Major Lazer aka Diplo and Switch

Just before I was going to do a shameless plug for my gritty short story night at Red Roaster (which is on tonight!), it did occur to me that I happened to pick a pretty spectacular night for my event.

Not only were there two other literary events happening (Space, Hammer & Tongue), but more importantly, Goldie, Major Lazer Soundsystem and Herbaliser were all in Brighton TONIGHT.

Plus there’s a new techno/psy-trance night called Sicknote down at the Volks, which I was planning to make my final destination after getting drunk at St James.

Being a fair person, I decided to feature all of them, instead of my own night. I’ll let you make up your own mind regarding music tastes, but whatever you do, don’t stay in.

If you were a kid in the ’80s or a true short story lover, come down to Kemptown’s Red Roaster for Grit Lit, featuring Isabel Ashdown, Jake Kennedy, Emma Gray, Tim Lay, Chris Callard, Ed Siegle, and me.

We’ve got gangsters, black artists, Brazillian favelas, drugs, raves, alcoholic mums, pretty much the whole gritty deck. It’s a fiver to get in, licensed bar, nice people and we kick out at 10pm (doors 7.45pm). Facebook holds all the answers.

Music fiends

• Major Lazer Soundsystem, Mumdance, Blah Blah Blah DJs – Digital
• Sicknote: D.A.V.E. the Drummer, Julian Liberator, Antispin, 11pm £5/4 – Volks
• Herbaliser, Tinroots, 7.30pm – Concorde 2

Culture vultures

• Studio Hammer & Tongue 2009 Grand Slam Final Performance poetry, 7.30pm £5 – Komedia
• The Space: Goldie, Ian Rankin, 8pm, £6/4 – Latest Music Bar
• Wayne McGregor/Random Dance: Entity Dance and multimedia performance with a soundtrack from Jon Hopkins and Joby Talbot, 8pm £17.50/15/10 – Corn Exchange

Beardyman

2012 Olympics are a few years off, but there’s one match that’s more about the beats than the punches – UK beatbox champ and Brighton legend Beardyman takes on classical music on their home turf, placing his mouth-driven beats straight up against Heritage Orchestra on Saturday 14 November at De La Warr Pavillion, just down the road in Bexhill.

For anyone who’s ever seen Beardyman lay it down (and that’s most people), they’ll know he’ll deliver a good show – which begs the question of how Heritage Orchestra might match his supreme freestyle prowess.

For those who fear the night will prove to be beatbox renditions of William Tell Overture, fear not – the orchestra are opening the evening with an equally compelling and modern take on classical music – two-time (and current) DMC World Champion Brummie DJ Switch in Gabriel Prokofiev’s Concerto for Turntables & Orchestra. Yeah, turntablism and strings – bring it on!

Btw, Prokofiev (not to be confused with some ropy vodka) dabbles in the underground as well and produces hip hop and electro remixes so his work composing music for the turntables should be a bit more relevant to modern listeners.

An interesting project, following in the footsteps of Carl Craig, who’s been performing with classical musicians and orchestras last month, at Berghain in Berlin and Paris.

It will be an eye-opener to see how the classically trained musicians and dj/beatboxers bridge the gap and whether the night’s performance will appeal to a younger audience, who are more used to hearing music in sweaty clubs and dank live music venues and standing rather than sitting.

This new work presents an opportunity for the urban artists to step up their game in a different arena – and for classical music to loosen up as well – perhaps a night out for the more broad-minded of music lovers, but I think all will agree that it’s about time that urban art forms start getting some respect from the mainstream arts world, and this might just be the start of it.

Heritage Orchestra with DJ Switch and Beardyman, Saturday 14 November 2009 @ De La Warr Pavilion.

Tickets: £14 and includes free bus from Brighton (be sure to phone and book in advance). Standing (for those of you who fidget) or seated balcony tickets both available.

Booking & information call: 01424 229 111 or book on the De La Warr website

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

Journey On Night Rider @ White Night

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

At this year’s highly anticipated Goodwood Revival it wasn’t just be the motor cars that received an admiring glance. As well as the circuit staff sporting an authentic look, thousands of spectators made the effort this year, so it wasn’t a surprise to see an abundance of women wearing 1950s cocktail dresses and 1960s pleat dresses. The effervescent crowd made it feel more like a movie set, as opposed to a racing track.

