Absolute Magazine Sep 13

ISSUE 103 . SEPTEMBER 2013

THE ULTIMATE WEDDING GUIDE HOW CIVILISED!

Afternoon Tea at The Grand

BIGGEST EVER ISSUE!

AUTUMN FEST SEPTEMBER IS FESTIVAL TIME IN SUSSEX

LUCY PORTER

ON LOSING HER FRIENDS TO BRIGHTON

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Just 40 minutes from Brighton, feels a million miles away

Enjoy a glass of Pimms on the terrace, a beautiful seasonal three course dinner in the restaurant, sumptuous rooms and a full English breakfast to wake up to for only ÂŁ75 per person until the end of September.

A country house to call your own 0845 345 3426 ghyllmanor.co.uk Subject to availability. Valid for new bookings only and not available in conjunction with any other offer. Based on two people sharing a standard room.

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Issue 103. September 2013 Publisher: Alan Prior

Editor: Ian Trevett ian.trevett@absolutemagazine.co.uk

07584 023635

Fashion & Beauty Editor: Kate Morton kate.morton@absolutemagazine.co.uk

Sales Executive: Luke Thacker luke.thacker@absolutemagazine.co.uk

07568 336402

Commercial Manager: Luke Mould luke.mould@absolutemagazine.co.uk

07581 354288

Sales Executive: Anya Zervudachi anya@absolutemagazine.co.uk

07596 337828

Designer: Sally Wynn

Designer: Dominic Loosemore

Food Editor: Nick Mosley

Writer: Daniel White

Editorial Assistant: Iszara Morgan

Writer: Thomas Paton Designer: Frida Clementz Distribution: Matt Sheppard

Absolute Publications Ltd The Pinnacle Group Premier House 11 Marlborough Place BRIGHTON BN1 1UB Tel: 08707 707 765 Fax: 08700 052 082 info@absolutemagazine.co.uk www.absolutemagazine.co.uk

Absolute Brighton and Pinnacle would like to thank the advertisers that appear in this publication for their support, and wish them every business success. The contents of this publication are believed to be correct at the time of printing; nevertheless, we cannot endorse, and readers should not rely solely upon, the accuracy of any statements or claims contained herein, without prior consultation with the service provider.

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Suepix

8 - 37 Wedding Special.

Brighton is the perfect city to tie the knot

with lovely venues and a creative community that provides some of the most innovative wedding services. This is reflected in our incredible 30 page Bridal section.

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welcome from the editor...

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This month we have produced the biggest-ever edition of Absolute Magazine and we are very proud of the way the title has grown over the past few months.

Our belief is that if we produce a quality publication that people enjoy and want to read, then the readership will go up and local companies will want to be involved.

73 72 Festival Season

70 Lucy Porter

Shakedown, takes place this month,

circuit, famous for joke-fllled tales of

with headliners including Labrinth and

being a single woman in her 30s and her

DJ Fresh. We meet the organiser Steve

determination to avoid parenthood. But

Jones who also tells us about the family-

then she went and found a husband

friendly SD2 event.

and now has two kids of her own. Has

We talk to the rapper Mikill Pane about

this wrecked her career? Not likely - she

the festival and his inspirations.

is still touring but the material may have

We also preview the quirky festival, Over

changed slightly! We chat about her

the Moon, on page 67

new show ‘Northern Soul’, which is a

The county’s biggest music festival,

Lucy Porter is a veteran of the comedy

We have assembled a great team of writers, columnists and photographers. We have become more active in the life of the city, partnering with the best events, which this month include the Food and Drink Festival and Shakedown. We work closely with some of the city’s finest institutions such as the cricket club, the racecourse, The Grand Hotel and Hotel du Vin.

slightly strange subject for a girl from Croydon!

“I’m particularly known for reinventing older tricks, like pulling the heads off ducks”

Endfield. As well as directing the film Zulu, Endfield also happened to be a master of micro magic and one of the greatest card magicians I’ve come across. He wrote a book in the 50’s called ‘Entertaining Card Magic’.

Have you ever had to abandon an illusion fearing for your safety?

I have actually, a year ago on a show called Monkey Magic we had the idea to reinvent a trick from the Middle Ages where I would cut a length of rope and then restore/repair the rope in front of the audience. We wanted to up the stakes obviously for the wow factor, so decided to involve a guy tied to one end up on a 200 foot crane, the idea being that I would cut the rope as he fell and then restore it just in time to catch him. It was just to difficult, it was a real shame but it just had to be abandoned.

Who was the last magician to fool you with a trick? Or rather, which magician has impressed you the most?

Cooking up a Treat

I did a series called the Secret World of Magic on Sky 1 where I travelled to meet magicians from across the globe. There was this guy in Spain, pretty much our version of Paul Daniels but cooler, called Juan Tamariz. He would do close-up card tricks and could consistently fool magicians, myself included. He also wrote a book, called “The Magic Way: The Psychology of How to Fool’. Juan Tamariz changed perceptions of magic in Spain and he still performs to this day. He was also came from film school and understands the theory of it all inside out.

Thomas Paton meets award-winning magician and actor Ali Cook, one of the stars of ITV 1 show ‘Penn and Teller: Fool Us’

You’ll be bringing your new tour to Brighton to perform at Komedia.

Can you give us a clue as to what we can expect?

What are you first? Magician, comedian, writer, illusionist, actor or Producer?

I’d say I’m a Renaissance man. I had a film producer recently refer to me as that and that’s what I’ll stick with I think. Weirdly, every title you mentioned is very similar.

Magic, acting, comedy and film all make use of the same three act structure to excite the audience’s interest, make them form an assumption and then revert it with a flourish.

A lot of the theory of magic is actually based in screenwriting. When i was fifteen I read a book called ‘Strong Magic’ written by Darwin

Ortiz, that was what got me into film and highlighted the similarities between all the performance arts.

So, you’ve been cornered by fans in Brighton with no props of any kind.

Would you go for a magic trick, play safe with a joke or disappear entirely?

A joke is too hard on one person. I’d definitely go for a trick. A rough rule in comedy goes that if a third of the room laughs and gets it, then it’s a keeper. I’ve

had to do shows to fifteen people and it’s so tough. If it was a one-on-one encounter I would go for a magic trick, probably ‘the vanishing pebble’. I did have a stalker once, she used to come to all of our gigs but she bought a ticket every time.

Who was your inspiration?

The first is Steve Martin, not many people know that he started out in magic. He was just the most fantastic performer, and ended up being one of the finest comedians of his generation. The second would have to be Cy

This show is the same as the last Edinburgh show ‘Principle and Deceptions’ taken from the name of a book written in the 40’s by Australian magician Arthur Buckley. The book gives a historical context of magic and demonstrates different styles of illusion through the ages. Rather than do what Derren does with group psychology, I wanted to cover as much of magic’s history as possible in the ninety-minute show because I like to stretch myself as a performer. So, over the course of the show i’ll levitate a member of the audience, show the trick that fooled Houdini and regurgitate a live Goldfish.

Later in the show we do a creepy trick using hypnotism and auto-suggestion to convince

GuestList

an audience member that they are being touched in the dark by invisible hands. One thing I’m particularly known for is reinventing older tricks, like pulling the heads off ducks, which was last done in Spain in ’82. I’ll be honest, I don’t get a lot of stuff nicked.

guestlist What?

Sussex Anniversary Lunch Where?

You won the British Magic Championships at the age of just 17, what age had you totally invested yourself in magic?

Boundary Rooms 8

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Why? A reunion to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2003 championship-winning side

From about 15 really, it’s all I wanted to do. The confirmation from winning gave me the confidence and gave me a good marker to set against myself. Sure, they aren’t the be all and end all but it was still nice to know that whatever I was doing, I was doing something right.

Who?

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With such an extensive television work do you find that a live show lets you enjoy an audience reaction first-hand?

Television is the best advert for my work but ask almost anyone in the performance game, they will tell you that it’s all about the live show. Acting is slightly different, I love film acting because in my mind that can get so precise it becomes akin to the technicality of close up magic. Still nothing compares to the feeling of having an audience in raptures.

What sticks in your mind as the most dramatic audience reaction and what was the trick?

I’ve had people faint before. I do a trick called ‘Swallowing the razorblades’ where it starts going wrong halfway through. People have a thing with blood and even though the audience knows it’s a joke, I’ll never forget seeing an unconscious woman being dragged out of the show. I’ve also got a trick up on You Tube called ‘Psychic Surgery’, where I pull a tumour from a human stomach leaving no marks on the skin. On that one we had a first year medical student fainting on us. Probably not so great in that line of work.

Our fashion shoots feature the most talented photographers, hairdressers, models and make-up artists. Our property and business sections are rapidly expanding.

1. 2003 Table Left Clockwise Jason Lewry, Tony Cottey, Patricia Carr, Peter Moores, Trevor Mould, Mike Borissow, Robin Martin Jenkins, Chris Adams, Neil Lenham and Tim Ambrose

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Our aim is to keep improving the magazine and our contribution to the city.

2. 2003 Table Left clockwise Carl Hopkinson, Bas Zuiderent, Richard Montgomerie, Sean Rashid, Hugh Griffiths, Tony Alcott, John Hartridge, Chris Pickett, Stuart Osborne and Mark Robinson 3. Mike Punter and John Reeve Players Club Members

What stands as the most imaginative yet wildly incorrect explanation for one of your illusions?

Years ago, in Finland, I had a woman convinced that I was in cahoots with the devil. I mean convinced. The poor woman was scared out of her skin because I had done a trick on her where I can name a card she was thinking of before tshe had even chosen. We were backstage at a show when I showed her the trick and she believed entirely that it was the work of the devil. It seems that when someone’s frame of reference is already slanted towards the existence of the paranormal, then it only takes a small card trick to confirm it in their mind. My favourite explanations for my tricks usually present themselves from drunk women at private parties, I’m trying to remember some but they are always pretty out there, and wildly inaccurate.

Ali is performing at Komedia on 26 September.

74 Ali Cook

4. Mark Davis 5. MC Roger Dakin and Mark Robinson 12

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6. Mike Yardy 7. MC Roger Dakin and Richard Montgomerie 8. Jim May, Nik Askaroff, Zac Toumazi and Ambrose Harcourt

All the big

9. Murray Goodwin, Chris Adams and Peter Moores.

10. Jo Tilling and Karl Tilling 11. Jason Edge and Richard Beeforth

events from

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15

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12. Mike Punter and John Reeve

We hope you will enjoy the ride with us.

13. Murray Goodwin 14. Robin Martin Jenkins 15. Chris Adams 16. Ray Williams

across the city.

17. Roger Dakin

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18. James Kirtley, Tim Ambrose and Tony Cottey

:

The magician who fooled Penn and

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GuestList4.indd 3

21/08/2013 23:50

Teller talks to Thomas Paton about the downside of deception - you can be accused of being the devil himself.

Editor

At a Glance

Tea

60 Taking Tea

You don’t get any

Everything stops for tea Ian Trevett takes tea with Gabor Kovacs, the new lounge manager at The Grand Hotel

wealthier sections of society. It was thought to have been introduced by the Duchess of Bedford in the 1840s, and developed into a ritual enjoyed by ladies of a certain class.

It isn’t a custom shared by our European neighbours, but that’s not to say they dislike the idea. Gabor Kovacs, the new lounge manager at The

He is right - you need time to enjoy the tea, which is probably why it was an upper class preserve in the 19th century. Working class folk rarely had a great deal of time away from the mill or factory!

Today an afternoon tea tends to be a treat enjoyed at a hotel or tea-shop, but no-one does it quite like The Grand and the reason why you need so

Lucy Porter 70

Health / Beauty 38

Mikill Pane 73

Stephen Grant 51

Ali Cook 74

Zoe Lyons 53

Education 76

Food & Drink 54

Art 80

Peter James 58

King of Brighton 83

much time is there is so much to get through.

It begins with a selection of hand cut sandwiches, a pot of The Grand’s own blended tea or a choice of world renowned blends and infusions.

Warm scones arrive next with strawberry preserves and West Country clotted cream. Then there’s the final course, the piece de resistance, a patisserie chef. All are delicious with a delectable Raspberry Tart and decadent Chocolate Delice to name a few.

Added to this are the delicate touches, which Gabor is passionate about.

“We have carefully chosen the cups, cutlery, strainers to ensure all detail is looked after and the table is set with a great deal of care. We want people to feel really special when they have tea at The Grand and the staff It is a service that Gabor has embraced, but his background is actually cocktails. Before the internet, there wasn’t an easy way to learn cocktail recipes in Budapest, so he watched Tom Cruise in the film Cocktail over and over again to pick up techniques. Since then he has run a variety of fashionable bars and worked in some of London’s finest hotels. It will be interesting to see how the cocktail menu develops.

Working as lounge manager means adapting to the different needs of

tea at The Grand.

Travel 34

down and relax and there is nothing as calming as afternoon tea. I never experienced it until I moved to England,” says Budapest born Gabor.

ensure they feel really looked after.”

taking afternoon

What’s On 66

Grand loves the ceremony and indulgence. “It is nice sometimes to slow

selection of homemade cakes and beautifully crafted pieces made by the

more civilised than

Weddings 8

You don’t get anything more quintessentially English than Afternoon Tea, a tradition wrapped up with the rules of etiquette, partaken by the

the guests and visitors to the hotel. Hotel guests want a lounge to relax in, daytime visitors want to have a taste of luxury with a sumptuous Afternoon Tea, while the evening has a lively buzz, with drinks priced at a surprisingly reasonable level.

But for now it is all about taking it easy and enjoying the wonderful surroundings. And, if like me, you don’t even like tea, don’t worry they make a mean cappucinno.

Afternoon Tea is served daily and starts from £22.95 per person.

Tel: 01273 224300. www.devere-hotels.co.uk/thegrand

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whole mag Sep.indd 60

Cover photo by Ramses Radi

21/08/2013 22:53

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New Romantic PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAMSES RADI STYLED BY KATE MORTON 8

This page and opposite: ‘South Pacific’ wedding dress by Ian Stuart, £3200, The Ozone, 01273 739500. Mawi oxidised earrings, £370, www.unionjewellery.com.

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Made to order ‘Frank’ wedding dress, £1300, Hope and Harlequin, 01273 675222. Veil, £85, White Leaf Boutique, 01273 605641. Triffid heart pendant, £225, rubellite feather ring, £175, both Jeremy Hoye, 01273 777207.

Vintage Paul Milana kimono. Silk, cockerel and ostrich feathers; beading with cultured pearls, rubies, emeralds and sapphires; original floral x-rays taken by the designer, courtesy of Royal Sussex County Hospital, £13,000. Earrings, as before. Shoes, stylist’s own.

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Beauty

1950s strapless lace and tulle dress, £350, Hope and Harlequin (as before). ‘Can’t Touch This’ shoes, £79.99, Irregular Choice, 01273 777120.

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‘Tiger Lily’ wedding dress, £1499, White Leaf Boutique (as before).

Mawi oxidised cuff, £340, www.unionjewellery.com. Made to order bridal headdress by www.beksiesboutique.com.

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Rosette bikini, £22, digital floral maxi skirt, £45, both Joy Brighton. Pink neon beads, £29, earrings, £59, both Sirene. Fruit bowl ring (Carmen collection), £275, Jeremy Hoye.

PHOTOGRAPHY Ramses Radi www.ramsesradi.com FASHION & STYLING Kate Morton HAIR Gary FORDE @ Fordehair using CORIOLISS Professional and Wella www.fordehair.co.uk MAKEUP Alessia Mancini using Shu Uemura alessia.mancini@hotmail.co.uk MODEL Tatjana G at Leni’s PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT Irene Gonzalez Calvo STYLIST’S ASSISTANT Iszara Morgan LOCATION BEATNIK CENTRAL www.beatnikbreaks.com Luxury holiday lets, short term rentals, private dining & hen parties in Brighton.

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Maryam is the face, hands and the creative power behind her couture womenswear label Mazelino Q:When was the label established?

A: Back in January 2004.

Q: What do Mazelino Designs specialise in?

A: We design and manufacture purely bespoke garments for special occasions. No dress is ever repeated, and we are very proud to have all our gowns made locally by our team.

Q: Does the business offer any other services?

A: Yes, at Mazelino we also offer a full wedding planning service. It is fantastic to be part of our brides and grooms special day and help them to achieve their dream wedding. Back in 2006 we also started teaching.

At the teaching school we run a variety of courses from dress making to crafts. Our sister company “Coco School of Fashion” was established in 2012.

Q: Fashion is a constant evolution, and it can change very rapidly these days with the movements in pop culture, music and media. Do any of these influence your designs?

A: I remember as a child looking through all the fashion magazines, looking at designers like Chanel, Valentino, Dior and many more. One thing I was always very attracted to were the timeless couture gowns that were made so beautifully. Even as a Fashion designer I’m not influenced by what appears every six months on the catwalk. I’m a great believer that you should have your own personal signature style, since that is timeless.I design for all shapes, sizes and ages and fashion these days is not catering for real women out there.

My motto has always been “be different but be classy” Q:What defines a Mazelino woman?

A: Oh that is a good question. She is confident, self assured, tough yet feminine and elegant.She’s a leader not a follower, taking pride in her appearance.

Q: Describe your own style in three words A: Modern, different, feminine.

Q: What makes your designs unique?

A: I think my designs are extensions of my clients personalities. I have always believed that nothing says more about your personality than your clothes.

Q: What exciting projects are you working on now?

A: All our commissions are very exciting, but to name two things; one is that we are involved with dressing Miss Dominica for the Miss World 2013 competition held in Indonesia on Sept 28th. This is very exciting so good luck to Laslessa.The second is our upcoming fashion show on October 24th. This will be the first fashion show of its kind. Everyone will have the opportunity to view all our designs in a 3D format and then have it made in their own colour and fabric for that couture look.

Q: How can people buy tickets for the show?

A: This is not a ticketed show and it’s purely by invitation only.

