Brighton Festival press trip

You may remember that a while ago I wrote a delightful little 'A Day in the life..' style post and in that I said I would write again after I had been out on a press trip as that would hopefully be a bit more interesting, so here goes.....

We at VisitBrighton are very keen to spread the word about the fabulous Brighton Festival as it seems to be a little known fact that it is the largest arts festival in England (yes I know Edinburgh is bigger but that is why I said in England not the UK, clever stuff) Therefore we decided to invite a group of journalists from Germany to come and experience it for themselves so that they could write about it for their large national newspapers. Of course it's not just the Brighton Festival, there is the Fringe Festival and the Artist Open Houses as well.

Whenever we do these group trips we try and make sure that we accompany them as much as possible to make sure that they don't miss anything. Which does sometimes mean having to work outside of the usual office hours but it's not often and apart from getting time off in lieu I get to do things I might not otherwise get to do

Anyway back to the point - what did we actually do? Well the group arrived on Thursday and we had dinner at the New Steine Bistro where we welcomed as if we were part of the family. Friday was a jam packed day starting with a walking tour of the city and the Royal Pavilion, lunch at the new Zillis Cafe and a look around the myhotel. Then we went to see An Infinite Line which is a free art installation all about light in Brighton. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but it was actually quite effective, as they had lots of little mini projectors depicting images of Brighton onto little chalk slabs, maybe I just liked it because it was all diddy and mini. I'm sure this is not the most high-brow review of this installation but at least I'm being honest ;)

Then after a quick rest we went to the Heist bar to see some comedy for free courtesy of the Fringe, again this could have been a bit of a gamble but they were actually really good as the two chaps took suggestions from the audience and then dubbed new dialogue over well known film clips, silly but funny. Then we had cocktails at the very swanky new Okinami owned by Slim boy Fat, well that's what one of the journalists thought he was called and was slightly surprised when I told her he wasn't actually fat at all! Then we had dinner at Terre a Terre before seeing Le Scandal at the Udderbelly which was a burlesque cabaret show, some of the acts left me thinking - very clever but what's the point? Although I did like the juggling chap as everyone knows juggling is a very useful skill to have particularly if you can juggle a Norch (knife with a flaming torch strapped to it) whilst riding a unicycle and wearing a helmet which has a firework coming out of it!

Saturday was the last day and we started off looking at some of the Kemp Town Artist Open Houses before having lunch at Due South, then we had to make a slight change to the itinerary as I had not allowed enough time for shopping or even for resting weary feet after walking all over our compact city. The trip was rounded off by dinner at English's, where we sat outside, there was a lady singing opera and we were bathed in moonlight eating delicious seafood and trying to get something edible out of the lobster shell. As one of the journalists commented it was rather like being in a film, and I had to agree it was rather idyllic. He also asked what I would tell my colleagues about the group, and I was able to truthfully say that they had been a lovely group, a really relaxed bunch who seemed to genuinely enjoy being in Brighton.

So there you have it, a hectic weekend of work but I am sure there are worse ways to earn a living :)

Charlotte

Brighton leading the way in sustainability

Someone told me a story yesterday about Stateside EcoMom parties.

Think groups of young mums, small pre-school kids under each arm, who meet every week to discuss how they can recycle what they throw out, compost what they don't. And, well, generally put the eco back into everyday. Surely there are worse ways to lower your carbon footprint than over mint tea grown from home made compost?

Until, that is, you step outside and trip over the 15 US versions of the Chelsea Tractor in the front yard.

Well, they have to get from their block 2 streets away SOMEHOW!

Hmmm, nice idea. But...

Ok, so maybe I've picked on the EcoMoms a bit, but it seems like being responsible environmentally can, like most things, be victim to the latest vogue. Which is why its so important to make things properly sustainable. People are definitely becoming more 'green' savvy. And whilst its great that people are starting to make changes in the home, research suggests 49% also take note of green aspects when making an actual buying decision. So it actually makes sound sense economically for businesses to 'go green'.

