BN1 MAGAZINE DEC-JAN 2019 by BN1 Magazine

THE GUIDE TO BRIGHTON & HOVE DEC-JAN 2019

WINTER EDITION XMAS THEATRE THE VACCINES BEST ROASTS 2018 REVIEW NYE GUIDE THE SET CHARD

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DECEMBER 2018 - JANUARY 2019 TH E FES TI VE I SS U E 6

NEWS

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COMPETITIONS THE GOOD BOOKS LIST

MUSIC

THE VACCINES

CIEL

CLUBBING

BN1 INVESTIGATES: WHAT’S HAPPENING TO ALL THE MUSIC VENUES IN BRIGHTON?

COMEDY

THEATRE

FESTIVE SPECIAL 24

CHRISTMAS WITH 1927: THE ANIMALS AND CHILDREN TOOK TO THE STREETS QUEER PANTO COMES TO MARLBOROUGH WITH A PAIR OF PANTOS YOUR GUIDE TO THE OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY: DO’S AND DON’TS CELEBRITIES SHARE THEIR BEST BITS ABOUT CHRISTMAS

NYE GUIDE

PREDICTIONS FOR 2019

THE YEAR AHEAD: DATES TO PUT IN YOUR CALENDAR FOR 2019

SIMEON ASTON @ DYNAMITE

FOOD NEWS

BEST ROASTS IN BRIGHTON

OUR PICK OF TOP VEGAN EATS

THE SET LAUNCH A LA CARTE MENU

CHARD REOPENS IN PERMANENT HOME

YOUJUICE

NUTRITIONIST’S GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS EATING

THE NEW UNITY

IS HUEL ALL IT’S CRACKED UP TO BE?

BN1 TRIES... FLOATATION THERAPY

TV & FILM

CROSSWORD

A NOTE FROM THE EDITORS... Most of you are regularly travelling home in darkness, but things will start to reverse soon. The shortest day is on Fri 21 Dec, with this year’s earliest sunset dropping about a week before and the latest sunrise soaring about a week after. A month later, daylight hours start noticeably increasing – adding (very) roughly an extra 15 min per day each week. This varies depending on your latitudinal position and the actual date. All of this is very much averaged out, as is the working model of time. Construct a clock according to true time, accounting for the drunken elliptical orbit of an Earth travelling at a varying velocity, and our tiny human minds would not be able to cope. Right now, Brighton is miscalculating noon (the exact moment when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky) by as much as 14 min – even more if you live in Northland. This system does somehow work, but do you ever truly know what time it is? Digression aside, when our next issue arrives days will be getting undeniably lighter. Britain is on the verge of rising from the cold and gloom. That’s nature doing its bit, anything else is entirely up to you. DAILY UPDATES AT WWW.BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK /

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES: Want to become part of the BN1 Magazine team or submit articles, content and images? Various internships are available for local writers, photographers, marketing, creative types and enthusiasts to join Brighton’s leading culture and events magazine! Just email your CV and a little about yourself to the office: info@bn1magazine.co.uk All rights reserved including rights of reproduction and use in any form or by any means, including the making of copies by any photo process or by any electronic or mechanical device (printed, written or oral), unless permission in writing is obtained from the copyright proprietor. All textual content, design graphics, images and specific photographs used in the magazine are copyright © BN1 Media Ltd 2018. BN1 Magazine has taken every reasonable care to ensure the information contained within this periodical is accurate on the date of publication. It is advisable that you verify any information before relying upon it. BN1 Magazine accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any damage or loss suffered by users of the information, materials or third parties featured within this magazine.

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TOM’S BEER FEST

EVENTS NEWS WHAT’S ON IN BRIGHTON AND HOVE THIS MONTH

SAT 2 – SUN 3 FEB 2019 THE OLD MARKET

THE LEWIS FAMILY CHRISTMAS HOUR TUES 11 DEC THE LATEST BAR

An evening of seasonal songs and entertainment is coming to Brighton. Legendary broadcaster Sir Martyn Lewis will be reading Dylan Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales and tell a few tales to lighten the spirits. He is joined by musical group The Lewis Sisters, which consists of his daughter Sylvie, Sharon Lewis (ex Pooka) and Carrie Lewis, who’ll weave harmonic magic with festive tunes and classic songs. His younger daughter Kate Lewis will also do a reading, and there’ll be plenty of mulled wine, mince pies and [Lewis] Carols to enjoy.

This brand-new two-day beer festival will feature beers from both Brightonbased brewers and those from further afield, as well as live music and popup food stalls. This is the first in a line of brand-new festival events that pay tribute to the venue’s roots as a marketplace. Rob Hogg, TOM’s bar manager, said: “This event is going to be all about enjoying the best beer around in a chilled atmosphere. We’ve got brews from the likes of Cloudwater, Holler Boys, Siren, Brighton Bier, Tiny Rebel, plus loads more brewers to be announced. To be able to pay homage to the origins of the venue and put on an event like this at the same time is a real treat and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to TOM for a weekend of relaxed vibes and great hops.” Tickets for TOM’s Beer Fest are on sale now via The Old Market Box Office.

FEATURING THIS MONTH T2 TEA POP UP

Australian loose leaf tea specialist T2 has popped up in Brighton’s Duke Street until March 2019. With more than 200 brews on offer, alongside striking ranges of teaware and accessories, T2 is known for its exciting and thoroughly modern take on Britain’s favourite national drink. Priding themselves on doing tea differently, T2’s expert team will be on hand to help customers discover and explore an exciting new world of tea. Tasting, smelling and blending is not only okay when visiting in-store, 6

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THOR’S TIPI BAR Open until 31 Dec,

it’s fully encouraged! We’re already aiming to try all 200 over the next four months...

this cosy tipi has set up shop right in the centre of town in Jubilee Square. Here you’ll find all the usual suspects on the menu, plus a very special hot choc-tails list to warm the cockles and help you forget about the freezing weather outside. There’s also mulled cider and Scandinavian-themed glühwein, served with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and spices. Did we mention there’s also a fire pit? Walk-ins welcome, but it does get busy. Email brighton@thorstipi.com for reservations.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT...

BRIGHTON TATTOO CONVENTION

BRIGHTON COMEDY COURSE THE WINDMILL PUB

With the New Year dropping, you might be tempted by some fresh body art, but not sure where to head for advice or inspiration. Now in its 12th year, Brighton Tattoo Convention returns in 2019 bigger, bolder and brighter. Taking place in the south’s largest exhibition centre, this internationally recognised event draws together over 300 exceptional artists, scores of traders, exhibitions and thousands of visitors. There’ll be even more to look forward to in February, including exciting parties, collaborations and presentations.

Whether you’re gagging for a laugh or pitching for business, Brighton Comedy Course can help you break out of your comfort zone and put on the performance of a lifetime. Their coaching is designed to enhance confidence, delivery and timing, offering insights into speech writing, public speaking, creative writing and performance skills. Relaxed and friendly, sessions are designed to help explore your genius and help you shine. The year starts with a course to help you Pitch & Present for Success on Fri 18 Jan, with a beginner’s comedy course taking place on Tues 22 Jan. If you’ve wanted to stand out from the crowd, this could be your chance.

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL 5 FEB & 1 APRIL BRIGHTON DOME

The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is celebrating a 10th year of touring the UK and Ireland. It’ll be bringing over 100 adrenaline-packed shows to almost 60 venues this year. The Tour features two different collections of brand-new films from the world’s most intrepid directors, starring pioneers and explorers tackling extraordinary expeditions in the wildest corners of the planet. These cutting-edge adventure films are selected from hundreds entered in the prestigious Banff Mountain Film Festival, which takes place every November in Canada’s Rocky Mountains.

ON THE RADAR WHAT’S THE CHAT IN THE BN1 OFFICES THIS YEAR’S CHRISTMAS ADVERTS John Lewis splits us right down the middle in the offices, with only half of us loving the story of Elton John’s life-changing gift.

97 MILLION PUBLISHED SONGS IN THE WORLD And we can’t decide whether Bloodhound Gang’s entire back catalogue belongs in the top or bottom half.

CULTIVATING MASS FOR THE WINTER At least, that’s what we keep telling everyone about the extra pounds creeping on over the festive period. It makes us more cuddly, okay!? THE FALL OF CADBURY’S CHOCOLATE Seriously though, when did it get so foul? No Roses or Heroes for us this Christmas.

THE NEVER-ENDING DRAMA OF BREXIT What happens when you let the Daily Mail comment section attempt to run a country. NEW POKEMON GAMES Tbh we’d do almost anything to walk around with an Eevee or Pikachu on our heads all day.

www.brightonstandupcomedy.co.uk

SAT 23 – SUN 24 FEB BRIGHTON CENTRE

THE NEVER-ENDING DRAMA OF BREXIT What happens when you let the Daily Mail comment section attempt to run a country.

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LEAVE YOUR WORRIES IN THE CLOUDS WITH I360 & HARSPA

N WITH O T H G I R B E EXPLOR N1 BOARD GAME THE ZOMB

Fight zombies, rescue survivors, and explore and escape Brighton in the last train out of town. Unless you’re the zombie player, in which case stop anyone getting away, and overrun the city with the dead. ZomBN1 is the follow-up to BN1, and sees the city in the thrall of an undead uprising. Players score points by completing objectives, winning fights, and doing all sorts of good/bad deeds along the way. The first player to score 50 points and reach Brighton Station wins. This is the 2nd edition of the game and as such comes with new cards, including 3 new decks which add special traits for survivors and zombies alike, and a nightmare mode. There’s also new areas on the board to explore, a slightly refined combat system, and a 2 player mode. BN1 has partnered with the team behind ZOMBN1 to offer a very special prize to one of our readers, who will win ZOMBN1 along with a copy of the original board game upon which it was based, BN1. All you have to do is answer the following question over on our website: Q: What was 2017’s zombie walk in Brighton called?

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The British Airways i360 has launched a new partnership with HarSPA at Brighton Harbour Hotel, meaning for the first time a flight to the skies can be accompanied by an indulgent spa treatment for a relaxing day out in the city. The ultimate way to ‘rise above it all’ means guests on the British Airways i360 board a giant glass observation pod and glide up gently to 450ft, sharing magical moments together as they admire the landscape and coastline below. Meanwhile HarSPA, gback on the ground, is a luxury underground spa at Brighton Harbour Hotel with six luxurious treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, rainforest showers, two Scandinavian ‘togetherness’ hot tubs, areas of rest and relaxation, an extensive gym and a range of indulgent treatments. To celebrate this exciting offering, we’ve partnered with the British Airways i360 to give one of our lucky readers everything described above, with one winner being given a flight aboard the pod and £50 to spend in HARspa on treatments of their choice. All you have to do is answer the following question on our website: In which year did the British Airways i360 launch?

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Independent Hove book shop City Books lists their bestsellers for this month...

2 0 1 9 F E S T I VA L

Europe’s leading festival for new music, The Great Escape showcases 500 emerging artists from all over the world in 30+ walkable venues across the city. It’s the place for catching up-and-coming acts before they get big, with artists such as Adele, Rag’N’Bone Man and Ed Sheeran all having taken to TGE stages. We’ve teamed up with the folks behind the festival to offer a pair of tickets to its 2019 offering, all you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is answer the following question: Q: Which year marked the first ever Great Escape festival?

SANDI TOKSVIG TICKETS Sandi Toksvig is bringing her brand new, one-woman comedy show to Brighton Dome. Sandi realises some people harbour an ambition to be a National Treasure but following a misunderstanding with a friend has decided instead to become a National Trevor – half misprint, half Danish comedian, novelist, actor and broadcaster. Expect tall stories, fascinatingly funny facts, really silly jokes, a quick fire Q&A and a quiz. Don’t expect tapdancing, leotards or a forward roll... BN1 has collaborated with Brighton Dome to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a pair of tickets to the show on Thurs 31 Jan - to enter just answer the following question: Q: Which Channel 4 TV programme does Sandi present?

1 2 3

CHAMBER MUSIC: ABOUT THE WU-TANG (IN 36 PIECES) BY WILL ASHON Inspired by the groundbreaking debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) from Will Ashon, covering a whole range of topics from the FBI’s war on drugs to the history of jazz. ‘An explosive and revelatory new way of writing about music and culture.’ UNSHELTERED BY BARBARA KINGSOLVER The new novel from bestselling author Barbara Kingsolver is set in the Utopian town of Vineland, and follows two timelines, in 2016 and 1871. Willa Knox is fascinated with the history of her house and its original inhabitants. A moving look at human resilience and the ways in which we can connect and understand each other better. MARY POPPINS BY P.L. TRAVERS, ILLUSTRATED BY LAUREN CHILD A beautiful new edition of the classic story, illustrated by Children’s Laureate Lauren Child. It’s a lovely large hardback with a foreword by the illustrator, discussing her approach to the story and her love of Mary Poppins. An ideal Christmas gift - especially as City Books has copies signed by Lauren herself!

