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Costume Games herald opening of Rugby World Cup

The Costume Games are the brainchild of MOSHIMO, Brighton’s popular Japanese restaurant, and will be taking place over five days (September 16 – 20), leading up to a weekend Costume Carnival which will be part of the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup celebrations.

Costume Games

The games will be something genuinely different: people are being invited to Brighton to dress up and play over five days in September – and they will be helped to do so by a group of professionals behind some of the most enduring and iconic characters of the big screen.

Graham Churchyard, the costume special effects supervisor of Chris Nolan’s Batman trilogy and Marvel movies such as Avengers Assemble and Guardians of the Galaxy, has pulled together an extraordinary team that would only normally be found on the set of the biggest of Hollywood movies to help people dress up and get into character for The Costume Games.

Nicholas Röhl, co-owner of MOSHIMO and Festival Director of The Costume Games, said; “Our ambition is to transform the city of Brighton into one big stage where people can act out their fantasies through costume – all with the help of the some of the world’s leading costume designers.”

“We want to recreate the feeling we all had as children on discovering a dressing up box… we want to reignite the joy of getting into character – of becoming someone else, or someone you’d like to be, through costume.” 

Costume Games

Academy Award winner Lindy Hemming (Topsy Turvy), Vin Burnham (Batman, The Fifth Element), and Day Murch (Batman, Star Wars), will be just some of the costume creatives joining Graham Churchyard for what is being dubbed Costume Clinics, which people will be able to attend to create and develop their individual costumes.

The Batsuit, worn by Christian Bale in The Dark Knight, will be displayed at the Brighton Museum from August 17.

The home for the Costume Games will be in the prestigious Old Steine Pleasure Gardens, where a number of themed events will take place over the five days:

Costume Games

Wednesday September 16: Brighton residents will be invited to join local set designers and artists for a “flashmob” arts project, transforming the Old Steine into The Costume Gardens. Lady Aiko, a leading Japanese street artist, will be on hand, creating art to set the scene for the evening’s Japanese theme, with a MOSHIMO supper club, live music by the self-styled “Godmother of Japanese electronica”, and screenings of Japanese anime films.

Thursday, September 17: Sees the Costume Gardens transformed into a Las Vegas Casino where people will be invited to dress up en masse as Elvis to raise funds for the Martlets Charity.

Friday, September 18: Will have a 1980’s theme with screenings of two iconic movies, Fame and Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.

Saturday, September 19: Sees the Costume Gardens become base camp for the Costume Carnival – a hive of action where people will visit the Costume Clinic to prepare their costumes for “flash mob” performances and stunts taking place all over the city. A Costume Awards party – free for all in costume – is planned for the evening.

Sunday, September 20: Is Sing-a-long-Sunday! The Costume Gardens becomes the stage for ever more histrionic delights as both children and adults sing-a-long to screenings of Mary Poppins, Sound of Music… and – yes – Frozen. The day’s events will feature a hundred children playing in a Suzuki violin concert.

Costume Games

The Costume Games is being produced by Brighton Japan, a festival owned by MOSHIMO. It was inspired by the festival’s ever-growing popularity of Cosplay where people dress up as their favourite online and film characters, and has been created with the desire to extend the invitation to dress up and play to everyone who enjoys dressing up.

For more information, click here:

 

‘World Cafe’ discussion to save local Post Office

Green Councillors call public meeting to discuss plans to save Brunswick Town Post Office at The Old Market, Hove, on Thursday, September 3, at 6pm.

Brunswick Town Crown Post Office
Brunswick Town Crown Post Office

As part of a campaign to stop the closure of Brunswick Town’s Crown Post Office at 22 Western Road, local Green councillors are organising a ‘World Cafe’ public discussion to draw together ideas on how to secure its present location and stop plans to merge it into Melville Road Crown Post Office at 20 Melville Road, by Seven Dials (BN3 1UB), in January 2016.

Green Councillors for Brunswick & Adelaide Ward, Ollie Sykes and Phelim Mac Cafferty have issued invitations to Peter Kyle, MP for Hove and Portslade, Caroline Lucas MP, for Brighton Pavilion, concerned residents, customers and Post Office staff to join the discussion.

The ‘World Café’ technique enables a structured conversation, in a café-style setting, where everyone can participate as they move between a series of tables responding to specific questions.

The aim is to harness the collective wisdom in the room and to come up with constructive ideas and solutions.

