We don’t know about you but we are LOVING this end-of-summer weather we’ve got right now. We’re taking those good vibes into the weekend with us for another jam-packed guide of fun things to keep you entertained.
Read on for our pick of the best of what’s going on in the city and beyond, from artsy activities to comedy nights and yoga and beer combos…
1. Discover new art galleries and artists
For all you art lovers, you’re in luck this weekend as there are some exciting new openings in the city. On Friday, we’d recommend a visit to the Naked Gallery, where MsDre, a Brighton-based contemporary surrealist artist, is hosting her debut solo exhibition. You can expect to see a multitude of history-inspired mixed media artworks, limited editions of her previous work, art prints, and homewares, plus music from DJ Outbreak on the Friday. But that’s not all. A brand new art gallery – Helm – opened on North Road last week, and it’s well worth exploring. On the ground floor, you’ll find a wide selection of limited-edition prints and original pieces. Downstairs, there’s an exhibition hall where you can see their debut show ‘Made You Look’, which runs until 15th October. This collection pairs established artists, like Damien Hirst, with prominent newcomers and exemplifies the gallery’s ethos of “no boundaries, all impact”. Consider us sold! They’ve also got a cosy coffee area that transforms into an intimate cocktail bar for evening events.
Naked Gallery: Friday 15th September (private view); 8pm – 10pm, then daily until Sunday 24th September; free
Naked Gallery, 283 Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1E
Helm Gallery opening times; Monday –Sunday; 10am – 10pm; free
15 North Rd, Brighton, BN1 1YA
msdre.co.uk
helm-gallery.com
2. Attend this important LGBTQ+ fundraiser
In May this year, Uganda enacted harsh anti-LGBTQ+ legislation – the country’s president signed a bill that criminalised identifying as LGBTQ, and, even more shockingly, the bill includes the death penalty for what it terms “aggravated homosexuality”. Global equality movement All Out has joined forces with local partners like the Mbarara Rise Foundation, who provide safety and shelter to LGBT+ people in need in the country. But these organisations are also facing hardships. So, what can we do to help? This Sunday at The Actors, there will be a fundraiser to raise much-needed money to keep these vital organisations running. Expect a delicious homemade baked goods sale and performances from local artists, with brilliant spoken word artist, activist and academic Aflo The Poet headlining. There’ll be a mix of spoken word poetry, storytelling, plenty of music and even a hula hoop jam!
Sunday 17th September; 7.30pm – 10pm; from £6.13
4 Prince’s Street, Brighton, BN2 1RD
Book tickets
3. Create a unique coaster at a needle-punch workshop
Have you heard of needle-punching? Well, neither had we! So we’re excited to find out more at this new workshop on Saturday. You’ll have the opportunity to delve into the world of needle-punch – a special sort of embroidery technique, yes, we googled – and learn all the essentials. The workshop will cover a variety of techniques, including some handy tips and tricks, helping you to craft your very own unique coaster. It’s also an opportunity for those who already know what they’re doing to hang out with other like-minded crafters and exchange ideas. Textile artist and tutor Don Brosbin will provide all the materials, including an assortment of colourful yarns and plenty of cups of tea to power those creative juices.
Saturday 16th September; 3pm – 6pm; £35
Don’s house, Preston Park Avenue, Brighton, BN1 6HJ (exact address revealed when you buy a ticket)
Book tickets
4. Check out two new exhibitions in Lewes
Charleston opened a new cultural space in Lewes this week. It includes a shop, cafe, artist-led workshops, gallery activities and more. But we’re particularly excited about their two – very different – debut exhibitions. You can see contemporary artist Jonathan Baldock’s free exhibition Through The Joy Of The Senses every Sunday. Bringing together colourful and immersive large-scale sculptural pieces, it explores our relationship to the body. The second exhibition, Bring No Clothes: Bloomsbury and Fashion, focuses on the clothing of the radical Bloomsbury group and their impact on 21st century fashion. And if that wasn’t enough artsy stuff to get stuck into, you can check out all the cool events happening for the last weekend of Sussex’ Artwave festival here.
Various dates, times and prices
Charleston in Lewes, Southover Road, Lewes, BN7 1AB
charleston.org.uk
5. Practise yoga and treat yourself to a cold one
After their successful Dry January session, the lovely people at Bitter Women Brewery have decided to host another Bitter Women Yoga event in collaboration with yoga studio Luna Wave at Sea Lanes. So, if you’re up for a fun and relaxing event this Saturday, join Jas for an all-level practice designed to increase body awareness. And what’s a Bitter Women event without tasty beer, right? Bison Beach Bar will have a well-deserved house half waiting for all yogis after the class.