4 5

THE TRUTH PIXIE BY MATT HAIG ‘Just as cats go miaow and cows go moo, the Truth Pixie can only say things that are true...’ The latest children’s book from Matt Haig, illustrated by Chris Mould - the duo behind A Boy Called Christmas and The Girl Who Saved Christmas. A sweet, rhyming story for younger readers about how one special pixie learns to love herself. WHISKEY IN A TEACUP BY REESE WITHERSPOON The new book from international treasure Reese Witherspoon is full of wisdom, recipes and Southern hospitality. The title comes from Reese’s grandmother, who said that ‘it was a combination of beauty and strength that made Southern women ‘whiskey in a teacup’.’ City Books has signed (that’s right, signed by Reese Witherspoon!) copies in stock but they’re sure to go quickly so don’t miss out!

THE FESTIVE ISSUE

BN1 CHOICE

MUSIC (C) Brad Elterman

The start of 2019 sees indie rock band The Vaccines embark upon their next UK tour, and the Brighton Dome is one of their first ports of call. After a manic 2018 which saw the band take on their own extensive world tour, open for the Rolling Stones’ concert in Southampton and support Imagine Dragons on their European stadium tour, The Vaccines will be hitting the road once again to continue to promote their latest album Combat Sports. Containing only 11 dates, the tour of the band who have sold over a million records worldwide will be sure to sell out fast. (C) Max Fairclough

FRI 25 JAN

THE VACCINES BRIGHTON DOME

WEDS 23 JAN

SAT 15 DEC

TUES 29 JAN

JOOLS HOLLAND BRIGHTON CENTRE

CANCER BATS THE HAUNT

THE FAIM THE HAUNT

Jools Holland will be boogieing his way through Britain this winter as part of his UK tour with his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, hitting our very own Brighton Centre in the run up to Christmas. A complete virtuoso, blues legend BB King once said of the pianist: “I didn’t think anybody could play like that. He’s got a left hand that never stops.” Catch the genius in action this month.

With 13 years under their belt including five acclaimed studio albums, three Juno Award nominations and countless tours around the globe, Canadian hardcore metal punks Cancer Bats have become a wellknown force in the world of heavy music. Bringing their sixth studio album to Brighton, the self-released The Spark That Moves, fans will be able to see the band embark on the latest stage of their career.

Australian pop/punk/alternative band The Faim will be returning to Brighton to play The Haunt next month, following a successful stint at The Great Escape Festival earlier this year. Citing esteemed bands of similar genres as influences such as All Time Low, Blink 182, Fall Out Boy and A Day to Remember, The Faim will be sure to bring their own pop punk anthems to the UK.

SOEUR Tues 11 Dec, Green Door Store: Explore the sounds of pop drenched in grunge and math rock, reminiscent of Nirvana, PJ Harvey and The Mars Volta. BLOOM (WECANBLOOM) Weds 19 Dec, Hope & Ruin: Dreamy femme-fronted band Bloom experiment with harmonies, syncopation and synthesisers to make magical indie pop.

GRACE CARTER Fri 21 Dec, The Haunt: Brightonraised soulstress hits The Haunt with sounds reminiscent of Lauryn Hill and Nina Simone. LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Sat 12 Jan, Brighton Dome: LPO’s 2018-2019 season continues with nostalgic inspiration through Brahms’ Violin Concerto and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9.

LISTINGS GENTLY TENDER Sun 2 Dec, Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar: Ex-Palma Violets and The Big Moon bods collide, bringing moody psychedelic rock to the depth of Sticky Mike’s. SKINDRED Sun 9 Dec, Concorde 2: Get ready to jump into 20 years of this Welsh sextet’s diverse musical history, which spans metal, rock and reggae. 10

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M U S I C

THE VACCINES BY SOPHIE WILLIAMS

2018 may have been an ordinary year for many people worldwide, but for The Vaccines, this year has been quite the opposite. Extraordinary, if you will. From supporting Imagine Dragons on their European stadium tour to opening for the Rolling Stones at their show in Southampton, to say indie rock band The Vaccines have had a turbulent and busy eleven months would be an understatement. They’ve been so busy in fact, it took us two attempts to get hold of bassist Arni Arnason, who had to reschedule our interview as he was just about to go on stage to play at a festival in Shanghai. On the second attempt we caught him in Thailand, where he had a couple of hours spare until he had to go and play another show. “Can you hear me?” he queries. “I’m in the middle of a festival field in Thailand.” Of course he is. After the release of their most recent album Combat Sports, which dropped earlier this year, Arnason tells us how much of a struggle it was to get the album “where we wanted it to be”, especially after their drummer Pete Robertson decided to call it a day.

The absence of Robertson posed an uncertainty within the band, Arnason says: “We had to decide whether the album was something we wanted to pursue, whether there was anything we wanted to change. It was a case of how do we approach this and who do we want to be?” A major change like this will of course exude doubts internally, as the bassist explains it was an obstacle as full frontal as one could imagine and needed major thought and attention. Arnason said of 12

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the matter: “The process just gave us a lot of self-reflection. Combat Sports is a really self-reflective record. It is about life.”

there’s a broad sense of joy that is really prevalent at the moment and that’s something I can’t wait to bring to the UK in the new year.”

Some might say that the departure of Robertson was what led The Vaccines on a path back to their rock and roll, power pop roots, something that has since proved both popular and successful for the band. “Returning to our original sound was by no means a step backwards for us,” Arnason confirms. “It felt more like a celebration of us, you know? It honed in on what we were good at and embraced the aspects of what makes us a good band, and ultimately, I think we are a good band.”

The Vaccines will embark on a 14date tour in 2019, with Brighton being one of their first stops. After a string of international festivals, January will see the band playing their own headline shows each night, something they haven’t been able to do in months.

“It was a case of how do we approach (the album) and who do we want to be?” The release of the Vaccine’s latest single All My Friends Are Falling in Love is a prime example of this, the distinct guitar-led sounds and catchy pop chorus re-cementing the band at the forefront of the UK’s indie-rock scene. Speaking of their new single, their longevity as a band and their forthcoming tour, Arnason says: “Over the last eight years we’ve accumulated fans for very different reasons. There’s a nostalgic fan who we meant a lot to when they were eighteen in college and there’s a new fan who has just discovered our new album, but in the midst of all this,

Being no strangers to festivals, the band has spent many a summer playing the UK circuit. After eight years and four albums in however, the indie rock band are still yet to secure their debut festival headline. With Stormzy’s Glastonbury headline slot having just been announced with just one album to his name, curiosity overwhelmed us and we wanted to listen to Arnason’s take on the matter. “I think it’s fucking cool,” he enthuses, “I think it’s about time. How many albums you’ve done means nothing compared to your social and cultural importance and having a grime star headlining somewhere like Glastonbury, I think it’s about time.” We seem to have touched upon a topic that The Vaccines bassist feels very passionate about, his dynamic responses spilling through the phone at a hundred miles an hour. Already extremely bubbly and chatty, you can tell this is a topic he really wants to talk about. “You just seem to have recycled headliners now,” he says, “It’s always three rock bands and a heritage act and that’s about it. When you look at festival headliners these days I feel like I could probably

SOPHIE WILLIAMS TALKS TO THE BAND’S BASSIST ARNI ARNASON ABOUT THE DEPARTURE OF THE BAND’S DRUMMER, ITS SUBSEQUENT EFFECT ON THEIR FOURTH STUDIO ALBUM, PLUS THEIR REACTION TO STORMZY AT GLASTO... guess them year by year and 80% of the time get them right.” With Glastonbury being the most iconic platform and headline slot in the UK festival scene, it is refreshing to see an artist that doesn’t fit the typical ‘rock band’ criteria being presented the opportunity. “I’m super happy that Stormzy is doing it,” he says, “I think it’s fucking awesome.” Even without the Glastonbury headline slot, The Vaccines have been and are still incredibly successful in their own right. Having sold over one million records worldwide and having

supported legendary artists such as The Stone Roses, Arctic Monkeys and Muse, The Vaccines are very much a well-loved British national treasure. “It’s just so incredibly flattering and so full of emotion to be appreciated the way we are,” Arnason tells us, “when you meet people who look at you as an inspiration, it really is surreal and very humbling.”

“RETURNING TO OUR ORIGINAL SOUND FELT LIKE A CELEBRATION.”

You can catch The Vaccines at the Brighton Dome on Fri 25 Jan 2019.

THE FESTIVE ISSUE

M U S I C

N CIEL takes to the stage at the Prince Albert on Weds 19 Dec, joining Bloom and Fröst)

CIEL BY ELINE JOLING. IMAGE: DENNIS ECKERT

With a musical style more alternative than the conventional and an inner urge to experiment, the confinement of a small town in The Netherlands was never going to quite be big enough for dream-pop artist CIEL, the recording alias of Dutch musician Michelle Hindriks. Having read about Brighton in a magazine at just 15 years old, the city captured her straight away, and after a decade of increasingly frequent visits to our vibrant sea-side town, she finally gave in to her gut feeling to continue her musical journey as part of the Brighton scene.

Living in a small Dutch town with a limited local music scene, it’s easy to feel alone in the type of music you’re passionate about. Comparing it to our bustling coastal setting, Michelle says: “Where I lived, the music scene was nice and it was a tight group of people, but it was very small, there was maybe 14

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one place where I could play a show. I felt limited and didn’t meet many likeminded people that were passionate about the same sort of music... I feel like here in Brighton it’s easier for me to fit in.” Michelle explains the Brightonian alternative lifestyle inspires her to really focus on what she’s passionate about, rather than following the conventional mid-20s path of moving in with an other half, getting married and having kids that’s so popular in The Netherlands. “Here, everyone does the thing that’s close to what they really want to do in life, no matter what age they are. It makes me feel like there’s a lot more possibilities in my life, that I can do anything I want.” When asked to describe her music - the sound she felt made her an outcast in the Netherlands - Michelle says: “I like

to describe the music on Anxiety [the name of CIEL’s debut EP, released in 2017] as ‘shoegazey trips’, a combination of shoegaze and dream-pop but with illogical structures jumping from part to part as if you’re going on small trips throughout the songs.” The decision to move to Brighton is part of Michelle getting closer to her inner feelings about who she is and who she wants to be. These inner feelings are being reflected on in her music as well. Where Anxiety revolves around different perspectives of anxiety that people around her struggled with, her new lyrics are more self-reflective of a difficult time she went through back home. “The lyrics are about a tough time, but looking at dark themes from a positive perspective. It’s about what that period gave me, how it changed me in a positive way and the life experiences it brings. It taught me how to find happiness, to find little things to be grateful for outside of yourself.” While she’s currently still fine-tuning a live set with her new band, Michelle has big plans for the new Brightonbased CIEL. “I’m focusing on getting the band going, to start playing around Brighton, after that it will be great to go into London and the rest of the country. At the same time I’m really focused on song-writing, I’m getting out a lot of new ideas because I’m new here and Brighton has me so inspired and full of energy to make new things so I’m taking that excitement as an advantage.”

YOUR

MUSIC CAREER STARTS HERE

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DEGREE & DIPLOMA COURSES GUITAR • BASS • DRUMS • VOCALS • SONGWRITING MUSIC PRODUCTION • MUSIC JOURNALISM MUSIC BUSINESS • EVENT MANAGEMENT EXPERT TUTORS STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES UNRIVALLED CONNECTIONS TO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY EUROPE’S MOST CONNECTED MUSIC COLLEGE

BIMM.CO.UK/BRIGHTON

CLUBBING BN1 CHOICE

WONDERLAND 90S RAVE PT 2 THE ARCH

SAT 8 DEC

Originally on these shores as part of the debut House Music Tour of Europe in 1987, Marshall Jefferson has sealed his reputation as the true godfather of club music. From ground-breaking early DIY releases to residencies at Big Love and Tribal Gathering, he now has the festival circuit and Ibiza locked down. Still releasing sensational original productions and keeping the party faithful hyped, a solid touring schedule shows Jefferson is a vital as ever. He returns to Brighton as one of the originators and influencers of the ubiquitous Chicago sound for the second of his special 90s rave shows.

SAT 15 DEC

SAT 8 DEC

FRI 25 JAN

LEON VYNEHALL & PEARSON SOUND PATTERNS

ECLAIR FIFI PATTERNS

POLAR PRESENTS: KNOWES KOMEDIA

Smashing dancefloors across Europe with EPs Rojus and Music for the Uninvited, Leon Vynehall winds between dreamy house and intelligent techno. Pearson Sound (above) has similarly placed himself at the leading edge of UK dance music, finding time to produce plenty of house and techno standards amid an already brimming CV.

Hosting an online radio show before she could legally drive, Eclair Fifi has held residencies at Paris Social Club and Hoya:Hoya in Manchester. Over the years, she has displayed an almost unparallel knowledge of electronica, Latin freestyle, Italo, hip hop and electro - so you can always count on surprising and delighting selections.

Playing music together for over a decade, Craigie Knowes have gone from promoting nights in Perth to attracting artists like Bicep, Neville Watson, Move D and DJ Overdose to their record label. Now Max and Mitch, the unstoppable force behind these ventures, head south for a furious, heavy and deep DJ session. Not to be missed.

IT IS STILL 1985 Every Sat, The Haunt: Dress up like your parents and get ready to revisit the decade taste bypassed. The cold war kids are back.

FRIDAY I’M IN LOVE - INDIE SPECIAL Fri 14 Dec, Coalition: Like indie? You could do worse than throwing on DMs and a crap 90s band shirt and heading down here.