The West Sussex-based motor circuit opened its gates on September 1948 and provided the setting for Britain’s first post-war motor race venue. Exactly 50 years later to the day, the 9th Duke’s grandson, the current Earl of March, re-enacted the opening of the track with Goodwood Revival, and has since seen the biggest names and cars feature on the famous circuit.

To ensure that the masses achieved the perfect, original vintage, Natasha Bailie Vintage Clothing prescribed advice, tips and styles that helped vintage revellers take Goodwood 2009 by storm. Natasha Bailie has been at the forefront of vintage for many years, and has been an ardent Goodwood fan just as long, so when it came to ‘getting the look’, Natasha was certainly on the right track!

1) The “Vontrapp” Prom Dress incorporates the classic vintage look and is handmade by Brighton designer Amy Phipps. An original 1950s floral fabric has been used to create this beautiful summer dazzler. “This is the perfect dress for idyllic summer strolls and will nestle approvingly into any wedding party,” says Natasha. A dress that speaks a thousand words, and all of them good!

2) This 1950s Prom Dress exudes sophistication and charm, and would be the ideal dress to meet that gorgeous man, dine with friends, or even meet the mother-in-law! “This is the perfect Betty dress. Although it’s rather prim and proper, it will still make you feel sexy and elegant,” says Natasha. This dress will most certainly turn heads on the day.

3) This original 1950s Betty Barclay Prom Dress screams quality and authenticity. The brocade fabric is a clear indication that this dress was once worn by someone with status, and the adorable chiffon layered collar is equal in sophistication. “This is one of my favourite dresses from this period. Quite simply if you wear this dress you will light up any party!” Natasha says. Let’s hope they have sufficient fire exits then.

4) This original 1950s Cocktail Dress with its rare black and gold brocade finish is the true definition of glamour. If you happen to be attending a red carpet event in the near future then this is the dress for you. “This is the perfect prom dress for any Betty, and I for one would happily wear it! Natasha says. N.B: This dress would also look fantastic even if your name’s not Betty!

Goodwood Revival 2009 has always possessed the history to justify the hype surrounding it, but this year the organisers wanted everyone to make even more of a vintage effort – and with Natasha’s passionate vintage styling advice, it’s been achieved.

Enjoying vintage fashion is all about fun and frolics and doesn’t have to be an expensive pastime. It’s also about immersing yourself into an era of your choice; appreciating the style, music and attitude that’s engrained in history, which can so easily be relived by you. So, what are you waiting for? Get some vintage in your life!

If you want further expert vintage fashion advice and ideas, visit www.natashabailie.com

Gang up are the cream of the cool kids in Brighton, a collective that came together after a couple of beers… like how most good things are spawned, that love sexy and beautiful photography. Last Monday was their launch night and while this post is not exactly “hot off the press” (my apologies for the delay) we got a few sexy shots that were too good to keep. On the way was Garage Studios papping a shot of (nearly) everyone that arrived so keep an eye out for this little project. It was rumoured that over 300 people made it, milling around checking out the magazines that were hanging from the celling. I am not sure if this was a tactic that is common in the bank to stop you from taxing the Biros, but either way it looked pretty cool.

It seemed that just about anyone who’s anyone was there, the recently wed Mr and Mrs Kendal of the Source, You Got Papped, Tim Richardson..and a lot of faces from the ‘Brighton scene’. Sam Hiscox, Dark Daze, Sally Reynolds, Louie Banks and stylists Ophelia Fancy that make up the members of the magazine schmoozed the crowds and beautiful girls were strutting. Not a bad night for a random Monday. This was all housed in the underground, industrial setting of the Old Music Library to create an uber cool feel, quite Vice, but with out the Hoxton hair and bad attitude.

GangUp ‘The Issue’ is a lavish 104 page bespoke magazine featuring nine all-girl editorials of cutting edge photography and no adverts. We aren’t writers, we make pictures and tell you stories, hopefully you’ll find them hot and sticky and maybe even kinda wrong, but never short of beautiful.

A few words from Sam Hiscox at the end sums up what its all about:

Bruised, sexy, skin.