People can enquire at sales@mazelino.com for more information. www.mazelino.com 192 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2DJ 01273 726192 16

M.BUCHANAN PHOTOGRAPHY

the

Contemporary

zone

Bridal & Menswear

Brides looking for a truly memorable wedding gown should head into Brighton’s quaint North Laine where they will find The O Zone, a quirky little boutique housing beautiful wedding dresses in a spectacular array of styles and sizes.

The O Zone’s dedicated team are always on the lookout for something new and a little different and stock a wide variety of international designers from the award winning Ian Stuart, the 20’s glamour of Belle and Bunty to the amazing structure and detail of Sophia Tolli.

With such a variety of wedding venues these days home and abroad The O Zone believes they have a gown for every taste and pocket.

The rest of the bridal party are also well catered for at The O Zone, with over 100 dresses to choose from, suitable for bridesmaids, flower-girls and mother of the bride/groom.

The groom has a choice of high quality menswear to hire or buy, with a wool/silk three-piece morning suit a particular favourite.

info@ozoneweddings.co.uk www.ozoneweddings.co.uk 21-23 Church Street Brighton BN1 1RB 01273 739500

Hope & Harlequin specialises in beautiful original vintage bridal garments and unique bespoke vintage re-creations from our collection; made-to-measure to ensure each dress is as distinctive as its owner.

We also are proud to be the sole stockists for the outstanding Sarah Arnett Bridal collection, featured in Brides, Vogue and You and your Wedding to name a few.

We realise that choosing the perfect dress is never easy, especially with vintage , so we offer our expertise with styling and adapting the dresses to suit your individual needs and style. Our aim is to make you feel and look utterly exceptional on your day and to help you choose a dress that lets you shine.

Please call 01273 675222 for an appointment bridal@hopeandharlequin.com www.hopeandharlequin.com 31 Sydney Street, Brighton, BN1 4EP

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“Love at first bite�

Mouthwatering custom-designed wedding cakes that reflect your style and personality on your special day

To book your free consultation t: 07824 770151 | e: fay@brightoncakes.co.uk www.brightoncakes.com

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Discover your inner princess bride with our favourite big day beauty picks and honeymoon must-haves.

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1. Look of Love M.A.C Lashes #31, £10 M.A.C Brighton, 0870 192 5155 2. Romantic Rose

By Terry Gelee de Rose, £55 Space NK, Brighton, 01273 776774

1.

3. Truly, Madly, Deeply Primavera Organic Avocado Body Oil, £15.50 Elixir Beauty, Hove, 01273 722422

3.

4. Perfect Match Benefit Stay Flawless, £24.50 Available from Boots Stores and Debenhams 5. Only You Kiehl’s Skin Rescuer, £29.50 Kiehl’s, Brighton 01273 735468

4.

6. Flower Girl Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Cologne 100ml £78 Jo Malone, Brighton, 0870 192 5811 7. Holiday Honey Chanel UV Essentiel SPF30+, £41 Available from Boots Stores and Debenhams 8. Eternal Flame Diptyque Figuier Scented Candle, £55 Space NK, Brighton 01273 776774

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Bridal Hair at Headmasters.

Getting picture perfect hair can be a daunting task. Take the panic out of your wedding hair by booking a Headmasters Bridal package.

Whether you are a traditionalist looking for a sophisticated, chic up-do or you want something more understated for the big day & dream of walking up the aisle as a more polished version of your normal self, our teams will create gorgeous luxe hair making you

in-depth hair consultation & trial where our experienced stylists will take you through the latest trends and discuss the ideal style for you.

Our team will ensure the morning of your wedding is relaxed and enjoyable, booking an area of the salon just for you. Relax with a glass champagne, a luxury hair treatment, head massage & gorgeous updo or blow-dry for a prefect start to your special day.

Bride only, £216 • Hair Trial & Treatment for the bride – 1hr 30 mins (Up to 6 weeks before the Wedding Day) • Wedding Day Bridal Appointment – 1hr 30 mins (A luxury blow-dry or a gorgeous updo) • Plus a glass of champagne

This package is valid for the bride only. Any expenses incurred for stylist travel to any venues other than the Headmasters Salon will be charged.

Bridesmaids only, £60 per person.

• Hair trial – 15 mins (Up to 6 weeks before the Wedding Day)

• Wedding day- 1hour appointment for a luxury blow-dry or beautiful up-do.

This package is valid for bridesmaids only. Any expenses incurred for stylist travel to any venues other than the Headmasters Salon will be charged.

Bride and Bridesmaids package £396 • Hair Trial & Treatment for the bride – 1hr 30 mins (Up to 6 weeks before the Wedding Day)

• Hair Trial Bridesmaids (three bridesmaids in total) – 15 mins each bridesmaid (Up to 6 weeks before the Wedding Day) • Wedding Day Bridal Appointment – 1hr 30 mins • Wedding Day three Bridesmaids – 1hr each • Plus a bottle champagne to celebrate.

This package is valid for one wedding party only. Any Additional bridesmaids will cost an extra £60 each. Flower girls under 14 years old £20 each. Appointments are based on a luxury blow-dry from the Headmasters blow-dry menu or a beautiful up-do.

Any expenses incurred for the stylist travel to any venues other than the Headmasters Salon will be charged.

inspiration for your wedding hair visit www.headmasters.com

To book your appointment contact the salon on:

0345 459 7730 | www.headmasters.com 10 Jubilee St, The Lanes, Brighton BN1 1GE 20

WITH KATE MORTON

BEAUTY EDITOR LOVES From St Ives to Somerset, Cambridge to Blackpool, there’s never been a better time to be proud of Britain. Shavata Strip Lashes have cleverly shown their appreciation for the length and breadth of our country by introducing a set of quintessentially stylish strip lashes, inspired by some of our country’s best loved cities including London, Oxford and Dublin. Show your appreciation for our city with these on trend, black and white luxury feathered ‘Brighton’ lashes (pictured) and flash your patriotism in one quick flutter, £8 per pair. www.shavata.com

GLIMMER GIRLS

As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, keep skin shimmery with Bobbi Brown’s bestselling Shimmer Brick Rose compact. Ideal for that Indian summer glow, the Shimmer Brick features five different shades of pearlised highlighting powders, ideal for dusting over the forehead, cheeks and nose and for added luxe appeal, apply one shade on eyes for a subtle glimmer, £32.50. Available from selected department stores nationwide.

BODY BUZZzzzzz

Beautify your tan with The Body Shop’s Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil. Using Community Fair Trade honey sourced directly from Ethiopia, this dry oil is much lighter than standard body oils and will leave skin with a glowing sheen. With the scents of honey, apply evenly over the face and body in all weathers for that beach bronze look, £16. The Body Shop, Brighton 01273 327048.

GO COCOA

It sold out in a matter of hours and has been hailed as a ‘revolutionary, first of its kind tanning formula’, so why is everyone going gaga over Cocoa? Firstly, Cocoa Brown by Marissa Carter is a self-tanning mousse that develops in just one hour. Containing unique accelerating agents that are activated upon contact with the skin, this light-weight, non sticky mousse develops into a streak-free tan in super quick time. Secondly, it was developed in Ireland for Irish complexions but is designed to suit all skins from pale to the more honey, and thirdly, no nasty smells, just flowers. So ladies, grab it while you can as this will surely be your winter wonder product, £7.99. www.feelunique.com

SKIN SCIENCE

Chantecaille Just Skin is the latest skin perfector that not only provides a UV sun screen of SPF15, but also delivers a barrier against city smog. Perfect for taking you through from summer to autumn, this tinted moisturiser delivers protection from free radicals as well as giving excellent skin coverage, smoothing lines and wrinkles and enhancing the complexion. The botanical light-weight base comes in six shades, £57.

Available from Space NK, Brighton 01273 776774.

Your Big Day

at The Grand, Brighton Like no other.

Weddings | Civil Ceremonies | Celebrations One legendary hotel venue. One iconic location. One day for you to cherish for the rest of your days. Start it with a single phone call.

Your journey together begins at The Grand, Brighton for the perfect day with weddings up to 500 guests, 4 beautiful licensed rooms, panoramic sea views and a place to pamper and relax in preparation for the big day in the luxurious surroundings of The Sp@ The Grand.

To find out more or arrange a tour call

0871 222 4684

or e-mail wedding@grandbrighton.co.uk www.devere-hotels.co.uk/thegrand The Grand, 97-99 King’s Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2FW

22

Absolutely Fabulous Words: Iszara Morgan

Need your nails done for that big night out, but don’t have time?

Fabulous Nails & Lashes is the answer.

F

abulous Nails and Lashes provide a mobile service catering to your pampering needs whether it’s in the comfort of your own home or on your lunch break at the office. This is perfect for busy mums, working women, hen parties or having a girly night over a bottle of wine.

Sammy the founder of Fabulous Nails and Lashes has over 10 years experience in the beauty industry and is extremely flexible, working 7 days a week including late evenings. Treatments include nail extensions, gel manicures, pedicures, lashes including party lashes for the fuller look or individual for a natural look and also offer make-up services and tanning treatments.

Sammy visited the Absolute office, where I opted for a gel manicure. Sammy was extremely easy to talk to and explained each step of the manicure, giving advice on how to look after the nails, and the best way to take them off without causing damage to the nail. Sammy brought along an extensive variety of

colours ranging from neon to pastel, using Artistic Colour Gloss 21 day manicure, I chose the colour Charming 03111 which is a gorgeous mint green colour. The treatment lasted about an hour and the end result was fabulous!

Fabulous Nails & Lashes offer competitive prices starting from £15, they also run various promotions and offers including loyalty cards and gift vouchers.

For more information please visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ FabulousNailsandLashes

ers ead to r E’. ent UT pply* atm L c a tre SO 13 t& any AB t 20 off ng ‘ f sep

% quoti he end o 20 whevnalid until t

Fabulous Nails and Lashes Is excited to announce the launch of their MAKEOVER SERVICES. Our concept is to provide a celebrity service for the everyday girl.

We provide a range of makeovers for all occasions and ages, making you look and feel the best you’ve ever felt.

For prices, bookings and all other enquiries call: 077470 25515.

MObILE PAMPER PARtIES Hen Night / HenWeekend PartiesWhat a great way to get your hens together before your special day!

With many treatments available including Gel Mani’s, manicures, pedicures, nail extensions, Individual eye lash extensions and Party Lashes.

It is so easy at Fabulous Nails and Lashes – book your date and time, choose your treatments and leave the rest to me !!

Don’t forget to add one of my lovely butlers to wait on your every need!!!

For more information about Hen packages please call me on

0774 7025 515 23

Editorial.indd 1

21/08/2013 10:57:52

Spa

Pure Bliss Ockenden Manor’s Ultimate Experience is the perfect pampering day for the bride-to-be Words: Julia Smith

I

can’t get Elbow’s uplifting anthem out of

a million miles from the bustling city, even

my head: “One day like this a year’d see me

though it is less than half an hour’s drive from

right!” And what a day. Ockenden Manor

the centre of Brighton.

Spa clearly recognises that a soothing

The spa describes itself as ‘a harmonious

facial or an invigorating massage can be over

blend of modern design and nature’s

too soon, and the return to everyday life can

inspiration.’

be too sudden. Pure pampering is when the

It may sound like a marketing executive’s

whole day is given over to indulgence!

cliche, but it is no idle boast. The indoor and

There is no better time to succumb to pure

outdoor linked swimming pool is fed with

pleasure and relaxation than in the build-up

its own natural spring water sourced from

to the big day, whether it is a social occasion

the West Sussex countryside. Purpose-built

for all the girls or a just an opportunity to

inside a 19th century walled garden, the

remove all the stresses of the planning and

contemporary airy structure contrasts and

allow yourself to feel just like you are glowing

complements its neighbour, the Elizabethan

all over.

Ockenden Manor, and shares its nine acres of

The Ultimate Experience is a day to just take

parklands and gardens.

your time. It includes up to five hours of

And the treatments? Just wonderful. My

treatments interpersed with lounging by the

favourite was the Aromatherapy Massage, the

pool, sipping champagne and a leisurely lunch.

ultimate (that word again) stress reliever, with

Where they really get it right is you don’t

Ila Body Oil (Wild-Crafted Juniper Berry,

have to pre-book your treatments. It is lovely

Rose Geranium and Lemongrass), ingredients

when a loved one treats you to a Hydra-Calm

designed to boost vital energy.

Soothing Facial or a Hot Stone Massage, but

Ideal for any bride dealing with that stessful

sometimes you wish they had chosen the

job of planning a wedding.

treatment you really feel like. Even if you book a treatment yourself, it may not be the one you really want on the day. The beauty of this package is that you choose what you want,

Day Packages start from £99, with The Ultimate Experience priced at £400 (Friday-Sunday £480).

when you want it.

Ockenden Manor Spa is located next to the hotel in Ockenden Lane, Cuckfield, west Sussex RH17 5LD.

It also helps that Ockenden Manor itself feels

Tel: 01444 449191 Web: www.hshotels.co.uk.

24

Pure pampering is when the whole day is given over to indulgence!

25

B&HLife_March06 8/2/068/2/06 3:17 pm B&HLife_March06 3:17Page pm 1Page 1

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Beautiful Beautiful Ink Ink Semi Permanent Makeup Semi Permanent Makeup TheThe effect cancan be be subtle or dramatic effect subtle or dramatic these photos show healed tattoos these photos show healed tattoos 100's more photos on website 100's more photos on website Eyebrow design for for missing, sparse, wonky Eyebrow design missing, sparse, wonky pale or patchy brows a speciality pale or patchy brows a speciality Based in Crown Street, BN1BN1 Based in Crown Street, Available by appointment Available by appointment CallCall LisaLisa to arrange yours to arrange yours 987 5457 987 5457 OCKENDEN MANOR SPA — exceptional facilities0800 in0800 a unique environment 07530 978856 07530 978856 Featuring an indoor swimming pool with a stunning river-stone floor and swim-through to our heated outdoor pool, both are fed by Ockenden’s own natural underground spring. Alongwww.beautifulink.co.uk with an outdoor hot tub, indoor spa bath and www.beautifulink.co.uk walk-through rain shower, our gym is equipped with the latest cardiovascular and resistance machines, alongside a fitness studio for Pilates and yoga... Perfect for Sussex residents – why not enquire about our limited membership?

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Choose from one of our seven 20% off any treatments luxurious Spa Day Retreat packages. during August to readers during August to readers quoting 'ABSOLUTE' * * Ockenden Manor Spa • Ockenden Lane • Cuckfield • West when Sussex RH17 5LD when quoting 'ABSOLUTE' 01444 449191 • spa@ockenden-manor.com • www.hshotels.co.uk betoused in conjunction with with any other offeroffer * Not* to Not be used in conjunction any other

26

by Natasha Askaroff

Wedding gifts no longer need to be just the household essentials.

Gone are the days of the marital home being a couples first home together and the need for a toaster and frying pan! Why not ‘get personal’ with your wedding gift and buy something for the happy bride and groom that can be personalised just for them. I have selected a few of my favourites.

Not On The High Street is definitely a great port of call for bespoke and slightly quirky wedding presents. Here is my selection from their website 1. Personalised Couple Eye Test Chart £50.00 2. Personalised Mr & Mrs Metal Typography Art £75 3. Personalised Wine Bottle Stopper £28.00 4.

Pair of ‘Yours’ and ‘Mine’ glasses £37.25 5. Personalised Wedding Print £46.00 6. Personalised Enamel Wedding Sign. All items are sold at www.notonthehighstreet.com This item may not be for everyone but I think it’s fantastic. All letters of the alphabet are available 7. Giant Metal Hollywood Lights £325.00 www.theletteroom.co.uk 8. A good, large, solid wooden chopping board is a home essential in my eyes. These bespoke carved boards make such a wonderful gift. Boards are available in Yellow Oak, Beach, Walnut, Maple, Cherry, Wenge, Iroko and Traditional Oak. Available from 7”x7” upto 16”x20” from £7.00 - £64.00 www.durhamboards.co.uk This is such a gorgeous, dainty item and comes beautifully framed and personalised with names, place and date.

9. Personalised Laser Cut Wedding Heart £210 ww.bombus.co.uk Silver makes a very classic & timeless gift. All the below items can be engraved to give it that extra special touch.

10. Silver lid for Marmite £62.50 11. Silver Napkin Ring, Classic Round £99.95 12. Silver Wine coaster, various sizes available from £140.00 www.hersey.co.uk

27

28

For every couple their dream wedding day requires a plethora of decisions to be made, from the style of the wedding, to the location, the guest list, the wedding ceremony, flowers, decorations, invitation and the list goes on. When it comes to your wedding suit the Gresham Blake tailors will listen to your style requests, consider your location, your budget, the number of those in your party and will work closely with you to design a suit that will make you feel like you could conquer the world while looking dashing!

We offer three different ranges, Off the Peg, Contemporary Bespoke and Traditional Bespoke. We have over 1500 British Milled fabrics to choose from, a large range of mohair, cashmere, linen and wool fabrics as well as some outstanding trimmings and linings. With such a selection to choose from your wedding suit will be something truly special, individual and stylish. To help achieve this we provide you with a one to one consultation with a tailor and little special extras such as bespoke lining and your name, wedding date or message embroidered on the lining of your suit. Whether you’re looking for a classic morning suit or something a little bit more outrageous Gresham Blake can do it all.

We have a fantastic wedding package that can incorporate your entire wedding party; best man, ushers, father of the bride and so on. This customised wedding package can accommodate the whole party at very competitive rates. Packages are available in both our London and Brighton stores and are perfect for any group wanting a unique look, with suits that are worth keeping. In addition, we are able to offer complimentary champagne and evening consultations, making the whole experience a memorable part of your big day.