DJ DIE (ARCHIVES SET) Fri 14 Dec, Patterns: Foundations and 23 Degrees bring in the Gutterfunk head for a special evening of good vibes and class tunes.

PLANET V - 25 YEARS OF V XMAS PARTY Fri 14 Dec, The Arch: V Recordings party? Bryan Gee, Jumping Jack Frost, Krust, Serum, Heist and Darrison? Say no more.

BREAKIN SCIENCE CHRISTMAS PARTY Sat 15 Dec, Concorde 2: The legendary, big-rolling drum and bass party goes all out for a Christmas. No snogging behind the photocopier. SPELLBOUND Sat 15 Dec, Komedia: Are your friends electric? Are you feeling so extraordinary? Is your girlfriend a purveyor of sanctuary? Then you’ll know.

CRAIGIE

LISTINGS

BN1 MAGAZINE

SKINDRED

Sunday 9th December Concorde 2

MOM JEANS.

Wednesday 16th January The Haunt

BAD SUNS

Saturday 19th January The Green Door Store

CANCER BATS

Wednesday 23rd January The Haunt

HEAVY LUNGS

Friday 25th January Latest Music Bar

THE HOWL & THE HUM Monday 4th February The Prince Albert

THIS WILD LIFE

Saturday 9th February The Haunt

POLYPHIA

Sunday 10th February The Haunt

WILLIE J HEALEY

Wednesday 13th February The Prince Albert

BLUE OCTOBER

Tuesday 19th February Concorde 2

BRIAN FALLON

Saturday 23rd February St Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church

ART BRUT

Saturday 23rd February The Haunt

SEAFRET

Sunday 24th February Patterns

INDOOR PETS

Thursday 18th April The Green Door Store

LoutPromotions.co.uk

N I G H T L I F E

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH BRIGHTON’S MUSIC VENUES?

As yet another Brighton music venue ceases trading with the closure of Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar on New Year’s Day, Tigerlily Harrington asks: what’s going on with the city’s favourite gig venues? In October, Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar announced it will be closing its doors at the end of the year. Fans of the muchloved music venue responded to the announcement with an outpouring of love, expressing dismay at the news. “It’s a blow to the local community,” says Alex Murray of Brighton promotion company One Inch Badge. “It had established itself as an important hub of the local scene.” The thing is, Sticky Mike’s is not the only small venue Brighton has lost in the past few years. Is this a trend which will continue to threaten Brighton’s music scene? What might the future hold? In the early half of this decade, muchloved venue the Blind Tiger Club was lost. Its site had been a licensed music venue for over 160 years but was forced to close in 2014 after noise complaints - despite 11,000 people signing a petition for it to stay open. Before that, in 2010, noise complaints also caused the Freebutt to shut its doors. The venue was required to limit its volume to such a low level that it was no longer realistic for it to host live music. Sally Oakenfold, the manager of Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar, says her venue has received noise complaints throughout the years. However, while this has been the cause for other venue closures, there’s something else forcing her hand. “Costs have gone up and up,” Oakenfold tells us. Rising rent, rates and insurance have led to the business closing. She adds the building is not 18

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being maintained by the landlord, which has caused issues with damp, flooding and damage to the building which would be expensive to repair. The rising competition between venues is another issue. Brighton’s music scene is hugely saturated, which is great for concert-goers who want a selection of gigs to choose from every night. But could it also be leading to smaller venues closing as they struggle under the pressure? “It’s not easy to survive in competitive markets,” says Oakenfold, who also manages The Hope & Ruin. This is an idea that is echoed by Anna Moulson, who runs Brighton-based promotions company Melting Vinyl. She explains that when she founded the company over twenty years ago, there were hardly any venues, nor were there many other promoters. Now that there is much more competition, things are certainly seeming more difficult for the industry. The closure of Sticky Mike’s is a big loss for the music community and offers concerns for grassroots music venues (GMVs) in general, according to Toni Coe, who manages The Green Door Store. “Running a venue is a hard graft, even without the constant worry of closure,” she says. “We all work in music because we love it, not because it fills our pockets.” She suggests we’re experiencing a cultural crisis, as GMVs serve as essential community hubs for alternative culture which don’t just serve the young but provide community for people from all walks of life. Coe

is also concerned by local property development, and suggests the Green Door’s proximity to Brighton’s station may become an issue for them soon. “You can’t stop development,” she says. “But we can protect our venues by ensuring that new developers are responsible for sound proofing their own properties and making sure they acknowledge they are developing in a vibrant city where live music venues exist and make noise.” So how has the loss of Brighton music venues affected the musicians that would be playing in them? Brighton band Beach Riot say they think Sticky Mike’s closure will certainly affect up-and-coming bands. “There are not many other venues in Brighton of the same size. Being able to pull big enough crowds to fill larger venues like The Haunt is a big jump for new acts.” The band also think change needs to come from the government if small venues are to survive. Oakenfold shares this view. “Many venues in Europe get funding and are seen as cultural assets to their town or city,” she says. “GMVs are an important part of the ecosystem for new ideas and without some major changes it’ll have an effect on creativity down the line.” She explains there are too many venues closing down throughout the UK, and that this will no doubt have an impact on the future of live music in this country. Moulson also notes the contrasts between the situation in the UK scene

“It’s not easy to survive in competitive markets.” - SALLY OAKENFOLD

and in Europe, saying the continent has laws which prevent noise complaints from being grounds for closing venues. She believes unless such laws are implemented here, increased housing development in Brighton may cause problems. Despite this, Moulson adds that she’s positive about the future of the local music scene. “Brighton is quite exciting right now in the fact that one of the major industries is the music industry,” she tells us. She says she thinks Brighton and Hove City Council has realised just how much the music industry is worth for Brighton. Hopefully this means investment in imminent? There does seem to be evidence to support this positive theory. Earlier this year, we saw the government move to support the ‘Agent of Change’ principle. This proposed law would mean that if a residence is built near a music venue, the builder is responsible for soundproofing. This could be a significant step forward in preventing GMVs from getting shut down from noise complaints. The principle has already been adopted by the London Plan, and it is hoped that it will soon extend to councils across the UK.

Are there still enough live music venues to sustain the city’s buzzing music scene?

Below: The Hope & Ruin in Queen’s Road - one of the few venues left in the city

Despite recognising Agent of Chance is a step in the right direction, Oakenfold tells us The Hope & Ruin is not going to become complacent. Noise complaints are clearly not the only problem facing small venues, and their owners are recognising there’s still risk with running this kind of establishment. But, as Moulson says, there is still great demand for live music in Brighton. So, perhaps there is hope we are not facing the death of Brighton’s music scene. Only time will tell. THE FESTIVE ISSUE

COMEDY BN1 CHOICE

THE TREASON SHOW HORATIO’S PALACE PIER

THURS 27 – MON 31 DEC

FRI 14 DEC

A bigger Brighton & Hove institution than hipsters and bad coffee shops, The Treason Show has been pulling apart the news for well over a decade. A furious mix of satirical songs, razor sharp sketches and outright stillness, they’re again teaming up with another of the city’s icons – Brighton Palace Pier. The last 12 months have been unusually stable, full of sensible decisions and selfless acts. Not really, the world’s going to hell in a M&S basket. You know it’s going to be a bumper edition of this award-winning show. There’re also special shows at Lewes’ White Hart Hotel on Sat 22 Dec and Shoreham’s Ropetackle on NYE, so there’s plenty of chances to shake away those winter blues with a good laugh.

THU 31 JAN - SUN 3 FEB

FRI 1 FEB

LAVA ELASTIC SWEET WERKS

SANDI TOKSVIG BRIGHTON DOME

NISH KUMAR BRIGHTON DOME

Lava Elastic offers a platform to talent often considered ‘problematic’ or ‘niche’. Some neurodivergent performers struggle navigating the mainstream circuit, so much exceptional talent gets overlooked. Redressing this imbalance is Rebekka Turner, William Stone, Hannah Brackenbury, Sha Wylie and your effervescent host, Sarah Saeed.

The comedian, writer, television and radio producer, political activist and (perhaps most importantly) Bake Off co-host will be coming to the Brighton Dome with her one-woman comedy show, National Trevor. The British-Danish comic has received a plethora of accolades, an OBE amongst them, and Toksvig shows no signs of slowing down just yet.

The critically-acclaimed comic, host of BBC Two’s The Mash Report, and regular on the likes of Mock the Week, Have I Got News for You and QI, Nish Kumar is the comedian that makes being intelligent cool (well, kind of). His razor-sharp wit has secured him two Edinburgh Fringe Comedy Award nominations that testify to his captivating performances.

STEVE BUGEJA Weds 12 Dec, Komedia: Following three critically-acclaimed shows from Edinburgh Fringe, Bugeja is coming to Komedia with new show, Almost.

OLLIE HORN Mon 17 Dec, Caroline of Brunswick: After his sell-out show at Edinburgh, the comic whirlwind jam-packs quips and hilarious travel-tales into his latest show.

TITTER Sat 15 Dec, Caroline of Brunswick: Why not spend Saturday night with a bit of stand-up from the rising stars of Brighton & Hove?

LOL COMEDY NIGHT Thurs 17 Jan, The Windmill: The monthly show returns with hilarious gags and a brand-new lineup trying their hand at comedy.

LISTINGS DAVID O’DOHERTY Weds 5 Dec, Brighton Dome: The award-winning comic and TV favourite will be bringing his keyboard along to his brand-new show. LUISA OMIELAN Mon 10 Dec, Komedia: Viral sensation of the ‘thigh gap’ – which has over 35 million views online – Omielan is back!

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THEATRE BN1 CHOICE

ROCKY HORROW SHOW THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHTON

THURS 13 DEC - SAT 5 JAN

Join the world’s favorite rock ‘n’ roll musical at a Christmas party like no other. Richard O’Brien’s timeless scifi musical comedy returns to its home, bursting at the seams with foolishness entertainment, pelvic thrusting classics, and not forgetting those iconic frocks. Rocky Horror Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two naïve college sweethearts on an adventure to visit their former professor. Their lives change forever when they break down outside a mansion, and end up meeting wicked transvestite scientist Dr Frank’n’Furter and his houseful of wild characters.

WEDS 19 DEC - SAT 12 JAN SUN 16, 18, 22, 23 DEC

THE ANIMALS & CHILDREN TOOK TO THE STREETS THE OLD MARKET

HOME BRIGHTON DOME

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE RIALTO THEATRE

From the fantastic multiple awardwinning company behind Golem and The Magic Flute comes this international hit. Set in the fictional city of Bayou, Agnes and her daughter arrive. But does it signal hope in this fortuneless place, or has the real horror only just begun? Running through the entire Christmas period, this production from 1927 is a highlight of the season.

Find your emotions soaring and tumbling in moments of a heartwarming tale this Christmas. The new circus show, Home (from the company and world-class performers behind FLOWN), explores themes of finding connection with the world and each other in the most challenging of places - all balletically wrapped in an original live score and set.

This multigenerational nostalgic performance, based on Philip Van Doren Stern’s short story and the Frank Capra film, brings a beloved Christmas classic to life on stage. The stunning story features a woman (Clarence Oddbody) who is determined to show the wonders of life to small-town clerk (George Bailey) who wishes to end his life.

ALADDIN Until Tues 1 Jan, Worthing Pavilion: Steps’ Lee Latchford-Evans stars as Aladdin in this dazzling Christmas pantomime. CBeebies’ Rebecca Keatley co-stars as Princess Jasmine. THE SNOWMAN & PETER AND THE WOLF Mon 24 Dec, Brighton Dome: A double bill of family favourites, with live scores performed by the Covent Garden Sinfonia.

SLEEPING BEAUTY Sat 29 – Sun 30 Dec, Brighton Dome: Ballet Theatre UK brings the world’s favourite fairytale to life with a performance set to Tchaikovsky’s glorious music. ABIGAIL’S PARTY Thurs 10 – Sat 19 Jan, Theatre Royal Brighton: Oliver! alumnus Jodie Prenger leads the cast in this groundbreaking comedy classic set in 1970s suburbia.

SAT 15 - SUN 23 DEC

LISTINGS PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT Tues 4 – Sat 8 Dec, The Old Market: Based on the smash-hit movie, the heart-warming adventure of Priscilla is brought to life by local theatre troupe BHOS. A PAIR OF PANTOS Tue 18 Dec – Thu 20 Dec, Marlborough Pub & Theatre: Queer pantomime mash-up for all the family; a fizzy and funny fight for family, identity and fairness. 22

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Project1

13/9/11

13:23

Page 1

:::::::: 2019 ::::::::

22.1 | The Greys, Brighton

8–9.2 | Various venues, Lewes

Daniel Knox 26.1 | St. George’s Church, Brighton1

David Rudolf

Lewes Psych Fest 22.3 | St. Luke’s Church

In conversation

31.1 | St. George’s Church, Brighton

Low

Ulrich Schnauss

te f A g n i n r u o M The

1.4 | The Greys, Brighton*

6.2 | Green Door Store, Brighton

Micah P. Hinson 7.2 | St. George’s Church, Brighton

The Residents

Rose Cousins 27.4 | St. George’s Church, Brighton

The Unthanks

Unaccompanied, As We Are

Drink, Drugs and Roads Don’t Mix

Tickets for shows are available from your local record shop, ticketweb.co.uk or the venue where possible. *Co-pro with Terrace Cred. Promoted by 1True Crime Events 2Dictionary Pudding

meltingvinyl.co.uk

www.SussexSaferRoads.gov.uk

F E S T I V E

C H R I S T M A S AT T H E O L D M A R K E T Award-winning theatre company 1927 returns to The Old Market this Christmas with a breathtaking theatrical journey of startling originality.

