 years on from women winning the vote in the UK. So there's way more to this than just a cracking (excuse the pun) photo opportunity, with a strong message at its heart and a bunch of sound systems and flags to highlight the issues. We're off to get a comfy cushion… Sunday 10th June, 12.00pm bike/body decoration, 1.00pm assembly, 8-mile ride starts at 1.30pm The Level, Union Rd, Brighton BN2 9SY Brighton Bike Ride Facebook Event Sunday fun-day If you feel in need of a more tranquil Sunday, then how about surrounding yourself with plants and art to bring out your crafty side? Between Two Thorns are hosting a lino cutting and printing workshop, taking you through the whole process so you can create a piece of botanical art. Pick a plant you like the look of, and artist Emma Jane will teach you the techniques of a simple line drawing, before guiding you through the tools and styles of lino cutting. Refreshments are provided to help fuel those creative juices. Sunday 10th June, 11.00am - 1.30pm; £35 Between Two Thorns, 67 Upper North St, Brighton BN1 3FL A hoot in Hove If you missed some of the fun of the Fringe, then get yourself down to the Brighton Open Air Theatre (technically in Hove, actually) this Sunday as BOAT patron and funny guy Simon Evans will be joined by comedians Rosie Jones and George Lewes, as they preview their 2018 Edinburgh Festival offerings. Simon and his guests will each be serving up 40 minutes of comedy gold, guaranteed to have you in stitches. With the caveat that you can expect adult humour and strong language, we like the sound of this event even more. Sunday 10th June, doors 1.00pm for 2.00pm start; £10 BOAT, Dyke Road Park, Dyke Rd, Hove BN3 6EH brightonopenairtheatre.co.uk Photo credits: Brighton Open Air Theatre (main image), Lily Simmons (A solo first in the city), RestaurantsBrighton.co.uk (Celebrate World Gin Day), ejsparkles (Sunday fun-day)

LIFESTYLE

What we’re loving at the moment.

what to do this weekend: 8th – 10th June

boti’s pick of the week: fleabag

mr b the gentleman rhymer | chap-hop superstar

boti’s wednesday pick of the day: comedy

boti’s monday pick of the day: comedy

alfie ordinary | drag prince

boti’s monday pick of the day: spoken word

lorraine bowen | singer-songwriter

SHARE YOUR BRIGHTON