20 Bond St, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1RD www.greshamblake.com

10% off Bespoke Tailoring or Off the Peg Ranges Exclusively to readers of Absolute Magazine 29

BRIGHTON O P E N D A Y

SUNDAY 20 TH OCTOBER COME AND ENJOY A FREE GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE BETWEEN 10AM - 2PM / NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY

An eccentric mix of architecture just a pebble’s throw from the seafront 49 luxurious bedrooms Bistro, bar and pub The perfect venue for a weekend away or picturesque wedding or party

FOR INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE AN ALTERNATE VIEWING DATE, PLEASE CONTACT OUR EVENTS TEAM

08447 364 251

events.brighton@hotelduvin.com

w w w. H O T E L D U V I N . c o m HOTEL DU VIN & BISTRO, SHIP STREET, BRIGHTON, SUSSEX BN1 1AD 30

Love du Vin

Photos: SuePIx Photography

Absolute Magazine meets Hotel du Vin Wedding Coordinator, Charlotte Coleman, who clearly enjoys her job...

“I

love my job.” Charli Coleman is

my feet or discovering new ideas and services.

quality of the hotel and the services they

obviously someone who doesn’t need to

“I like the fact that the weddings are so

offer. “It is easy to sell something you believe

drag herself into work in the morning.

varied. We have people who were born and

in. It is a beautiful venue to get married.

Her job is help to people prepare for the

bred in Brighton, couples that have moved

“We pride ourselves on our service and the

biggest day of their lives at a beautiful hotel

into the city and people who book us from all

friendliness of the staff. People are always

just yards from Brighton seafront. It is no

over the world. Brighton is truly a destination

welcomed with a smile and the staff work

surprise to find that this a pretty rewarding

venue for weddings. We often have bookings

hard to ensure our guests are looked after.

task.

from couples who live abroad but have visited

It is lovely when we get feedback after

“Every day is different as everyone has

Brighton for a weekend and decided that this

a wedding, especially when an individual

different ideas on how they want their

is the place to get married.”

member of staff is praised for their efforts.”

wedding day. I get fantastic questions and

The key to organising weddings is to help

“The food here is excellent. I take any

requests, which mean I am always thinking on

the couple achieve their dream day. “Some

opportunity I can to eat here as I can’t believe

couples feel a bit daunted by

how good the chefs are. I can definitely see

the thought of organising their

why many couples opt for the rump of lamb

wedding, and I will then get

for the breakfast. I can definitely recommend

involved and help guide them

this.

through the preparations. Others

“The venue is very flexible, with three

have a clear idea and just want

different rooms licensed for weddings. Many

to know that they can do it their

people opt for the Dome room in the Pub du

way. How much I get involved is

Vin and it is possible for the Pub du Vin as a

up to the bride and groom.”

whole to be booked for private use. There are

Charlotte has been working at

many options to suit most budgets. I would

the Hotel du Vin Brighton for

just say come in and say hello and have a look

over two years, with her roles

around.”

including Reception Manager

“Alternatively pop in on 20th October when

and Duty Manager. “It helped

we are hosting our wedding fair.”

me when I started working on weddings that I knew the hotel

Hotel du Vin & Bistro Brighton

very well,” she says.

Ship Street, Brighton BN1 1AD

Importantly she believes in the

Tel: 0844 736 4251 www.hotelduvin.com

31

latino is unlike any other Tapas restaurant outside of Spain. It’s a Spanish dining experience packed full of flavour, offering a twist of modern day Spanish cuisine, all alongside the traditional Tapas dishes you know and love at a great value price.

40% off the food every Tuesday from 5.30pm till 8pm (A la carte Tapas dishes only, cash payments only) We offer lunch Tapas from Tuesday to Friday until 3pm 4 Tapas for £10.00, 6 Tapas for £14.50 and 8 Tapas for only £18.00 All day every Sunday, freshly made Paella for 2 or more and a starter each for only £9.90 per person We offer a party menu for 8 or more people only £13.90 which includes all your favourite Tapas dishes Latino offer private hire of their fabulous function room for wedding receptions, meetings or parties with seating for up to 35 guests, with menus including all your favourite Tapas dishes for only £13.90 per guest.

For more information about holding your wedding reception or special occasion at Latino, please contact the restaurant on 01273 77035

01273 770355

36 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2FN latinos.tapas@gmail.com www.latinotapas.co.uk

32

@latinotapas Latino Restaurant

Wedding & Formal Alterations

e ronlin entry egiste Pre-r kFREE sttrac fa r fo

Sussex Wedding Fairs Sunday 15th September 2013 11am - 4pm

Mercure Brighton Seafront Hotel 149 Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2PP

www.thebrightonweddingshow.co.uk Sunday

22nd Sept 2013 11am - 4pm

Worthing Dome, 21-22 Marine Parade Worthing, West Sussex BN11 3PT

Fashion show By Frock Uk www.frockuk.com

www.worthingweddingfair.co.uk Thursday

Bridal gowns, prom dresses, vintage clothes, gents formal wear - our highly trained seamstresses and tailors offer a full fitting service.

We appreciate the value of your clothes and how they can make or break an event - especially a wedding! we pride ourselves on offering a high quality alteration service coupled with an understanding that we need to meet your deadline.

Our ‘on-site’ fitting rooms ensure you receive a personal and private service to give you the look you’ll be happy with.

Services

24th Sept 2013

at 13.30pm at Mercure Brighton Seafront

5pm - 9pm

Wedding wear prepared by specialist seamstress at your place or ours!

Prices on application.

Thistle Brighton, King’s Road, Brighton BN1 2GS

www.thistlebrightonweddingfair.co.uk See our website for more locations & future dates! www.silverlinedweddingshows.co.uk Info@silverlinedweddingshows.co.uk

FREE Admission

FREE Goody bags Special Offers & prize draws

www.thezipyard.co.uk

020 7993 5273 | 07837665418

WEDDING WIN

FAYRES

Holiday Vouchers WORTH £1000 !

GLAMOROUS CATWALK SHOWS FEATURING PROFESSIONAL LONDON MODELS* BRIDAL BAG WITH SHOW

GUIDE FOR EVERY BRIDE!

see our website for details

Autumn 2013

Spring 2014

HILTON BRIGHTON METROPOLE HOTEL*

THE AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM*

CHARMANDEAN CENTRE* Worthing A27

FONTWELL PARK RACECOURSE*

Brighton

Brighton & Hove Albion FC Village Way, Brighton

12th January 2014

Fontwell, near Arundel

13th October 2013

HILTON BRIGHTON METROPOLE HOTEL*

1st September 2013 FONTWELL PARK RACECOURSE* Fontwell, near Arundel

22nd September 2013 CHARMANDEAN CENTRE* Worthing A27

EAST SUSSEX NATIONAL GOLF HOTEL & SPA* Uckfield, East Sussex

27th October 2013

Brighton

2nd March 2014 THE AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM*

9th February 2014

Brighton & Hove Albion FC Village Way, Brighton

EAST SUSSEX NATIONAL GOLF HOTEL & SPA*

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Entry £2

tel 01903 366163

info@stylisheventsfayres.com www.stylisheventsfayres.com

Absolute ad_190x132.indd 1

StylishEvents 21/08/2013 10:04

33

Brides on the Beach The best beach locations to get married, as selected by marryabroad.co.uk

1

Lake Zell beach, Zell am See, Austria This beach is located in the middle of the mountains in the Austrian Alps boasting some stunning views. A couple can

organise their vows on the beach overlooking a lake of crystal clear cold water. Local Planner Kajsa Reisenbauer describes the setting as “magical, and beautifully situated – perfect for an alpine celebration.”

Why we love it? For a unique reception a special ship - MS Schmittenhöhe, can be hired by couples after their ceremony.

For more information and to connect with planners please visit: www.marryabroad.co.uk/get-married-in-austria.shtml (Image c/o Schmittenhöhebahn AG)

Lake Louise, Canadian rocky mountains

2

Lake Louise, the picture-postcard Canadian lake

is

an

all-season

beach

wedding

destination. In summer the lake projects a turquoise hue due to pure water running in from surrounding glaciers. In winter when the water is frozen over, horses can pull newlyweds on sleighs across the lake.

Local planner Lauren Laming recommends the best place to take photos: “The couple should stand on the shores of the lake with the Victoria Glacier facing them for the most magnificent views, especially when the lake is calm offering beautiful reflections in the water.”

Why we love it? As Lake Louise is a yearround setting. Couples can have a backdrop of water or ice on the lake for their photos with the same picturesque views.

For more information and to connect with planners please visit: www.marryabroad.co.uk/get-married-incanada.shtml#sthash.1EkmQijn.dpbs

34

3

Grootbos beach, Western Cape of South Africa Grootbos a private reserve in South Africa, boasts a beach

situated between the two major oceans at the tip of South Africa.The beach sits within the Western Cape near Hermanus and the area is quite different to the typical safari lodges and bush environments of South Africa. Local Planner Fiona Gordon finds the beach is located perfectly for several wedding and honeymoon options: “With the vineyards on the Garden Route or further east the coast north of Durban that overlooks the Indian Ocean all close by, couples are truly spoilt for choice.”

Why we love it? Couples can choose a beach wedding on the Cape Town or Atlantic Ocean side of the beach. Hermanus is also known as the best land-based whale watching site in the world, so you might even spot a humpback as you get hitched.

For more information and to connect with planners please visit: www.marryabroad.co.uk/get-married-in-south-africa.shtml#sthash.

YDPK6OZH.dpbs

4

Le Morne Peninsula, Mauritius With Le Morne mountain as a stunning backdrop, the beach bordering Le Morne Peninsula on the south west of

the island is simply magnificent. Miles of turquoise sea and soft white sand make it a true paradise wedding location. Bordering the beach the Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa resort enjoys this romantic backdrop.

Wedding operator Beachcomber Tours says that: “Getting married here is the closest you’ll come to Paradise.”

Why we love it? The beach sits on a private tropical coastline - where couples can be assured privacy with very few onlookers.

For more information and to connect with planners please visit: www.marryabroad.co.uk/get-married-in-mauritius.shtml#sthash.

PwT2I54S.dpbs.

5

Sønderborg beach, Denmark Sønderborg beach in the Soenderborg Municipality of South Jutland in Denmark, offers a unique wedding spot

with views over to a grand old castle to the right of the shore. Local Planner Anne Kathrine Rasmussen states: “The most popular type of wedding we organise at Sønderborg is when a couple get married by the water and afterwards has a Danish-style reception at the seaside hotel next door.”

Why we love it? Known as the Las Vegas of Europe due to its simple wedding legalities, Denmark is favoured by couples wanting to wed abroad without too much paperwork.

For more information and to connect with planners please visit: www.marryabroad.co.uk/get-married-in-denmark.shtml#sthash.

E6x9Sode.dpbs

35

Men’s style - Promotion

How to get that Dandylion Style

by Sophia Chan

D

andylion Style was set up with one

has been made to ensure that it is completed

quality, made-to-measure, unique “one-off”

desire – to provide exquisite tailor-

to the client’s satisfaction. Most clients opt for

garment designed for your physique, your

made suits which would be of the

the three-piece suit, because of the bespoke

occasion and your pocket. At a time when

highest quality but remain very affordable. All

waistcoats that are of distinct Dandylion

the cut and material of your suit is more

the garments are made exclusively in Britain,

design. They come with a wide array of eye-

important than the label inside, Dandylion

using a wide array of the finest British cloth.

catching and funky patterns and colours - as

Style offers the exclusive high-quality

well as more conservative options, which lend

tailoring experience you seek, at extremely

What the business values is the satisfaction

the suit a unique touch that elevates it above

of the customer. It has grown out of passion

other more commonplace designs.

competitive prices.

We specialise in made-to-measure • Two-piece suits (from £499)

for the principles of suit tailoring, and so focuses on delivering top quality, as opposed

If you simply want to revitalise an old and

• Three-piece suits (from £650)

to quantity and a designer label. This is easily

out-of-date suit, Dandylion also offers the

• Made to measure shirts (from £130)

achieved by the small and highly qualified

opportunity to update your old one at a

• Our trademark sumptuous, funky and

expertise of the team, based in the centre of

fraction of the cost of a new one, perhaps by

bespoke waistcoats (from £275)

Hove, Brighton.

adding a new fabric lining, new cuff flashing or

• Hand made ties and handkerchiefs, in a

different pocket details.

wide variety of fabrics (from £65) Please visit www.dandylionstyle.co.uk for

Personal consultations with clients can be taken anywhere in the UK in the comfort and

Not just limited to menswear, Dandylion has

space of the home or office - as well as in the

several womenswear cocktail dress designs,

Hove premises. Choosing a suit starts with

which are again handmade and tailored to

the initial meeting, where a client is treated

the specifics of the client’s vision. The label is

to a one-to-one private consultation, then

further aiming to introduce several new skirt

guided through choosing the different styles,

designs, perfect for the flattering yet formal

cuts and materials suitable for the occasion.

look of the working professional.

The whole process will take around 6-8

Customer satisfaction is paramount, and

weeks, including several fittings after the suit

within weeks you could be wearing a top

36

more information.

Autumn/Winter ’13 Menswear Fashion Men’s Fashion tips from Igor Srzic – Cartledge.

I

t seems like yesterday that I was in the front

and patterned gilet can keep you looking warm

row for the New York and London Fashion

and stylish through the cold winter months.

weeks, looking at the trends and styles for the new Autumn/Winter 2013 season. The week

was busy but fabulous, and I managed to see around twenty catwalk shows. It is very important to know what is on trend for the next season, as you might find it already in your wardrobe and therefore save money on a new outfit.

Custo Barcelona always makes a good impression on me. The show transported me to the typical Spanish village, complete with delightful cobblestone houses and vegetable markets.

Combining many of the popular trends featured in the week, his designs featured brocade, tribal prints, and fur to create intriguing silhouettes. The standout pieces were the shawls and fur coats, which added a touch of luxury to the classic menswear suits.

I loved the Angelo Glasso collection and his unique

We now turn to the suit – the ultimate classic outfit of choice.This season sees the return of the humble Pocket square, that most gentlemanly of accessories, in bright colours and crazy patterns.

Lapels and suit pockets have been given some colourful attention this autumn. Try out some contrasting lapels to enhance your shirt and add a striking touch to your suit.

Menswear for the autumn/winter season is full of a wide variety of interesting choices, so pick your style and remember – wear it with confidence. If you do need any help to look and feel great you can contact me :

igor@personal-style.co.uk www.personal-style.co.uk Images from the Custo Barcelona and Angelo Glasso collections.

style for the new season. He has worked with high profile clients such as Sir Paul McCartney, David Beckham and Roger Moore, to name a few.

One great combination saw a black suede jacket with wide lapels, paired with dark jeans, brown striped tie and a dark orange patterned shirt.

Others designers like Bottega Veneta went for the grey on grey option. Grey is considered one of the safest colours to have in your wardrobe, but I personally disagree with its popularity. In the gloomy grey skies of winter, we should try to brighten up our outfits with a pop of colour.

Several designers did go for bright and vibrant colours. Jonathan Saunders and Top Man featured several eye-catching examples such as burnt orange coats and flame coloured gloves.

Gentlemen, forget about the long and bulky coats of old – this autumn is all about the bomber jacket.

Although it is a style that will not suit everyone, a simple beret is also very on trend, while a fur lined

37 25

Health

Harmony in Hove Iszara Morgan meets Dr Pieter Grobbelaar, the face behind Concordia and finds out why the practice is unique to any other.

C

oncordia Dental Health Care was formed as a result of the belief that the human body is made up of different multifaceted parts.

Dr Pieter Grobbelaar explains, “We believe that when all the parts work together in synchronicity a person will experience perfect health.”

“We believe that your smile is one of your most valuable assets, which is why we are dedicated to helping each of our individual patients look after and make the most of theirs, with personalised, expert and gentle dental care of the highest professional standard and requirements.”

38

Dr Pieter Grobbelaar is the face behind Concordia and has practiced dentistry for over a decade, since graduating as a Dr of Dentistry from Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

Concordia was pleasantly surprising. The open plan reception was pure luxury, complimented by modern furniture and beautiful art that evoked a sense of comfort, well-being and relaxation.

Concordia meaning ‘Harmony’ in Latin, provides a five star bespoke service, treating patients comprehensively and tailoring specific packages to suit their individual needs and wants. They look at all aspects, resulting in long term solutions that are going to last.

With no expense being spared, it is no surprise that the practice was runner up in Interior design and layout, at the Dental Awards Ceremony in London earlier this year. It quickly became apparent that Pieter undoubtedly gives back to his patients, providing a place where they can feel at ease and comfortable.

Upon arrival at the practice, expecting the stereotypical decor of a dentist, (usually being out of date magazines and pictures of teeth plastered across the walls), the interior at

Within a few minutes of talking to Pieter my initial impression was confirmed, he is

“Cosmetic dentistry should be treated rather like an art form.” extremely passionate about dentistry and above all else, about his patients and how he can help restore harmonious balance in their lives.

Pieter’s unique approach strives to educate and give the best advice possible to make his patients self-sustained. He doesn’t believe in six month check-ups, Pieter explains “If you go to the dentist every six months something is wrong. You don’t need to go to the dentist so often. With the right education, advice and treatment, removing the imbalances and stress, people will need less visits and will have fewer problems. What I do contributes to 40 per cent of the success of the eventual outcome - 60 per cent is up to the patient and what they do after. Success is a journey not a destination.”

Pieter is probably the only dentist locally who is an exponent of orthopaedic treatment. “A person’s dental health impacts on their health as a whole, and many people are now suffering due complications from the dentistry they have had through their life.

For instance, 90% of people have under-developed jaws causing their mouth to be too small for the number of teeth, which can lead to further complications, such as overcrowding, muscle ache, headaches, neck pain, sleep apnea and all kinds of other problems.

It can even affect someone’s balance.

“Orthopaedic treatment works on expanding the bone arches which allows more space in the mouth. This ground-breaking treatment changes people’s lives.

“Just as the heart cannot function without the brain, a misaligned jaw can also have an effect not just on the head and mouth area, but on the whole body effecting the neck and back. The body will always seek to find equilibrium, and if for example you wear illfitting shoes, you all know how this affects your legs and back.