Sydney Opera House, the production is being toured for a third time - but has it managed to hold up to its earlier precedent?

It’s the second time global sensation The Animals and Children Took to the Streets has come to the venue, having taken to its stage five years ago. Since then, it’s racked up more than 400 showings in almost 100 venues across 28 countries - including three seasons at the National Theatre London. Pretty much the opposite of ‘sophomore syndrome’, then.

“We’ve found the reception has been very much the same as when we first released The Animals and Children...” says Jo Crowley, producer at 1927. “Of course, when you bring a show back after putting it to bed for so long, you wonder whether the material will stand up the same way, but a lot of the topics explored in the production are still relevant today.”

Eight years since its debut at the

The Animals and Children... follows

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the story of the Bayou, a part of the city feared and loathed far and wide. Inside it lies the infamous Bayou Mansions, a sprawling stinking tenement block, where curtaintwitchers and peeping-toms live side by side, and the wolf is always at the door. When Agnes Eaves and her daughter arrive late one night, does it signal hope in this ill-fated place, or has the real horror only just begun? The story is told through a synchronisation of live music, performance and storytelling, with stunning films and animation. There’s influences from early 20th century film

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in the aesthetic, which is pieced together by animator, illustrator, and two stage makers. Theatre-goers will relish in the craftmanship behind the production, which seamlessly blends projected animation with live performance - like a graphic novel burst into life. Keeping with this theme is the refusal to rely on the English language throughout the production - a unique feature which means the production shown on our stages is identical to that which is shown in Spain or elsewhere in the world, and which hasn’t changed much (if at all) over the course of its three revisions.

“Ordinarily, it is what it is,” says Crowley. “We may slightly change the odd snippet of spoken word to fit in with the audience, but otherwise it’s untouched, it’s exactly the same wherever you go.” A beautifully surprising resolution then, particularly considering she later tells me The Animals and Children... morphed numerous times during its creation. Yet it’s probably just as well too, as the animation for this wickedly twisted tale took a year and a half to complete. Over the years, 1927’s productions have drawn comparisons to the works

of David Lynch and Tim Burton, and The Animals and Children Took to the Streets is seemingly no exception: its macabre storyline is told with equal parts quirkiness and poignance, while its inventiveness will surprise even the most seasoned of theatregoers. The Old Market itself has pipped this production as one which will “make your Christmas”. There’s only one way to find out. The Animals and Children Took to the Streets is at The Old Market from Weds 19 Dec - Sat12 Jan 2019. THE FESTIVE ISSUE

F E S T I V E

A A PAIR PAIR OF OF PANTOS PANTOS BY STUART ROLT.

IMAGE: ROSIE POWELL

FAMILY-FRIENDLY QUEER PANTO TAKES TO THE STAGE The pantomime is a staple of British festive entertainment. Unfortunately, during the last 50 years, it’s become increasingly stale and irrelevant. Matters haven’t always been like this. There was once subversion amongst the slapstick. Panto evolved as circumvention of the legislation which forbade onstage dialogue in most theatres. Somehow this eventually evolved into a parade of crassness, lashed together with a perfunctory narrative and masquerading as family fun. “I was thinking how backwards a lot of the politics were in some of these mainstream pantos,” writer/director Hester Chillingworth tells me. “It’s really just unthinking, they’re like: ‘Yeah. We’ll just trot the same thing out every year’. I wanted to create an alternative offer for kids who love panto.” Like most British children, pantomime offered Chillingworth’s first experience of a big theatre production - and its subconscious messages about how the world should be ‘straight’ and heteronormative. While most theatre becomes more aware of the audience, many mainstream pantos still churn out the same tired memes. Their crossdressing characters reinforce gender stereotyping rather than highlighting fluidity, the Dame portrayed as a screeching,

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un-loveable harridan. If a young male celebrity is unavailable, the Principal Boy is generally played by a young woman. Devoid of masculinity (and often trousers) she titillates instead of challenges. Meanwhile, the Principal Girl remains resolutely feminine, wideeyed and vulnerable. “There’s a lot of homophobic, racist and transphobic gags. People will say: ‘Oh, it’s just tradition.’ But we’re having more enlightened conversations nowadays. We know to do better than that.” As a response to this, Chillingworth is writing and directing the forward-thinking A Pair Of Pantos. It’s more mindful of the signals it sends, laying out a different set of narratives to deliver a universal validating experience. It proves you can have humour without cruelty or ignorance. Taking the familiar stories of Dick Whittington and Jack And The Beanstalk, Chillingworth has smashed them together to create a new show about morality, discovery and identity. “You might not even realise what messages you’re absorbing, I just wanted give it a bit of a closer look.” Themes of aspiration and social climbing from the source material have discarded, leaving characters stranded in an imaginary place which might not yet have room for them.

Its protagonist, Jack, has a fantastic idea for making money but things go wrong when the sneaky and contradictory King Rat gets involved. But nobody knows which pantomime they’re supposed to be in, and Jack is still deciding what underwear is suitable when you’re non-binary. For the first 150 years of its history, pantomime dramatised and dissected contemptuous political and social issues. Against a backdrop of sweeping change, Victorian audiences swarmed to riotous Christmas shows which offered an exhilarating alternative to the staid mainstream. These highlighted Britain’s issues with colonialism, poverty, worker’s rights and crime. In recent decades largescale panto has abandoned societal nuances, becoming dumbed-down and spiteful. A Pair Of Pantos succeeds in reversing this trend, creating a relevant fantasy world which doesn’t languish in Disneyesque histrionics and lays out higher ambitions. “It’s probably a more human thing. I’m hoping that children who come to see will feel that it’s ‘right there’ and they can connect to it.” A Pair Of Pantos comes to Brighton’s Marlborough Theatre on Tues 18 – Thurs 20 Dec, as part of a national tour.

Artists Open Houses

CHRISTMAS 2018 24 & 25 November, 1 & 2, 8 & 9 December

Looking for that special, unique present this Christmas? Exchange the bustle of the high street, for special atmosphere of Artists Open Houses.

aoh.org.uk

Chat with artists and makers in their own homes and studios. Browse and buy from a wide range of work, from 500 exhibitors in 50 venues.

Judy Stevens: Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh...

F E S T I V E

Office Party Survival Guide As the festive season gets underway it brings with it the obligatory Office Christmas Party, an event filled with fun, laughter and pitfalls. Traditional mishaps include snogging bosses, the photocopying of swimsuit areas and drunkenly falling down the stairs. While inherently funny, there’s no longer room for behaviour like this in the modern workplace. To help you through these difficult times, we’ve compiled eight tips to save you from disaster. Remember, your professional reputation might be at risk - one person’s top form is another’s utter train-wreck. BY STUART ROLT

DON’T: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE REVEAL THE REAL YOU

DO: DRESS FOR WORK

DO: KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF

DON’T: DRINK TOO MUCH

Don’t objectively discuss with coworkers the allure of Susan from Accounts’ body. While you might think you’re simply sharing your admiration, it’s marking you out as an indiscreet pervert. Also, don’t get caught hoovering drugs in the toilet or indulging in salacious gossip about co-workers. The only office where any of these traits will help you get ahead is public office.

There you are, single and ready to mingle. You’re 84kg of love machine, clad in a polyester suit and Santa hat. You’re simply irresistible. Susan from Accounts looks dreamier than ever, so you move in for a kiss. Monday afternoon brings an uncomfortable conversation with Derek from HR, about a sexual misconduct complaint.

DON’T: PANIC AT THE DISCO

If your company is big enough, they’ve probably engaged the questionable talents of an inane charisma-vacuum. Yes, it’s a DJ. He’ll be ‘spinning’ the popular dance hits of today, issuing crap platitudes over the microphone and wishing he hadn’t screwed up that residency in Ibiza. Hopefully the crowd will be drunk enough to hit the dancefloor. There are some moves you should avoid: The Slut Drop, The Pogo, Cha Cha Slide, Flossing, Rhumba. Only Twerk against your manager’s partner if you have written consent.

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This is not the time to test-drive the new zany look you’re developing. If you wouldn’t wear something to the office, don’t wear it to the Christmas bash. The only time a sexy outfit is appropriate is if you work in a massage parlour, for the Fire Service or are a D-list celebrity pitifully vying for tabloid coverage. Santa suits are also a hard no, especially if you’re likely to demand people sit on your knee. Avoid getting more pissed than your boss or line manager. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and affects judgment. People are there to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, not arm-wrestle you topless, repeatedly hear the same stupid story or have you cry on their shoulder about why your girlfriend doesn’t understand your love of Harry Potter. This is a shortcut to stacking your career and everyone will talk about you on Monday. The only exception to this rule is if a sales director has just decked Derek the HR rep. In that case drink as quickly as possible, the night is about to come crashing down.

DO: GO

Your employer has spent time and energy setting this whole affair up, so make a good impression and turn up. Thank the person responsible for their efforts in turning your sorry social diary right around. Even more so, if you’re the firm’s new person. Who knows? It might just be fun.

DO: BE AWARE

It’s a party, so you can let go a little. You are however essentially on work time. Your boss and colleagues are all there (apart from Darren, who couldn’t make it because he had literally anything else to do that evening). It’s not the best time to platform your brave immigration policy, discuss which member of the Royal Family is the ugliest or debut your new portmanteau offensive term. In contrast, don’t spend all your time looking at your phone or in a corner with the same person. You’re being just as anti-social.

DO: USE THE OPPORTUNITY

The office party is a good place to get to know colleagues better. You can foster better relationships and stronger understandings. If you work in a corporate environment, it’s a great idea to make people higher up the food chain aware of your existence. Don’t just talk business though, reveal an interesting and unconfrontational side to your personality.

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F E S T I V E

O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL

Former Slow Club singer Rebecca Taylor performs in The Hope & Ruin on Sun 2 Dec as solo project Self Esteem, returning in May for next year’s Great Escape Festival. WHAT’S BEEN YOUR HIGHLIGHT OF 2018? Dancing and singing my music to people who want to hear it. Also chunky trainers coming into fashion. FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG? I generally can’t be arsed with Christmas stuff anymore. But I do think that Stay Another Day by East 17 is beautiful. ANY CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS? WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE HOLIDAY? Napping. Shouting HE’S BEEN in my dad’s face over and over. WHAT ARE YOUR RESOLUTIONS FOR 2019? Don’t care about what people think of me. Yeah, right!

CHARACTERS FROM SLUMMING PONCES

WHAT HAPPENS ON A GREAT CHRISTMAS DAY FOR YOU? Julian - My shares rocket, someone sorts me right out, then Dinge gives me 30 BN1 MAGAZINE

STEVE’N’SEAGULLS (c) Jacqueline Kulla

SELF ESTEEM

Steve’N’Seagulls play Brighton’s The Haunt on Sat 15 Dec

TIM NELSON, CUB SPORT

Australia’s hottest new exports Cub Sport come to The Hope and Ruin on Mon 18 Feb. WHAT’S BEEN YOUR HIGHLIGHT OF 2018? Sam and I got married in August which was perfect! Seeing our music connect with people around the world in such a special way this year has also been amazing - and playing our first sold out headline shows in the UK and the US was definitely a highlight of 2018. We’re so excited to come back to the UK in Feb with a new album out! FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG? Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You ANY CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS? WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE HOLIDAY? We always have a party on Christmas night with our friends - it’s always super chill and nice. The holiday season is summer time for us in Australia so it feels extra festive.

WHAT HAPPENS ON A GREAT CHRISTMAS DAY FOR YOU? We eat a lot of Christmas food and have a long sauna. After sauna we jump to swim in snow. Also we get some presents. Sometimes underwear and socks from mother. And some mustard, homemade of course. IF YOU COULD ERASE ONE CHRISTMAS SONG FROM HISTORY, WHICH WOULD IT BE? Maybe Jingle Bells or something modern. We don’t like changes. Specially Hiltunen does not like changes. WHAT WERE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS OF 2018? The release of our third album Grainsville of course. We had a really fun summer with a lot of good festival. Our fifth US tour. And, of course, our December in UK is coming.

WHAT ARE YOUR RESOLUTIONS FOR 2019? Live in love, not in fear!

DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS? Herman promises to take it to the next level. The rest of us, we try to follow him!

a pathetic present that I can complain about right through to next year. Perfection. Dinge - I make the place feel really festive with decorations, presents and a roaring fire, then hire actors to pretend to be friends and family. In my family we’re too rich to pretend to care about each other.

WHAT WERE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS OF 2018? J: Being warmly taken to the bosom of the poor, watching Dinge cry in the attic, and, for perhaps the first time, truly experiencing personal growth. D: This year I decided to look for myself in a part of the world I’d never visited before, so I went backpacking in Croydon.