The meeting will take place on Thursday, September 3 2015 from 6.00pm to 8.30pm at the Old Market, Upper Market Street, Hove BN3 1AS.

Attendance will be limited to 70 people, so it is important to book your place in advance.

To book a place at the Old Market, click here:

Cllr Ollie Sykes
Cllr Ollie Sykes

Cllr Sykes, said; “There’s huge public opposition to this closure. Over 4,000 people have signed our (on-line & paper) petition to Post Office Limited, asking that the Brunswick Town post office be saved.”

He added; “This post office is in a perfect location in the heart of Brunswick Town, right at the centre of this community. The proposed alternative provision will be a mile away and up a hill, inconvenient and inaccessible to many customers.”

Cllr Phelim Mac Cafferty
Cllr Phelim Mac Cafferty

Green Convenor Phelim Mac Cafferty, added; “We have organised this discussion as a positive response to the situation to draw up practical solutions which could save this post office.

“The World Café format will enable wide-ranging knowledge and ideas to be shared and built upon collaboratively between local customers, politicians, Post Office staff and others.”

For details about the proposed closure/ ‘merger’ consultation which closes on September 16, click here:

To sign the on-line petition, click here:

Paper petitions, to save the Brunswick Town Post Office, are available next door to the Post Office at City Books.

Vote for Brighton to win Curry Capital of Britain title

Voting closes in a few short weeks to decide which city or town is the National Curry Capital of Britain 2015.

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This year National Curry Week takes place from October 12-18 when the winner of National Curry Capitol of Britain will be announced.

Last year Bradford won the title with Brighton coming in second. This year four restaurants have been nominated to represent the City of Brighton and Hove.

They are:

Indian Summer, 70 East Street, Brighton BN1 1HQ: Telephone 01273 711001

Chilli Pickle, 17 Jubilee Street, Brighton BN11 1GE: Telephone 01273 900383

Blue Mango, Unit 1, First Floor The Waterfront Brighton Marina: Telephone 01273 683399

Curry Leaf Cafe, 60 Ship Street, Brighton BN1 1AE: 01273 207070

To vote in the awards email: votecity@fedrest.com naming your favourite restaurant in Brighton in the subject box.

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Rainbow flag raised for Totnes Pride

 

Totnes Town Hall

For the first time in history, Totnes Town Council has raised the rainbow flag over Totnes Civic Hall, as a sign of solidarity for LGBT+ people in Totnes and beyond.

During the moving ceremony, onlookers enjoyed a special performance by Totnes Community Choir Global Harmony and Totnes Women’s Choir VIVA.

Cllr Jacqi Hodgson
Cllr Jacqi Hodgson

Totnes Mayor, Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, who spoke at the flat raising ceremony on Monday, said; “As Mayor I am really proud of the wide mix of people in this wonderful town and delighted that we have come together today to celebrate the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender+ community and the Proud2Be group who have worked so very hard to raise awareness. I raise this flag in honour of all the people of Totnes who support and are proud of the diversity of this special and compassionate town.”

 

The historic event, marks the third ever Pride event in Totnes, which will take place this Saturday, September 5.

Totnes-based social enterprise Proud2Be Project, will be laying on a whole host of events in the town during Pride.

The event received a high profile endorsement this week when former actor and Labour Politician Lord Michael Cashman tweeted a message of support.

He tweeted: “Proud that you are trailblazing again the third ever brilliant Pride event in Totnes in Devon. It’s going to be amazing!”

This year’s special guests at Totnes Pride will be activists CN Lester and Jacq Applebee.

CN Lester
CN Lester

CN Lester said: “There’s a dangerous myth that LGBT people only exist in large cities, in gay districts – that we’re not a normal part of everyday life. The best Prides I’ve ever attended have been smaller Prides around the country that celebrate and support all members of the LGBT community, showing us in all our complexity, including us in the fabric of our wider communities. I’m absolutely thrilled to have been asked to participate in Totnes Pride – here’s to breaking down barriers and stereotypes together.”

Jacq Applebee
Jacq Applebee

Jacq Applebee said about her involvement in the event; “I am a firm believer of the importance of reaching LGBT people who are isolated, including those in rural areas. In the first bisexuals of colour survey and report, which I produced, isolation was one of the regular themes that resulted in participants not feeling part of their LGBT communities. Totnes Pride will be my first Devon LGBT event, but hope it won’t be my last!”