And this is what a lot of businesses in Brighton are starting to do really well, or indeed have been doing for a while. The recently opened Jury's Inn has combined style with sustainability and is one of the few hotels in the country to achieve an 'excellent' environmental assessment rating. The Brighton De Vere Grand was proven to be the most energy efficient of the hotels chosen last year by the 4 major political parties and many hotels and restaurants and sourcing local and organic produce over bulk supermarket fare.

Brighton has in fact been leading the way in sustainability for a while - the eco friendly Jubilee Library won a sustainability award in the Observer's Ethical Awards and the award winning city bus service uses some of the lowest emission diesel engines in the world. The city was also recently unveiled as top in the Sustainable Cities Index, as well as voted 'Green Capital of Britain' in recognition of the amount of organic food and recycled toilet paper residents buy.

So whilst small changes obviously can't hurt (unless 15 Chelsea Tractors are involved) its the long term strategies that take hold and make the big differencesa and I reckon Brighton is really starting to lead the way as a destination in the field of sustainability.

Sarah
VisitBrighton

Brighton Fringe City

Well first of all I must thank Hilary for writing her post as I am taking some journalists to see Stockholm on Saturday so I am now even more excited about it!

Anyway I just thought I would pick up on Hilary's post as I went along to Fringe City on Saturday, and I must say I think it's a fab idea. Each Saturday of the Fringe Festival, New Road, Jubilee Street and the Pavilion Gardens become the Fringe City and there are a number of stages so that people can get a taste of some of the events happening during May.

When we were there on Saturday there was some caberet but we mainly went down to see the bands playing, in particular two local favourites - Friday Night Hero and Educated Animals. They will be playing as part of a night called Brighton's Finest on May 23rd along with two other bands so I suggest you get down there as it should be a great night.

I thought it worked really well as a lot of time when skimming through the brochures you can think something sounds good but then be a bit wary about just booking it, so this way you can have a taster and see if you like it and who doens't love a bit of free entertainment?! Of course the weather helped and there was a great atmosphere, as it was busy but there was no bother as everyone was relaxed and happy.

I'm also pleased to see the Udderbelly is back as surely anyone who sees a giant upside down purple cow can't help but smile. So why not come and see for yourself and if you come down by First Capital Connect trains then you can also take advantage of our great offers

Charlotte

What a night! And what a weekend! Stockholm…

The Brighton Festival is up and running and the weather has been amazing. Saturday’s Children’s Parade took up most of the day with all the usual colour and noise from the many children who take to the streets for this annual event. Great fun!

But I want to elaborate on my Saturday night in Brighton. We arrived at about 7 pm and headed for the Corn Exchange. We entered New Road under a large banner proclaiming ‘Fringe City’ and were aware that a number of street performance acts were packing up for the night. The crowds were already milling about outside the Theatre Royal and the bench seats opposite the theatre were pretty full. Incidentally, on my way home later that night I discovered that there are small lights set in these benches that flash on and off giving quite a fairyland effect. A very attractive idea.

The weather was very pleasant and the crowds had spilled out of the pubs and sat at tables set out in this newly pedestrianised area which leads to the North Laine. Brighton really is the place to be if you want to spend the evening eating or drinking whilst soaking up the atmosphere. There’s nowhere quite like it.

And now we come to Stockholm. Well, I’m not going to spoil it for any of you that already have tickets. All I can say is “If you don’t have tickets, go get some”. It is one of the best pieces of theatre I’ve seen. It isn’t just a play, it’s an experience. The drama and movement are crafted together to produce something quite stunning. The story builds and the whole production builds with it. Speech, music, dance/movement, special effects – it’s really quite something. You won’t walk out and forget it. It leaves an impression.

It is certainly worth going to see and is definitely up to the usual Brighton Festival standard.

Hilary

Off gallivanting again...

Yes we were off out again earlier this week, and this time we had to squeeze two trips into one outing, what busy bees we are!

