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REVIEW: Brighton Art Fair: Brighton Dome

213Brighton Art Fair

Brighton Dome

Now in its twelfth year, Brighton Art Fair was packed out at the opening last night at the Brighton Dome with 100 of the best contemporary artists from the UK and abroad, showing and selling their diverse work direct to the public. The great, good, slightly wicked and serious collectors were all out in force quaffing the lovely wine and bubbles and perusing the fantastic collections on show.

The fair always promotes a good balance in established and emerging artists, and insists that all work is exciting, fresh and exceptional. This is what keeps Brighton Art Fair’s strong reputation as one of the must see visual arts events in the country.

 

Mark Charlton
Mark Charlton

There’s far too much quality art to mention by name but my personal highlights were Mark Charlton an illustrator who has’ produced these seriously engaging panel pieces, I saw this stuff at the Dynamite Gallery a while ago and he continues to impress.

Jenny Ing
Jenny Ing
Gabon Gazon
Gabon Gazon

Jennie Ing, with her colourful strikingly retro but utterly modern lino-cut prints inspired by city architecture both here and in London is a favourite of mine along with excellent French gay  artist Gabon Gorzon has a stall which is well worth checking out, his moody, emotive pictures are superb.

bip-Art Printmaking Workshop did a clever and fun thing too, they had a huge ‘pay a £1 and get some art’ machine like you used to see at fairground and the pier, usually with some smutty trinket in, but this one has big plastic bubbles full of art! I loved it and came away with a rather seriously impressive haul of art for a few pounds! Great fun.

With art from across the board, for all tastes – For a full run down of all the artists showing work and some highlights you can see the excellent gallery page on the artfair website here:

Take a look at this film made about the art fair. The fair selects the most talented painters, print makers, photographers and sculptors along with artist groups and galleries.

24th – 27th September, 2015

Brighton Dome

£6.50

Under 14 year olds are free.

For more info or to book tickets see the website here:

 

New club night on Sundays at No 32

ICONIconic decadent clubbing returns to Brighton on Sunday nights, with new luxury club night ICON at No.32 (formerly Havana) in Dukes Street.

An iconic night for discerning Brighton queens, with great tunes and a classy, decadent atmosphere. There will be plenty of room to sit and chill with friends as well as dance to DJs spinning all the tunes you love.

Local DJ Little Rob, well-known for his range of house music styles, will push the envelope, while DJ Lee Harris, one of the freshest DJs from London, brings a mix of chunky baselines, big beats, thumping hands in the air house and uplifting synths.

Kyle Green, Brand Manager, says: “For too long Brighton has suffered with trashy, mediocre LGBT nights. ICON changes all of that, bringing you the decadence you deserve. Featuring Brighton legend Little Rob and superstar London DJ Lee Harris, the ICON launch night is set to be an incredible event! Lace up your Louboutins, sharpen up your suit and immerse yourself in an atmosphere that will be out, proud, gay and happy with awesome tunes, great crowd, fabulous drinks, all in perfect combination. If you’re looking for something new and exciting, and you’re bored of the same old tired offerings, then come and experience ICON!”


Event: ICON

Where: No 32, Dukes Street, Brighton

When: Sunday October 27

Time: 10pm till late

Tickets: £5 in advance £10 on the door

To book tickets online, click here: 

 

Lib Dems back tourism tax reduction

Lib Dems have voted to reduce VAT on hotel rooms and visitor attractions from the current 20% to 5% at their national conference in Bournemouth.

Paul Chandler, Chairman Brighton and Hove Lib Dems
Paul Chandler, Chairman Brighton and Hove Lib Dems

25 out of 28 EU countries already apply a lower rate of VAT to these amenities and Lib Dems believe the UK tourist industry is at a significant disadvantage by not following them.

In 2011, Ireland reduced its tourism VAT rate to 9%, meaning the UK rate is currently more than double that of its nearest neighbours.

It is predicted that the policy would cost up to £1.5 billion in lost tax revenue, but the increase in tourist numbers and creation of jobs would boost economic activity sufficiently to make up 100% of the lost tax take by its third year, with a net surplus thereafter.

Paul Chandler, Chairman of Brighton and Hove Lib Dems, said: ‘This proposal makes economic sense and will be a particular advantage to Brighton and Hove with its many hotels and visitor attractions including our brand new i360. 

“Hotels have suffered from the huge growth in DIY bed and breakfast accommodation promoted by websites like AirBnB – most of whose participants don’t pay any VAT. This will redress the balance a little.”

