what to do this weekend: 16th – 18th november

It’s the weekend! So, yes, you got it, that means it’s time for our weekend guide. In time-honoured tradition (well, for the last couple of weeks), we like to start off as we mean to go on and that means diving head first into a plate of something delicious. There’s the new menu at The Set to enjoy, The Chocolate Cocktail Club has opened its doors, and, luckily for us, there are also two new openings today, What The Pitta (get in line for those freebies!) and tea specialist T2. When we’re not on the scoff, we’ll be enjoying the activities we’ve picked out for this weekend. Plus, don’t forget, CineCity‘s still going strong and the weather is just about cold enough to snuggle up in one of our favourite outdoor drinking spots. Get stuck in!

Secret-store-pop-up-brighton
Shopper’s delight
Back to entice us with more preloved high-end high street and designer wares is the Secret Store Pop-up. Its Winter edition is just in time for the plunging temperatures that we’re – allegedly – expecting this week. They’re on Hampton Place this time and there will be Isabel Marant galore, as well as cashmere knits, sparkly pieces and more from the likes of Jigsaw, Whistles, Ganni, Zadig et Voltaire, Chinti and Parker and Hush. There will also be jewellery by Brighton-based designer Emma Stanton and a new collaboration with Piece Together – they’ll be showcasing their stunning ethically supplied sequin (festive!) capes, which are handmade by a women’s cooperative in India. We’d recommend getting there early if you want first dibs on the best bits! Oh, and there’s mulled cider to enjoy while you browse.
Saturday 17th November, 11.00am – 2.00pm; free
18 Hampton Place, Brighton BN1 3DD

sock-brighton-vince-venus
Sock it to ’em

If you’ve not heard him on the radio, you’ve probably seen local legend Guy Lloyd around town or in his genius ‘bideos’ or two-minute telly show. But you might be less familiar with his colourful alter ego, Vince Venus, who has a bit of a penchant for towering platform boots and skin-tight catsuits. Fear not! You can catch Vince this Saturday in his other capacity (how many gigs can one man have?) as charismatic front man for glam-punk band SOCK in what’s set to be “the party to end all parties” – you heard it here first – at the Latest Music Bar. We’re not sure quite what to expect, but from the look of this photo and Guy/Vince’s style, we reckon it’s going to be a pretty darn good night out. You can also see reformed Brighton electro-poppers Kovak (think Goldfrapp and you’re not too far off) and dance your socks off to tunes from their pop-up DJ. And, as all proceeds will be going to Gig Buddies, who support people with special needs to help them have a more fulfilling social life, there’s no excuse not to really. Get in quick, though, there aren’t many tickets left!
Saturday 17th November, 8.00pm (Kovak at 9.00pm, SOCK at 10.00pm); £7.15
The Latest Music Bar, 14-17 Manchester Street, Brighton BN2 1TF
SOCK

brighton-vegan-festival

Get planted
This is Brighton so, yes, we do have rather a lot of vegan festivals. We’re not complaining though! And, guess what, there’s another one this weekend but it’s a bit different. First of all, it’s held in the beautiful surroundings of The Grand Hotel and, secondly, it’s organised by Farplace Animal Rescue so all ticket proceeds will go to the brilliant charity which helps animals that have been rejected elsewhere. As well as a host of sweet and savoury vegan foodie delights, stalls and demos, there will be talks on marine conservation, the benefits of a vegan diet and the latest research on using plants as a natural alternative to traditional HRT options. And you can indulge in a spot of ethical shopping, too, as a whole host of independent brands will be selling their goods on the day. We’re particularly looking forward to seeing Hoarder & Maker‘s brilliant stamped cutlery (we definitely need a Mother Forker fork in our lives), and vegan make-up brand Righteous Beauty. There’s plenty for kids to enjoy, too, with a kids’ zone offering free entertainment, including a Christmassy sand art workshop (we’re hoping they’ll let the adults have a go as well).
Sunday 18th November, 10.30am – 5.00pm; standard entrance £3, VIP entry with 10am entry and goodie bag £15, under-16s free
Brighton Vegan Festival, The Grand Hotel, 97-99 King’s Road, Brighton BN1 2FW
brightonveganfestival.com

vintage-kilo-brighton

Weighty stuff
More shopping, you say? We know, but we’d always rather buy vintage and preloved so we didn’t want you to miss out on this vintage kilo sale that’s descending on Brighton this Sunday. Just in time for us to give our winter wardrobes a refresh for bargainous prices! Organised by vintage specialists Worth The Weight, you’ll get a bag on your way in and pay just £15 per kilo (careful, though, the weight soon adds up when you’re stockpiling vintage faux-fur goodies). You don’t have to pay that much, mind, as there are items starting at 75p. There’s plenty to choose from with high-quality men’s and women’s threads and accessories from the 60s to 90s up for sale. Plus, they’re bringing six tonnes of goods with them and will be restocking on a rolling basis, so there’s no need to sharpen those elbows. If you do want to be first to rummage through the garb, you can buy early-bird access, but all advance ticket holders get to queue jump. Phew. We’d definitely recommend this if the last vintage sale there is anything to go by – the queues snaked around the block!
Sunday 18th November, 11.00am – 5.00pm; early bird access (11.00 – midday) £3, general entry from midday £1.50
The Open Market, Marshalls Row, Brighton BN1 4JU
Worth The Weight

story-party-brighton
Tell us a story

What’s your story? How did you meet? Yep, we’ve all had those questions. But whether your dating history was a smooth fast road to true love (tell us your secret!) or a rocky nightmare with invisible potholes and unexpected cliff edges, we reckon it’s always fascinating to hear other people’s dating tales. Especially if they’re on the bad side of disastrous or awkward. It just makes us feel better about our own dating nightmares. Because it can, generally,  always be a helluva lot worse, right? We’re obviously not the only ones who delight in this as Story Party have created a whole event on that exact thing. The night revolves around unbelievable-but-true dating stories, from ghosting and catfishing to first date and splitting-the-bill disasters, all told by professional storytellers and guaranteed to make you laugh and cringe. Probably at the same time. Plus, if you’ve got a dating story anything like these and you’d like to share it, you can write it down on the casual confessions slips on the night or send it in beforehand here. Don’t worry, though, it’s completely anonymous. The storytellers will read them out, so you don’t have to admit to anything. Unless you want to, of course!
Sunday 18th November, 7.00pm – 10.00pm; £20
Story Party Brighton, The Quadrant, 12-13 North Street, Brighton BN1 3GJ
Story Party Brighton