So in reverse if you have ill-fitting teeth it will also affect the rest of the body.”

Dr Grobbelaar believes, since a smile is often the first thing a person notices about you, that cosmetic dentistry should be treated rather like an art form. By combining art and science, a good dentist can create a wonderful smile. Pieter knows your teeth are as unique and individual to you as your fingerprint. That’s why he believes each curve and fissure needs to be exact, so that each tooth fits perfectly together.

His passion for his work along with his team is transforming the way people view dentistry, and this is reflected in the satisfaction expressed by our patients.

As someone who doesn’t like the dentist and avoids it at all costs, after just an hour speaking to Pieter my perception completely changed.

Concordia Dental Health Care, 39a Salisbury Road, Hove BN3 3AA www.concordiadental.co.uk. Tel: 01273 711507

“If you go to the dentist every six months something is wrong.”

39

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Holistic Haven A traditional Thai sanctuary in the heart of Brighton.

Words: Kate Morton.

spa product range Mt. Sapola, Chutima worked

Since returning from Thailand, I have yet to find

her massage. By concentrating on the body’s

systematically across my body including my face and head, and it was clear from the beginning as she knelt across my back, that she knows ten meridian lines, she can alleviate muscle and

anything quite like my daily Thai massages, until

joint pain as well as detect key pressure points

a little bird told me about an amazing Thai lady

that may need a bit of TLC – something we all

in the North Laine. This lady is Chutima and I was lucky enough to be invited to Chutima Therapy for a massage.

I do love a relaxing massage but sometimes my body requires something a little more intense, a combination of muscle work with acupressure

and stretching.This is where Chutima comes in.

Promoting traditional Thai massage alongside Western style techniques, Chutima trained at Chiva Som, one of the world’s best spas, and

need from time to time. And what’s more, you will feel so amazing afterwards you may not want to leave. www.chutimatherapy.co.uk

continued at the Buddhist Temple Wat Po in Bangkok, where she learned traditional Thai massage.

With her warm smile and calming voice, I was instantly at ease with Chutima as she took me downstairs to the treatment room filled with candles and orchids. My treatment combined traditional Thai techniques with Swedish massage, designed to relax as well as energise tired muscles. Using the natural Thai

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42

Aesthetically Beautiful

Beauty

Absolute’s Beauty Editor Kate Morton talks to Dr Wong of Harley Street about his collaboration with Little Jasmine Beauty Salon in Brighton.

What made you decide to work in partnership with Little

we can now achieve more with the range of treatments, and the

Jasmine?

options to look younger without going under the knife are much wider.

I see quite a few clients in my London clinic who are based in Brighton and expanding my services to Brighton seemed to be the right thing to do. Little Jasmine was recommended to me when I started looking for a partnership and I was very impressed by it. I love its sleek and sophisticated atmosphere and the members of staff are extremely friendly. I believe that the mission, vision and branding of both businesses go hand in hand.

What should people look for when considering aesthetics?

One of the most important steps is to find an adequately trained medical professional who is competent in doing aesthetics treatments. Having an aesthetics treatment is a serious matter and you should always check that your practitioner is registered with an appropriate professional body (e.g. General Medical Council). Once this step is done, you know that you are in good hands and your practitioner will be able to go through

What type of treatments will you be offering?

other things you should know, for example, understanding the cause of

I will be offering a full range of non-surgical medical

your concerns, exploring the treatment options with

aesthetics

treatments,

ranging

from

medical

microdermabrasion to anti-wrinkle injections as well as popular treatments from my London clinic, for example, Platelet-Rich Plasma (a.k.a. Vampire facial).

I will also be introducing the world’s first toxin-free anti-wrinkle treatment called Iovera (Frotox).

“I love its sleek and sophisticated atmosphere”

pros and cons and managing what you can realistically achieve with each one.

What ways can you enhance your natural beauty with aesthetics?

It really depends on the individual’s needs but generally, the most important thing is maintaining a healthy and

How does working at Little Jasmine differ

disease-free skin. This will give you the natural glow

from Harley Street?

that everybody desires. In terms of what aesthetics treatments can do,

Harley Street is world-renowned for being the place to go to for medical

from removing wrinkles, enhancing lips and cheekbones, reducing jaw line

treatments. Consequently, the setting in my practice is very clinical. In

to removing eye groove, the possibilities are endless.

Little Jasmine, we can strip away that clinical setting and provide a more relaxed and luxurious environment whilst maintaining a sterile work field.

Combined with the Spa treatments, clients can leave feeling good and looking good.

You’re one of the first doctors in the world to offer Frotox.

How exciting is this new treatment?

Iovera (Frotox) is possibly the most exciting revolution in the history of aesthetics. Removing dynamic wrinkles without the use of toxins

What is La Maison De L’Esthetique’s philosophy?

was previously unheard of. This treatment

We believe that each client is a unique individual with different needs.

delivers a focused cold zone to the

It is our desire as an aesthetics service provider to help unveil the best

nerves that supply wrinkle-causing

version of our clients by providing a customised treatment plan suited

muscles. Once treated with this

to the individual. Apart from eliminating the signs of ageing, achieving

technology, the nerve goes into

disease-free skin is just as important. Each consultation is a joint decision

a ‘sleep state’ for about 3 to 4

making process and putting client’s interests first is paramount to the

months. Many people compare

success of any medical aesthetics treatment.

it to existing toxin treatments,

Since training as a doctor, how has the cosmetics industry evolved?

The aesthetics industry used to be all about wrinkle chasing. People would get treatments in a specific area where they have lines, which would result in an unnatural look. These days, we aim to achieve a global effect on the face. This means combining different treatments to different areas of the face in order to achieve a natural, youthful look without looking ‘done’ or ‘frozen’. Prevention is also becoming a hot topic and more young people are starting early with gentle treatments, for example, skin rejuvenation with hyaluronic acid and vitamins. With the advancement of technology,

but I see it as an option to those who wouldn’t or couldn’t have toxin injections. Immediate results, no toxins, with nothing left behind in the body equates

to

excitement

for

an

aesthetics doctor.

T: 01273 911500 www.little-jasmine.com 14 New Road, Brighton BN11UF 43

Heath

Help with Hernias What is a hernia: A hernia is a weakness or defect in the muscles of abdominal wall, most notably in the groins. If the defect is large enough, abdominal contents such as the bowels, may protrude through the defect causing a lump or bulge which can be felt by the patient. Hernias develop at certain sites which have a natural tendency to be weak; the groin, umbilicus (belly button), and previous surgical incisions.

All hernias should be referred to see a specialist surgeon to discuss treatment options.

Why do people get hernias?

Hernias can be present from birth (congenital) or develop over time (acquired) as a result of a particular event. In the groin this can be as a result of a sports injury such as groin strain or following heavy exertion that puts strain on the groin, for example heavy lifting or prolonged coughing.

How is a hernia diagnosed? What are the usual symptoms of a hernia?

Hernias usually present as a lump or swelling which is noticed by the patient or their doctor. The lump is usually most apparent when standing or straining and often disappears when reclining.

Pain can be experienced at the site of the lump, especially when lifting a heavy object. Groin hernias in men can cause swelling of the scrotum.

Symptoms which require urgent medical attention include excruciating abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting as they can indicate a strangulated or obstructed hernia.

44

Why is mesh, a foreign body, used for hernia repair?

Mesh has been scientifically proven to achieve the most effective repair of most hernias and in particular groin hernias, with the lowest risk of recurrence. There are certain specific situations where mesh is not required, for example with small umbilical (belly button) hernias.

Can the mesh be rejected?

Extensive research has been done and continues to go into Mesh technology. Mesh used to repair hernias is known to be very safe and there is no evidence to suggest that mesh is ever rejected by the body. Mesh can become infected which can necessitate its removal but this is rare.

Should I use a hernia belt as treatment?

There is little evidence for the use of hernia belts or trusses.

Elasticated supports or supportive underwear can help to minimise symptoms from a hernia, but this is not a substitute for surgery and a symptomatic hernia should be repaired at the earliest opportunity thereby removing the need for supports.

What happens if I leave my hernia untreated?

Once a hernia has developed, it will tend to enlarge and cause discomfort. If a loop of bowel gets caught in the hernia, it may become obstructed or its blood supply may be cut off. This can become a life-threatening situation.

The majority of hernias can be repaired effectively, with minimal risk. Therefore we recommend that hernias be repaired when diagnosed, unless there are serious medical problems which make it too risky.

What are the different types of hernias?

There are many different types of hernia some more common than others. The most common variety being groin hernias which are described as being either inguinal or femoral, these terms relate to the anatomical location of the hernia in the groin. Other commonly seen hernias include umbilical hernias which protrude through the belly button and are common in children and pregnant women and incisional hernias which occur at the site of previous operations on the abdomen and represent a more complex surgical problem.

Groin hernias can affect both groins at the same time, we describe this as having bilateral hernias. This situation should always be repaired laparoscopically where possible.

How long does it take to recover after hernia surgery?

This depends on the type of hernia, the technique used to repair it, and in the case of groin hernias whether one or both sides requires repair. For the majority of hernias recovery is faster after a laparoscopic or ‘keyhole’ operation.

The risk of long term groin pain and numbness are reduced by laparoscopic repair. The risk of hernia recurrence (the hernia coming back) is significantly lower with laparoscopic surgery provided the surgery is performed by a specialist. For the majority of patients this can be done as day-case surgery.

Other types of hernia require discussion with a specialist to decide on the most appropriate technique of repair.

What is a Recurrent Hernia Recurrence is when a previously repaired hernia returns, which implies that the repair has failed. This can occur within days or after many years. All forms of hernia repair carry a risk of recurrence. There is strong evidence that this risk is minimised by seeing a specialist hernia surgeon. In the case of groin hernias the risk of recurrence following a laparoscopic repair by a specialist is 1%, in non-specialist hands the risk can be in excess of 10%. Recurrent groin hernias should always be considered for laparoscopic repair.

I have a hernia, what should I do: Ask your doctor to refer you to see a specialist to discuss treatment options. Or contact us directly at Nuffield Health Brighton for advice.

Following laparoscopic surgery for groin hernias patients can return to normal activity almost immediately as comfort allows, including exercise and driving. Specific advice will be given to individual patients based on occupation and lifestyle.

Treatment choices for groin hernias Open Surgery versus Laparoscopic Surgery Open surgery involves a 6-10cm cut in the groin to expose the weakness in the muscles and allow it to be repaired with stitches and mesh. Laparoscopic surgery (also known as minimally invasive or keyhole surgery) is performed through three very small incisions, the largest being approximately 1cm long through which a mesh is placed to repair the weakness.

Advice given by Mr Jeremy Clark - Consultant Surgeon, Specialising in Laparoscopic & Colorectal Surgery. Mr Clark is one of several Consultants who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of hernias at the Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital. For more information or to make an appointment, contact 01273 987517 or visit www.nuffieldhealth.com/ Find us on Facebook – Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital – and like our page.

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46 48

Fitness

Burn More Calories While You Rest?

Many trainers claim that tweaking your workouts to benefit from the metabolic furnace known as EPOC is the key to fat loss - but is it?

I

t is well documented that after a workout your metabolism stays elevated for several hours, anything up to 24hrs. After exercise you still have circulating hormones like adrenaline which takes a while to be metabolised and removed. Plus, nutrients need to be

delivered to the muscles to start the recovery and repair process, and waste materials such as lactate and acidic hydrogen ions all have to be removed.

While this might be the promised quick-fix, the potential of burning another 100-150kcals per day is not to be ignored, especially if you exercise 5 days a week it equates to gaining a 6th workout for free!

So if you want to boost your EPOC, how’s it done? It’s all about intensity! If you don’t have a big party you don’t have much tidying up to do. If you perform cardio try increasing from moderate intensity to vigorous by raising the speed. Performing very fast runs for two minute periods followed by slower jogging or walking until you feel ready to go fast again. This style of training, similar to the High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) I wrote about in last month’s Absolute Brighton, has been shown to double EPOC levels.

All of this extra effort after the workout helping return you to normal takes energy that comes from the aerobic system where stored fat is combined with oxygen. And that’s where the term EPOC comes from, meaning ‘excessive post-exercise oxygen consumption’. One client likened it to the extra energy required to return your home back to normal after a party.

Experts stress that EPOC-style training can be tough, less enjoyable and hold a greater risk of injury for its limited additional benefits. So if you are overweight and unfit don’t let it put you off getting more active. Start with moderate exercise that you enjoy and can stick to and try to be active as often as possible. Any exercise is more important than a few extra EPOC calories.

This concept of burning extra fat whilst you sit at work, watch TV or even sleep is very attractive, leading many to promote workouts that harnesses the power of EPOC. But research does not show it to be as effective as promised. Studies vary but EPOC appears to only add about 6-15% to the calories burned during the workout. This equates

Got a question? For more information on raising your exercise intensity safely and effectively, or for any other help with your fitness training, please get in touch with personal trainer Adam Lewis, email: adam@yourfitnesscoach.co.uk, web: www.yourfitnesscoach.co.uk.

to about 10-20 kcals per hour, often dropping significantly after 3

Brief Bio: Local mobile fitness trainer Adam Lewis holds a degree

hours. In fact, the authors of one paper stated that the amount of

in sport & exercise science, a masters degree in human & sports

fat oxidised by EPOC was inconsequential compared with what was

nutrition, is a strength & conditioning specialist and has been a

oxidised during exercise itself.

certified personal trainer for over 10 years.

“This concept of burning extra fat whilst you sit at work, watch TV or even sleep is very attractive” 47 49

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guestlist What?

Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup Where?

Cowdray Park 1

2

Why? One of the highlights of the international polo season Who? 1. Emear and Nick Cook 3

4

2. Jodie Kidd with her son 3. Lord and Lady Cowdray 4. Polo Player Jack Kidd with son and father Johnny Kidd 5. Raymond Blanc (Chef) with friend 6. TV Presenter and Travel Writer Penny Smith with friend 7. Lord March with family

5

6

If you would like to see your event on these pages email us on guestlist@absolutemagazine.co.uk

7

Photos: John Periam

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Columnists

Brighton’s Comedy King...

Stephen Grant Getting the Needle

I

f you ask me my opinion on parenting, I’ll tell you I’m a huge fan. In this respect I guess I’m similar to most parents, who told me similar in my pre-procreation days. But now I’m slowly realising this reaction is part of a predetermined conspiracy to drag the unsuspecting adult into our web of relentless effort, emotion, and exhaustion. Because to an outsider, parenthood is cast-iron drudgery.

But we all pay much higher prices than that for true love, so it’s interesting to see, after a year of fathering, what is the least fun bit.

Not the sleep deprivation. Not the nappies.

Not even the social embarrassment of public tantrums (mostly mine). No. It’s when they get ill.

Not only can they not tell you what’s wrong, they don’t even know themselves.

They whimper, they cry, they writhe in agony, and all the good work of your cuddles is undone by your cack-handed attempts to stuff medicine into them.

You’re in love with this little fragile soul and it hurts like nothing else. You tell yourself you’d happily have their illness instead of them, forgetting you’ll get it immediately after them anyway.

So, with that in mind, I make sure my young son gets all his jabs, like the majority of people do. A majority, depressingly, that is not as large in Sussex as it is in the rest of the country. While Swansea may have made the headlines for the measles outbreak earlier this year, Sussex is still the MMRrefusing capital of England and Wales, with Brighton very much at the heart of this.

While most of the 1st world dutifully offers their offspring to the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, a core of Brighton parents prefer to place Jacasta and Oberon on a bed of organic quinoa while rubbing a fine mist of tee-tree oil into their chakras over a nearby ley line.

I’m open to most ideas but as a minimum I insist they aren’t steeped in lunacy. Three months ago, our boy got Chickenpox. A friend of ours insisted the best solution was to bathe him each night in herbal tea.

No improvement, but I did feel peckish.

In retrospect, it would have been equally effective to have spread him on a scone.

Look: I’m not against alternative medicine, but it should be an ‘as well as’, not an ‘instead of’.

Remember, if alternative medicine works, they rename it. To ‘medicine’.

Naturally, as soon as my boy was old enough, we gave him the MMR. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to us, days beforehand he’d already contracted measles, adding him to the ever growing depressive Brighton statistic. His illness was, by quite some distance, the worst thing I’ve had to deal with in years. On top of how bad he felt, we had the fear of ‘the complications’.

Measles itself, while very unpleasant (especially in the very young), isn’t often likely to kill, but the worst complications of the illness lead to death. However, it is worth remember, the worst complications of ANY illness lead to death. For example, a sudden sneezing fit is rarely fatal, but throw in the complication of overtaking someone on a single carriageway, and the results can be ‘messy’.

He’s OK now, and we’re pretty sure he’ll have no long-term damage inflicted on him. However, for any parents I meet who refuse the MMR vaccine for no good reason, I cannot make a similar promise.

Remember, if alternative medicine works, they rename it. To ‘medicine’.

25 51

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The monthly column from our windswept Brighton gal

Columnists

Zoe Lyons Let the festivities begin... and begin... and begin.

S

eptember marks the return home for

I imagine for some returning home after living

the more adventurous there is the Kite

me after spending the previous month

in the festival bubble and sense of excitement

Festival and of course Paddle around the

performing at the Edinburgh Festival.

for a month it must be a bit of a shock to

Pier otherwise know as the Festival of semi-

I love coming home. I am as keen as

the system. For me, however, returning to

buoyant rafts.

a young spaniel to get off the train and sprint

Brighton, I know I won’t have to wait too

(as best as can) down to the promenade and

long before the festivities, in some form, begin

For the comedy aficionados amongst us

gulp down lungfuls of Brighton sea air.

again.

the Brighton Comedy Festival hits town in

Ahhhhhhh Brighton, I miss you when I am

While Edinburgh wins the prize for putting

the Edinburgh Fringe, yeah you heard me....

away. I miss it all - the slightly smug pram

on the biggest festival, surely Brighton is

Edinburgh comes to Brighton! We might not

pushing joggers, the forty year old skate

on route to getting a medal for hosting the

be the biggest but we have got it all. Let the

boarders, the guy on his pimped up shopability

most festivals over the year. Geeez we love a

festivities begin....

scooter with a ghetto blaster strapped to the

celebration in this city in all its manifestations.