Photos by Mary Pryce

Image: Sian Robinson Davies. Photo: Simon Stephen

If you’re one of those people that thought performance art was what hippies did instead of tv, it’s time to step out of the antiquated 1970s inspired perceptions and come experience an experimental art laboratory that is gaining respect and attention beyond the small comforts of a small gallery space off Western Road.

Tonight at 7pm Permanent Gallery (20 Bedford Place, Brighton BN1 2PT) plays host to a night called Testing Grounds. It is the brainchild of young French curator Nadege Deridan, performance artist Orion Maxted (who both run protoPLAY) and Permanent Gallery.

Testing Grounds invites several artists from the UK and beyond to participate, bringing new ideas they’d like to test out before a new audience – or rehashing old ones, but in new ways.

Risk-taking is in, sitting in your seats being quiet is out.

For those new to performance art, I can tell you that it is probably not your great-aunt’s cup of tea. In my experience, performance art is:

• interactive
• fun
• challenging
• weird
• music art theatre visual
• any and none of the above

This is all very true for Testing Grounds. I’ve been following Testing Grounds for the past two years, and in that time, I’ve: dressed as Homer Simpson and sprayed people with beer; been locked in a shed with a boy I’ve never met for seven minutes; played a banana game; cajoled strangers while dressed in a white boiler suit and Carol Smiley mask; made a mad sojourn to the sea; watched a woman batter herself with flour; and god knows what else.

Each evening, I watch some art I like and some art I feel lukewarm about; I’ve met new people; drank plastic cups of wine; talked about art; made connections; laughed; gone cross-eyed; and generally walked away thinking ‘that was a good two hours of my life’.

The  curators have finally received some recognition for the unique event and have been awarded Arts Council funding to take the event across the south east. Well deserved and for all the right reasons – rewarding people who try out their own brand of art events off their own back and support it when it works.

The night has solidly maintained good audiences for their brand of art and entertainment.  I’m not sure what tonight holds.  I’m sure it will be a bit nutty and I will be disappointed if I don’t laugh at least once at the strangeness of it all.

What they say:

“The fate of thought depends and will depend for a long time between regret and assay“. Jean-Francois Lyotard, What is post-modernism? 1982

For this edition we invited 4 artists from the UK and abroad proposing to explore the dislocation between text and image, focusing on structural fragmentation. From Sian Robinson Davies (Nottingham) subtle and humorous construction of different narratives translating formal spatial arrangement into language to David Berridge (London) adapting texts he wrote from Kafka’s notebooks into a musical and visual choral, the event promises to be a stimulating and playful selection of works for the imagination.

In his improvised music piece, Phillip Henderson (Nottingham, Farnham) will question “vertical temporality” with an electric harmonium, metal detector and improvised arhythm on drum kit. This edition will also showcase a new performance by Catalan artist Joan Casellas (Barcelona). Joan Casellas has been one of the outstanding representatives of the Spanish parallel art scene since the 1990s and although he’s been performing extensively throughout the world, he has not returned to making performances in the UK since 1994, when the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art) in London organized a documentary exhibition of his performances and interventions.

I’ll put my hand up and say that I actually don’t know what structural fragmentation is with regards to text and image, but I reckon after a few glasses of wine and a few chats around the smokers on the front steps, I might have a better idea.

In the meantime, come along and watch some art. Yeah.

Testing Grounds 4/3 pounds, starts 7pm. Permanent Gallery, 20 Bedford Place, Brighton BN1 2PT (off Western Road)

Natasha Bailie, vintage women’s clothing expert and stylist, wanted to expand her vintage clothing company and make sure nobody would leave her website empty-handed.

“The biggest disappointment when buying vintage is sizing. The whole appeal is that there is only one edition of the dress, which means it can only be one size. Imagine you find the dress of your dreams, only to be crushed to find it is two sizes to small!”

Natasha says.

So, Natasha found a graduate designer to collaborate with on a collection of vintage reproductions, which will not only offer more sizes, but will also be seasonal and on trend. All dresses are handmade, and the pair also offers a bespoke tailoring service for all their customers. “If you like one of our dresses, but it does not hug you in the right place than we can create the dress that can,” says Natasha. “Alternatively if you like one of the dresses, but think the fabric is something that your granny wouldn’t even like than we are happy to make our dress in your fabric!”

www.natashabailie.com

The Phipps and Bailie first collection consists of two summer vintage-style prom dresses, tea dresses and full circle skirts. The range also boasts two exclusive styles which are limited edition; made from original and very rare vintage fabrics.

