Hello May, you overachiever. The month’s barely started and Brighton’s already out here handing out freebies, throwing street parties, opening up artists’ houses and going all in on the festival fun (more on all our recs here and here). The sun’s shining, the best month of the year is here – what are you waiting for? Come on in for our pick of the good stuff.
Kick off your Fringe the right way
If you want to start Fringe season properly, this is where you need to go. Eclectic wonderland Caravanserai is back after a three-year absence and they’re hosting an official ‘we’re back’ party for the city’s most bonkers pop-up venue – a full-blown festival world built out of caravans, trinkets and general creative madness just north of St Peter’s church. The site’s always free to enter, but big-top venue Klub Kaput is also free for the opening night, so you can immerse yourself in live shows, DJs, and walkabout performers roaming the site, turning the whole thing into a moving party. Outside, you’ve got bars, food, treasure-filled corners to explore, and all the random things that Caravanserai does best. If you can’t be bothered to read any further, you could do a lot worse than just sticking here all weekend and soaking up the good vibes. In fact, we’d definitely recommend coming back on Saturday for the free dance workshops and again on Sunday (12pm – 4pm) for the Beau Events makers’ market so you may as well settle in.
From Fri; from 4pm; free
caravanserai.info
READ ALSO: Brighton Fringe is back and it’s looking as weird and wonderful as ever
Swim by the light of the (full) moon
For something a little more wholesome, head to the beach for Ruby Moon Swim’s monthly full moon beach party. Part swim, part yoga, part dance-under-the-sky, if you’ve always been meaning to go, now’s the time – the sun’s actually shining, the water’s finally warming up and the vibes are always good. If you want to be prepared, bring a mat, a towel and a willingness to get stuck in. You’ll wonder why you’ve never done it before.
Fri; 8pm; free; meet at beach by Hove Lawns cafe
More information
Score free pizza and cookies and other good things
It’s another bumper weekend of food and drink goodness (when is it not?) with even more free/bargainous bits than usual. First up, head to Babble for 3pm on Friday where they’re giving away 100 quarter slices of pizza to celebrate their banging new weekend pizza menu. Missed it? Check out next week’s community birthday pizza party instead. Then on Saturday, take yourself over to cookie heaven, aka Bee May Bakery, where they’re handing out 100 free cookies to celebrate their first birthday (our go-to is still the gloriously gooey pistachio – pictured above) from 9am. Get there early! Then head over to The Open Market for more free pizza courtesy of Tony’s Original PIzza for the soft launch of his Open Kitchen. That’s another 100 slices waiting for you from midday. Lunch sorted (if you’re early enough)! In other pizza news, the long-awaited opening of Jack’s Pizza has arrived. Grab a Detroit-style slice at their new Sydney Street home. Our favourite blue corner bar Patio have slashed the prices of their negronis to just £6 for Sunday only and that’s where you’ll also find Portuguese-style kitchen Fumar Cozinha popping up this week. What more excuse do you need to triple park some drinks in the sun? Elsewhere, Barbino by Cin Cin are back and popping up at the Botanist cafe in Hove all weekend. We hear a permanent home is on the cards too… Curio‘s getting in early on the Cinco de Mayo celebrations with a Monday filled with tacos, Bloody Marys and El Melting Pot spinning sun-tinged grooves (from 12pm). Halisco are turning a whopping nine years’ old and to celebrate they’re bringing the Sunday fun with a live Mariachi band (from 7pm), tacos, corn ribs, oyster shots, ceviche and a bucket load of tequila to keep the legendary party going (and keep going it will). Fancy a lazy lido day with a side of great food and cake? Head over to Saltdean Lido where the Reading Room open their second spot on Friday 1st May. And, of course, it’s the Foodies Festival at Preston Park all weekend.