October with some of the best shows from

back.You Brighton, are such a feast for the eyes.

Whatever “rocks your boat” we have it covered. It seems like every week a different

Don’t get me wrong, the Edinburgh Fringe

banner is being hoisted up to advertise the

Festival is an incredible cultural gathering. It

next cultural carnival rolling into town and

is, as they like to remind you, the biggest arts

some of them are beautifully unique. For

festival in the world and as such people travel

the musos there is the Great Escape multi

from all over the planet to participate and

venue mega gig or if you prefer your tunes

perform. For those three and a half weeks the

banged out on a lute, The Brighton Early Music

city is a buzz of activity, every available space

Festival. Food and Drink are honoured with a

becomes a venue. The place is crammed, if

multitude of their own gatherings, Chocolate

you stand still too long on the Royal Mile a

Festival, Sussex Beer Festival and pop the loo

student group will try and use your pockets

roll in the fridge for the Fiery Food Festival.

as lodgings. For a comic at the Fringe the experience is a brilliant, tiring, expensive and

If Art is your thing then we have the Artists

nerve-wracking one and when the time to

Open House festival where one can combine

head home finally rolls around it is usually not

the very British love of looking at art with

a minute too soon.

having a nosy around a strangers home. For

I miss the slightly smug pram pushing joggers, the forty year old skate boarders, the guy on his pimped up shopability scooter...

53

Brighton Bites

Photo: Julia Claxton

Unmissable Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival events this September...

Brighton Beer & Cider Festival Raise a glass to some cracking Sussex beers and ciders on Hove Lawns on the evenings of Friday 13 and Saturday 14 September. With over 50 beers and ciders to choose from – including Arundal, Hammerpot, Kissingate, Hepworth and WJ King – alongside new microbreweries including Brighton Bier, Franklins and North Laine Brewery, and a selection of award-winning Sussex wines, they’ll be plenty to excite your tastebuds. Enjoy a Sussex hog roast both nights plus Saturday sees live music and the Chilli Challenge on the main stage.

Tickets £5 in advance from www.brightonfoodfestival.com

We catch up with Hove’s big cheese, David Deaves.

Tell us a little about La Cave á Fromage and what makes it special

Interview: David Deaves, La Cave á Fromage

La Cave is a foodies and cheese-lovers heaven, bringing a little bit of Continental Europe to our vibrant city. We specialise in offering a wide selection of artisan and farmhouse cheeses, including some amazing cheeses from East and West Sussex, along with Charcuterie from across Europe and wines from France.

We are not just a cheese shop. Our tasting café is open daily, where we serve a selection of tasting platters of cheese, charcuterie and a selection of salads. Our specialist French wine list, contains wines from such areas as Bergerac, Gaillac and the Cahors AOC regions.

Cheese is an amazing produce but at the same time a complex one because of its diversity as a

Photo: Julia Claxton

‘Pantry, Parlour, Piano Nobile’: A Regency Food Tour Take a journey through a grand regency house from the servants quarters through to the entertaining floor. Each room has tasters of the kind of food and drink that would have been eaten during the late georgian period, and actors will tell anecdotes about the cuisine at the time.

Tours last approximately 40-45 minutes each. Arrive 15 minutes before your alloted time. Suitable for ages 14+. Tickets £12 in advance from: www.brightonfoodfestival.com

Brighton Wine & Champagne Festival Making a very welcome return to the festival line-up, this event offers you the chance to try the best of Sussex’s awardwinning wine industry alongside superb still and sparkling wines from around the world. There’ll also be the opportunity to sample the new Blackdown Sussex artisan spirits, cheeses from La Cave a Fromage and some wine and spirit infused ices from Boho Gelato.

Tickets £10 in advance including first glass of Ridgeview sparkling wine from: www.brightonfoodfestival.com.

Wines priced from £3 per glass (still), £5 per glass (sparkling).

The Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival’s ‘Autumn Harvest’ runs citywide from 5-15 September 2013 • Advance tickets & complete events at: www.brightonfoodfestival.com 54

food, or to cook with – at the end of the day it is mainly milk. Cheese is totally integrated with nature. Based on secular savoir faire and human

The masterclasses allow you to learn a little

skill, paired with our knowledgeable staff, this all

more about cheese or just indulge in one of

makes La Cave a very special place to work and

life’s passions – cheese & wine. We generally

to visit. Our motto is “We love cheese and want

taste around 6 cheeses from a specific family

you to love it as much as we do.”

of cheese, style of cheese or area. I then match

How did you come to manage a cheese shop?

wines to complement the cheese and tell you about the cheeses: where they are from, how they are made and any interesting stories about the cheeses – and there are a few – after all

I worked in London for many years with

cheese can be traced back to Roman times.

leading event caterers and venues, most notably

Recently we have been a little more adventurous

Conran Restaurants. I became a casualty of the

and held cheese & tea and cheese & chocolate

economic downturn in 2011 and decided to

tastings, and I am currently working on a cheese

make my commute redundant as well.

& sake tasting. The most popular by far is the

I have always had a passion for cheese from a

cheese & sparkling wine tasting – yes, cheese and

young age and at some point in my career, had

champagne work really well together.

hoped to work with cheese. Fate brought La Cave and myself together. After a visit to their website to see what tastings they had coming up, I noticed they were looking for a manager, that

What’s your current favourite cheese and why?

was two years ago and I have not looked back

That’s a hard one. There are so many cheeses

since.

out there to choose from.

Tell us about your wine and cheese tasting masterclasses

Cheese to me is like chocolate to others - it depends on my mood and the occasion. If we are talking about cheese in general, then it is ‘blue’ all the way – in particular Bleu des Basque, a

Originally they were held bi-monthly, but they

ewe’s milk cheese from the Midi-Pyrénées, with

are becoming more and more popular and we

a natural sweetness and salty finish.

seem to be holding them now most Thursdays.

If I were to pick an English blue cheese, then

Nick Mosley suggests three great local dining experiences to try this month...

The restaurant at Drakes The highest rated restaurant in the city in the Good Food Guide for the third year running, its easy to see why ‘the restaurant at Drakes’ leads the pack when it comes to fine dining. Seasonal produce features heavily on both the a la carte and imaginative gastronomic menus (I’d highly recommend the latter if you want a showcase of the culinary skills of head chef Andy McKenzie). With a carefully considered wine list, and a stylish cocktail bar, drakes is the perfect place for a relaxing lunch or celebration dinner.

The restaurant at Drakes, 43-44 Marine Parade, Brighton, BN2 1PE 01273 696 934 www.drakesof brighton.com

it would have to be the Barkham Blue from

It would be great if we all had a cool and humid

the South East – a cheese made from Jersey

cellar to store our cheese - cheese loves

and Guernsey milk, rich and buttery with a

humidity, but in reality we don’t, therefore a

nice savoury finish. I am also partial to Flower

non-heated part of the house, or a shed would

Marie and Lord of the Hundreds both from East

suffice, of course there is always the refrigerator.

Sussex and our own creation, Stilton in Port.

In this instance the best place to store your

But if I had to choose one overall favourite

cheese is at the bottom of the fridge in the salad

it would be – without being biased to my N

drawer, which has a slightly higher temperature

orthern roots – the Lancashire Bomb, which is

and humidity to the rest of the fridge.

our most popular cheese in the shop - matured

When it comes to eating, bring the cheese out

for two years and full of flavour, buttery with a

of the fridge at least two hours before serving

nice tangy finish.

thus allowing the flavours to develop. Cold

Give us some tips on storing cheese The first golden rule is not to buy more cheese than you can eat in a few days.

Ensure you wrap your cheese in waxed paper provided by your cheese-monger. This will assist in keeping the cheese in the right condition. It allows the cheese to breathe and not dry out too quickly. Cling-film used for any length of time causes the cheese to sweat, producing moisture, which in turn will promote the rapid growth of moulds. If you have to use cling-film only cover the cut surface allowing the rind to breathe and use a fresh piece every time you wrap. Kitchen foil is good for storing blue cheese.

cheese is boring and bland.

Hotel du Vin Bistro A true favourite amongst Brighton’s diners, the bistro at Hotel du Vin offers a broad menu of a la carte meat, fish and vegetarian options, alongside an ever changing specials menu created by chef Rob Carr.You can also opt to eat outside from the alfresco menu on the recently refurbished terrace, or treat family and friends to the amazing value four-course Sunday lunch for just £23 per person. My favourite dish at the moment is the tempura oysters – just delicious!

Hotel du Vin, 2-6 Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 4AD • 01273 718 588 www.hotelduvin.com

Learn to love mould! Mould and bacteria are an important part of the cheese-making process – they impart flavour and character to the cheese and, in some cheeses, bacteria is added during the cheese making process – such as Penicillium Roqueforti or Penicillium Camemberti. So if your hard cheese picks up mould whilst in the refrigerator, simply trim it off and enjoy what’s left. Mould on a softer cheese, most likely means that it’s past its prime. Looking after your cheese will allow you to keep it longer.

La Cave á Fromage, 34-35 Western Road, Hove, BN3 1AF 01273 725 500 www.la-cave.co.uk

The Coal Shed Tucked away on Boyces Street between Middle Street and West Street, the Coal Shed has been quietly building a reputation for fantastic food over the past couple of years. Specialising in high quality steaks, with a pretty decent selection of local fish and seafood too, the Coalshed is an absolute must-do for foodies. I’d recommend the octopus and chorizo starter, and the dessert of chocolate with a lavendar and blackberry sorbet is one of the best things I’ve ever tasted in Brighton.

The Coal Shed, 8 Boyces Street, Brighton, BN1 1AN • 01273 322 998 www.coalshed-restaurant.co.uk 55

56

Authentic and Fun

T

here are some locations that are

again and we have customers who have been

Brighton institutions: the piers, the

coming here for over 20 years. We also have

Pavilion, The Grand, the Volks Railway,

many Italian diners.”

Englishs... and Al Duomo. Next year the

The loyalty is a testament to the authenticity

popular Italian restaurant celebrates its 35th

of the Italian food and the warm welcome

anniversary, quite a feat for any restaurant,

provided by Alberto and his team. Alberto

especially one that has been family-run for all

places great emphasis on researching and

this time.

sourcing the best ingredients directly from

It began with Ermanno Taverna in 1979

Italy. For instance he insists on using Pasta di

and is now in the safe hands of his son,

Gragnano, which is produced in time-honoured

Alberto. albeit under the close scrutiny of

fashion within close proximity to the Bay

Ermanno, who isn’t looking for too peaceful

of Naples - it is THE pasta region just as

a retirement. “He checks up on us still,” says

champagne is the place for fizz.

Alberto. “He likes to keep his hand in, as he

Good food is essential for any successful

has been working in restaurants and hotels all

restaurant, but for a venue as large as Al

his life. Luckily I have inherited his attention

Duomo (it is deceptively big with five floors!)

to detail.”

you also need innovation, and this comes

Attention to the finer points is essential

in the form of their specially themed music

for a restaurant which has retained its fine

nights including Elvis, Michael Buble, disco,

reputation for over two decades, and has

opera and jazz - always great fun.

gained a loyal clientele. Its proximity to the

But more than anything the success is down

Pavilion means it is firmly on the tourist trail

to the hard work and dedication of Alberto

but Al Duomo has never relied on passing

and his team. “Every day is a new challenge

trade. “I would say that 60% of our customers

and we embrace this,” he says.

are local and 40% are visitors to the city,” says

The results are clear to see.

Alberto. “People tend to come back again and

www.alduomo.co.uk. 01273 326741 57

Food and Drink

My Favourite The Ram Inn, Firle

Sussex Pubs

By Peter James

The Ram Inn, Firle

58

... sausages and mash that undoubtedly would have elicited an “historic” praising from the late Michael Winner.

W

ine, for me, is as important a part of dining out as the food. Yet I have so often encountered poor sommeliers who let down what otherwise might have been a good establishment. These are the ones who try to guide you to dissuade you from your choice and point you instead to a bottle at a way higher price than you are comfortable paying, or who look at you and treat you as if you’ve just ridden into town on the back of a truck. They leave a bad taste in your mouth, a bad smell in your wine glass, and a dim view of their establishment.

And then there is Mark Perlaki, sommelier of the Hotel du Vin in Harrogate, who, along with the sommelier of the now defunct El Bulli, is one of the very best I’ve ever encountered.

I love the whole culture of the Hotel du Vin chain, but Mark Perlaki is something else altogether. He’s very happy to recommend a simple, inexpensive Picpoul, but if you want to go upscale you are in safe, astoundingly knowledgeable and sensible hands. On a recent visit he convinced me to try a white Bordeaux – a wine that has languished out of fashion for many decades now. But I suspect for not much longer. I drank a 2005 PessacLeognon Mantiers du Haut Brion – a stiff £99 on the list but I was totally and utterly blown away by it.

Then just last week the Butlers Wine Cellar in Kemp Town – once rated by The Times as the best value wine merchant in the UK, rang me to say I had to try a white Bordeaux they had just had in. A Chateau Lamothe Bouscaut 2011 at a bargain £19.00.

It was every bit as stunning as the Haut Brion. A wonderful change to Chardonnay and white burgundy in general, where my taste lies, but with a similar richness to the very classiest of the Chardonnay family.

But enough about fine wines, I want to highlight some pubs within easy access of Brighton. Summer may be over officially at the end of August, but September is often a glorious month – so there is still plenty of time to enjoy both indoors and al fresco eating at some great pubs in the area. Heading east of Brighton, The Ram Inn at Firle – is a superb, friendly pub, with a huge outdoors area, an idyllic setting, a traditional pub bar, and astoundingly good, modern, inventive food. It was my local for many years and I never had a duff experience there.

A few miles further to the east, tucked down a narrow lane, is another of my favourites, Rose Cottage at Alciston, complete with a talking parrot in a cage.

Owned and run by the landlord and his wife, who travel the world in their holidays in search of inventive recipes, the food is consistently excellent and they have a small but decent selection of wines.

The Jolly Sportsman, tucked amid a labyrinth of country lanes in East Chiltington should award prizes to anyone who can find it. I’ve eaten there a dozen times and got lost getting there on every occasion. But it is worth the effort, because it is another pub with a traditional bar, and great modern food in a very attractive dining room.

I’ve consistently had some of the best roast beef Sunday lunches I can remember at

The Griffin, in Fletching – and they do barbecues there also. It is a great pub, in a beautiful village with some wonderful walks in the vicinity, always busy and always incredibly friendly. Well worth the drive through glorious countryside to get there.

I was born and raised in Sussex, so how come, I wondered, had I never been to West Hoathley? It is the most gorgeous village, tucked away not far from the Ardingly Showground, and home to The Cat Inn, owned and meticulously run by Andrew Russell – as you would expect from the former General Manager of Gravetye Manor. The food is extremely good and inventive, the service exemplary.

There are several dining rooms, each of very different character, so worth deciding in advance what is going to suit your mood.

They also have bedrooms, if the very fine wine list leads you astray…

Last but by no means least on my list is The Royal Oak at Wineham. This is a glorious, unspoiled pub dating back centuries, down a quiet lane near Henfield.

It has to be one of the friendliest pubs in Sussex and serves simple food extremely well. Dishes my partner and I have eaten there in recent months include a generous and finely judged Guinea fowl on a platter, sausages and mash that undoubtedly would have elicited an “historic” praising from the late Michael Winner, pork fillet with mustard mash, a perfectly cooked sea bass, and a dangerously moreish vegetarian pasta.

They also know how to cook vegetables really well.

So, have a happy Indian summer pub crawl everyone!

59

Tea

Everything stops for tea Ian Trevett takes tea with Gabor Kovacs, the new lounge manager at The Grand Hotel You don’t get anything more quintessentially English than Afternoon Tea, a tradition wrapped up with the rules of etiquette, partaken by the wealthier sections of society. It was thought to have been introduced by the Duchess of Bedford in the 1840s, and developed into a ritual enjoyed by ladies of a certain class.

It isn’t a custom shared by our European neighbours, but that’s not to say they dislike the idea. Gabor Kovacs, the new lounge manager at The Grand loves the ceremony and indulgence. “It is nice sometimes to slow down and relax and there is nothing as calming as afternoon tea. I never experienced it until I moved to England,” says Budapest born Gabor.

He is right - you need time to enjoy the tea, which is probably why it was an upper class preserve in the 19th century. Working class folk rarely had a great deal of time away from the mill or factory!

Today an afternoon tea tends to be a treat enjoyed at a hotel or tea-shop, but no-one does it quite like The Grand and the reason why you need so much time is there is so much to get through.

It begins with a selection of hand cut sandwiches, a pot of The Grand’s own blended tea or a choice of world renowned blends and infusions.

Warm scones arrive next with strawberry preserves and West Country clotted cream. Then there’s the final course, the piece de resistance, a selection of homemade cakes and beautifully crafted pieces made by the patisserie chef. All are delicious with a delectable Raspberry Tart and decadent Chocolate Delice to name a few.

Added to this are the delicate touches, which Gabor is passionate about.

“We have carefully chosen the cups, cutlery, strainers to ensure all detail is looked after and the table is set with a great deal of care. We want people to feel really special when they have tea at The Grand and the staff ensure they feel really looked after.”

It is a service that Gabor has embraced, but his background is actually cocktails. Before the internet, there wasn’t an easy way to learn cocktail recipes in Budapest, so he watched Tom Cruise in the film Cocktail over and over again to pick up techniques. Since then he has run a variety of fashionable bars and worked in some of London’s finest hotels. It will be interesting to see how the cocktail menu develops.