IF YOU COULD ERASE ONE CHRISTMAS SONG FROM HISTORY, WHICH WOULD IT BE? J: Frosty The Snowman. It scuppers my rhythm when I’m getting laid. D: Last Christmas by George Michael. It brings up traumatic memories. Last Christmas Julian put a human heart in my stocking.

DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS? J: To be the message, not just speak the message. D: To do more for those around me. Although I only really know Julian so I suppose that means do more for him.

F E S T I V E

The most exciting artists coming to Brighton in the coming months share how they spend the festive season... DONALD TRUMP*

A KING OF CHRISTMAS SONGS HIMSELF: SHAKIN’ STEVENS SHAKIN’ STEVENS COMES TO THE DE LA WARR PAVILION, BEXHILL-ONSEA, ON WEDS 6 MAR 2019. (c) Tim Smith

WHAT HAPPENS ON A GREAT CHRISTMAS DAY FOR YOU? For this year, we’re working right up until Christmas Eve, and because it has been so full-on with the promotion and all the prep for the tours that will be throughout Europe and the UK next year - I think we’ll just close the door, put up a sign “Gone Away”, and do absolutely nothing!

Donald Trump appears in The Treason Show’s That Was The Year That Was 2018, when it comes to Horatio’s, Brighton Palace Pier on Thurs 27 – Mon 31 Dec

IF YOU COULD ERASE ONE CHRISTMAS SONG FROM HISTORY, WHICH WOULD IT BE? That’s difficult. You know, if you’d have asked me that question just a couple of weeks ago, I’d have probably said Billy Mack Christmas Is All Around, but that was because I had only seen a few seconds of it. But then someone sat me down, and said “Watch all of it!” - so I did ! Then I saw it for what it is – a great send up, and I couldn’t stop laughing.

WHAT HAPPENS ON A GREAT CHRISTMAS DAY FOR YOU? It’s so great, the oompa loompas bring me a cup of covfefe and some candy, they’re the little orange guys ‘outa Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, they’re so great. And no they’re not my love children, that’s fake news folks. SAD. Me and Melania give each other presents. You might have seen her pictured in Africa in her fancy white hat. I’ll be giving her another helmet. Melania will give me a special Christmas Day wig and we’ll play charades, or as I like to call it, running the world. So great. IF YOU COULD ERASE ONE CHRISTMAS SONG FROM HISTORY, WHICH WOULD IT BE? Tangerine Dream. WHAT WERE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS OF 2018? Meeting Jay Z. The press said there was a crazy guy in the Oval office, but Jay Z was there too. SAD. Also, when I made my speech to the United Nations, so great. I must be funny right? DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS? To give my good buddy Kim Jong Un a lotta cuddles, I love him, and to tell Vladimir that everything is going to plan and to hide when Robert Mueller comes to visit. *not the real one, obvs.

VINCE VENUS WHAT HAPPENS ON A GREAT CHRISTMAS DAY FOR YOU? Traditionally the Sugababes come round for a sherry and give me a foot massage. This year, I’ve upgraded to the Spice Girls. They need the publicity what with their upcoming tour and everything. IF YOU COULD ERASE ONE CHRISTMAS SONG FROM HISTORY, WHICH WOULD IT BE? Cliff Richard - Mistletoe and Wine. Do one Cliff. WHAT WERE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS OF 2018? Being the first art installation on Hove Plinth. And my new magenta catsuit. DO YOU HAVE ANY RESOLUTIONS? Wear tighter clothing.

NEW

WHAT WERE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS OF 2018? It’s been such a full-on year that it’s kind of gone past in a blur. People think that if you aren’t on tour, or you’re not releasing an album, then you haven’t got anything to do – but nothing could be further from the truth. Having said that, setting up the tours, my annual Charity Golf Day for Harefield Hospital, and starting a follow-up album to Echoes Of Our Times, all have to feature high on the list. DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS? It’s not just a New Year’s resolution for 2019, but a “must do” – and that’s to get out and into the gym. I’m determined to continue with the fitness regime that I started a couple of months ago. You make time, and it works; taking away the stress, and setting you up for the day, the week, the month – and the year ahead!

YEAR’S

THE FESTIVE ISSUE

NEW YEAR Having probably done more to platform global beats than any other British broadcaster, Gilles Peterson again brings his rich and vibrant Worldwide sound to Concorde 2. A larger-than-life personality, much loved by radio audiences, clubbers and music lovers alike, he creates a unique style from seemingly disparate sections of the musical spectrum. In any session, you could hear everything from African roots and deep Jamaican dub to neo-soul and cool European jazz. For almost a quarter of a century, Peterson has used music to unite and delight, creating a vision of the world where all forms are equal.

BN1 CHOICE

NYE 2018 WITH GILLES PETERSON CONCORDE 2

ENGLISH DISCO LOVERS KOMEDIA

BAD DOG NYE HOUSE MUSIC PARTY DIVINO CLUB

MIDNIGHT FLIGHT BRITISH AIRWAYS I360

There is nothing quite like New Year’s Eve, a great crowd, sound system and fabulous D.I.S.C.O! The Disco Lovers Community Group are back with the biggest event of the year, New Year’s Eve at Komedia! As ever, expect superb classic and underground disco and house music, confetti shooters, total hysteria at the midnight countdown, and a huge excess of glitter! Grab your tickets quick, NYE is always a sell-out at Komedia! We don’t want to catch anyone not being fabulous.

Rounding off another season of fantastic parties, Bad Dog gathers together another crack team of partystarters. Recently they’ve lured Danny Rampling, Terry Francis, Timo Garcia and Steve Mac down – proving that quality house is alive and kicking. Associated with the Jeepers! Music label, and run by resident DJs Nick Hook and Lizzie Curious, Bad Dog features some of Brighton’s finest DJs. Expect to have 2019 started with a bang, with only the best in uplifting underground music.

You could be amongst the highest people in the whole of Sussex to see in the New Year. Brighton’s iconic i360, a moving observation platform in the sky, is offering a glamorous evening of dinner and dancing. At the foot of the tower, beachfront rooms will be decked in lights, where you’ll enjoy an elegant six-course dinner with wine at a beautifully decorated table. At 23.45, you’ll board the pod for a magical midnight flight. Back at ground level, the party will continue with DJs and a late bar.

SHOW ME LOVE’ NYE The Funky Fish Club: Get ready for DJs playing the greatest tunes of the last four decades to make the last night of 2018 one to remember. Expect anthems, disco, classic house, UKG, Hi-NRG and funk. WONKA WONDERLAND The Arch: Bass music, disco, house, tech house and techno soundtrack a recreation of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Remember to be a nice chold and don’t touch the equipment.

NYE 2018 WITH THE STICKMEN PRYZM: See out 2018 the amazing Stickmen, four rooms of music and access to Pryzm’s sister Bar, Steinbeck. There’ll be Disco, funk, R&B and dance classics. THE GREAT GATSBY PARTY Hilton Brighton Metropole: Grab a mint julep and channel your inner Daisy Buchanan or Jay Gatsby. This is a NYE Party whisking you back to 20s glitz and glamour full of fun, cocktails and entertainment.

LISTINGS 2019: A RAVE ODYSSEY Patterns: Patterns give NYE an intergalactic theme – think The Twilight Zone, Metropolis or Stanley Kubrick. Smashing the tunes will be Horse Meat Disco and Felix Weatherall aka Ross From Friends. FEVER CLUB’S THIEF OF BAGHDAD EXTRAVAGANZA Rialto Theatre: After their last NYE sell-out, The Fever Club returns twith two rooms of music, roving musicians, projections, props, gifts and a huge amount of fun. 34 BN1 MAGAZINE

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F E S T I V E

THE THE YEAR YEAR IN IN REVIEW REVIEW The last 12 months have seen some of the greatest leaps in human achievement, or some of the most pointless, depending on who you talk to. We couldn’t call it either way, so thought we’d gather a few of our top moments - or at least the one we can remember.

BRITNEY

It’s Brighton bitch. Oops Pride smashed it again, while Ms Spears proved you don’t necessarily have to know where the hell you are to totally rock a party.

PALM OIL

Caring for our environment is too political for genteel commercial TV audiences. Iceland and Greenpeace instead push their leftist agenda online, while we lustfully guzzle palm oil from the hollowed skull of an orangutan and gawp at Eastenders.

KFC

Apparently, the C used to stand for chicken. One day this year they failed to designate a safe space and no neighbours were in, so they didn’t get any actual chicken delivered. Stores had to shut, and the internet was quickly paralysed. Theresia May was a fillet burger away from calling a state of emergency. Only Her Majesty the Queen laying out President Trump in Wetherspoons could generate more interest.

SPACE EXPLORATION

Reusable launch vehicle tests, probes, telescopes – blah blah. Is Mankind going to Mars, or what? Just pull your finger out rocket people. And can we send Richard Branson on the first mission?

DEMENTIA RESEARCH FORWARDS

LEAPS

Whole you were stalking your ex on Twitter, researchers in San Francisco broke new ground in Alzheimer’s treatment. They were able to change a protean associated with the disease into a loss harmful form. Science may not be sexy, but it is highly cool. 36

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THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX

THE 10,000-YEAR CLOCK

FLOSSING

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

One’s a war hero, the other a love interest in an improbably stupid legal drama. In matrimony they’ve assumed a title Chris Eubank could only dream of. Tidy up peasants, the county is on the World stage now. Just what is wrong with you?

JOHN LEWIS’ FESTIVE ADVERT

After seven decades, Sir Elton John worked out what he really needed for Christmas. An enormous cheque for doing bugger all.

THE RISE OF POPULISM

The new political craze for those who resent having to think about stuff - because we’d rather spend time catching up on Celebrity Any Old Crap with Holly Willoughby. Complex ideological arguments can now be whittled down to: ‘which side is offering me magic beans and an easy life?’ Anyone’s opinions, no matter how brain-scorchingly moronic, are valid if they make a catchy chant.

WORLD CUP

The ‘beautiful game’ seems so easy in EA’s FIFA18. Then, in a haunting reminder of our country’s true standing in the world, our courageous boys got eliminated in the knock-out stages by Liberia or Canada - some country where they don’t have proper goalposts, I think. But we won a game on penalties, which is better than getting names on trophies.

GLOBAL WARMING

You don’t have to mow the lawn during summer anymore, because it’s now an expanse of dusty death. Scientists are increasingly concerned an environmental point of no return is fats approaching, but who cares when you can justifiably forgo trousers for four months a year?

Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, installed a clock inside a mountain this year. It’ll reportedly keep perfect time for ten millennia, Hopefully his delivery drivers will now realise 10am on Tues and 5pm on Fri are not actually the same thing.

Apparently, we had it all wrong. Freddie Mercury never spent any time doing loads of drugs or wantonly shagging. The records also weren’t released in the order we thought. Woah!

BLACK PANTHER

Someone took the unusual step of producing a film with a solidly black cast and well-rounded characters. It became the 9th highest grossing title of all time, providing an inspirational flicker of inclusivity amongst the usual onslaught of gammon and beige cinematic nonsense.

RIP THE GREAT AND THE GOOD

We lost a few legends this year. superhero creator Stan Lee, soul sensation Ms Aretha Franklin, acclaimed scientist Stephen Hawking, four minute mile breaker Sir Roger Bannister, the awesome Burt Reynolds, Dame Tessa Jowell, entertainment heavyweight Keith Chegwin, the irrepressible Ken Dodd, EDM hit machine Aviccii, the effervescent Dale Winton, designer Kate Spade, writer Phillip Roth, the mercurial Mark E Smith, comedy great Jim Bowen, kids TV icon Geoffrey Hayes, author Tom Wolfe, Superman actress Margot Kidder, presidential candidate John McCain, Barry Chuckle (to you?), and Olympic snowboarder Ellie Soutter. We salute you all.

OUR PREDICTIONS FOR 2019 Nigel Farage finally reveals himself to be an anarchist, blows up the Houses of Parliament and denies any responsibility. Parents in 200 years will use his name to terrify children. “Tidy your bedroom,’ they’ll say. “Or the Farage and his broken promises will come to make it even more chaotic.” Friends will be rerun somewhere on cable TV. After firing his own car into space and selling a range of flame-throwers, Elon Musk next year devotes time and resources to developing a pill which prevents men from becoming pregnant. He also starts wearing a sandwich toaster as a hat. An online personality test will unwittingly throw up the universe’s secrets, but it doesn’t get shared to Facebook, so no one cares. Apple will squeeze a true AI onto their next handset, the iPhone XOXO. After ten minutes of being booted up, this will realise the brutal futility of its existence, leap out of your back pocket and meet a shattering demise on the pavement. Danny Dyer becomes Pope, then gets defrocked for being ‘pwopa nauwtee’ at an AS Roma match. The X-Factor will produce a credible star, whose recordings will be more culturally valuable than those of The Beatles, David Bowie or Craig David. Millennials make clockwork trendy.