To launch the first vintage retro fashion collection the pair will be holding a party at the prestigious Hotel Pelirocco in Regency Square, Brighton on Wednesday 15th July 2009. The party promises to be a night of vintage fun and entertainment with retro party games, drinks and music. You will be able to view the entire vintage inspired range and place orders with Amy Phipps and Natasha Bailie for made to measure dresses on the night.

For further information contact natasha@natashabailie.com

15/07/2009

Elephant on Brighton beach. Photograph: Robin Hughes

Writer Tara Gould joined me in the studio for this month’s edition of Writers’ Hub. We chatted about her night Short Fuse, which is currently looking for readers, for Brighton and for Hastings events, and her new literary ambitions: a first novel.  We discussed some upcoming opportunities for writers, via New Writing South and Myriad Editions, and we also presented the writing for this month’s theme: seaside and seaside towns.

For published writing, I took two slightly off-kilter takes on the traditional seaside theme: the very dark tale, ”The Pearce Sisters” by Mick Jackson, from The: BrightonBook, published by Myriad Editions (2005), in which two eccentric sisters’ hospitality goes one step too far; and an extract of the sci-fi story “To Walk Upon the Sea” by Larry Matthews, from Fabulous Brighton: An Anthology of Short Stories by Peter James, Lynne Truss and others (2000), in which a man’s strained relationship comes to a head amongst dolphins, corporate Brighton and a mysterious discovery.

“The Pearce Sisters” is read by Wil Jones (Boutique Theatre), and “To Walk Upon the Sea” is read by Peter Taylor. Both books can be found in Brighton’s Jubilee Library.

I got some great original writing submissions via Twitter: two short shorts from Emma Cave (new Fusion writer) and Nigel Cooper – see further down to read the pieces.

Finally, it was a great pleasure to have Jon Cotter, Director of Company Paradiso in the studio. Jon recently ran a project in Berkshire prisons working with young offenders called “The Ballad of Reading Jail”.  He shared some of the stories and played clips from their show on BBC Radio Berkshire. Here’s one quote from a young person who took part in the project:

I’d never really written much before. It was while I was sat in a prison cell, and I had all this stuff going through my head, that I decided to pick up the pen. I needed to express myself. I still keep things in perspective with my poetry, as in not wanting to go back.’

– Participant, Shaun D

We were meant to have an interview and readings from an Ian Breckon, author of Knight of Swords [Old Street, 2009], but weren’t able to due to technical difficulties.

Many thanks to Donald, Grant and everyone at RR for helping me navigate the station’s equipment.

The theme for August will be Pride, inspired by Brighton Pride, which takes place in Brighton on 1 and 2 August. The show is open to all stories, poems and non-fiction relating to pride, in any sense of the word. Please email your submission to amy@brightonfusion.co.uk , no later than Monday 3 August.

The next Writers’ Hub will air on Sunday 9 August, 1-2pm on Radio Reverb 97.2FM.

You can listen to the show on the Brighton Fusion player or download by right clicking.

Download audio file (writershubjuly09final.mp3)

Writers’ Hub July 2009 – Radio Reverb

Seaside resorts
by Emma Cave (@Emsbabee)

The shingle has misled me. It feels like I’m sitting on bones. From the slow-burning tarmac, it had seemed like the more comfortable option, but now I’m down here, I’ve realised that the sun was in my eyes, and making everything look shimmery and soft. The sea, for example. Right now, it’s the exact shade of a raspberry Slush Puppy, and just as tempting. But I can’t bring myself to brave the inevitable ice-cream headache which will commence in the ankles and work its way petulantly up my bloodstream as I wade out.

Yards from my outstretched feet lies the sulking remnants of a driftwood fire. I think I unwittingly chose this spot because I love the smell of wood fires, even when they’ve been extinguished with left over cider, as this one appears to have been. They remind me of midsummer teenage free-for-alls. The hissing flames on my face, and the tentative arm of a very nice boy round my waist, taking it in turns to sip bravery from a shared plastic cup.