Saturday 16th September; 1.45pm; £15
Unit 23, Sea Lanes, 300 Madeira Drive, Brighton BN2 1BX
bitterwomenbrewery.com
6. Have a blast at a stand-up comedy night
If you’re in the mood for a good laugh this weekend (who isn’t), then check out the fantastic line-up in store at Exeter Street Hall’s stand-up comedy night. You can expect to see some familiar faces, including the internet-famous Mr Jack Skipper, who also hosts the Get to the Good Stuff podcast and the It Might Never Happen YouTube channel. Joe Foster and James Danielewski will also be gracing the stage, and if you went to the Fringe a few months ago, you might recognise Martha Casey and Dawn Williams, from their Fringe show Misfit. Oh, and they’ve got a licensed bar too.
Saturday 16th September; 7.30pm – 10pm; £12
16 – 17 Exeter St, Brighton, BN1 5PG
exeterstreethall.org
7. Complete this maze and win a scoop of ice-cream
If you’re willing to travel a little further afield, to Uckfield to be precise, the gorgeous Latchetts Farm have brought back their Maisie’s Maze, Farmer Maisie’s maize-plant labyrinth. This is a fun activity for all ages, and if you successfully complete it, you’ll be rewarded with a scoop of the delicious ice-cream that the family-run biz makes fresh each day. We can confirm that their creamy sorbet and gelato ices (the Eton mess is the one in our opinion) are definitely worth the trip alone, not least because they’re made solely from milk produced by the cows grazing on their farm. Udderly brilliant (sorry).
Saturday 16th – Sunday 17th September; 9am – 4pm; £5; dogs on leads are welcome
Heaven Farm; Furners Green, Uckfield, TN22 3RG
latchettsfarm.co.uk
8. Learn about the West Pier’s history and its future plans
This weekend marks the end of 2023’s Heritage Open Days, the largest community-led festival of history and culture. So, it’s a perfect chance to discover more about the city. One event we thought was particularly interesting is all about one of our fave landmarks, the West Pier. You’ll be able to discover more about the progress of the project to restore one of the original kiosks and see an exhibition of Pier-inspired work by Artspace, a local arts and mental health charity.
Saturday 16th – Sunday 17th September; 11am – 4.30pm; free; no booking required
West Pier Centre, 103-105 Kings Road Arches, Brighton, BN1 2FN
heritageopendays.org.uk
9. Get your punk on at this benefit show
UK hardcore promoter Broken Jaw is organising a benefit event with an impressive musical line-up to support the Cowley Club in maintaining and improving their equipment this Sunday. If you’re not familiar with the Cowley Club, it’s a 100-percent volunteer-run, DIY, anarchist social centre in Brighton. It operates as a vegan cafe, radical bookshop, library, bar, gig space, and serves as a base for various activist projects. Phew. In short, it’s a great space. If punk and metal are your thing, then you’re in for a treat with Sunday’s hardcore all-dayer featuring Negative Measures, Mindless, How Long You Been Driving, Burn it All, Epsom Salts, Ikhras, and more.
Sunday 17th September; from 3pm; from £5
12 London Road, Brighton, BN1 4JA
cowley.club
10. Attend a pool party for you and your pooch
Attention all dog owners! Have you been to Dogtember at Saltdean Lido yet? Running every weekend this month, it’s a chance for you and your furry friend to make a splash and enjoy a swim with other happy pooches and their owners. And, if your dog isn’t confident enough to jump headfirst into the big pool (we don’t blame them), there’s a smaller splash pool with a slide and water spouts they can happily chase. Plus, there’s plenty of open grassy space for those inevitable zoomies. You’ll also have ample opportunities to spoil your pup with a wide range of stalls, including refreshments and, of course, dog ice-cream! And when the excitement all gets a bit too much, you can take advantage of their drying service for a cosy (and, crucially, wet dog-free) journey home.
Saturday 16th – Sunday 17th September; from 9am; from £13.90
The Oval Park, Saltdean Park Rd, Saltdean, Brighton BN2 8S
saltdeanlido.co.uk
And there’s more! We couldn’t squeeze them all in to 10 things, so here are some other highlights: Bolney vineyard’s launch weekend party for its new cafe and shop, the mouthwatering chocolate festival, the one-night-only Liza Minnelli tribute show, and, of course, exploring the city and discovering all the brilliant Martlets’ Shauns, not to mention Sunday’s launch of the gorgeous new sculpture at Hove Plinth. There’s also a pop-up sale of donated artworks and preloved clothes at Unbarred on Saturday to raise money for children’s mental health services locally, and it’s the Reverbathon this weekend! Local community station Radio Reverb is holding a weekend of fundraising to help them keep broadcasting playlist- and ad-free. Get involved if you can!
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