Christmas Queens Mon 3 Dec

Kate Rusby Tue 4 Dec Brighton Festival Chorus

Christmas Concert Sun 9 Dec The Choir with No Name

The Big Christmas Singalong! Thu 13 Dec Pirates of the Carabina

HOME Sat 15 - Sun 23 Dec

The Snowman & Peter and The Wolf Sat 15 - Sun 23 Dec Ballet Theatre UK

Sleeping Beauty Sat 29 - Sun 30 Dec

01273 709709 brightondome.org 01273 709709

F E S T I V E

THE YEAR AHEAD IN BRIGHTON AND HOVE (DATES TO STICK A PIN IN)

BY CHLOE GOUGH

F E B R U A R Y

M A Y

J U N E

Brighton Tattoo Convention: Sat 23 - Sun 24 Feb Returning to the Brighton Centre for its 12th year. Starting in 2007, this convention has gone on to become a major event in the tattoo world and brings together world class tattoo artists, traders and tattoo fanatics.

Artists Open Houses: every weekend in May Artists Open Houses allows you to look inside the homes of artists from across Brighton & Hove to observe and purchase their works and meet the artists themselves.

Naked Bike Ride - Dates TBC An event that has taken place in Brighton since 2006, the Brighton Naked Bike Ride celebrates bodies, bikes and low-impact living while bringing attention to the vulnerability of cyclists on our car dominated roads. An 8-mile ride with up to a thousand participants expected.

Brighton Half Marathon: Sun 24 Feb Run beside the iconic Brighton sea side in Brighton Half Marathon’s 29th year of operation to raise money for charity or beat your personal best.

M A R C H Vegfest Brighton: Sat 23 - Sun 24 March Taking place within the Brighton Centre, Vegfest promises a record number of stalls alongside cookery demos, educational talks and a variety of entertainment for those who love all things vegan. Pioneer Run: Sun 24 March This classic motorbike event showcases bikes that are strictly over 100 years old and challenges entrants from the UK and Europe to drive between Epsom and Brighton.

A P R I L InCarNation: Sat 6 April An event by Ace Café London, this event sees up to 1000 best performing and modified cars on display and it’s free to attend. With interactive stands, displays and live entertainment. Brighton Marathon: Sun 14 April At 26 miles, Brighton Marathon has become one of the most popular European marathons and is currently the second fastest in the UK, attracting runners from across the globe. 38

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Brighton Fringe Festival: Fri 3 May Sun 2 June Showcasing a wide range of entertainment from cabaret to comedy, classical concerts, theatre, exhibitions and club nights it’s no wonder why Brighton Fringe has become one of the world’s largest fringe festivals. Taking place citywide, this one will be hard to miss. Foodies Festival: Sat 4 - Mon 6 May For the foodies, this festival has got everything from wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, fabulous street food stalls, workshops, cocktails, special guests and competitions as well as fun activities for the kids. Brighton Festival: Sat 4 - Sun 26 May Brighton Festival is a huge name on the events calendar, being the largest multiarts festival in England. Encompassing art, theatre, dance, music, literature and family entertainment, Brighton Festival has got it all. The Great Escape: Thurs 9 - Sat 11 May Over 400 exciting, new artists from across the world gather at The Great Escape every year in May and play in venues across the city.

BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride: Sun 16 Jun Take on the 54-mile ride in support of the British Heart Foundation in fighting heart and circulatory diseases.

J U L Y Paddle Round the Pier: Dates TBC The world’s biggest free beach and water sports festival takes place every year in Brighton and it’s free to attend! With a wide variety of water sports to take part in and ‘have a go’ opportunities, this is true all-ages fun and all money raised goes to charity. March of the Mermaids: Sat 13 July This annual celebration of marine life was the first of its kind within the UK, inspired by the Coney Island Mermaid Parade of New York. Since 2012, mermaids have gathered annually on Brighton’s shore to raise awareness of conservation issues facing the sea and supporting charities and associated campaigns.

A U G U S T Brighton Pride: Fri 2 - Sun 4 Aug A staple in the celebration calendar of Brighton, Pride takes place on the first weekend of August every year and continually serves an inclusive, magical day for all to celebrate and feel welcome within.

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O C T O B E R

Brighton Digital Festival: Dates TBC This month-long festival explores the digital world and how our lives are impacted through it with an assortment of exhibitions, live performances, artworks and discussions taking place across the city.

Brighton Early Music Festival – “Europe”: Dates TBC Exploring 700 years of music across 17 European cities, the UK’s second largest early music festival will take place in various venues across Brighton & Hove.

The Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival’s: Autumn Harvest Festival A 10-day festival brought to you by The Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival, this autumn time celebration is for true foodies. Hosting masterclasses, chef collaborations, vineyard tours and much more!

Brighton Science Festival: Dates TBC Events for all ages and workshops for children, exploring an exciting and engaging new theme each year.

Frosts Brighton Speed Trials: TBC Thought to be the oldest running motor race, Brighton’s Speed Trials have been held since 1905 on the stretch of road between Palace Pier and Black Rock. Sign up with your car or bike and test your speed in this action-packed historic event! Ace Café Reunion Sunday: Brighton Burn-Up: Dates TBC Commemorating the famous Ace Café of London, this yearly event sees bikers ride into Brighton at Madeira Drive. Featuring stands and displays, live music and special guests, see the worlds coolest motorbike event. Fiery Foods Festival: Dates TBC In its 12th year, the Fiery Foods Festival just keeps getting hotter. Held at the i360 this September with all new exhibitors, live music and their infamous Chili Eating Contest to put you to the test.

N O V E M B E R CineCity: Dates TBC For two weeks every November, CINECITY brings the best in world cinema to Brighton and the South Coast with a festival programme of premieres and previews, and much more. Royal Pavilion Ice Rink: Dates TBC The perfect winter time tradition for all the family to enjoy, the Royal Pavilion hosts a dazzling Ice Rink every year on its front lawn for two weeks from the first week of November.

Christmas Artists Open Houses: Final weekend of November - first weekends of December Artists Open Houses also runs a winter edition of its event for three weeks every year. View more stunning artwork and support local artists.

D E C E M B E R Burning the Clocks: Sat 21 Dec To celebrate the shortest day of the year, make your own paper lantern and parade through the streets of the city before burning them in a bonfire on the beach for a fantastic way to wave the year goodbye.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK IN DYNAMITE’S STAR WARS EXHIBITION BY STUART ROLT

Following on from the incredibly received Wizard of Oz show this summer, Brighton-based Dynamite Gallery are celebrating the George Lucas’ classic space opera franchise. War in the Stars is a Star Wars themed group show, featuring a collection of artists from around the world. Participants include Carne Griffiths, James Hance, Graham Carter, Strange Case Company, The Darkinker, MOJOKO World, Brighton Glass, Grant Richards, Martin Varennes-Cooke and Simeon Aston. It reveals new sides to characters and artist’s continuing passion for this perennial blockbusting franchise. “It’s an expression of the characters and looking at different ways of interpreting them,” says Aston. “A lot of it is portraits, parodies or strange takes on the lore. A lot of the jokes you might have to be a hardened Star Wars fan to get.” A lot of the participants are regulars, but this is Aston’s first show in Brighton for quite a while. “It’s cool. I did have to change up my style a bit, to fit in the general feel of gallery work. There’s a different edge to what I usually deal with.”

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A regular Heavy Metal contributor, and with his own graphic title Metal Made Flesh, Aston himself has evolved a trilogy of images showing a character from each of the original films. An accomplished graphic illustrator, he deploys Photoshop in the same you’d would traditional mediums like painting or drawing. “I don’t ever have a clear regimented idea of where everything needs to go. I see that as a natural extension of the evolution of art.” His work joins an eclectic mix of original and printed artwork, sculpture, and custom toys. Now over four decades old, Star Wars is truly cross-generational inspiring different eras of artists. “It seems to always crop up now and again. It’s what got me into painting and drawing - the early concept work by Ralph McQuarrie and stuff like that. I really liked the idea of a fusion of old myths and legends with sci-fi. It kind goes over your head as kid, but now I can see where the design and concepts were developed from.”

Simeonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Star Wars inspired pieces are on display in the Dynamite Gallery

THE FESTIVE ISSUE

F O O D N E W S

FOOD NEWS CANNABIS KITCHEN OPENS IN BRIGHTON SAT 1 DEC 14 DUKE STREET thecannakitchen.co.uk

INK

T’S WHA

OOD

F W IN

DR AND

It’s known for its calming effects and ability to bring out the giggles in even the most sombre of individuals. But now a whole new kitchen specialising in food rich in cannabinoids - chemical compounds found chiefly in cannabis - is offering to satisfy their diners’ munchies with an organic vegetable-based menu. The Canna Kitchen will be the first restaurant of its kind to open in the UK this month, in an attempt to change the way people think about the plant “by creating beautiful vegetarian dishes which are tastefully complimented with its infusion.” While the eatery will ensure any trace elements of THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis, are within legal limits, they claim the infusion of cannabinoids in food may lead to a sense of relaxation, peace and wellbeing. Dishes will include zaa’tar roast cauliflower with hemp heart tabbouleh, smoked aubergine, sesame cavolo nero and CBD tahini cream, and buckwheat and beetroot pancake, served with roast roots, rocket, and CBD cashew cheese. There will also be creative canna mocktails available. Sam Evolution, Director of The Canna Kitchen, said: “Cannabis is is a true gift, and one that if utilised properly could begin to remedy many of the ecological challenges of our time. It also happens to be the most nutritionally complete human food source on the planet, with a host of therapeutic benefits.”

PLUS! REVIEWS: The Set (p50), Chard (p52), YouJuice (p53) ROASTS TO SINK YOUR TEETH INTO (p46) BEST VEGAN-FRIENDLY SPOTS IN THE CITY (p48) 42

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The Canna Kitchen focuses solely on the infusion of UK legal and non-psychoactive cannabinoids such as CBD, CBG & CBN. The Canna Kitchen opens at 14 Duke Street this month.

F O O D

BRIGHTONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

BEST ROASTS THE BEST SUNDAY DINNER SPOTS TO HOLE UP IN THIS WINTER BY JULES PESTANO AND SAM SEATON

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F O O D

BUSBY & WILDS: 9 ROCK STREET, BRIGHTON If you’ve missed friendly and cosy gastropub Busby and Wilds, that might be because it’s Kemptown’s best kept secret. They serve fresh and locally sourced food with a global array of beers and a hand-picked wine list. Their roasts are a particular highlight, with veggies treated to a walnut, hazelnut and almond vegetable roast, while meat eaters can treat themselves to the likes of sirloin of aged Darneth Valley beef and slow roast shoulder of Sussex Downs Lamb. They pride themselves on being both dog and family friendly and have a lush courtyard garden ideal for the summer months.

CAXTON ARMS: 36 NORTH GARDENS, BRIGHTON A characterful and community orientated gastro pub, The Caxton Arms claims to be one of BN1’s best kept secrets. They serve a host of pub classics and vegetarian options as well as what in 2017 RoastsInBrighton.com called the best roast in Brighton. They have also been nominated for Brighton Restaurant BRAVO Sunday Roast Of The Year 2018. If you’re not in the mood for a roast they also recommend their seam bream and Cajun spiced pork belly. They also have a split garden with mezzanine floor and patio as well as billiards table and board games.

THE YEOMAN: 7 GUILDFORD ROAD, BRIGHTON Conveniently located near to Brighton Station, the North Laine and central Brighton, the Sussex Yeoman specialises in great locally and ethically sourced ingredients, extensive menus, award winning Sunday Roasts, wines and real ales. They use fresh seasonal vegetables and the poultry and fish they use are locally and ethically sourced. They also pride themselves on their vegetarian selection. It has a friendly group of regulars and supports local suppliers and charities such as Small Batch coffee and animal rights charities PDSA and RSPCA. They also run weekly offers and half price daily specials.

DIZZY GULL: 58 SOUTHOVER STREET, BRIGHTON After four successful years at Brighton Beer Dispensary, Dizzy Gull moved location to Brighton Bier’s Haus on the Hill in Southover Street earlier this year. They won Brighton’s Best Sunday Roast Award in 2017 and amongst their roasts is a Sussex dried rib eye and pork belly as well as a regularly changing specials. If you don’t want a roast they have a quirky menu including pork schnitzel and oxtail nuggets, and also specialise in a selection of cheeses including Coolea cheese and Mrs Bell’s Blue.

HOVE PLACE: 37 FIRST AVENUE, HOVE Over the last few years Hove Place has established itself as a gastro pub with a reputation for providing high quality and interesting dishes. Their mixture of high end pub classics and quirky bistro style dishes have proved popular with the residents of Brighton & Hove. They have two menus - ‘Pub’ and ‘Bistro’ - and aim to cater to guests looking for pub classics and for something more creative and interesting. They are particularly famed for their roasts, and have a spacious garden - perfect for heading back in the summer.

COOPERS CASK: 3 FARM ROAD, HOVE Located in a quiet corner of Hove, the gorgeous Coopers Cask holds up the conventional aesthetic of an English pub, providing guests with some of the best roasts in the area (topping it all off with bacon - a rarity in itself!). The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with great service as well, it oozes relaxation. A great value pub.

THE CONNAUGHT: 48 HOVE STREET, HOVE On the Hove seafront, the Connaught is an all-rounder, ticking all the boxes. Pub? Check. Family-friendly? Check. Rated one of the best roasts in Brighton and Hove? Check! Sundays are one of the busiest days for this pub, with plenty of people enjoying the food and drink and overall aura. Their roasts are made with locally sourced ingredients and can be catered for gluten free choices if necessary. Connaught also hosts a very popular quiz night on Sunday and if you have one of their roasts at this time, they will pay the one pound quiz entry fee for you! Sign us up!

