Festival Fever: October brings more music and art to Brighton

When you’re thinking of festivals, October isn’t the month that comes to mind is it? However, in our grand fair city by the sea, which plays hostess-with-the-mostest to something ridiculous like over 150 festivals throughout the year, there is never downtime when there is plenty of play and frolics to be had.

This month sees Rising Styles Festival, UK’s Largest Celebration of International Hip-Hop Culture (1-4 October); Brighton & Hove Black History Month (3 October – 3 November); White Night (25 October); and Brighton Live (29 September – 3 October).

The majority of the events are free and accessible so please check their websites for a good eyeful of all the fantastic art, music and cultural opportunities on offer. Too good to pass up really.

Brighton Live 2009 is 5 days of free music events across the city of Brighton & Hove from Tuesday 29th September (launch party night) to Saturday 3rd October (seminars, workshops & master classes); – covering 20+ venues and showcasing 150+ local bands (yes, there are that many bands in the area & many more besides) to 20,000+ of you lovely lovely music lovers. It sprawls across Kemptown, the North Laine, South Laines, Hove and surprise venue the Casino at Brighton Marina.

“In a city with such a thriving music community, having an event like Brighton Live is a really important annual event.For most new and young bands the only time they get to play to strangers is the tired old ‘battle of the bands’ formula, which only really results in petty rivalries and bitterness. This way they still have to play out of their skins to keep the audience in their venue, but can also network with other bands they might not know and develop new contacts. And for the average gig-goer it is a win-win situation – to see lots of new local music, without forking out anything.”

– Duncan Hall – Brighton Argus

HAPPENING NOW! Get online and then get out.

Rising Styles Festival, UK’s Largest Celebration of International Hip-Hop Culture, was born from a hip hop dream, no budget and a prayer five years ago on our pebbly shores. Aided with the hard work of volunteers, the urban cultural showcase lives, albeit only spreading out over four days (rather than a whole month) from 1-4 October.

Short but sweet, the festival capitalises on all the successful events from previous years, bringing back the huge live event, the frieze box, rap slam, and battle jam, while also trying out new features such as ‘In Conversation’ strand, where the audience can interact with artists.

This year’s live event, UPRISING, has an awesome hip hop line up including Million Dan, The Infomatics, Kasha, Grit Grammar, DJ Kayper and more, all performing on the last day. The event is run by arts cultural agency http://www.kalaphool.com.

Check out www.risingstyles.com for all event information (including changes).

RISING STYLES 09 ALBUM – The yearly release of the best unsigned UK Hip Hop, supported by Excalibah. Now ready to download via http://www.suspect-packages.com/artists/r-t/RISING_STYLES.php

Based on the French night-time event Nuit Blanche, Brighton’s White Night 2009 does its second stab at the festival on 24 October 2009.

For one night, the city becomes a playground and ordinary places become performance fodder: shopfronts become event backdrop, cafes become film screens, alleyways become concert halls and swimming pools become underwater orchesteras. Anything on a night like tonight is possible.

This year’s programme is yet to be finalised, but check the website closer to the evening. Last year’s programme included a sewer tour, a bicycle treasure hunt, outdoor films, dance performance, grafitti, art exhibitions with deck chairs, and model homes.

*Listings compiled by www.black-history.org.uk*

Saturday 3rd October *The Amazing Mrs. Seacole* Jubilee Library

* Voted the *Greatest Black Britain* in 2004*, *Mary Seacole* *is generally recognised for her nursing career during the Crimean War. Join Bert Williams and Althea Wolfe to discover more about this multi-talented Victorian lady) 2 – 3pm, no booking required * FREE

4, 11, 18, 25 October, *World Affairs Cinema * Jubilee Library

*Sunday afternoon screenings of some of the best modern films exploring love and romance across different cultures. Every Sunday throughout October at 1pm *(Free, includes free snacks, no booking required )

Saturday 10th October *Time & Place Exhibition * Brighton museum, South Balcony

*Brighton and Hove History (www.black-history.org.uk) present stories of women from the Caribbean and Guyana who came to Brighton to train as nurses from the 1950s-1970s.* Time and Place *runs from the 10thOctober-13 th December 2009.* Opening times: Tuesdays-Saturdays 10-5pm * FREE

Saturday 10th October* **Black History Bus*

(DEPARTS 11AM JUBILEE SQUARE) Free bus tour to local Black History landmarks 11-1pm FREE but must be pre-booked. Please call 01273 234835 or email: info@black-history.org.uk * FREE

Saturday 10th October *Contribution * Jubilee Square & library

FREE celebration event hosted by Brighton and Hove Black History with music, African and Caribbean food, exhibition of work by local Black artists, Black History exhibition, talks and exhibitions from local community groups, Black History debate and much more. 1.00pm-5pm * FREE

Saturday 10th October *Black History debate: “What is Black History and Why does it matter?”* Jubilee Library

Speakers Kofi Mawuli Klu , (Pan-Afrikan Taskforce for Internationalist Dialogue) and Dr.Alana Lentin (University of Sussex). Hosted by the All African students’ union link in Europe, University of Sussex. For more info email: aasulesussex@googlemail.com. 4-5pm* FREE

