The sun is shining! And it’s been doing so most of the week! AND it’s May! Ok, enough weather-related excitement (and exclamation marks), but the lack of crappy weather has had the same effect as five cups of coffee on us. Anyway, we’ve got one bank holiday behind us and another to look forward to, but until then, there’s loads to get stuck into this weekend, from fabulous Fringe fun to foodie fantasies.
You may have heard that Soliflore, the expertly curated perfume boutique in the Seven Dials, had to close. They’re planning a version two, but in the meantime, you can support them and get a sniff of the seriously good stuff at a pop-up this Sunday. They’ll be bringing bestsellers, such as the rhubarb-y delight that is Pony Boy, floriental Queer Magic and the citrusy Kabosu, as well as new heaven-scent (pun totally intended) goodies from Jorum Studios and Gallivant. Sick of smelling like everyone else? You need Soliflore’s niche beauties in your life!
Sunday 12th May; 10am – 2pm; free
You Juice, 48 Brunswick Street East, Hove, BN3 1AU
Soliflore
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. This Sunday Swedish meatball faves Mama’s Meetballs are making a welcome return with more of their banging (meat and vegan) balls, plus burgers, loaded fries, cinnamon buns, and a generous helping of good vibes.
Sunday 12th May; 1pm – 9pm
Kitgum Kitchen, 9 Preston Road, Brighton, BN1 4QE
DM to book
Want to rummage through vintage clothes and accessories for bargains? Then check out the kilo sale that’s back at St Bartholomew’s Church this Saturday. It’s £20 a kilo, but there’s no minimum spend, so you can get just one item if you like. Stock’s replenished all day, but there are early bird tickets for £3 if you want to be the first to get your hands on the best bits.
Saturday 11th May; 11am; from £2; dogs on leads allowed
St Bartholomew’s Church, Ann Street, Brighton, BN1 4GP
Book tickets
We know, we know, you can’t move for pre-loved shopping events these days, but this is one of the original and best ones, not to mention the most stylish, in our opinion. Secret Store Pop-Up will be bringing a whole host of pre-loved designer goodies (Isabel Marant, Chloe, Ganni, etc), as well as discounted brand-new skincare. She’ll be joined by Circle Boutique, Styling by Bec and Woven Store who’ll have more pre-loved excellence in store. And if you head along on Friday evening, you’ll get a glass of the bubbly stuff, too.
Friday 10th May, 5.30pm – 8pm and Saturday 11th May, 10am – 4pm; free
Studio 50 Hove, 50 Brunswick Street West, Hove, BN3 1EL
studio50hove.com
Unbarred Brewery has just launched its super-fruity (clue’s in the name) Big Joosy DIPA. They’re celebrating the return of the totally tropical brew with a talk and tasting followed by an old-school hip hop night. We’re not big beer drinkers, but we went to the last one and loved it (the Mango Pale Ale is another easy-drinking winner). You’ll get introduced to the Unbarred story, its beers and given three 1/3 pints to taste, including the beer of the hour, Big Joosy. Beery good times await!
Friday 10th May; 6pm – 7pm; £10 (DJ from 7pm; free)
19 – 23 Elder Place, Brighton, BN1 4GF
unbarredbrewery.com
It’s world walking month, so Flow State in Hove are leading a walk after their 10.30am Sunday Session yoga class. You’ll depart at 12.15pm from their gorgeous studio towards Sea Lanes for a hopefully sunny bevvy at Bison Beer and Fika. You don’t need to do the yoga to join, but we’d highly recommend them if you’re after a good class. And, this week, you can bring along a friend who hasn’t been to the studio yet to try a class for free (email Flow State to find out how).
Sunday 12th May; 10.30am (class) and 12.15pm (walk); from free (reserve your spot online), but donations to Mental Health Mates invited
48 Brunswick Street West, Hove, BN3 1EL
flowstate-hove.com
Cheese-laden songs, spangly costumes, blatant favouritism and a whole lot of camp, yes, Eurovision is back. And where better to get stuck into the action than a special event that combines a live screening, Euro classics, trivia with prizes and all the fun stuff? Quizzy with Izzy is your host for the night at Preston Road’s Crown and Anchor, which also has a lovely little outdoor terrace to escape to if the cheese gets a bit too migraine-inducing.
Saturday 11th May, from 7pm; free, but worth booking a table
213 Preston Road, Brighton BN1 6SA
Book a table
The Fitzherbert Hub in Kemptown is back with another tasty brunch to fund the great work that do providing pay-as-you-feel meals to the local community. This time around, they’re cooking a Mexican-inspired veggie feast. You’ll get a veggie chilli bowl with tacos and salsa, chocolate fudge cake, coffee and Mariachi music for just £12.
Saturday 11th May; 12.30pm – 2.30pm; £12
2 Bristol Road, Brighton, BN2 1AP
Buy tickets
As well as the continuation of the Artists Open Houses this weekend, there’s a new exhibition opening at 35 North Gallery. Pavlov and the Kingdom of Dogs looks at the untold stories of the dogs of the famous Russian physiologist-psychologist who discovered classical conditioning. You’ll find dioramas showcasing Pavlov’s unsettling live dog experiments in miniature, audio guides and, apparently, an action hero with accessories!
Private view on Friday 10th May, 6pm – 8pm; Saturday 11th May, 11am – 5.30pm; exhibition on until 7th June
35 North Gallery, North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YN
35northgallery.com
We’ve had some of our best Fringe experiences when we just turned up at a random venue without any idea of what we were seeing. But if you’re looking for some more concrete ideas, our 2023 Fringe faves Tea and Toast Improv are back with Bla Bla Land on Friday and their new show Hitch Your Wagon on Sunday. Dark comedy musical Call Me Daddy is on at the new Fool’s Paradise venue (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) where you can also see another of our favourite shows from last year, Godz (Friday and Saturday). Spiegeltent is separate from the Fringe this year, but we’d also highly recommend a trip to feminist collective Clap Back For Carers (Friday and Saturday). Want some more inspo? Check out our reviews to see what else we’re loving so far…
Various dates, times and prices
brightonfringe.org
Indie venue Komedia is all grown up. They’ve turned 30 and, to celebrate, they’ve got a jam-packed weekend full of events, from crime-themed improv to comedy from Live At The Apollo star Laura Smyth, special editions of their comedy club, and a Northern Soul club night. They’ve also got a birthday competition on the go – you can win access to any Komedia event for an entire year.
Various dates, times and prices
44 – 47 Gardner Street, Brighton, BN1 1UN
komedia.co.uk
If you didn’t get The Great Escape tickets, there’s plenty of absolutely free alternative music options next week: The Fake Escape at The Prince George (Wednesday – Saturday), The Greatest Ape at Bella Union Vinyl shop (Thursday – Saturday), Slackscape (Friday), and The Alternative Escape (Thursday). What else? White Wall Cinema are back with another edition of their secret movie club on Wednesday with an optional post-film discussion group. They show a rarely seen, but excellent, film and this one is all about good vs evil… Not to be missed! And in other filmic news, Video Affects have got their night of movie-oriented talks on next week (Thursday).