We’ve been wondering this week how we’re still always so very surprised at the fact that it’s rainy/windy/sunny/dark/cold (delete as appropriate) at any given moment. “I can’t believe how dark it is already” we’ve said in numerous conversations this week. It’s the end of the summer, OF COURSE it’s getting darker. It literally happens every year. Why are we like this? Answers on a postcard, please. Meteorological musings aside, we’re firmly into the first week of autumn and loving the slight chill in the air, the changing colours and the quieter beaches. Although we could do without the shorter days if anyone has any influence there. Distracting us from the weather this weekend are plenty of workshops, plus fashion, foodie and flunking fun. Come on in…
Get your (dwyle) flunk on
Say what now? Yes, dwyle flunking (also written dwile flonking). We’re recommending a trip to the legendary Lewes Arms this weekend for the last edition of 2024 of this fabulously eccentric event. Originating in East Anglia, dwyle flunking is possibly a rite of passage from the middle ages, or just a brilliant post-pub game for post-war pissheads. Whatever, it involves one team dancing around another while trying to avoid getting hit by a beer-soaked cloth (the dwyle) that the non-dancers try to chuck at them. It’s heaps of fun even if you’ll never quite get your head around the rules or find out who actually won.
Sunday 29th September; 1pm; free
The Lewes Arms, 1 Mount Place, Lewes, BN7 1YH
lewesarms.co.uk
Go (art) clubbing
We’re big into our creative pursuits here at BOTI Towers even if the vision in our head doesn’t always quite translate. That’s why we love Brighton-based artist and teacher Amy Isles Freeman’s Art Club. Her sessions take you back to the childlike joy of creating for creating’s sake, rather than trying to achieve a perfect work of art. And they’re So Much Fun. She holds weekly sessions at The Setting Sun and does workshops with creative retreat Run Like The Wolf, but now she’s launching a new location at The Shakespeare’s Head this Saturday. With her expert guidance, you’ll create landscapes of your favourite places in oil pastels and then use craft knives to cut out local-to-that-place plants. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or haven’t picked up a pencil since school, her sessions are always fun and the perfect opportunity to let your creativity fly in a non-judgey environment. And don’t worry if you can’t make this one, she’ll be back at The Shakie again on 19th October for some lino-printing fun!
Saturday 28th September; 2pm – 3.30pm; £15 (all materials included)
1 Chatham Place, Brighton BN1 3TP
Message Amy on Instagram or on 07920 193197 to book your spot
Wax lyrical at this new candle-making workshop
It’s the season of workshops and candles, so this is perfect timing: Taffie of candle brand Haute Flame has launched a new workshop – Sip and Wick, an introduction to candle-making. At this Sunday’s class you’ll get an intro to all the different waxes, oils and wicks (apparently getting the right wick makes a big difference) and then experiment with over 30 fragrances until you hit on a scent you like. Then you’ll get to pick two coloured tapered candles to hand-paint (matching your candle to your manicure is entirely optional although strongly recommended in our book) while your 180ml candle sets. With a vibey playlist (R&B, afrobeat, soul and jazz) and your first drink included in the ticket price, we reckon this might just be the perfect Sunday afternoon activity. As Taffie says: It just makes scents (wish we’d thought of that one).
Sunday 29th September; 2pm – 4pm; £45
The Joker, 2 Preston Road, Brighton, BN1 4QF
Buy tickets
Celebrate local sustainable fashion
It’s sustainable fashion week and Brighton Fashion Collective have organised a full week of events to mark the occasion, from talks to clothes swaps and ethical fashion catwalk shows. And there’s more this weekend, too: there’s a silent disco beach clean with Jo Godden, founder of sustainable swimwear brand Ruby Moon (Friday; 5.30pm – 7pm; from £6, includes a drink for starters. Saturday is the flagship event at Brighton Dome (Saturday; 10am – 4.30pm; free) and features a huge pop-up marketplace, runway shows, and a clothes swap (free, but book here – bring up to four items), a DIY repair space for simple alterations (book your free ticket here), styling consultations, and sewing, mending and creative lettering workshops. It all ends with a slow-fashion bang in Lewes on Sunday with a screening of RiverBlue, followed by a panel talk and another clothes swap.
Various locations, days and times until Sunday 29th September
brightonfashioncollective.org.uk
Get your fill of great wines
Sassy Sommelier, aka Etch sommelier Sam Weatherill, is back with another edition of his wine tasting pop-up, Zest Wine Club. Showcasing lesser-known regions and grapes from around the world, last month’s event was devoted to New York State wine and this time around, the focus is on Cretan wine. Sam’s turning the top floor – and roof terrace – of Trading Post into a cool wine bar for the night where you’ll have four generous pours of top-notch wines to taste in a super-relaxed setting and you’ll get to enjoy a plate of snacks (and Sam’s luscious locks) for £30.
Friday 27th September; 7pm – 11pm; £30.75
Trading Post, 40 Kensington Gardens, Brighton, BN1 4AL
sassysommelier.co.uk
Get outta town
Make the most of the early autumn (ahem) sun with a trip to the – sandy – beach. If you drive east along the coast for about an hour and a half, just past the medieval hill town of Rye, you’ll find the sand-duned enclave of Camber Sands. (Clue’s in the name.) It’s perfect for a sunny (or even not-so-sunny) weekend day trip and infinitely quieter than West Wittering in the opposite direction. Grab a cocktail picnic bag (glasses, ice, cocktails, beach blanket) from exquisitely designed dog-friendly hotel The Gallivant and find yourself a spot at the top of the dunes or on the long expanse of flat beach. For more food and drink, try gastro pub The Owl for modern European plates, head back to the adults-only Gallivant for sundowners and a cosy dinner at its destination restaurant or check out Camber Landing for local craft beer, coffee and cocktails.
What else?
Get a free hot chocolate from Knoops all day Friday if you order through the app, grab breakfast at Bayon, Hove’s newest bakery run by owner of the always-excellent Oeuf. While you’re in Hove, stay for lunch or dinner at the latest addition to the Hove restaurant scene, high-end Mexican eatery El Bolillo. Or book yourself a seat at Cafe Rust’s latest pop-up – Dog Days Street Food with chef Jesse James (Friday and Saturday; £35; email hovecaferust@gmail.com to book). Don’t miss the last weekend of Kemptown’s Secret Garden (cheese and wild garlic scones forever) and the first weekend of the pumpkin-picking fields. The fabulous botanical boutique that is Hi Cacti is having an end-of-summer yard sale at the Seven Dials store (Sunday, 10am – 3pm; free). Think everything from plants, records and candles to books, vintage and more, plus a £1 bargain bin, cheesy tunes, boozy lemonade and sunshine vibes. Check out the whimsical circus-themed automata at new expo The Mechanical Circus at the Hove Museum of Creativity (and then grab coffee and cake from Cafe Rust who are now in residence there), get your fill of electronic music at Boundary, get in some early Oktoberfest feasting and oompah-ing with an Indian twist at Easy Tiger or get pampered at Brighton’s new TGB Spa, from the makers of The Gel Bottle nail polishes.
Photo credits: CdL Creative at https://bit.ly/CdL_Pix
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