Sunday 11th October *Bert’s Bus for Young People *

A Brighton Black History Tour with Bert Williams, especially for Young People to discover the Black History in the town they live in. For young People aged 11+* *(For bookings and info please contact the Black and Minority Ethnic Young Peoples’ Project on (01273 229 381) *(FREE)*

Tuesday 13th October * Brighton Photo Fringe Photography * FRIESE-GREEN GALLERY, BRIGHTON MEDIA CENTRE

Project exhibition of photography from members of the local Black and Ethnic minority community on the themes of emotional well being and identity put together with the support of lead artist Edi Mandala. *Friese-Green Gallery, Brighton Media Centre, Middle Street, Brighton, BN1 1AL. Runs Tuesday 13th October – Sunday 25th October Exhibition times: Mon-Fri 9.30-5.30, Sat-Sun 10-4pm * FREE

Thursday 15 October * Film screening: Grove Roots * University of Sussex * 5.15pm

Grove Roots is a film which traces the evolution of Ladbroke Grove from the 1958 race riots to the present day and is a gritty reflection of real people who live in the area. Featuring local musicians, artists, community workers and residents, the film tells the story of the Ladbroke Grove area from the 1958 race riots to the ethnically rich place it is today. For more info contact Abigail Brooks on 01273 876682 or email a.m.brook@sussex.ac.uk UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX, EDB 121 * FREE

Friday 16 October* **Film screening: Top Girl with Q+A with Director Rebecca Johnson* UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX * 1-2pm

Brixton Rude girls Donna and Felicia are inseparable best friends but aspiring MC Donna is unquestionably Top Girl. Truthful, tender and brutally comic, Top Girl tells the story of girls growing up in a man’s world. For more info contact Abigail Brooks on 01273 876682 or email : a.m.brook@sussex.ac.uk * FREE

Sunday 18 October *Caribbean Roots* JUBILEE LIBRARY* 2– 3.30pm

Are you interested in researching your West Indian family history? Come along to our talk and get expert advice from Guy Grannum of the National Archives. £3 includes refreshments, no booking required

Saturday 24thOctober *Bert’s Black History Bus*

(LEAVES JUBILEE SQUARE 11AM) Free bus tour to local Black History landmarks 11-1pm. FREE refreshments available after the tour from 1.30pm served the Jubilee Library learning room courtesy of the Brighton and Minority Ethnic Community Partnership. Tour is FREE but must be pre-booked. For bookings please call 01273 234835 or email: info@black-history.org.uk *FREE

Monday 26th October *Positive Hair Day Hair Care Workshop*SHAE SHAE CREATIONS, QUEENS ROAD, BRIGHTON * 6.30pm-8.30pm

Free workshop which aims to help people care for their Black and mixed heritage hair; open to Black and mixed heritage people and to any anyone working with or related to the above (parents and carers most welcome). Workshops are free but require a returnable deposit to a secure your place. To book please call (01273 230832) *FREE

Tuesday 27 October *Anansi Tales * 10 -12; 1-3; 3.15-5.15 *Jubilee Library

A fun family day of drama, storytelling and craft activities involving African folk hero Anansi the Spider * FREE

Wednesday 28th October *Kick Racism Out of Football Tournament* 67 CENTRE, MOUSLECOMB @12pm

Hosted by the Black and Minority Ethnic Young Peoples’ Project) There will also be African Food, African drumming, Black History Month Quiz, Art activities, Badge Making and prizes for participants in the five-aside Football Tournament. All Young People aged 11+ welcome 12pm *(FREE)*

Thursday 29 October *Children’s Film Show* JUBILEE LIBRARY *2pm

An award-winning animated film based on a magical West African fairytale. FREE

Thursday 29 October *Tribute to Black footballers in the UK Football Match* (SOUTHWICK FOOTBALL CLUB) 6pm for FREE food with 7.30pm kick off.

Hosted by Kopano Football Club in conjunction with Peter Koroma from the Brighton minority ethnic community partnership For more details please contact Wayne on 01273 230832 or email: artdecor2004@hotmail.com FREE

Thursday 29 October * Linda Bellos* UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX 6-7.30pm VENUE TBC*

Linda Bellos introduced Black History Month to the UK back in 1987 and is perhaps best known as a campaigner, political activist and former leader of Lambeth Council. She was the first Black woman to join the Spare Rib feminist collective in 1981 and was vice-chair of the successful Black Section campaign to select African Caribbean and Asian parliamentary and local candidates within the Labour Party, which increased the number of Black Councillors from 100 to 500 across the UK. Linda will be looking back over the last 20 years on the development of Black History Month in the UK and will be considering the challenges ahead. For more info contact Abigail Brooks on 01273 876682 or email a.m.brook@sussex.ac.uk . FREE

Sunday 1st November *Black History Communities Day* JUBILEE SQUARE, 12pm

A variety of performances from the BME community. Hosted by the Black and Minority Ethnic Young Peoples’ Project featuring Street dance, Singing, Poetry, Rapping and African drumming. there will also be workshops and activities, join us in celebrating the achievements of our Black young people. (For more info please contact the Black and Minority Ethnic Young Peoples’ Project on (01273 229 381) *FREE