Totnes Pride starts at 11am outside The Dartmouth Inn, where there will be opening speeches from CN Lester, Jacq Applebee and Proud2Be founders Mat and Jon Price, who together with award-winning Samba ROC Band and an 8ft willow peacock, will then lead a procession up Fore Street and High Street to Totnes Civic Hall at 11.30am.

Community bus service Bob the Bus, will be running a park and ride service from 10am at KEVICC and will also be transporting those with mobility issues up the procession at 11.15.

From midday at the Civic Hall, visitors can enjoy, workshops and talks, a variety of community stands, Dot’s Cafe, a craft area, a family area, face painting, Loz’s clay room, and an LGBT+ library.

There will be a panel discussion at 1.15pm at The Barrel House Ballroom, where CN and Jacq will join local activists, to discuss the topic of gender.

The fun continues into the evening at the Totnes Pride After Party from 7.30pm at The Royal Seven Stars Ballroom, and will feature live music from popular Disco Funk band Golddust, Rococo Chanel and DJ sets from Madame Souza & Rhi Rhi Rhythm.

Entry to the daytime events at Totnes Civic Hall and The Barrel House is just £2 for adults, £1 for 11-18 year olds, and is free to those under 11.

Tickets to the After Party are £10.00 (18 and over only) and are available to purchase from Totnes Pride day event and on the door.

Jon and Mat Price
Jon and Mat Price

Proud2Be Founders Jon and Mat Price, added; “We are so excited about this year’s Pride; we have been working hard to ensure that Totnes Pride is a community event we can all be proud of. We are thrilled with the support we have received from the local community, in particular Totnes Town Council. For us Totnes Pride is a chance for the whole community to come together and celebrate diversity in our town and to also raise awareness about the issues still faced by the LGBT+ community, in the UK and around the world.”

For more information about Totnes Pride, click here:

Or email: info@proud2beproject.org

Have your say on changing George Street pedestrianisation hours

Residents are being asked for their views on a possible change to the hours in which George Street in Hove is closed to traffic.

St George Street, Hove
St George Street, Hove

At present George Street is pedestrianised from Monday to Saturday between 10am and 6pm from April 1 to October 30, and between 10am and 4pm from November 1 to March 31.

Now Brighton & Hove City Council is consulting on a proposal to change the summer pedestrian-only hours to 10am to 4pm, to bring them into line with the winter hours.

The move follows a petition from traders in George Street which was presented to the council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee earlier this year, calling for traffic to be allowed in the street from 4pm all year round.

Letters are being sent to traders and residents in the street, and everyone interested can have their say and take part in the consultation which runs from August 31 to September 28.

People can email their comments to parking.consultation@brighton-hove.gov.uk or write to: George Street consultation,
Room 501
King’s House
Brighton and Hove City Council
Grand Avenue, Hove, BN3 2LS

Feedback from the consultation will be presented to a meeting of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee in November, where councillors will agree the way forward.

For more information about the consultation, click here:

 

Win pair of tickets for music and arts festival in Preston Park this weekend

Gscene have a pair of free tickets, value £150, to give away for entry to the new family music and arts festival, Together the People, at Preston Park this weekend Saturday, September 5.

Lucy Spraggan
Lucy Spraggan

Artists appearing on Saturday 5 include: Lucy Spraggan, Super Furry Animals, The Levellers, Ghostpoet, Brakes, The Xcerts and Billy Bragg.

Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas

Artist appearing on Sunday 6 include: Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Jose Gonzales, Public Service Broadcasting and Lucy Rose.

Send an email to: info@gscene.com with the answer to the following question, giving your address and telephone number.

What is the title of Lucy Spraggan’s current album?

Deadline for entry is Thursday September 3 at noon.

Editors decision is final.

New music and arts festival for Preston Park in September

Together The People (TTP) is a 5,000 capacity, non-camping music and arts festival created and founded by local music promotions company One Inch Badge.

Carnival Collective

The Festival will take place on the weekend of September 5-6 and will celebrate music, food, community, film and arts in the city of Brighton & Hove by delivering a high quality, creative, family friendly and socially aware flagship event that is accessible to everyone.

The line-up of artists appearing will include: Super Furry Animals, the legendary Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, The Levellers, Billy Bragg, Ghostpoet, Public Service Broadcasting, Lucy Rose, Roots Manuva, The XCerts and Lucy Spraggan to mention a few.