READ ALSO: Brighton Festival turns 60: Here’s what’s worth leaving the house for
Hang out a street party
If all the Fringe and festival shenanigans weren’t enough, there’s (at least) two street parties going on this weekend. Hove’s George Payne and The Robin Hood in the city centre are both throwing proper community street parties – we’re talking live music, DJs, BBQ, outside bars, face painting, and the kind of joyful vibes you get when a residential road turns into a dancefloor/giant pub extension. The George Payne kicks things off Saturday (midday – 8pm) with live music, cake stalls, a tombola in support of Sussex Homeless Support and plenty for kids and grown-ups alike, while it all goes off at the Robin Hood on Sunday (midday – 8pm) with local bands, DJs, burgers from Ditch Brisket and a solid ale-and-cider situation.
Sat & Sun; midday – 8pm; free
Have a walk, make new friends
If making friends as an adult feels like a full-time job, this might help. Community-focused Middle Kid Club are teaming up with Chloe Walks – aka the woman with a rep for turning a simple stroll into a gorgeous explore of the city – for one of their low-pressure, high-fun meet-ups. Expect a guided wander from Hove’s Peace Statue over to Fika at Sea Lanes for a coffee and an easy chat with people who are all in the same boat. Turn up solo, leave with new mates (or at least a good walk and a decent coffee).
Sat; 11am; meet at the Peace State in Hove; free
More information
Make a day of it in St Ann’s Well Gardens
Brighton Fringe and the main festival not enough for you? Don’t worry, St Ann’s Well Gardens is bringing a mini version all in one space with the return of their Spring Festival after a two-year hiatus. Think circus shows, two stages of live music, free tennis sessions, food stalls, history bits, a healing area, a squirrel market (nope, not sure), and a beer tent for balance. There’s a proper line-up of things to dip in and out of – from aerial acts and interactive circus fun to fairy-filled performances and hands-on workshops – plus a world food area for grazing. And on Sunday, Brighton Rewind takes over with a day of acts paying tributes to legends like Bowie and Queen.
Sat and Sun; midday – 7pm; from free
springfestival.garden
Take your teddy out for the night
If your inner child’s been crying out for a night out, this is your sign. Quintessentially Brighton hangout Bom-Bane’s is hosting Bom-Bear, basically a teddy bears’ picnic for grown-ups but with better food, better stories and (hopefully) fewer sticky fingers. Singer and storyteller Pete Fij leads the charge with his take on The Three Bears, alongside warm-up musical bits from Jane Bom-Bane and Eliza Skelton, plus a gentle nudge for you lot to bring your own bears (emotional support or otherwise) and share a story. Expect posh open sarnies, nostalgic puds and a healthy dose of eccentricity.
Sat; 7pm; £30
To book: email janebombane@yahoo.co.uk, text 07764 515583
bom-banes.com
Indulge in some healthy competition at a womens 5-a-side
If your idea of a good Saturday involves a bit of healthy competition and some shouting from the sidelines, this one’s got your name on it. Crossbar (aka Brighton’s women’s sports HQ) are hosting their very first Carabiner Cup competition, taking over Lewes FC’s Dripping Pan for a full-day women’s 5-a-side tournament – 24 teams, group stages, knockouts, the works. Whether you’re playing or just turning up with a pint and your cheering voice, it’s set to be Sussex’s biggest and probably most community-spirited match. And if you’ve still got energy after, there’s an afterparty back in Brighton to keep things going.
Sat; 10am – 1am; from £6
crossbarbrighton.com
(Caba)rave on
If your Fringe plans involve staying out late and perhaps even making some questionable decisions, you’re in the right place. Cabarave is taking over the Spiegeltent for opening weekend with its Filthy Gorgeous party – a full-blown mash-up of club night and cabaret that doesn’t really believe in boundaries. You’ll find big beats (headlined by Krafty Kuts), plus drag, dancers, walkabout performers and glitter for days. There’s a loose dress code (there is no such thing as too extra at a Cabarave party), tarot readings, and am up-for-it crowd. It’s immersive, it’s sweaty, it’s utterly wonderful (and usually sells out).
Sat; 9.30pm; from £12
brightonfringe.org
Hang out with Felix and friends
Filthy, chaotic and very much not your average Fringe night – this one’s a whole cabaret carousel. Hosted by BOTI fave Felix Le Freak, Felix & Friends pulls together a rotating cast of comedians, clowns and general oddballs for an hour of songs, oversharing and joyously surreal energy. Expect tales of love, lust and dating disasters, plus guest acts doing… well, whatever they fancy (within reason) with a healthy dose of smut, surrealism and audience interaction. If you like your nights out a bit loose, a bit loud and slightly inappropriate, you’ll be right at home.