So first of all we trundled off to Kemp Town, well more precisely to Broad Street to see Nineteen which was one of the first boutique hotels to open up in Brighton. Walking in we all agreed that apart from having a tardis-like quality to the building, there was also a very welcoming atmosphere. Mark then explained to us the whole ethos behind Nineteen as Mark himself as a design background, so there are some unique features including lights under the bed, but the highlight has to in the downstairs bedroom which has it's own private courtyard with a massive hot tub with room for four to relax in and sip Champagne, fabulous. Another key feature is the high level of service Mark offers including on one occasion tracking down a restaurant which serves halal meat. To get a flavour of what Nineteen is like then take a look at their website: www.hotelnineteen.co.uk

After seeing Nineteen we then moved on to Bar 106 at the Hilton Brighton Metropole to attend the launch party for the Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival. This celebration of local food and drink will run from the 1st to the 30th September, as in previous years there will be the Fiery Food Festival and the Bar Idol contest to find the best bar tender in the city. But personally the highlight from last year's festival was the Taste of Sussex market on the newly pedestrianised New Road, so I'm very pleased to see that is back again and it looks like it will bigger as it will spread out into the Pavilion Gardens and Jubilee Square as well.

We enjoyed this event as not only did we get a couple of glasses of local Champagne but we also got to take part in a sausage taste test and vote for our favourite, although sadly what I felt was the tastiest sausage didn't win but it was good getting to try them all. The event was also attended by Aldo Zilli who was shamelessly promoting his new Cafe which recently opened in the myhotel and the full restaurant will be opening there in a couple of months time.

And it's not just Aldo Zilli as Jamie Oliver is soon to open a new restaurant and Norman Cook has also jumped on the bandwagon and just opened Okinami. All this and the Food Festival keeps getting bigger and better plus Terre a Terre were recently named the best vegetarian. Surely Brighton must be a food fanatics paradise!

Charlotte

The Festival is coming upon us said... The Lady of Patcham

Sorry folks! I couldn’t resist a bit of art and culture in today’s blog and being a bit of a Tennyson fan who loves The Lady of Shalott (to quote Charlotte “aren't the best jokes the ones that have to be explained?!”) I thought I’d remind you all that The Brighton Festival and Festival Fringe will be up and running from this Saturday 3 May.

To be honest, if you travel into Brighton by road today you can’t miss the fact. Passing Preston Park this morning on my way from our lovely Patcham village I noticed the posters for the Moscow State Circus which will be setting up shortly for their visit 8-20 May.

When you reach St Peter’s Church you’ll see that the Spiegeltent is well on the way to being completed. Yesterday, they just had a few planks up but by this morning the skeleton of the roof was visible. So what is the Famous Spiegeltent? Well it’s a pavilion used as a travelling dance hall, bar and entertainment salon which was created in the early 20th century. There are only a hand-full of these unique and legendary ‘tents of mirrors’ left in the world today. Built of wood, mirrors, canvas, leaded glass and detailed in velvet and brocade. The very essence of a festival club, ‘kabaret salon’ and intimate concert hall. You’ll find they’re hosting performances from the Fringe and The Great Escape music festival that’s also in town this month. Goodness! Isn’t there a lot to do in Brighton in May. Where do we start!

Travelling towards the beachfront I spotted another new construction going up and this was the tent for The Ladyboys of Bangkok. It’s their 10th Anniversary this year and once more they have returned to Brighton for the Festival. You’ll find them in Victoria Gardens.

And there’s even more. The Udderbelly is back with us in The Steine as part of The Fringe for the second time. You’ll find comedy, theatre and lots more in the tent. It’s really taking shape and looks almost ready for their opening.

As I said “Where do we start?” Well, I’ll be starting on Saturday night with a performance at the Corn Exchange called ‘Stockholm’.

Can’t wait…

Hilary

Ooo, look - I'm such a sucker for whirly widget type things.

Amazon have recently created a new widget that lets you put your fav Amazon products into a carousel, so we've put some of our top Brighton related picks into the widget below. Everything from music from Brighton kings of cool - the Kooks, to film classic Quadrophenia. And if you're fed up of always landing on Old Kent Road in Monopoly, why not check out the Brighton edition?

We've got lots more Brighton related goodies in our online shop.
Sarah
VisitBrighton