Working as lounge manager means adapting to the different needs of the guests and visitors to the hotel. Hotel guests want a lounge to relax in, daytime visitors want to have a taste of luxury with a sumptuous Afternoon Tea, while the evening has a lively buzz, with drinks priced at a surprisingly reasonable level.

But for now it is all about taking it easy and enjoying the wonderful surroundings. And, if like me, you don’t even like tea, don’t worry they make a mean cappucinno.

Afternoon Tea is served daily and starts from £22.95 per person.

Tel: 01273 224300. www.devere-hotels.co.uk/thegrand

60

guestlist What?

Ladies Day at the cricket Where?

1

Sussex County Cricket Ground

2

Why? A day of pampering and cricket at the Sussex County Cricket Ground Who? 1. Cllr Denise Cobbs (Mayor of Brighton) and Best Hat winner, Sarah Jewell

3

2. Annabel Conn, Caraline Brown and Fiona Graves (Midnight Communications)

4

3. Jenny Robinson, Genevieve Ainsworth, Sarah Jewell and Sarah Petras 4. Jim May (SCCC), Cllr Denise Cobbs (Mayor of Brighton), Sarah Jewell and Leah Barnett (Walk in Wardrobe) 5. Lorraine McAleenan, Sarah Ediff and Jane Wait 6. Martina Packham & Joanne Darroch 7. Sarah Petras 5

8. Actress Carol Cleveland

6

9.Gary Peters (Brighton&HoveJobs.com) with winners from Slave for the Day 10. Jo Hunter (Piglets Pantry), Stuart Dorn (Brighton Racecourse) Cheryl Piper (Rockinghorse) 11. Ladies Day 2013

7

10

8

9

If you would like to see your event on these pages email us on guestlist@absolutemagazine.co.uk

11

Photos: Stephen Lawrence

61 61

Featuring Big Sussex Market Children’s Food Festival Sussex & The World Market Live Food Show Brighton Beer & Cider Festival Regency Food Tour Champagne & Wine Festival Restaurant Week Extreme Food Challenge International Chef Exchange Make Your Case Curry Chef of the Year Bitter & Twisted Mix Off cocktail competition Food Awards Final and many more FREE & ticketed events for all ages!

Brighton &

k e e W t n a r Restau

r tembe 1 3 S e p ex menus at y a id r & Suss y9-F W il d s , ial offers Monda for spec la to , B u s b y & , e it s b e w e al Shed r o G u C o o e e h Se en lc e , B o il li P ic k le , T h u rd a D a G u , Ag G ra n d he Ch at The c io’s , T t, T h e C a r lu c s t, G B 1 s ta u ra n m e r, a e o R C e z to m ra t u G s S a t, o n n C ra , In d ia R e s ta u e P la c e a m H o u s e , v Room o H , it c h e n , Pe lh es, H o v e K s e , M o s h im o u ra n t a t d ra k n t, ta s ra L’E g li re u e ta le R e s V in , th tt u a d e S b , , u P to n á Te r re f B r ig h , Te r re S a m’s o House r ouse e h r m te n S ta a fé , Wa e C s e it VB e r ra c Bar & T

Thanks to our sponsors - with their support we can keep all of our anchor events free access

Mix Off Sponsors: Blackdown Artisan Spirits, Four Roses Bourbon & Bank’s Five Years Rum | Thanks to our media partners: Absolute, Latest 7, The Argus, Latest TV, Brighton & Hove Independent, Juice 107.2, Brighton Visitor, childfriendlybrighton.co.uk and Source Working in partnership with City Reads, The Regency Town House, Brighton Early Music Festival (BREMF), Rhone Alpes Tourism and Brighton & Hove City Council Environmental Health | Charity partners: Rockinghorse and FareShare Brighton & Hove

62

Photo Marilyn Monroe aka Laura Nixon at myhotel by Julia Claxton/Sam Eddison

n m u Aut rvest Ha

Hove

guestlist What?

New restaurant launch Where?

Pizza7 in Ship Street 1

Why?

2

A new venue with artisan pizzas and 28 international beers Who? 1. Becky Holland, Anita Ellison and Carla ter Maat 2. Caraline Brown and Lucy Chilvers 3

4

3. Alfie Fairbarn, Bobbie Murray, Hannah Peachey and Luke Thacker 4. Jake Shillingford and Nick Evans 5. Paul and Verity Craig with Ian Lucas 6. Ashton Howard, Nathalie Gomez de Vera, Hermione Cox, Liz Snook 7. Mark Sparkes & Rachel Regan 8. Nick Mosley, Laura Nixon, Sam Eddison 9. Mike and Jennifer Mendoza

5

6

10. Jenny Rogers & Alan Prior 11. Pizza 7 team members Malcolm Bluemel, Aurore, Debora, Lora, Sam, Steve Pineau, Evan

7

10

8

9

If you would like to see your event on these pages email us on guestlist@absolutemagazine.co.uk

11

Photos: Julia Claxton

63 63

Breakfast at...

Bohemia Grand Café ❖ Late Lounge Start your day with a Bohemia breakfast From Eggs Benedict to a traditional Full English hearty breakfast, our head chef will delight you with his superb dishes.

Prices from £3.50-£7.50

Or simply enjoy a coffee!

Come and enjoy one of the best breakfasts in town...

Bohemia, 44-45 Meeting House Lane, Brighton.

64

Later, try a memorable AFTERNOON TEA Served between 3.00pm & 6.00pm Minimum 2 persons Traditional Sussex Afternoon Tea £14.00pp Tiered stand of finger sandwiches, homemade fruit scones, Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam and homemade cakes. Served with a pot of loose tea of your choice Champagne Afternoon Tea £22.00pp Same as the Traditional Afternoon Tea and served with a glass of House Champagne

FRESH DAILY SELECTION OF CAKES

...see you there!

T: (01273) 777770

E: info@bohemiabrighton.co.uk W: www.bohemiabrighton.co.uk

65

Your guide to what’s on in the city Sun 15th Sept Ace Café Reunion Doors 10:00am to 6:00pm Free

Brighton Centre, Brighton Box Office: 0844 847 1515 Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2GR Highlights for September Sat 28th Sept Joe Bonamassa – Live in Concert Start 7:00pm £35.00-£55.00 Sun 29th Sept Brighton Record & CD Fair Start 9:30am £2.00 (Early entry £5 from 8.30am) Fri 4th Oct Lawson Start 7:00pm £19.00 Sun 13th Oct Love Beyond – The Musical Start 7.00pm £25.00-£45.00 Fri 18th Oct Russell Brand Start 6.00pm £27.50

The Dome, Brighton www.brightondome.org Box Office: 01273 709709 29 New Road, Brighton BN1 1UG Highlights for September Thu 5th Sept SoundScreen Start 8pm £7.00 Sat 7th Sept Brighton Dome SOURCE New Music Start 7.30pm £4.00 Mon 9th Sept Devoted & Disgruntled Start 10am £5.00 Sun 15th Sept Nicola Benedetti Start 7:30pm £10.00-£35.00 Thu 19th – Fri 20th Sept Stewart Lee Start 8:00pm £20.00 Over 15s only.

Fri 20th Sept Ben E King & Jimmy James Doors 7:00pm £24.50 Over 14s only (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)

Highlights for September Thu 5th Sept The Sound of the Wind in the Trees Doors 7:30pm £10.00 Wed 18th Sept Pecha Kucha Night: Brighton Vol. 19 Doors 8.00pm £5.00 Thu 19th – Sat 21st Sept The Paper Cinema’s Odyssey Doors 7:30pm £12.00 Sun 22nd Sept Stackridge Doors 8.00pm £15.00 Fri 27th Sept Birdy Doors 7.30pm £12.00 66

Fri 27th Sept CocoRosie Start 7:30pm £18.00 Sun 29th Sept Herbie Flowers’ Jazz Breakfast Start 11am £6.50 Thu 3rd Oct Jubilee Quartet Start 7.30pm £17.50 Concorde, Brighton www.concorde2.co.uk Box Office: 01273 673311 Madeira Drive, Brighton BN2 1EN Highlights for September Thu 5th Sept Steve Vai Doors 7:00pm £27.50 Over 14s only Sat 14th Sept The Last Carnival (Album Launch) Doors 6:00pm £10.00 Over 14s only

Tue 17th Sept City Reads Book Quiz Doors 7.30pm £5.00 Fri 27th Sept Bravo Four Zero Doors 8:00pm £10.00

Sat 21st Sept Nearly Dan performs Steely Dan Doors 7:00pm £13.50 Over 14s only (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult) Wed 25th Sept Swim Deep Doors 7:00pm £10.00 Over 14s only (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult) Fri 27th Sept Who’s Who – 40th Anniversary of Quadrophenia Doors 7:00pm £15.00 Over 14s only.

Sat 28th Sept The 1975 Doors 6:30pm £11.00 Over 14s only (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)

Theatre Royal, Brighton Box Office: 0844 871 7650 New Road, Brighton BN1 1SD Highlights for September Sun 8th Sept Blofeld and Baxter: Memories of Test Match Special Start 7:30pm £21.90 Mon 9th Sept Go Back For Murder Start 7:45pm £11.90 - £35.40

Tue 24th Sept Call Mr. Robeson – A Life, with songs.

Start 2:00pm & 8:00pm £10.00 The Old Market, Brighton www.theoldmarket.com Box Office: 01273 201801 11A Upper Market Street, Brighton

Thu 12th Sept The Catalyst Club Doors 8:00pm £5.00

Sun 15th Sept Ardal O’Hanlon Start 8:00pm £22.90 - £24.90 Latest Music Bar, Brighton www.thelatest.co.uk Box Office: 01273 687171 14-17 Manchester St Brighton BN2 1T F Highlights for September Tue 3rd Sept Action for Happiness Doors 7:30pm Free Fri 6th Sept Sugar Kicks Doors 10.00pm £7.00 Mon 9th Sept Rattle Tales Doors 7.30pm Free Wed 11th Sept Tango Boot Camp – every Wednesday Doors 8:00pm £3.00-£8.00

Wed 18th Sept Grandpa in my Pocket: Teamwork!

Start 7.00pm £11.40 - £17.90 Tue 24th Sept Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat Start 7.45pm £22.90 - £37.90 Wed 25th Sept Skip’s After School Club: Build a Dreamcoat Start 4:00pm – 5:30pm £5.00 6-11 year olds only.

Mon 7th Oct September in the Rain Start 7.45pm £11.90-£32.40 List compiled by Iszara Morgan and Gabriel Wright

what’s on @ The Grand Brighton, 97-99 Kings Road BN1 2FW

Over the Moon Festival 13th - 15th September 2013 Over the Moon Festival launched last year, making it to the last 10 finalists at the 2012 UK Festival Awards. Building on last year’s success, 2013 is set to take you on a journey into the imagination with a little bit of something to keep even the most adventurous festival folk wondering where the line between reality and dreams is drawn.

A unique melting pot of musicians, artists, performers and artisans from around the globe. This is a chance to experience and create all that your imagination can conjure. Arts, entertainment and education are explored across the festival’s various zones and the event prides itself on providing first class entertainment and catering for all ages and tastes.

This year’s event will see the likes of the Freestylers performing a live set to coincide with the release of their new album, ‘The Coming Storm’. Expect some classic dance floor fillers and some brand new material guaranteed to get things jumping. The acts performing across the festival’s stages will cover genres including Balkan, Folk, Blues, Funk, Roots, Dub, Electro, Electro Swing and more. Acts to look out for include Brighton’s Physics House Band, the festival powerhouse that is the Carnival Collective and Gypsy Disco who will be bringing a cornucopia of performance pieces.

Alongside the musical entertainment are theatrical, burlesque, poetic, carnivalesque and circus performances set to wow the crowds.

TICKET INFORMATION Tickets are now on sale, subject to booking fees. www.overthemoonfestival.co.uk Weekend adult tickets £88 Weekend accompanied teen ticket (13- 18 years) £45 Weekend child (7-12 years) tickets £25 Child (Under 7 years) Free!

For weekend accompanied teen tickets, all teenagers must be accompanied by an over 18. Teen tickets can only be purchased at the same time as an adult ticket.

Restaurant week offer 9th-13th September During Restaurant Week, visit GB1 Restaurant for lunch and receive a FREE Amuse Bouche or enjoy a FREE glass of bubbles with Afternoon Tea. Just quote “Restaurant Week”. Offers subject to availability. For full terms conditions and menus visit the website.

From the stylish GB1 Restaurant which offers the south coast’s finest and freshest fish caught daily to the hotel’s famous Sussex Cream Tea served in the beautiful Victoria Lounge and Terrace, The Grand, Brighton has it all. www.brightonfoodfestival.com • www.devere-hotels.co.uk/thegrand World Food Market and Live Food Show 14th and 15th September 2013 Head to seafront Hove Lawns on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September for the epic close weekend of the festival’s Autumn Harvest featuring the best of Sussex and international cuisine, alongside the Children’s Food Festival, Live Food Show, and a host of competitions ranging from the Wobblegate Wobblympics and Bite Off produce awards to the Extreme Food Challenge and Curry Chef of the Year. The Grand will be featuring their very own pop up Afternoon Tea stand where visitors can sample our famous Sussex Cream Teas and try a few fantastic cocktail taster’s too. www.brightonfoodfestival.com Big Sussex Market 7th and 8th September 2013 The most popular event of the food festival, the Big Sussex Market returns for two days of fresh local produce and delicious hot food. Don’t miss this massive event on New Road, Jubilee Street in Brighton. The Grand, Brighton are showcasing the fantastic GB1 Seafood Restaurant. Passers by can try delicious samplers and enter the free prize draw for a chance to win dinner at GB1. www.brightonfoodfestival.com Summer Swing at The Grand The Victoria Lounge and Bar 19th September 2013 8pm until late, Free Entry Swinging grooves with a Latin twist performed by the talented Matthew vanKan. Live music, dancing and a fantastic Latin inspired cocktail menu will be on offer. The perfect end of Summer event for all. Bring your dancing shoes too as our Latin dancers will be on hand to show you a few moves! www.devere-hotels.co.uk/thegrand The Sussex Woman’s Show 27th and 28th September Brighton Raceground The Sussex Woman Show is a unique opportunity for women to take time out independently or with friends to indulge in an exceptional shopping experience. It is a chance to find something extra special and a little unique; gorgeous gifts, homeware, fashion and jewellery with which to treat themselves or someone special. It’s the perfect place to shop, dine and socialise. The Sp@ The Grand will be exhibiting and are offering mini spa treatments, sensory experiences, competitions and exclusive spa offers. www.sussexwomanshow.com

www.devere.co.uk 67

MUSIC NEWS NERO complete Shakedown line-up British electronic music trio NERO have joined the line-up for Shakedown festival in Brighton on the 28th September. The South Coast’s biggest music event will see the London threepiece headline the Supercharged Arena along with heavy weights Sub Focus, Zane Lowe and Krafty Kuts.

Ceezlin signs for Just Jam Brighton hip-hop artist Ceezlin has signed a contract with record label SBTV. Ceezlin, otherwise known as TC Johnston, has now joined forces with Jamal Edwards, the label’s creator, to release a single and video of the Brighton-born rapper’s song ‘No More’.

NERO

TRAAMS announce album release South Coast trio TRAAMS have announced

Vinyl Release of Sublime Wizardry

Son, are fresh from supporting legends Public

that they will be releasing their debut album

EP

Enemy and KRS-ONE.

through FatCat Records on September 16.

Brighton trio Sublime Wizardry have released

The album, recorded throughout 2013 and

their first vinyl EP ‘Best Of The Bunch EP’. The

Sea Monsters 3 Out Now

2013 with producers Rory Atwell and MJ from

hip-hop group, made up of producer Merlin

Anyone looking to get to grips with Brighton’s

Hookworms, will be called ‘GRIN’.

and two of Brighton’s most prolific old school

musical underground need look no further

rappers, The Remarkable 1 and One Native

than the 3rd instalment of ‘Sea Monsters – The Best of Brighton’ compilation. The two disc One

Ceezlin

Inch Badge features 25 seminal tracks from some of Brighton’s best bands including Kins, Negative Pegasus, DA-10 and Rum Committee and has now received an international release on CD and download.

Rizzle Kicks album release Jordan Stephens and Harley Alexander-Sule, better known as Rizzle Kicks, are set to release their second studio album on September 2.

The Brighton hip-hop duo sold over 1 million copies of their debut album and are now due to release ‘Roaring 20s’ featuring collaborations with the like of Fatboy Slim, Ant Whiting as well as songwriter Jamie Cullum.

68

GIG GUIDE

Alasdair Robert – Sat 14th Sep @ The Green Door Store Nicola Benedetti – Sun 15th Sep @ Brighton Dome Ethan Johns – Tue 17th Sep @ Komedia Tim Hecker – Wed 18th Sep @ St Marys Church

Turner Cody – Sun 1st Sep @ The Basement

State of the Union – Thu 19th Sep @ The Latest Music Bar

Crocodiles – Mon 2nd Sep @ Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar Chrome Sparks – Tue 3rd Sep @ The Green Door Store

Steve Vai

SKATERS – Wed 4th Sep @ The Green Door Store

Steve Vai – Thu 5th Sep @ Concorde 2 With more than 15 million album sales, three GRAMMY Awards and more than three decades in the music industry, Vai has proven himself to be a true icon in the business. The virtuoso guitarist, visionary composer and consummate producer sculpts musical sound with infinite creativity and technical mastery.

Stewart Lee – Fri 20th Sep @ Brighton Dome Stand-up comedian, writer, director and musician Stewart Lee comes to Brighton as part of his UK Tour, offering a mixed stew of unrelated ideas through his typically subversive humour in preparation for his 2014 TV series.

