It’s almost time for a super-early Shove Tuesday, swiftly followed by Valentine’s Day, but before then, we’ve got a jam-packed weekend to enjoy. So forget the seemingly incessant rain and end the week on a high with our top picks of what’s going on in Brighton, from Chinese New Year celebrations to improv and filmic fun.
Explore Hove’s magical cinematic past
Welcome to the Wonderlab – a project hosted by Hove Museum to celebrate the city’s rich cinematic past. This weekend, you’ll have a chance to meet the artists behind new multimedia artworks inspired by pioneering 19th century Hove filmmakers George Albert Smith and James Williamson. You’ll have the opportunity to get creative yourself, too – the museum’s incredible film and media archive might be all the inspiration you need.
Saturday 10th to Monday 12th February; 10am – 4pm; free
Hove Museum of Creativity, 19 New Church Road, Hove, BN3 4AB
brightonmuseums.org.uk
Get the laughs in at a comedy club
It’s been a bit of a washout of a week, so we reckon a hefty dose of comedy is just what’s needed. Happily, intimate comedy club Artista Café and Gallery are back with their Saturday Secret Comedy Club. (Not-so-secret any more, because it’s great!) You can get up close and personal with a bunch of award-winning comedians and excellent rising stars at the friendly venue. They keep their comedy cards close to their chests, only revealing the line-up on the day of the show, which we agree adds an extra frisson of excitement as you don’t know quite what you’re going to get.
Saturday 10th February; 6pm or 8.30pm; from £7.50
Artista Café and Gallery, 42 Brighton Square, Brighton, BN1 1HD
Book tickets
Celebrate the Chinese New Year in style
Start the Year of the Wood Dragon right at Brighton’s seafront food market. The Lunar New Year is on Saturday, so Shelter Hall are celebrating with three traditional lion dance performances and some (as-yet-undisclosed) ‘menu twists’ for the occasion. While you’re there, we’d recommend checking out the food hall’s latest offerings, too. London chef Jay Morjaria’s Mumbai street food concept Shabash is popping up there until 5pm on Sunday.
Saturday 10th February; 6.30pm and 8pm and Sunday 11th February; 6pm; free.
Shelter Hall, 152 – 154 Kings Road Arches, Brighton, BN1 1NB
Book here
Enjoy a night of improv
They stole BOTI’s heart last year and now they’re here to do it again. Yep, local improvisation troupe Tea and Toast Improv are back with Bla Bla Land – an improvised musical tale of love. But you’ve got to put a little bit of work in to get the good stuff: you’ll be pushed to explore your own creativity as the cast make the audience choose key details. The talented gang then make up the story, songs and dance moves right on the spot, in front of you. Talent? They’ve got it in spades. So if you missed them at the Brighton Fringe in 2023, now’s your chance to rectify that error…
Saturday 10th February; 7.30pm – 9pm; from £6
The Actors, 4 Prince’s Street, Kemptown, BN2 1RD
Book here
Get Brazilian carnival vibes in Brighton
Close your eyes. Picture yourself holding a Caipirinha, listening and dancing to samba without a care in the world… This could be your Sunday evening. Verdict Jazz Club are paying tribute to the colourful Rio celebrations with a carnival special featuring a live performance from Brighton-based samba circle Samba Roda Viva with delicious feijoada, aka black bean stew, and plenty of cocktails on the menu. Grab your dancing shoes, warm up your vocal cords, and get set for a joyful evening. Brazilian weather sadly not included.
Sunday 11th February; 5pm – 8pm; £12 (entry + a portion of feijoada)
The Verdict Jazz Club, 159 Edward Street, Brighton, BN2 0JB
Book here
Thrift your favourite pieces at a vintage pop-up
Vintage pros Glass Onion are on tour and they’re stopping in Brighton for the first time. They’re well known for having rare pieces in stock, but they also take recycling to another level. Thanks to their in-house factory, they’re able to repair or repurpose damaged items, turning them into unique desirable pieces, gaining them the British Fashion Council’s Changemakers prize in the process. This Sunday, get set for a bumper shopping experience with over 40 rails and thousands of items to shop from. It’s going to be a popular one, so it’s worth booking your shopping slot ahead of time. Ready, steady, shop!
Sunday 11th February; 10.30am – 4pm; from free
St Augustine’s Arts and Events Centre, Stanford Avenue, Brighton, BN1 6EA
glass-onion.com
Head to a pop-up filled with balls, booze and buns
BOTI faves Kitgum Kitchen’s adventure started thanks to pop-ups in other restaurants and now they’re paying it forward, lending new food ventures their space on the days they’re closed. For their inaugural pop-up, Swedish meatball faves Mama’s Meetballs are back with more of their banging (meat and vegan) balls, plus burgers, loaded fries, and a generous helping of good vibes. Hope you’re hungry!
Sunday 11th and Monday 12th February; 5pm – 9pm
Kitgum Kitchen, 9 Preston Road, Brighton, BN1 4QE
DM to book
Need more?
Head to the front of Churchill Square for 3pm on Saturday for a colourful surprise, see the stars on the seafront with South Downs National Park on Saturday night, get your hands on free chai and free-ice-cream, too!
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