Super Furry Animals
Super Furry Animals

Headlining the main stage on Saturday, September 5 are Welsh pop collective Super Furry Animals (SFA). Fronted by Gruff Rhys, they are celebrated not only for their exceptional song-writing and spectacular live shows, but also for their creativity and imagination. With a back catalogue of countless classics from their 20 plus year career, this headline slot looks set to be a highlight of the festival season.

The Levellers
The Levellers appear on Saturday, September 5

Joining them on the main stage on Saturday are Brighton folk-rock stalwarts The Levellers, political poet and master singer-songwriter Billy Bragg, Mercury-nominated producer/MC Ghostpoet, talented local rising star Chris Simmons and emotive and spirited pop from popular X-Factor finalist Lucy Spraggan.

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Martha Reeves & The Vandellas appear on Sunday September 6

1960s Motown legends Martha Reeves & The Vandellas take to the main stage, on Sunday September 6 along with instrumental duo Public Service Broadcasting, folk songstress Lucy Rose and Roots Manuva who was recently dubbed “England’s greatest rapper” by The Independent.

More Brighton talent will be represented with psychedelic hip-hop outfit Dizrali & The Small Gods with local party providers Carnival Collective opening the stage. The very special guest headliner for Sunday at TTP will be revealed very soon!

Plenty of family fun will also be on offer!

On the main stage on Saturday (5), afternoon audiences will be treated to one of the wildest family theatre shows round: The Cat In The Hat, based on the much-loved book by Dr Seuss. Expect towering hats, mischief and an imagination recharge!

Ever popular book and TV series Horrible Histories will also be taking to the stage with their brilliantly funny educational theatre show Barmy Britain; a breakneck rollick through 1,000 years of our great land that can be enjoyed by kids of all ages!

There will be plenty of other areas to explore with exciting Art Installations and exhibition spaces curated by Studio 45 and Cassette Lord, with a number of workshops including spray painting and street art, screen printing, pottery, lino-cut, woodblock printing and circus skills plus, interactive fun for kids.

TTP have partnered with several of their business friends to provide festival-goers with a taster of Brighton’s best-loved cultural institutions.

The UK’s leading independent record store Resident will present a Music Pop Up Shop selling some of the worlds best records and hosting meet and greets and signing’s from artists performing at the festival.

The oldest cinema in continuous use in Britain, Duke of Yorks Picture House will also be programming an eclectic and entertaining choice of moving pictures in an environment they can guarantee you have experienced before!


TICKET INFORMATION
Weekend Tickets: £75 + booking fee – Adult Weekend (16+); £37.50 + booking fee – Child Weekend (11-15 yrs. Must be accompanied by adult 18+) £0 – Infant Weekend (under 11yrs. Must be accompanied by adult 18+)

Day Tickets: £39.50 + booking fee – Adult Day (16+); £20 + booking fee – Child Day (11-15 yrs. Must be accompanied by adult 18+); £0 – Infant Day (under 11yrs. Must be accompanied by adult 18+)

Disabled customers are asked to purchase their tickets via Ticketmaster and call the dedicate line (0800 988 4440) to arrange a carer ticket and obtain further information.

For more information and to book tickets online, click here:

The park site is all ages; an adult must accompany under 16’s. Children are classed at 11yrs–16yrs. Under 11s may attend free of charge. Gates will open at noon on both days with a curfew of 10pm.

Date announced for Exeter Pride in 2016

Exeter Pride in 2016 will be on May 7 and includes a rainbow flag parade down Exeter High Street to Exeter Phoenix, Exeter Library and Rougemont Gardens, for a packed programme of activities and events.

Exeter Pride 2015

More than 2,000 people attended the eight Exeter Pride in 2015 including community groups, firefighters, police, students, trade union, LGBT business groups and individuals.

The parade included roller skaters, Street Heat samba band, circus skill performers, a fire engine, Morris dancers and volunteers carrying a 50-metre rainbow flag.

The events and activities at Exeter Phoenix next year will be family-friendly and include activities for children, young people and adults.

Plans for the 2016 event include a heath zone, ceilidh, workshops, panel debate, drumming circle, trans workshop and many other activities.

There will be information from local and national organisations, demonstrations, as well as fun activities.

Evening events will include live music from many popular local bands and DJs will round off the evening.
Exeter Pride 2015

Last year Exeter Pride received National Lottery funding to help stage the event and the organisation also became a registered charity.

Principal supporters were Devon County Council, The University of Exeter, The University of Exeter Students’ Guild, Exeter City Council, Bill’s Restaurant of Exeter, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, EDF Energy, Somerset College, Patronus Security and Vaults Bar and Club.