Royal Pavilion ice rink returns for Christmas season

Tickets are now on sale for the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, which opens in Brighton on November 7, as organisers predict a special skate year if the forecasted big freeze happens this winter season.

Brighton Royal Pavilion Ice Rink

With the former Royal pleasure palace as the backdrop, huge rink side bar and restaurant with a 40 metre terrace, this hidden gem of a rink is beautifully lit at night and is a great choice for those who want to skate in a beautiful setting as well as sit down to eat après ice. With all the choice of Brighton’s  independent shops on its doorstep and just 50 minutes from Victoria by train, you can get a little Christmas shopping in too.

Shella Parkin, CEO of Laine Ltd, creator of the rink, said; “Forecasts for the coldest winter for 50 years might be bad news for some, but could promise for a great year of skating and we hope that all our fans will come back again this year for some more fun at the most beautiful outdoor ice rink in the South East. If the snow really does fall, it will bring a little extra magic to the rink in its sixth year in Brighton.”

The huge 880 square metre rink includes a beginners’ area, penguin skate aids and skate sizes from ‘just walking’ to adult. There’s no charge for spectating for those who prefer to sit and soak up the atmosphere. The rink side Bar & Kitchen offers patisserie snacks; Christmas treats; a quick drink with the best view in the City and sharing platters for families and friends to enjoy.

Ice skating tickets cost from £10 for adults (aged 12 and over), £7 for juniors (children under 12) and the one-hour skate times run from 10am to 10.15pm daily.

Club Rinkidinks (10am – 11am daily) offers children under five the chance to skate for free when accompanied on the ice by an adult paying full price. There are also season tickets for those who want to learn to skate (check website for details) and great concessions for students.

The box office is open from 9.45am to 9.45pm, but it is advisable to book tickets in advance. Season runs from November 7 – January 17.

To book tickets online, click here:  

Telephone 0844 8472352 or for group bookings of 10 or more call 0844 8471512.

For more information, click here: 

Royal Pavilion Ice Rink Brighton

Outlet launches furniture range and donate commission to Albert Kennedy Trust from every sale

Outlet, the Soho-based property services company, has launched its own range of furniture, home accessories and white goods in partnership with furniture business, David Phillips.

Outlet Property Services

Every penny of Outlet’s commission from sales will be donated to Albert Kennedy Trust, a not-for-profit organisation that helps young LGBT people who are homeless or in crisis. That means 10% of anything customers buy will go to the charity.

The stylish and affordable range is available to view and order at furniturebyoutlet.com and offers everything necessary for furnishing a home, including sofas, tables, chairs, and electrical goods such as washing machines and TVs. There are also home accessories including lamps, rugs, prints and mirrors.

As well as selling the furniture, Outlet’s partner in the venture, David Phillips, which is a design-led re-seller of high quality furniture, offers added design and delivery services. They will even collect keys from a convenient place in order to deliver goods with minimal fuss. But the benefits of this partnership don’t end there. If requested, David Phillips will put together any furniture you purchase once it’s in the property. They can also remove any old furniture or white goods you need taking away and recycle them wherever possible.

Speaking about the new venture, Outlet’s managing director Josh Rafter, said; “Although Outlet is a property business, it is people who are at the heart of everything we do. A range of affordable and attractive furniture seemed like a logical step for us – as we’re always looking for ways to make the lives of our customers better and easier. It’s especially great for our landlords, who may have multiple properties or even entire buildings to furnish in one go.

“We also felt Furniture by Outlet was an opportunity to donate much-needed funds to a good cause. We’ve been supporting Albert Kennedy Trust for some time, because they share our values. Now, with the help of those buying our furniture, we can continue to raise funds to help young people who don’t have the luxury of a safe or comfortable home.”

Outlet was launched 20 years ago as the first property company for the LGBT people in London. Its goal back then was simple – find people a safe place to live where they could be themselves. Today, although the company’s purpose has evolved as times have changed, they still aim to help a wide range of people achieve success and live their best life by offering first-class property services. The Outlet range of furniture is part of that mission.

The Albert Kennedy Trust was set up 25 years ago to help young LGBT people between the age of 16 and 25 who had been made homeless. Its mission is: To ensure that all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people are able to live in accepting, supportive and caring homes, by providing a range of services to meet the individual needs of those who would otherwise be homeless or living in a hostile environment.

For more information about Albert Kennedy Trust, click here:

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