Visage – Sat 21st Sep @ The Haunt Stackridge – Sun 22nd Sep @ The Old Market Wire – Mon 23rd Sep @ Komedia Keston Cobblers’ Club – Tue 24th Sep @ Stick Mike’s Frog Bar Swim Deep – Wed 25th Sep @ Concorde 2 Thea Hopkins – Thu 26th Sep @ The Brunswick Kelly Joe Phelps – Fri 27th Sep @ The Palmeira Joe Bonamassa Sat 28th Sep @ Brighton Centre Psychic Ills – Sun 29th Sep @ Prince Albert Manu Delago – Mon 30th Sep @ Komedia Kids In Glass Houses – Tue 1st Oct @ Concorde 2 For What It’s Worth – Wed 2nd Oct @ The Hope Martin Barre – Thu 3rd Oct @ Komedia

Lawson Jim White – Fri 6th Sep @ The Basement The Watermelons – Sat 7th Sep @ Concorde 2 Daniel And The Scandals – Thu 8th Sep @ Audio Justin Currie – Mon 9th Sep @ Komedia

Lawson – Fri 4th Oct @ Brighton Centre On the back of their Gold album Chapman Square, the pop-rock quartet have embarked upon a three-month UK Tour that features all the hits from their debut album, including their UK no. 6 single Brokenhearted.

Conquering Animal Sound – Tue 10th Sep @ The Hope Three Colours Red – Wed 11th Sep @ The Latest Music Bar

The Monuments – Sat 5th Oct @ Audio

Portugal. The Man - Thu 12th Sep @ The Haunt

Natural Child – Sun 6th Oct @ The Hope Slaid Cleaves – Mon 7th Oct @ The Greys Nina Nesbitt – Tue 8th Oct @ The Haunt

Ras G – Fri 13th Sep @ The Haunt

Drenge – Wed 9th Oct @ The Green Door Store

A regular fixture in the underground hiphop scene, the South Central

Charles Bradley – Thu 10th Oct @ Concorde 2

LA resident visits the Haunt bringing his funky rhythms, bass lines,

Cherry Suede – Fri 11th Oct @ The Hope

foghorns and colossal percussions in a rare chance to see him descend

Majical Cloudz – Sat 12th Oct @ The Green Door Store

upon Brighton.

Wheatus – Sun 13th Oct @ The Haunt The Toy Hearts – Mon 14th Oct @ The Greys Emily Baker & the Red Clay Halos – Tue 15th Oct @ Komedia

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Interview

Lucy - The ‘Northern’ Lass Lucy Porter is down south in Brighton - a long way to come for a Northerner from, er, London Interview by Ian Trevett

W

hen you live in Brighton,

poetry of the 1980s and 1990s and Steve

laugh. “I always said I’ll never have children and

virtually the whole of the

Martin. They chose Steve Martin.

I would talk about how bad they are for the

country can be described as the

“I sat down and watched back-to-back

environment. What can I say? I have had more

north, but, even so, few of us would refer to

Steve Martin films, which was an enjoyable

life experiences and my writing has definitely

someone from London as being a northerner.

experience. even The Pink Panther. The first

improved.”

Lucy Porter’s new stand-up show is called

Steve Martin film I remember watching was All

Lucy married fellow comedian Justin Edwards

Northern Soul, which for me is more Wigan

of Me with Lily Tomlin, which I loved.

in 2009. How does it work with a couple of

than Croydon, the place where Lucy was

“His stand-up comedy was amazing, physically

comedians? Do they argue over who uses

raised. So is Lucy going through some kind of

brilliant and clown-like. He had his own unique

their jokes?

identity crisis?

style.”

“We have never really had the argument about

“I don’t think I always fitted in when I was

So how does Lucy describe her stage style? “I

who uses any material. Most of the times the

in Croydon,” confesses Lucy. “I lived in

could never do anything as physical as Steve

things we talk about are very dull - money,

Manchester for ten years and it felt right and

Martin, though I was always quite bouncy

kids, friends, just typical couple stuff. Perhaps

a bit cooler. They had all the best bands and

on stage. I think I became known for being

if we got divorced we could argue who gets

musicians like Elvis Costello, Happy Monday,

cheerful and optimistic in my routines, though

custody of the jokes.”

The Smiths, The Fall and Half Man, Half Biscuit.

there was always a few darker elements.

Now most of their friends are also parents

“The point of my show is to ask if you are

“Now I am a tired mum, I’m not as bouncy as

and one unexpected consequence is a growing

stuck with the place you were born and raised

I used to be. My act also is a bit more cynical,

familiarity of Brighton.

“I have a love / hate relationship with Brighton.

You can be a bit poncey in Brighton and get away with it. I like the fact there are lots of slightly odd people here.

It is very annoying - it is like a sponge, soaking up all my friends. They all seem to be moving down here from London, like salmon swimming upstream to spawn. They move to Brighton and suddenly produce all these babies.

in. It does give me the opportunity to make

though that is probably down to the anger and

“We are down here every few weeks, though I

jokes at the expense of some less interesting

tiredness - in other words being a parent.

have to admit I like being here. It is nice eating

towns and cities - sorry Derby and Croydon!

“I think a bit of anger is good for stand-up,

out at the Ginger Pig or Terre a Terre. I would

“In the end I conclude that where you come

because I always suffered terribly from being

be a vegan if I didn’t love cheese so much - I

from is a big part of you and actually I am not

too cheerful. I also wanted to be a goth, but

am too weak to live without it. I also like the

too hard on Croydon after all. I don’t want to

my cheerfulness just got in the way.”

organic pub, the Moon and the Stars.

be too rude as I do go home quite often.”

Lucy, as she says, is now a parent - the proud

“Brighton audiences are great as well. They

One of her music icons, Elvis Costello, is

mum of a two and half year old daughter

are culturally savvy without being up their

another Londoner who made the move north

and a son who is a year younger. Juggling a

own arses. They are a bit more laid back than

at an impressionable age, and Lucy almost

career as a stand-up and being a mum must be

Londoners - it must be the living by the sea.

found herself answering questions on Costello

quite tricky, but parenthood could present an

“You can get away with a lot in Brighton.You

on Celebrity Mastermind.

additional problem for Lucy. If you have seen

can be a bit poncey in Brighton and get away

“Ahh, Mastermind. Did I mention that I won

any of Lucy’s show in the past you may recall

with it. I like the fact there are lots of slightly

Celebrity Mastermind? I’m not saying you have

her talking about the trials and tribulations

odd people here.”

to put that in, but I think you should!

of a single girl in her 30s, and her pledges to

“They asked me to provide three specialist

avoid ever having kids.

Northern Soul Sat 19 Oct 2013, 7.45pm

subjects and I chose Elvis Costello, English

“It is slightly embarassing,” she admits with a

Corn Exchange £13 (£11 concessions)

70

71

Shake your Body Down

Absolute’s Luke Thacker speaks to Shakedown Founder & Promoter Steve Jones to find out more Now going into its third year, Shakedown stands as Sussex’s biggest music festival with 20,000 expected to descend upon Stanmer Park on 28th September.

Furthermore, the organisers are starting a new festival on the Sunday – SD2.

What made you start Shakedown?

I’ve always thought Brighton is crying out for a festival. I lived in the city when a lot of these festivals came and went – White Air, Loop, Beachdown – and people started to talk about Brighton as a ‘graveyard’ for festivals.

I was convinced that us Brightonians would lap up a good festival - the right festival – and from that really Shakedown was born!

Shakedown is going into its third year, growing each time – what have you learnt from previous years and what are the main changes going to be in 2013?

It’s amazing that no matter how many months (and years) of planning you put into one day, there will always be ways you can improve the event and the experience for people. After hugely increasing the number of toilets (we were even nominated for Best Toilets at the UK Festival Awards 2012!) our main criticism last year was the queues to get into the Supercharged Arena; none of us anticipated just how popular those acts would be midafternoon.

So in 2013 we’re making two big changes to ensure that doesn’t happen again. Firstly, we’re adding a second tent – the Audio Arena – 72

and secondly both tents will be open sided, meaning no more queues!

The Audio Arena features artists and a genre that Shakedown hasn’t really touched before, why is that?

It’s hard to ignore the popularity of house music at the moment! It’s funny because I’ve always been a house head – it’s what I play weekly when I DJ – but when we started Shakedown bass-driven music went through the roof. This year it’s all about deep house and we’re really pleased with the line-up we’ve pulled together. Annie Mac is the undoubted Queen of house music and with legends like Kerri Chandler in there too it should be an awesome atmosphere. At its core, Shakedown will always be an ‘electronic music festival’, but we’ll evolve and adapt as the music scene does. Roll on the Acid Bhangra craze of 2014….

And elsewhere it looks like you’ve really improved upon the line-up for 2013 Yeah we are really chuffed at the line-up this year. Rizzle Kicks’ headline set is going to be pretty special. Their new single is brilliant, their new album is released a few weeks before, and it’ll be the first time they perform their new material – at their hometown headline performance.

Labrinth is making one of his few summer appearances at Shakedown, Maverick Sabre is just incredible to see live, and the likes of DJ Fresh’s live show and Jaguar Skills will keep things moving nicely on the main stage.

The Supercharged Arena is back again with

bass superstars Nero and Sub Focus leading a line-up including Zane Lowe – who is fast becoming a Shakedown resident.

So SD2 – what’s it all about?

Right, SD2… As Shakedown is an 18+ event, we’ve always had a lot of people asking why under age people can’t come and if we can do something for families. We felt it was the perfect time to introduce a second day but to make it very different. So SD2 is a family pop music festival essentially – under 8s go free and other than that it’s £34.50 for a ticket.

We’ve got the Wanted headlining, with the Saturdays, Conor Maynard and the Vamps amongst others.

You’ve made some big changes to the VIP this year too – how is it going to differ from last year?

I think the VIP was the other main criticism we came up against from last year, and so for 2013 we’re really going all out to improve it across the board. It’s being hosted by your fine selves at Absolute and Brighton clubbing institution inyaear and it looks set to be a real luxury haven and hang-out for both Shakedown and SD2. We’ve got a cocktail bar and the Vunderbar serving draught beer, we’ve got exclusive inyaear DJs, masseurs, hair stylists and the all important… posh loos!

If you’re coming in a group or on a work do, we’re also offering some VIP tables. That way, you’ll be waited on all day, get reserved four-poster cabanas and some free vodka and champagne on top of that. www.shakedowm.co.uk For VIP details, email VIP@Shakedown.co.uk

BRING THE

PANE

Mikill Pane is a Hip-Hop artist hailing out of East London who instils thought provoking lyrics in his work, including collaborations with artists such as Ed Sheeran, Rizzle Kicks and Paloma Faith. Daniel White caught up with the songwriter ahead of his visit to Brighton this September for Shakedown Festival.

So are you are excited to play at Shakedown?

I’m very excited. I played the Great Escape two years in a row and then I toured with Rizzle Kicks in Brighton twice, so I’m really longing to play on my own accord, rather than as a support act.

How did you get into Hip Hop then?

I got into Hip-Hop through my sister. It was through osmosis really and just being around her. We had always been really eclectic with our listening habits but we got into Hip Hop at a specific time and out of all the genres that had the strongest hold on me, the most lasting effect.

Is there any sort of Hip Hop that you were especially influenced by?

To me the more lyrical the better but at the same time I love the old 90s Hip Hop. The attitude the rappers had back then was pure coolness. Obviously stuff back then was heavily sampled but the groove was amazing.

It just seemed a lot more fun.

How would you describe your sound?

I wouldn’t. As soon as you describe your sound you’re classifying it and I’d be doing myself an injustice if I was to classify it so I wouldn’t. The only way you know it’s my song is if you heard my voice on it.

You recently signed for Mercury Records, how much of your life changed since that moment?

All of my life has changed. It’s not because of the money or anything it’s because of the schedule. Obviously the money is a massive factor but I’m not a flosser, I don’t go around spending loads of money on jewellery and stuff like that anyway so I still live quite a relatively normal life when it comes to how I spend my money but it has all changed with regards to how I spend my time. I spend a hell of a lot more time gigging now, I’m a lot more well travelled now, it’s wicked man, it’s been totally life changing and it’s been mainly positive.

You’ve got your debut album, Blame Miss Barclay, out on September 9th, what can fans expect from that?

Loads of tales man. I like to write stories about imaginary characters so there’ll be a lot of tales on there and just some up tempo songs and some really thought provoking songs and I reckon I’ve covered all bases when it comes to evoking emotion. I think that’s what art should do, I haven’t tried to make a ground-breaking music album, I’ve just tried to make an album in which the music provides the perfect sound scape for the lyrics but doesn’t overshadow the lyrics and vice-versa.

Is there anyone, in particular, that you would like to collaborate with?

I always say Annie Lennox, it’s a thing of mine that I’m just going to keep saying until I actually get to work with her.

Do you have a favourite memory of being Brighton?

The last Great Escape festival I played a gig at the Fish Bowl with my DJ and even though I’ve played Coalition twice, and it’s a bigger venue, this little sweaty pub with everyone hearing what I was saying, no issues with sound, it was just a brilliant gig, that’s probably my high point that you can print anyway.

What does the future hold for Mikill Pane then?

More music, more touring, to produce more and just put more songs out. Nothing is promised though, so I can tell you what I will try to do but I can’t tell you what is actually going to come to fruition.

Mikill Pane will be playing on the main stage at Shakedown Festival on September 28th along with a host of other artists; including Maverick Sabre, Rizzle Kicks and Jaguar Skills.

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“I’m particularly known for reinventing older tricks, like pulling the heads off ducks”

Cooking up a Treat Thomas Paton meets award-winning magician and actor Ali Cook, one of the stars of ITV 1 show ‘Penn and Teller: Fool Us’ What are you first? Magician, comedian, writer, illusionist, actor or producer?

I’d say I’m a Renaissance man. I had a film producer recently refer to me as that and that’s what I’ll stick with I think. Weirdly, every title you mentioned is very similar.

Magic, acting, comedy and film all make use of the same three act structure to excite the audience’s interest, make them form an assumption and then revert it with a flourish.

A lot of the theory of magic is actually based in screenwriting. When I was fifteen I read a book called ‘Strong Magic’ written by Darwin

74

Ortiz, that was what got me into film and highlighted the similarities between all the performance arts.

So, you’ve been cornered by fans in Brighton with no props of any kind.

Would you go for a magic trick, play safe with a joke or disappear entirely?

A joke is too hard on one person. I’d definitely go for a trick. A rough rule in comedy goes that if a third of the room laughs and gets it, then it’s a keeper. I’ve

had to do shows to fifteen people and it’s so tough. If it was a one-on-one encounter I would go for a magic trick, probably ‘the vanishing pebble’. I did have a stalker once, she used to come to all of our gigs but she bought a ticket every time.

Who was your inspiration?

The first is Steve Martin, not many people know that he started out in magic. He was just the most fantastic performer, and ended up being one of the finest comedians of his generation. The second would have to be Cy

Endfield. As well as directing the film ‘Zulu’, Endfield also happened to be a master of micro magic and one of the greatest card magicians I’ve come across. He wrote a book in the 50’s called ‘Entertaining Card Magic’.

in the dark by invisible hands.

One thing I’m particularly known for is reinventing older tricks, like pulling the heads off ducks, which was last done in Spain in ’82. I’ll be honest, I don’t get a lot of stuff nicked.

Have you ever had to abandon an illusion fearing for your safety?

I have actually, a year ago on a show called Monkey Magic we had the idea to reinvent a trick from the Middle Ages where I would cut a length of rope and then restore/repair the rope in front of the audience. We wanted to up the stakes obviously for the Wow factor, so decided to involve a guy tied up on a 200 foot crane, the idea being that I would cut the rope as he fell and then restore it just in time to catch him. It was just too difficult, it was a real shame but it just had to be abandoned.

Who was the last magician to fool you with a trick? Or rather, which magician has impressed you the most?

I did a series called the Secret World of Magic on Sky 1 where I travelled to meet magicians from across the globe. There was this guy in Spain, pretty much our version of Paul Daniels but cooler, called Juan Tamariz. He would do close-up card tricks and could consistently fool magicians, myself included. He also wrote a book, called “The Magic Way: The Psychology of How to Fool’. Juan Tamariz changed perceptions of magic in Spain and he still performs to this day. He was also came from film school and understands the theory of it all inside out.

You’ll be bringing your new tour to Brighton to perform at Komedia.

Can you give us a clue as to what we can expect?

This show is the same as the last Edinburgh show ‘Principle and Deceptions’ taken from the name of a book written in the 40’s by Australian magician Arthur Buckley. The book gives a historical context of magic and demonstrates different styles of illusion through the ages. Rather than do what Derren does with group psychology, I wanted to cover as much of magic’s history as possible in the ninety-minute show because I like to stretch myself as a performer. So, over the course of the show I’ll levitate a member of the audience, show the trick that fooled Houdini and regurgitate a live Goldfish.

Later in the show we do a creepy trick using hypnotism and auto-suggestion to convince an audience member that they are being touched

You won the British Magic Championships at the age of just 17, what age had you totally invested yourself in magic?

From about 15 really, it’s all I wanted to do. The confirmation from winning gave me the confidence and gave me a good marker to set against myself. Sure, they aren’t the be all and end all but it was still nice to know that whatever I was doing, I was doing something right.

With such an extensive television work do you find that a live show lets you enjoy an audience reaction first-hand?

Television is the best advert for my work but ask almost anyone in the performance game, they will tell you that it’s all about the live show. Acting is slightly different, I love film acting because in my mind that can get so precise it becomes akin to the technicality of close up magic. Still nothing compares to the feeling of having an audience in raptures.

What sticks in your mind as the most dramatic audience reaction and what was the trick?

I’ve had people faint before. I do a trick called ‘Swallowing the razorblades’ where it starts going wrong halfway through. People have a thing with blood and even though the audience knows it’s a joke, I’ll never forget seeing an unconscious woman being dragged out of the show.

I’ve also got a trick up on You Tube called ‘Psychic Surgery’, where I pull a tumour from a human stomach leaving no marks on the skin. On that one we had a first year medical student fainting on us. Probably not so great in that line of work.

What stands as the most imaginative yet wildly incorrect explanation for one of your illusions?