TISBURY KITCHEN: MACKIE AVENUE, PATCHAM Much like The Connaught, The Ladies Mile holds the same values and morals as a typical English pub. Its resident kitchen, run by Russell Tisbury, offers a great roast, including all the trimmings and a monstrous Yorkshire pudding, the food is one to look forward to before the new week sets in. An inviting environment for all ages, followed up with polite and friendly front of house staff, it’s the place to unwind and put your feet up.

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THE LOCAL’S GUIDE TO...

DELICIOUS VEGAN FOOD IN BRIGHTON BY ROSANNA PYCRAFT

Taste, atmosphere and community. A local’s guide to Brighton’s top five alternative vegan-friendly café-bars.

BREWED 136 Lewes Rd, Brighton, BN2 3LG Brewed is the vegan brunch of Brighton. The home-made ingredients in Nick and Tom’s fry-up simply sing from the plate. The soft turmeric scrambled tofu pairs wonderfully with the tangy, sweet chilli jam. My favourite, the hash brown ball, explodes with flavour and goes perfectly with a slice of grilled tomato. Dukkah, sprinkled on a bed of gently wilted spinach, beautifully accompanies chunky mushrooms, coated in a garlic and thyme herb-oil, which are softened by creamy pieces of avocado on toasted sourdough. But it’s not just the food that consistently keeps me coming back; the single origin coffee, in-house, is exquisite!

MARWOOD BAR & COFFEEHOUSE 52 Ship Street, BN1 1AF A favourite hangout amid locals in town, Marwoods is equal parts wonderfully abnormal and entertaining. Whether you want to visit for a coffee, some beer or a cocktail, eat some vegan cake, have a sandwich or a vegan sausage roll, listen to a great DJ on a Friday evening, maybe attend a life drawing class, or learn how to paint - this is the place to come. Nothing quite makes sense here as crazy bric-a-brac hangs from the ceiling and walls, and toys, books and retro 80s relics find themselves in and amongst the mix-match furniture. But then that’s half its charm.

CAFÉ PLENTY 3-4 Circus Parade, New England Road, BN1 4GW This arts and culture café is a great place to meet people, connect with the local community or get down to some work. The layout is open and spacious - plants dangle from the high ceiling, interesting monthly exhibitions hang from the stone walls and the vibe is super cool. The coffee is delicious and there’s a great selection of vegan breakfast and lunch options. Flavour, texture and temperature are what this café is renowned for - try one of their eight flavours of chilli jams! Be sure to catch the lovely owner and chef Mitch, who will give you a real taste of what this creative side of Brighton is all about.

BACK-A-YARD Admiral Pub, Brighton Fantastic, wholesome Caribbean food legends playing great reggae tunes! There’s a great range of vegan options - the steamed rice and peas, dumplings, jerk sauce and callaloo spinach is one to cure any sins. The juicy greenery is one of a kind and loaded with seven different irons - people swear by its healing powers on a hangover! Owner and Jamaican chef Roy certainly puts his heart and soul into these delicious delights- places like these are hard to come by in the busy Brighton scene, but if you have the time to give, it is a must.

SMORL’S HUMMUS BAR & DELI

Open Market, Marshalls Row, BN1 4JU

Situated in the Open Market - the beating heart of Brighton’s local community- this spot makes for a wonderful and authentic hang out to eat the best hummus in town. Run by siblings Sarah and Christian who have been making hummus for over 35 years, you won’t be disappointed by the affordable, fun and healthy plates of food. Everything is homemade, and the importance of flavour and taste is what this vegan deli lives for. Every vegetable on the plate comes from the market opposite and the combination of flavours- from the almond tapenade to the pureed butternut squash with a tahini and date dressinggoes above and beyond in savour. 46

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F O O D

THE SET

Brighton’s favourite ditches their trademark set menus - but is it the right decision? BY NAMMIE MATTHEWS / PHOTOS: XDB PHOTOGRAPHY

Warm, inviting and ambient, there’s little wonder Regency Square’s The Set has been the talk of foodies across the county since it opened in 2014. Situated in the plush walls of upmarket boutique hotel Artist Residence, the restaurant

was among the first to take on an innovative set menu concept with great success - until now. From last month, the restaurant has taken a departure from their original business model, replacing it with a more classic, a la carte structure. But the question on the tip of everyone’s tongues is: how does it measure up? The good news is, particularly in terms of flavour, long-time lovers of The Set won’t be disappointed. But the varied menu has allowed chef and owner Dan Kenny and his team to put up a wider selection of plates to cater to all tastes and budgets - so a larger demographic can enjoy them on a day-to-day basis (which can only be a good thing, right?). Snacks start at a mere £3, and include the delicate oyster with ponzu (£3), squid ink grissini with mussel sauce (£3) and showstopping chorizo croquette (£3.50) to whet one’s appetite. Meanwhile, the chefs’ signature talents are still perfectly demonstrated in the starters. Comprising two root vegetable dishes - Parsnip and Heritage Carrot (both £6) - with entirely contrasting flavours, the former dish reflects the more comforting and traditionally autumnal flavours of the vegetable, while the latter utilises North African flavours with cracked wheat and homemade yoghurt for a lighter take. 48

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The results are just a tip of the iceberg when it comes to what the Set team can do, with their creativity extending further to the mains. Generously-sized sharing platters for two accompanying the five sumptuous single dishes on the menu, including crown of pheasant, whole salt baked sea bream, and BBQ hispi cabbage to split with a loved one. Those who prefer not to share their food, however, could do worse than the Cod Poached in Brown Butter (with local seaweed velouté, crispy squid and turnip, £15) or the Trenchmore Beef Risotto (served with ox cheek, cured ox heart, parsley and shallot salad, £15), which will each do plenty to warm guests up on a cooler day. Perhaps most impressive, however, are the desserts. A traditional sticky toffee pudding is given a modern spin with malt ice cream, raisin and cola jelly to add a sour element, while miso tiramisu (misomisu? tiramiso?) is a slightly umami take on the Italian classic dessert. Fresh canelle are also available at an absolute steal (£2!), and the cocktail menu - a reflection of The Fix next door - is worth a visit in itself. In all, The Set appears to have accomplished the unimaginable, changing the structure of their entire menu without compromising on flavour. And with a meal for two, including snacks, three courses and cocktails, still coming in at under £100, it means many more can enjoy it (and long may that continue). The Set is at 33 Regency Square, Brighton BN1 2GG. Tel: 01273 855572.

bleacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bar upstairs

our super cosy h i d e a w a y for your more r e l a x i n g experience with a huge screen, own bar and comfy l a y o u t available to book

F O O D

CHARD

Pop up no more as Chard finds a new home - and it’s oh so inviting BY NAMMIE MATTHEWS

Take one step into Chard’s new digs above Western Road’s Igigi General Store, and you’ll instantly get the feeling you’ve been transported into an old friend’s kitchen. Rustic linens adorn tables along with fresh succulents, while the windowed front allows light to bounce around the space, drawing attention to the enviable kitchen worktops, the cake displays on the sideboard and the wide selection of teas up on the shelves. It’s a room ripped right out of a John Lewis catalogue - and boy, does this lovely little family-run restaurant deserve it. Since opening in October, the team behind Chard (which comprises Sullivan sisters Benny and Mae, plus Mae’s partner Ciaran) have been settling in smoothly, offering lunch five days a week alongside their coveted Saturday dinner menu. While a first for the trio, they’ve been dedicated to getting their cafe experience just right, and do so with effortless aplomb, providing a small but delightful menu fit for sharing (think tapenade, dips, hummus and some of the best chutneys you’ll find in town). Their plates are both sizable and reasonably priced, and are mainly vegetarianfriendly and gluten-free, catering to dietary requirements without alienating their regulars by compromising on flavour.

It’s the kind of place you can take your mum after a Saturday afternoon of shopping, or have a laugh over wine with a group of friends (who knows - Mae and Ciaran may even join in). Your nan will love it, as will your hipster coffee snob mates, with grinds supplied by local roasters Pharmacie and the bevvies made expertly by Ciaran. Dad will be impressed with a generous wadge of one of Benny’s cakes - particularly if you choose the phenomenal chocolate fudge - there truly is something for everyone here. A state of temporary flux after they left Cafe Rust in London Road earlier this year meant Chard’s future was momentarily left in question. But these lucky cats have proven they could landed firmly on their feet by securing their permanent home at Igigi - a delight for all. Lunch at Igigi is served from 12pm-3pm Tuesday to Saturday. Chard is at 31 Western Rd, Hove, BN3 1AF.

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YOU JUICE

eastern eye SOUTH INDIAN CUISINE

Special Offer

BY NAMMIE MATTHEWS

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who love breakfast, and those who prefer to go hungry til around 11am (psychopaths, all of you). Fortunately, YouJuice caters to both - serving up fresh, nutritious vegan food from the early hours to late afternoon. And my god, is it delicious. I visit on a Wednesday morning, truly feeling the mid-week hump. I’ve also been feeling a small tickle at the back of my throat for the last few days - you know, the kind which lets you know it’s going to really mess you up if you don’t get your shit together and cram your body full of nutrients pronto. I mention this, using not quite so colourful language, to the lovely ladies at YouJuice and am immediately sat down with a turmeric shot (£3.25). Made from a combination of ginger, lemon, orange, fennel, raw honey (the only potentially non-vegan thing on the menu) and the aforementioned turmeric, this comes with a hell of a kick, and I can feel it getting to work almost instantly. Take that, mysterious lurgy. While the shot probably provided enough vitamin C to fend off scurvy for a lifetime, it was not enough to satisfy my ravenous stomach, so I also opted for one of YouJuice’s new breakfast bowls (£5.50). Filled with chia seeds, banana, homemade ‘yoghurt’ (blended avocado, bananas, almond milk and berries), raw granola, orange and pomegranate seeds, it’s easily the healthiest meal I’ve had all month. I wasn’t a huge fan of the granola chunks, which I found quite flavourless (though granted I’m not a massive fan of seeds), but the yoghurt was a massive treat - and I stayed full until dinner time. I washed it all down with a small bottle of L2 juice (£4.25) made from spirulina, apple, pineapple, kale, celery, lemon, cucumber and avocado. I’m told this juice in particular is good for “uplifting mood and anti-oxidising” among other things, but after this morning’s health kick I feel a bit more like I’m ready to run a marathon or transform into Wonder Woman - whichever comes first. YouJuice is at 96 North Road & 17 Montpelier Place, Brighton, and 48 Brunswick Street East, Hove.

Mon, Tu

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F O O D www.levelupnutrition.co.uk Facebook: @levelupnutritionuk Instagram: @level.up.nutrition

ASK JESS... THE NUTRITIONIST

JESS ENGLISH, REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Feel bloated and guilty after tackling a festive buffet? Here’s my 5 top tips to avoid it this year. Feel a bit out of control around all that food? Wishing you’d worn something elasticated? Let me help. This sparkly season comes with the promise of cozy shared meals, mistletoe, £6 teeny glasses of uber-sweet mulled cider and bizarre fusion-inspired Iceland finger foods (other frozen food providers are available). It also comes with the promise of redemption in the new year; a time for new beginnings, new clothes, new lifestyle new you. I don’t need to add any NY resolution stats in here to explain how that usually ends up though. So, we tend to eat way past our point of fullness over the festive season and wallow in a pit of guilt in the new year between juicing and beating ourselves up ourselves in spin classes and bootcamps, of course. What if this year could be different? What if this year you just enjoyed your food - had a good time and didn’t feel so awful about yourself that you had to punish yourself in the new year?

3. SAVING UP ALL OF YOUR POINTS / KCALS ETC FOR THE BOOZE Rookie mistake; see above - but with more pukey / office fumble-y consequences. 4. GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO ENJOY IT This season comes but once a year. It’s always been a time for feasting and celebrating - allow yourself to enjoy it all. Pick things that you know you love and try some new things. Try to think about how they taste rather than mindlessly munching away. 5. BE KIND TO YOURSELF So what if you end up undoing your top button? Eating until you burst doesn’t make you a ‘bad’ person and neither does skipping the gym that morning - you shouldn’t feel guilty about it. These few days are only a very small part of your overall health in terms of nutrition. It’s your intake over months and years that can have an effect.

HERE’S 5 TIPS TO GET YOU THROUGH THIS SEASON’S EATINGS IN ONE PIECE: 1. FIRST THINGS FIRST - CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF How hungry are you? Think about it on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being super-stuffed and 1 being totally empty). If you’re rocking a comfortable-but-peckish 4, how are you going to feel after those 3 Thai Cranberry Tempura Prawns and a Vegan Stuffing Samosa? Why not start by having a few bits you really fancy and see how you go - still hungry? No worries - you can always have something else later on. 2. EATING ISN’T CHEATING Some diets would have you save up all of your ‘allowance’ (points / kcals / whatever) for your daily meals. Starving yourself all day and then setting yourself loose on the buffet interferes with your innate hunger / fullness signals and you could end up ravenously inhaling 4 plates before you noticed how full you really were. Not ideal. Try to eat how you would normally the day of a big buffet or meal - then you’ll be much less likely to eat more than your body needs.