Fri (and every week for the duration of the Fringe); 8.30pm; from £8
Book tickets
READ ALSO: BOTI Reviews | Felix & Friends at The Walrus
Enter the dragon (and stay for dinner)
If you fancy something cultural but with extra bang for your arty buck, you need the Royal Dragons Experience. We got a preview of this last week with fascinating curator Alexandra Loske (check out the curator-at-work sessions) and we’d highly recommend. It turns a visit into a full day out – starting with the Dragons exhibition inside the Royal Pavilion, aka the Prince Regent’s pleasure palace. Here, you’ll wander through gold-drenched rooms packed with Chinese-inspired mythical creatures hiding in chandeliers, wallpaper, poking out of fireplaces, and all sorts. Then it’s onto the decadent surrounds of Ivy Asia for a two-course feast and a glass of champagne, with a menu embracing bold, fire-breathing flavours. With £10 going to Brighton & Hove Museums and your Pavilion ticket acting as an annual pass, it’s incredibly good value.
Until 27th July; £58
brightonmuseums.org.uk
Enjoy (we promise) a night of PowerPoint
Nerds, assemble. The Slide Show Must Go On is exactly what it says on the tin – a night of wildly overcommitted, deeply niche PowerPoint presentations that rather ingeniously land like stand-up. Hosted by Ben Bailey and Chris Parkinson, each show is completely different (and kept secret till you’re in the room), bouncing from politics to pop culture to whatever weird rabbit hole they’ve fallen down that week. That means fast-paced facts, ridiculous tangents and brilliantly specific humour that makes you laugh and learn. Even though you’ll probably (definitely) never need that knowledge again. Surprisingly smart, gloriously silly, and a Fringe cult favourite for a reason.
Sun; 7pm: £10
Book tickets
GET OUTTA TOWN
Go on a day trip to experience a strange Sussex tradition
We know, why would you want to leave when Brighton’s bursting at the seams with good stuff? Just in case you do fancy a day trip that delves into another flavour of Sussex curiosities, then head down the coast to Hastings. The Jack in the Green is one of the UK’s strangest (and best) May Day traditions – four days of full-on folklore fun take over the Old Town. Think Morris dancers, drummers, giant puppets and a crowd dressed head-to-toe in greenery, all building towards the main event: a huge procession led by ‘Jack’ (a literal walking bush-man) through the streets before he’s ceremoniously ‘slain’ to release the spirit of summer. It’s part pagan ritual, part seaside party, with pubs spilling out, live music everywhere and a proper anything-goes atmosphere across the long weekend (including some dancing at dawn). If you only do one thing, make it the Bank Holiday Monday procession when the whole town turns green and heads up to West Hill for the finale.
From Fri – Mon; various times; free
hastingstraditionaljackinthegreen.co.uk
Photo credits: John on Flickr, David Pearson on Flickr
What else?
Grab a bargain at the city’s newest car boot sale kicks off on Sunday (Brunswick Primary School, 10am – 2pm). Join English Disco Lovers at the Electro Retro Disco Fluorescent Ball at Spiegelgardens for a night of retro excess complete with fluoro painting team to get you glowing under the UV lights (Sun; 9.30pm; £13). Head to Patterns on Monday for a night of chap-hop featuring the inimitable Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer, Professor Elemental and Thomas Benjamin Wild Esq (7pm; £17). Check out the private view of the Adelaide Salon x Brighton Festival collab, which sees Brighton Dome’s Founder’s Room become a dedicated space for experimental art. Act 0 – Where The Artist Ends And The Artwork Begins explores authorship, intimacy and how art is made (Sun; 5.30pm – 8pm; free; email theadelaidesalon@gmail.com to attend). Or take yourself to the launch party for Willy’s Philly’s (cheese steaks) and The Loser Store (vintage clothing) with tunes from DJ Billy Nasty, and drinks all afternoon (Sun; 3pm – 7pm; free; St Peter’s Street). Sunday sorted.