Years ago, in Finland, I had a woman convinced that I was in cahoots with the devil. I mean convinced. The poor woman was scared out of her skin because I had done a trick on her where I can name a card she was thinking of before she had even chosen. We were backstage at a show when I showed her the trick and she believed entirely that it was the work of the devil. It seems that when someone’s frame of reference is already slanted towards the existence of the paranormal, then it only takes a small card trick to confirm it in their mind. My favourite explanations for my tricks usually present themselves from drunk women at private parties, I’m trying to remember some but they are always pretty out there, and wildly inaccurate.

Ali is performing at Komedia on 26 September.

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Education

A star celebrations - Three Brighton College pupils, Cameron Dashwood, Eleanor De and Angus Plummer, received A*A*A*A* grades at A-Level, a truly outstanding achievement!

Open Morning Saturday 12 October 2013

Contact our admissions officer

for more details on 01273 503452

10 am - 12 noon

Lancing College

www.lancingprep.co.uk

Preparatory School

Tel: 01273 503452 | info@lancingprep.org.uk

The Droveway Hove East Sussex BN3 6LU

A LEADiNg iNDEpENDENT DAY ScHooL for BoYS AND girLS AgED 3 To 13

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or visit our website

guestlist What?

Hurstpierpoint College National Schools and Pony Club Jumping Championships 1

Where?

2

Hickstead, West Sussex Why? The competition attracts the finest young riders Who? 3

1. Maria Vanegas, Nicola Patterson-Vanegas, Natasha Goldman and Emily Roser

4

2. Callum Tusler, Georgia Brown and Laura Wells 3. Margaret Roser, Lisa Goldman and Patricia Patterson-Vanegas, 4. Matt and Margaret Roser 5.Olivia Taylor-West, Sarah Miles and Zoe Taylor-West 6. Richard Cox and Virginia Lewis-Jones 5

7. Richard Cox, Caroline Bates, Heather Beeby and Richard Taylor-West

6

8. John Farmer, Emma Cook, Charlie Bunn and Jess Croft 9. The winning team from Wellington College

If you would like to see your event on these pages email us on guestlist@absolutemagazine.co.uk 7

9

8

Photo: Julian Portch

Photos: Rosebery Images

77

Focus on Hurst Hurstpierpoint College is “now the first choice for many parents who would traditionally have sent their children further afield”. - From the 2012 Good Schools Guide review of Hurstpierpoint College.

H

eadmaster Tim Manly arrived at

Read what Tim Manly has to say about what

“Genuine, sustained engagement opens the

Hurst in 2005. Since that time

makes Hurst the school it is today:

door to new worlds of opportunity. A real love

the College has grown in many ways: pupil numbers in 2005 were

Engage, Challenge and Achieve

of learning develops. Nurtured in a community stimulated by intelligent conversation and

667 and this September will rise to just over

“Hurst constantly strives to be outstanding.

intellectual challenge, information grows into

1,100; campus developments have included

Not just in everything we do but also in the

knowledge and matures into understanding,

an enlarged and enhanced academic quad,

manner in which we do it. The school is driven

wisdom and self-knowledge.”

brand new laboratories have been added to

by a determination to enable each child to

the science facilities; two new girls’ day houses

achieve, and then continue to build upon, their

have been established and a brand new, state

personal bests throughout their school career

of the art library will open later this year.

in all aspects of school life.”

Most importantly, academic standards have

“Hurst provides teaching, mentoring and

with Hurst life. I know that enabling our

risen year on year with many more students

coaching of the highest order, a phenomenal

children to pursue and achieve the very best

now gaining places at Russell Group and other

range of facilities (that continue to improve

they can is how they develop into successful,

leading universities.

year-on-year) and access to opportunities of

independent and confident individuals, which

every sort within its welcoming, warm and

is the only outcome that does justice to both

dynamic community. We make no secret of

their abilities and talents and the faith placed in

the fact that at Hurst we encourage, indeed

us by their parents.”

All this has been achieved without losing the sense of what Hurst is: a close, united and supportive community where new pupils are warmly welcomed and where, during their years with at the College, they will be well

“When we reflect upon the life of the College, we don’t just focus upon on the great headline triumphs but on the degree to which our children, all our children, are truly engaged

expect, our pupils to engage fully whilst they are with us.”

prepared for life at university and beyond.

Hurstpierpoint College offer excellent education for boys and girls aged 4 – 18 years on a beautiful, country campus of 140 acres, just to the north of the South Downs National Park. It comprises four schools: Pre-Prep, Prep, Senior and Sixth Form.

The Pre-Prep and Prep Schools are for day pupils, with flexi- and weekly boarding options available in the Senior School. Full boarding places are limited to the Sixth Form.

The College offers a range of generous scholarships and means-tested bursaries to outstanding candidates seeking entry at 11+ (Prep School Year 7), 13+

78 (Senior School Year 9) and 16+ (Sixth Form).

78

We may not know what the future will bring for our children but what we do know is that we have to start to equip them today so that they are ready to respond, adapt and thrive in the challenging world that lies ahead of them.

Hurst Prep has a new Head this

essential values, skills, attributes and, most

to think for themselves and take ownership

September

importantly, knowledge that will enable them

and responsibility for their own futures. Our

to face the future with assurance.”

children learn to understand the importance

Ian Pattison joins the Prep School this academic year. Here is a brief introduction to

“We feed the natural curiosity that lies

what Hurst Prep has to offer boys and girls

within every child. Our boys and girls quickly

from 7 to 13 years of age.

discover that learning and self-improvement

Equipping children for life in a changing world

are enjoyable and rewarding activities in their own rights. They also come to realise that if

of integrity and gradually develop their personal moral compass that will guide them as they engage with their wider responsibilities to others and to the world beyond their communities.”

they try their very best in all they do, they will

“We ensure that, through the community

“We live in a world in which the one

often surprise others and, not infrequently,

of everyday school life as well as the rich

constant is change; rapidly accelerating, often

themselves.”

opportunities available in the creative and

unpredictable change. We can’t imagine what the world will look like in twenty or more years’ time yet we must today lay the foundations essential for our children to thrive.”

“At the same time, our careful focus on the quality and depth of the academic foundations laid down during these years means that, as each child grows in understanding, they also gain the knowledge and develop the

performing arts, in activities and in sport, our children gain the broad-based skills, confidence and emotional maturity to prepare them for the coming stages of their school and adult lives.”

“Hurst Prep is a very safe, caring and

intellectual maturity they require to develop

“We may not know what the future will bring

inspirational community where every pupil

into curious and very capable lifelong

for our children but what we do know is that

grows up confident that they are respected,

learners.”

we have to start to equip them today so that

valued, praised and cherished. Within this positive and supportive environment, our children prosper and, over time, develop the

“At Hurst Prep, we build the ideals, values and attitudes that will enable our children

they are ready to respond, adapt and thrive in the challenging world that lies ahead of them.”

Open Morning dates for Autumn 2013: Saturday, 28th September – for Pre-Prep, Prep and 13+ Senior School entry Tuesday, 8th October – for Prep School 11+ (Year 7) entry only Saturday, 12th October – for Sixth Form entry only To find out more, please visit our website www.hppc.co.uk or contact our Admissions team on 01273 836936.

79 79

Featured Artist Joseph Young Sounds Fantastic

A

Joseph Young performs “Skinny Lattes” at Trellick Tower © Jane Hobson

rt comes in many forms, some

performed at the iconic Trellick Tower building

the wealth of sonic detail present within the

familiar and some less so. It is

in West London in an abandoned underground

urban drone.” Joseph Young

easy to remain in our comfort

car park, Joseph explores the sounds of

zones and play it safe with the

gentrification through song, spoken word, film

art we choose to go and see. Nobody likes to

and text. Developed from his studio in the

be disappointed and let’s face it, we’re all very

heart of Portslade, the piece marks a return

busy. Video art, for instance, is quite a step for

home for Joseph in a one-off performance as

most of us to take but sound art? Well that

part of the Brighton Digital Festival.

just makes us twitch and start fiddling with our phones.

Having performed at Tate Modern, Tate Britain and the Whitechapel Gallery, to name but a

It’s uncomfortable. That is the trouble with it

few, Joseph is the man to introduce you to this

but at the same time that is its great strength.

most devilish of artforms, the art of noises.

Art is meant to move you and when the first

Using his unique ‘sonic baton’ he ‘conducts’

thing it does is steal your comfort blanket then

recordings he has made of all kinds of noises.

it has a bloody good chance of tweaking your

It’s like nothing you’ll have ever seen or heard

sensibilities, if you would only let it.

before. Trust me, you just have to go.

So, this month I suggest you let yourself be

“I define noise as an unwanted signal – ever

tweaked by no lesser master of this witchcraft

present, but rarely regarded as useful. In a

than Brighton’s very own noise master, Joseph

world of information and consumer overload,

Young with The Ballad of Skinny Lattes and

I am interested in how to shift negative

Vintage Clothing. In this latest piece, first

perceptions of noise; to discover and embrace

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Sat 7 Sept 8pm Phoenix Brighton, 10-14 Waterloo Place, Brighton BN2 9NB Aural Detritus presents a co-production by The NeoFuturist Collective and Fruit for the Apocalypse of “The Ballad of Skinny Lattes and Vintage Clothing” by Joseph Young. A satirical six-movement ‘noise opera’ supported by Arts Council England and B&HCC www.skinnyvintage.com www.artofnoises.com

Art

Art News

The Sussex Artist’s Club – networking for local artists.

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here have all the artists

is that when I had my studio in Hackney and

What Artshole lacked though, besides a

gone? The first day of the

I discovered that the borough was home to

sensible name, was any real structure. We

‘Artists’ Open Houses’

10,000 unemployed artists I didn’t like the odds.

met haphazardly whenever I had the time to

is like flying ant day. They

It was time to get out. How ironic that I should

organise it. Once we reached critical mass we

then choose Brighton.

formalised the whole thing and rebranded as

all crawl out of their holes and swarm about, only to disappear again for another year by nightfall. Well now they have The Sussex Artists Club to swarm in all year round and they have pronounced it good! SAC provides social and business networking opportunities for local artists:

In order to meet other likeminded souls I hunted around for the hub of Brighton’s artistic life. There wasn’t one. There was just a selection of disparate studio complexes, galleries and individuals with little in the way of cross collaboration or communication. None

* Get together with other local artists and arts

had any real social buzz nor were particularly

professionals.

welcoming. There just wasn’t a place for artists

* Meet new and old friends.

to go to find other artists to play with.

* Share ideas and find collaborators. * Hear about artists’ opportunities, studios, competitions etc. * Guest speakers, artist talks and debates.

So in 2007 I founded Artshole, a little social group intended to get artists together to share

SAC. Now we have over 200 members and we meet once a month at the wonderful North African café-bar, The Blue Man, on Queen’s Road. From September we’re introducing guest speakers and artist talks. Don’t worry, what we don’t do is sit around making stuff together or drawing naked ladies. This is pleasure not work and best of all it’s free!! So come on down and find out what fun can be had when Brighton’s artists come out to play…

NEXT SAC MEETING:

ideas, opportunities and saliva. Effectively I

Wed 18 Sept 7-11pm

constructed myself a readymade social life and

The Blue Man, 8 Queens Road,

Brighton has the largest population of artists

many of the original members are my good

Brighton BN1 3WA

in the UK besides Hackney. Well, so I’m told

friends here today.

www.sussexartistsclub.com

anyway. How would I know? What I do know

A suitably bohemian venue, downstairs at The Blue Man

81 81

Art vs Porn

censored

Jamie Mccartney asks, when does art become porn or vice versa?

censored

Editor’s Note.

Despite the international plaudits there is still

imagery. Let’s face it, erotic art can be just

Our esteemed art writer and artist, Jamie

much resistance to its exhibition. When shown

plain filthy. Ergo art can be pornography. There

McCartney, has written this excellent piece on the

at The Triennale Design Museum in Milan this

are limitless examples from ancient art to the

question of what is art and what is pornography.

year it was over 18s only. A planned exhibition

present day.

He also tackles the thorny question of censorship.

in Japan was aborted when the Tokyo police

And being Jamie, he also sent in some images of

branded the work ‘obscene’ and threatened

his work which were of a rather adult nature, giving

the organisers with arrest. Genitals and art,

me the dilemma of whether to run them or not.

it would seem, are not happy bedfellows. By

Jamie’s work is known internationally, including

contrast a similar artwork of mine is currently

the acclaimed ‘Great Wall of Vagina’. He wanted to

on loan to a British TV production company

illustrate this article with another work, ‘4x4’ which

and the male equivalent, ‘4x4’, was hired last

gives the same treatment to male members at

week by a French film production. So my

their finest. In the end I didn’t publish it, making me

genitals, so to say, will be coming to a screen

one of the censors he rails against.Thanks Jamie! If

near you…

you would like to see his excellent artwork, please go to www.jamiemccartney.com

My artworks are not intended to be erotic.

A

I use sexual imagery for ironic, whimsical or

this October. They want me to oppose the

inserted a cast of human labia into a stuffed

motion that ‘pornography is art’. On the face

cat’s face and called it ‘The Pussy Cat’, I wasn’t

of it that shouldn’t be too hard. It got harder

trying to arouse. I was just being provocative.

when I tried to apply reason to justify my

I challenge anyone to find that sexy. However,

arguments. Effectively I’ve been asked to define

what the artist intends and what the viewer

one intangible with another. To proceed not

feels are very often not on a par.

couple of weeks ago, out of the

educational purposes. The Great Wall of Vagina

blue, I received an email asking

is not erotic art. It is spectacle and education

me to speak at the Philosophical

but it is not arousing. Genitals in themselves

Society at Trinity College Dublin

are not sexy; they are sex organs. When I

only do I have to define what art is, I also have to define what porn is. What began as a flattering invitation has turned into a real headscratcher. I need your help…

‘art’ useless. We have to draw a line. Everything cannot be art. So what is it? What is that indefinable magic ingredient that elevates a scribble to an artwork? I have read a lot of attempts at answering that and to me there is only one useful answer: Art is done by artists.

Soldiers do soldiering, surgeons do surgery, chef’s make food and professional artists make art. The rest are just dabbling. That isn’t to say that other people can’t make food but on the other hand would you trust a butcher to take out your appendix just because he’s done a little dissection in his time? Artist’s make art, full stop. Of course there are grey areas. At what point does a hobbyist become an artist? It isn’t about qualifications; it is the commitment, the experience, the whole lot. Pornographers for the large part are not artists. They make speaking, is not art.

in the bath, they would not be pornography.

However, if they were then posted on the removal of the emotional connection to the

my work and appreciate that a large portion

subject that makes all the difference. They

of my oeuvre centres on notions of beauty,

become dehumanised sexual objects. That

sexuality and the human condition. My 8

disconnection and objectification renders

metre long sculpture, The Great Wall of Vagina,

otherwise sweet images pornographic.

82 82

Instagram photo is art. It renders the word

or you were to take a photo of your child

speak on the subject you would have to know

the ‘go-to guy’ for comments on such subjects.

that every child’s scribble is art and every

pornography. Ergo pornography, broadly

internet they would become so. It is the

different women’s nether regions has made me

accept any image-making as art then we say

If I were to take a naked photo of my girlfriend

To understand why I may have been asked to

consisting of 400 plaster casts taken from

But can pornography be art? I say, “no”. If we

Art can often fall foul of obscenity laws designed to protect the innocent from inappropriate, harmful or graphic sexual

Art is intended to cause in you some emotion.

It must move you and by and large it must elevate. Porn’s elevations are rather more base! Personally I don’t go into art galleries to masturbate and I don’t indulge in onanism with the Affordable Art Fair catalogue in one hand.

So that’s the best I can come up with for Trinity.

If you have any better ideas then answers on a saucy postcard please. The best rebuttal will be published next month and the rest I may plagiarise to substantiate my arguments…

Photo: Phoebe Oliver

If Tristan Tristar was

King of Brighton,! the city would be the same-sex Gretna Green of the South

T

hey say that you should eat your greens,

hand out fines to cyclists that think the

guided tours, because many a star has lived

and we should eat at least 5 a day!

rules of the road don’t apply to them (going

there!!

In that case, I think we should all do

through red lights, having no lights at night,

our bit and start eating the nearest Green

etc) You have your own cycle paths so use

councillor so I can have ultimate power (even

them and respect other drivers.

the countries’ most sought after location for

if I do have indigestion).

I would rebuild the West Pier and make it same sex marriages (the Gretna Green of the

I would abolish the ridiculous parking

south). Discounts would be offered to the

I would make all council and public sector

charges and bring back 30mph. And to silence

lucky couple if they choose to have their hen/

workers stop for 60 seconds a day (out of

the critics who say this will cause more

stag do at the Adonis Cabaret - we love to

work time) and chant “We love Brighton, it’s

traffic in the city, I would introduce free 24

have a cosmopolitan crowd!

built on tourism, love and fun. We will not

hour Adonis hunk drawn carriages for ladies

moan and drive the tourists away because

and a 24 hour bus service for men, so there is

they keep our city going.”

no need for anyone to drive!

on the beach and make Adonis Cabaret’s

And if any councillor decided to dig up the

The Adonis office would move to the Pavilion,

‘Queen Beach’. I would make everyone listen

seafront or pavement in the summer (making

be covered in glitter and we would have

to the voice of a thousand ashtrays telling

our beautiful city less attractive to tourists)

regular Adonis Sparkle parties employing the

jokes until the sun goes down. And as the

because “it’s too cold to do it in winter” we

homeless, giving them dinner, letting them

sun sets on my day as King, then, of course, I

shall banish them to Oslo, naked, and ask

a wash in the fountains while their clothes

would behead her.

them how they build their roads there.

are laundered, pressed and ironed by the

Whilst I am on the subject of roads, I would

unemployed green councillors. Adonis Towers would also become a listed building with

Finally, I would build a castle out of pebbles not very discerning diva Davina Sparkle my

Tristan Tristar is Director of The Adonis Cabaret Show www.adoniscabaret.co.uk 83