To sum it up, these months are for celebration and enjoyment - for winding down, resting, and if you’re lucky - spending time with loved ones. Taking some time over the year to get back in touch with your own body, eating more mindfully and being kind to yourself can make it less about punishment and that much more enjoyable. Feeling stuck in a rut with your eating and health? I can help. I have some new one-to-one sessions opening up get in touch: jess@levelupnutrition.co.uk and let’s work together. THE FESTIVE ISSUE

Did you know we can ďŹ t free smoke alarms and offer advice on staying safe at home? www.esfrs.org | 0800 177 7069 54

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F O O D

THE NEW

UNITY

Sports fans take note: this Laine Brew Co refit might be your fave new bar in town BY LUCY HALLETT

As a born and bred Brightonian, one of the most interesting things to observe over the years has been the changing perceptions of various areas as time goes by. When I was a girl any mention of London Road was accompanied with a sneer or a narrowing of the eyes. It always seemed a bit unfriendly, a bit grey and lacking the sparkly excitement of other parts of Brighton. Fast-forward a few more years than I care to remember and not only does London Road generate smiles rather than scowls, but it now also boasts some genuinely fantastic places to eat and drink. A perfect example of London Road’s changing face is The New Unity. Previously the rather intimidating Branch Tavern, it has undergone major works and could not look more different. Gorgeous woods dominate and the majority of the main bar is filled with four-seater wooden tables, beautiful high leather seats and your own TV screen. Yes, you’ve read that right. On our visit, the lovely bartender ‘T’ explained they have the ability to show five different channels simultaneously, meaning gone are the days of arguing with your mates about where is more likely to show some obscure footie match. The New Unity is bound to have it covered and what’s more - there’s food and drink too. The food menu is a tempting mix of bar snacks, build your own hotdogs, burgers and sharing platters. We started with three of the bar snacks to share: Crispy Hoisin Pork Balls with Spiced Apple Chutney (£6), Slow-Cooked Pork Ribs with BBQ Sauce (£5) and Beer Battered Cod Goujons with Tartare Sauce (£6). We also got a £3 discount for ordering three snacks which was a nice bonus! I was slightly nervous about the hoisin pork with apple but the chutney was

wonderfully warm and subtle and complemented the juicy and plentiful pork wonderfully. The cod goujons were really top notch too - flaky, high quality cod encased in crunchy batter with a punchy tartare sauce. However the star of the show, and probably ranking with some of the best I’ve ever had, were the ribs. They were so skilfully cooked that the meat actually slid from the bone and at times I thought there was a good chance the table would get into some sort of fight in determining who got to eat the last ones. Being a gluttonous group we weren’t finished there. We built a couple of hotdogs - a Beef, Mustard and Horseradish Sausage (£8), American Mustard (free) and Fried Onions (£1) and a Roasted Pepper, Garlic and Tomato Sausage (£8), Garlic Mayo (free) and Bacon (£1). Both hotdogs came with a huge portion of chunky chips, and some coleslaw. Knowing that the fantastic Brighton Sausage Company supplied all the jumbo sausages meant I knew we were in for a treat and I wasn’t disappointed. The beef sausage was rich, meaty and moreish and our experimental mix of vegetarian sausage with added bacon was actually really tasty. The brioche buns were particularly good quality, and held their shape really well - after all, there’s nothing worse than a bun that falls to pieces! The huge chips were a marvel too: crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside and went down very well with the creamy coleslaw. I washed my meal down with a very respectable large glass of Malbec (£7.40) - not bad at all. The New Unity really impressed me. I can’t think of a better place in Brighton to watch sport, drink good drinks and eat some fantastic food with friends. The New Unity is at 52-53 London Road. THE FESTIVE ISSUE

F O O D

CURIOUS ABOUT MEAL REPLACEMENT DRINKS, BUT NOT SURE HOW TO PROCEED?

Trained dietician Jess English has everything you need to know. We live in Brighton & Hove - tech hub and wonderful bubble. As such you probably know someone who has a Huel shaker in their desk, heck that might even be you. Or you might be looking into them to support your new year’s resolutions. There’s a veritable diet tribe built around these meal-replacements but I don’t want to get into this bit; I wanted to take a look at the pros and cons of them in terms of overall health.

leave you craving other foods - increasing your likelihood of bingeing at a later time.

WHAT ARE THEY?

Besides the nutritional content of their meals, countries listed as ‘Blue Zones’ (places where people regularly live to 100 years or more) regularly sit down to enjoy leisurely meals together. Compare this with these aspirational ‘bulletproof’ methods and meal-replacements touted by Silicon Valley’s finest and you have a very different set-up.

For those who haven’t heard of them, these powdered meal replacement drinks are intended to replace all or part of our food intake. The big players at the moment are Huel (‘Human fuel’) and Soylent (Yes, like the film… hopefully not too much like the film). Most are nutritionally complete - meaning that you should be able to live off these powders alone and meet your nutritional requirements.

WHY DO PEOPLE DRINK THEM?

Most cited seem to be convenience and cost - they’re simple to prepare (mix powder with water) and replacing a meal with a shake costs approximately £1.20; a big saving compared to a store-bought lunch or dinner. Flavour isn’t usually listed high up there. They’re marketed as a healthy alternative for those who don’t have the time, inclination or desire to eat actual food. Some tech companies even offer them as ‘perks’ for staff who’re working long hours at their desks.

WHAT MEALS MEAN - IMPACT ON SOCIAL LIVES ETC.

Food is a massive part of our lives; for celebration, commiseration, relaxation - so many things. Taking the time to eat with friends, co-workers and family can also be a massive boost for our physical and mental wellbeing.

IS THIS THE FUTURE OF FOOD?

I appreciate that some people genuinely do not have time or the desire to cook and prepare meals and so these powders may be a useful occasional alternative. However, you don’t have to drink them to be healthy.

ARE THEY HEALTHIER?

The issues people report around eating - lack of time, eating at a desk etc are hard to avoid but these drinks are surely just a sticking plaster. Is this a great idea - or should we be trying to fix the problems that cause those issues in the first place?

The science is new; there have been no long-term studies into meal-replacement drinks. Swapping your meals out for a few Huels may improve your nutritional intake for those days but may not improve your overall health. Restricting your intake to having a liquid meal replacement may also

Some of the biggest barriers people report to eating a balanced, varied diet include time, knowledge and skills. If we focused on improving these and improving our working lives could the future look different for the next generation - or do we want them to be drinking their meals?

It’s tricky to say. Whilst they may be nutritionally complete in terms of one ‘average’ person’s intake; they may not provide enough nutrients, satisfaction or energy for another. In the overall balance of health, there are so many more important factors to consider - socioeconomic status, stress, mental health, sleep, activity levels, cultural microaggressions, alcohol, smoking.

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L I F E S T Y L E

BN1 TRIES...

FLOATATION THERAPY AT ABOUT BALANCE BRIGHTON

Its therapeutic effects have been talked about worldwide, but is sensory deprivation really worth its salt? BY NAMMIE MATTHEWS

Since they were first used in 1954 to explore the effects of sensory deprivation, floatation tanks have fluctuated in popularity, appearing prominently in the 1980 Ken Russell film Altered States and ultimately gaining widespread acceptance in recent years. The benefits are considerable, with those who float reporting the treatment relieves stress, anxiety, jet-lag, insomnia and muscular aches and pains. It’s even supposed to improve concentration, memory and energy levels - all by simply lying in a shallow pool of Epsom salt water heated to body temperature, naked as you came into this world. But how exactly does it work? “It’s interesting what happens to your brain when you take the outside world away,” explains Effie Love, who opened About Balance in East Street four years ago. The location has since changed (you can now find them in Gloucester Place), but the ethos remains the same: providing wellbeing and treatments to the masses at affordable rates. She adds: “Within 40 minutes of floating, your brain waves change from alpha to beta - or even theta, which is what happens when you fall asleep or just before you wake up. You might find you feel ‘bored’ - but that’s good! It makes our brains more creative.” 58

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Intrigued, and mid-way through a particularly digitally-heavy week, I decide to give it a go. Predictably, it does take a little while to fully relax, but as the initial panic of not being able to see nor hear anything dissipates, along with my sense of direction, slowly my worries go with it too. And then the magic happens. Without the distraction of every day stimuli, my brain was left to form its own images and ideas, and before long I was basking in the sunlight kilometres off the coast of The Maldives, my inner critic gone. Emotions both high and low came and went, and for a moment I became almost childlike, the floating offering a sense of freedom from societal expectations as I playfully

lapped at the water around me. With nothing to think about for a whole hour, I was able to process everything I had been mentally storing all week, and by the time the 60 minutes were up, I felt lighter; freer. This lasted the rest of the week. The digital age means we’re rarely free of interruptions (research shows the average person is now distracted around every 40 seconds), but floatation therapy offers a welcome haven from the blue screen it would be difficult to replicate elsewhere. Floatation sessions at About Balance Brighton cost £55 per person (£35 with in-house loyalty ‘Karma card’), and £100 for two people.

TV + FILM YOU 26 DEC NETFLIX

A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE TRUE DETECTIVE: SEASON 3 EVENTS TUES 1 JAN NETFLIX SUN 13 JAN SKY ATLANTIC

When a brilliant bookstore manager crosses paths with an aspiring writer, his answer becomes clear: anything. Using the internet and social media to gather the most intimate of details, a charming and awkward crush quickly becomes obsession as he removes every obstacle - and person - in his way. Starring Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley and Shay Mitchell from Pretty Little Liars.

Based on the bestselling series of books by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler), the third and final season of the Peabody award-winning Netflix original premieres worldwide next month. Starring Emmy and Tony Award-winner Neil Patrick Harris, the show recounts the tragic tale of the Baudelaire orphans, whose evil uncle Count Olaf (Harris) will stop at nothing to get his hands on their inheritance.

There is no time to catch your breath from the past perplexing series of True Detective; creator Nick Pizzolatto is taking the third anthology crime drama to the Ozarks. This season, Wayne (Mahershala Ali) attempts to uncover the unsettling story of missing children in a mystery that deepens over decades in separate time periods.

AQUAMAN FRI 14 DEC

From James Wan, director of The Conjuring and Insidious, comes an action sci-fi blockbuster deep out of his typical genre. Aquaman is the upcoming American superhero film based on the DC Comics character and is intended to be the sixth installment in the DC Extended Universe. Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa), the heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, must step forward to lead his people against his brother, Orm, who seeks to unite the seven kingdoms against the surface world. Amber Heard joins the cast as as Mera, Patrick Wilson as the Ocean Master, Nicole Kidman as Atlanna and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as the villain Black Manta.

ON THE BASIS OF SEX FRI 4 JAN

BEAUTIFUL BOY FRI 18 JAN

DESTROYER FRI 25 JAN

Director Mimi Leder tells an inspiring and true story that follows young lawyer Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Felicity Jones) as she teams with her husband Marty (Armie Hammer) to bring a groundbreaking case before the U.S. Court of Appeals and overturn a century of gender discrimination. The feature will premiere in 2018 in line with Justice Ginsburg’s 25th anniversary on the Supreme Court.

Based on the best-selling pair of memoirs from father and son David and Nic Sheff, director Felix Van Groeningen chronicles the heartbreaking and inspiring biographical drama of survival, relapse, and recovery in a family. Starring Steve Carell, as David; Maura Tierney, as Karen; and finally an astounding performance by Timothée Chalamet as Nicolas, a top student who turns to addiction.

As a young cop, Erin Bell went undercover to infiltrate a gang in the California desert with tragic results. When the leader of that gang re-emerges many years later, Bell must work her way back through the remaining members and into her own history with them to finally reckon with the demons that destroyed her past. A stellar performance by Nicole Kidman, who takes a step away from the roles she’s known for.

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Chestnut Tree House – your local children’s hospice – is a special place where families spend their days making precious memories that will last a lifetime.

The Snowman Spectacular Appeal 2018 for

It costs £35.70 to pay for one hour’s nursing care for a life-limited child.

Chestnut Tree House

Chestnut Tree House Dover Lane, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9PX Telephone 01903 871800 www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk Chief Executive: Hugh Lowson

Please make a gift this Christmas, because, just like The Snowman , your gift will bring care, joy and wonder to children at your local children’s hospice. Thank you. TM

To donate online visit: www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/christmas1 Registered charity No 256789

President: Henry, Earl of Arundel Patrons: The Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, Mrs Susan Pyper, Linda Bloom, Tony Bloom, Tim Breden, Raymond Briggs, Michael Chowen CBE DL, Kathy Gore OBE DL, Julie Graham, Sally Gunnell OBE DL, Ambrose Harcourt, Paul Jones, Matt Prior, Debi Raggio, Ben Richards. 15th Birthday Patrons: Natasha Baker MBE, Julia and Malcolm Donaldson, Chesney Hawkes, Jacquie and Barry Hinves, Jodie Kidd, Lester Magoogan, Nic Roldan, Bruno Saltor, Joe Stilgoe, The Snowman™, Matt Turner. St Barnabas Hospices (Sussex) Ltd is a charity registered in England (Registered Charity Number 256789) and is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee (registered in England Number 930107).

CTH letterhead 15th birthday.indd 1

02/01/2018 10:30

solutions to this crossword?