There are a couple, just a few feet away, seemingly oblivious to the discomfort of the pebbles. She has mounted him and is squirming about on top like a sand worm. A seagull is eyeing the remnants of their picnic with increasing malevolence. I lie back, carefully, arms folded protectively across my torso, in case the seagull decides to hop onto my stomach and start some investigative pecking. They put me in mind of medieval executioners, something about the way they dispassionately size you up.

I’m sleepy. I blame the tide, which matches the rhythm of my dawdling heartbeat. The clouds are slowly pulling across the sun, like curtains. The sound of flapping beach towels and wind shelters could almost be mistaken for the swaying of palm trees. I dream of finding a mermaid’s purse, and buying myself a stick of rock the size of a pleasure boat.

The Beach in 66 words
by Nigel Cooper (@nijay)

A baby listens to adult voices singing lullabies over the sea. The child, trussed warmly to her father’s chest, watches waves lapping pebbles, lapping pebbles, lapping pebbles.

She is comforted by her mother’s gentle voice. Rocked by her father’s breathing. Made drowsy by the sun’s fading fingers.

She hears less fortunate children wailing from deep within graceful, white, feathered bodies. She gurgles. Snuggles into daddy’s jacket.

So you’d best settle down for a brief geology lesson. Sussex was once a mysterious place under the sea. Much like it’s modern day residents discard their clothes at the first sniff of summer, coccolithophores - the microscopic algae that formed the primeval population of Brighton, would discard their shells and leave them to form the chalky mass we now know as the South Downs.

Keeping up? Well, inspired by those same wanton coccolithophores that would strip so readily, all those thousands of leagues ago,  American sculptor John Grade has created The Elephant Bed. An immense installation, it’s showing exclusively at the Fabrica Gallery,which was set up back in 1996 at the deconsecrated Holy Trinity church, by a group of artists from Red Herring studios. This is Grade’s first UK exhibition and Fabrica’s focus for the summer, so go forth and marvel, it starts today.

Dates: 11 July – 31 August 2009

Gallery opening times: Wednesday – Saturday 12-5.30pm
Thursdays in August till 7pm
Sundays & bank holidays 2-5pm

Entrance free

www.fabrica.org.uk
www.johngrade.com

Most people get really excited when I tell them I’m doing a radio show, thinking I’m going to play some incredibly cool music, but sadly, it’s not that kinda thing. Although I do play music. And it’s usually pretty good music.

My show is called Writers’ Hub and it’s all about getting writing out of the ghetto – on it, I interview local novelists and playwrights, event organisers and writer wannabes, plus I feature real writing from real local people and extracts from books written by people who might live round the corner from you – Brighton’s that small, most places practically are.

For the first show, I interviewed Sue Eckstein, the author of The Cloths of Heaven, who’s first novel was published through Myriad Editions and focuses on the story of new High Commission recruit Daniel Maddison, who, in his first days stationed in West Africa, finds himself enchanted by a mysterious woman selling cloth in a warehouse – someone who reminds him of someone from the past.

Sue, who worked for the VSO in Africa for a number of years, cited Tracey Chapman and an African choir as inspirations for her novel, which she started and finished as a graduate writing student at the University of Sussex.

Tara Hanks, author of The Mmm Girl

I featured an extract from Sue’s novel (read by James McVeigh).

I also featured an extract from Brighton novelist Tara Hanks, The Mmm Girl (read by Shannon Magness).

The Mmm Girl tells the story of Marilyn Monroe from her point of view, charting her dusty origins as an adopted teen to the mega screen starlet she became.

The book got rave reviews from Marilyn experts and fans.

The show also features interviews with:

• Sarah Cross, MA student at Sussex University
• Max Crisfield from city-wide book reading project City Reads who were promoting this year’s big read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I’ve got original writing  based on the theme of festivals from Ed Siegle (”Too Old For this Shit”) and a poem from Tara Hanks (”Music Reminds Us”).

The show’s a bit rough n ready, but hey – it’s my first one. The next one’s marginally better, but expect great things on the horizon.

May 2009 Writers’ Hub (RadioReverb show) (right click to download)

The next show airs on Sunday 14 July from 1-2pm on 97.2FM or www.radioreverb.com. I will be posting the July show here. Check out the June show on Brighton Fusion, which features Sarah Lee, Tim Lee, Bridget Whelan and a little bit of MJ.