The date of Exeter Pride 2016 was announced at a fundraising event held at the Exeter LGBT-friendly venue, Vaults Bar and Club.  More than £600 was raised for Exeter Pride during the event.

Neil Clements, chairman of Exeter Pride committee, said: “Exeter Pride is a celebration of the city and county’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities.

“It is about us having pride in our contributions to not just a vibrant and diverse city, but all of Devon and the city and county having pride in us.”

He added: “Exeter Pride would not be possible without generous donations from local businesses, organisations and individuals and the fundraising efforts of volunteers.

“Together with generous sponsorship from our partners, we are able to keep all our daytime events free-of-charge.”

Mr Clements thanked the 50 volunteers who help stage the event each year and said that without their support it would not be such a success.

He concluded saying: “We are currently welcoming approaches from those who would like to get involved as volunteers, have a stall or be a partner or sponsor and applications should be made through the charity’s website.

Further information about Exeter Pride and other Pride committee-organised events during the coming year is also available on the website and on

For more information about Exeter Pride and other Pride committee-organised events during the coming year, click here:

Twitter: @exeterpride 

Facebook: Facebook.com/exeterpride 

Bedford Tavern raise £760.06 for Rainbow Fund

Adam Brooks, the current Golden Handbag Landlord of the Year and Matt Richards the current Golden Handbag Barman of the Year receive their certificate for raising £760.06 for the Rainbow Fund.

Bedford Tavern

The Bedford Tavern raised the money during their Christmas in June weekend at the end of June.

The money will be distributed to LGBT/HIV organisations in the Rainbow Funds Autumn grants round.

The Rainbow Fund make grants to LGBT/HIV organisations delivering effective front line services to LGBT people in Brighton and Hove.

Chris Gull, Chair of the Rainbow Fund, said: “This is a fantastic amount of money for a small venue like the Bedford Tavern to raise for us. I would like to thank Adam and his staff for choosing the Rainbow Fund. 

“Local LGBT/HIV organisations who provide effective front line services to the LGBT communities in Brighton and Hove will receive their grants at the Rainbow Fund and Pride Business Grant Awards at the Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel, on Tuesday, September 8 at a ceremony hosted by our Patron Zoe Lyons.”

PREVIEW: Local choir and comedians to stage charity fundraiser

Resound, a Brighton  & Hove based male sing group will team up with comedians Aidan Goatley and David Jordan for an evening of music and comedy in Close to You, an intimate performance at the Purple Playhouse Theatre.

 

Resound Male Voices

The event will be raising funds and awareness for the Grace Eyre Foundation, a unique local charity helping people with learning disabilities in Brighton & Hove and across Sussex gain independence, obtain housing, find employment and join activities.

Grace Eyre is one of the Brighton & Hove Mayor’s three chosen charities in 2015-16.    

Resound, led by opera singer and vocal coach Stefan Holmström, will be performing a range of pieces from their eclectic repertoire including spirituals arranged by Michael Tippett, the Inkspots’ Java Jive and Bacharach’s Close to You to name a few.

On the same bill are two Brighton-based comedians: Aidan Goatley and David Jordan.

Resound Male Voices

Fresh from the 200th performance of his show 10 Films with My Dad, Aidan Goatley won an award for general awesomeness at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2014.

After a successful stint as a solo singer songwriter, 2015 Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year nominee David Jordan will bring his unique musical talent to the world of stand up, combining his brilliant voice with carefully crafted, hilarious and edgy songs.

Hosting the evening is the Purple Playhouse Theatre and café/bar – a fully licensed, fully accessible and centrally located community resource near Seven Dials.

The venue is home to a diverse range of musical gigs, performances and events, proceeds generated by the theatre and café/bar are reinvested in Grace Eyre’s many projects and programmes. The café/bar will be open from 7:00 pm and is cash only.

Henry Bruce, Theatre and Events Manager at the Purple Playhouse Theatre, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Resound, Aidan Goatley and David Jordan to the stage for what promises to be a great night for an excellent cause.” 


Event: Close to You: Music and Comedy in aid of Grace Eyre

Where: Purple Playhouse Theatre, 36 Montefiore Road, Hove BN3 6EP

When: Saturday, October 10

Time: 7.30pm

Tickets: £12 (full price) and £10 (concession)

To book tickets online, click here:

For more information about Resound Male Voice, click here:

 

 

 

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