Our guide to the best events in and around Sussex. Edited by Erica Gilbert
ART
The Third Paradise: The Labyrinth and the Well by Michelangelo Pistoletto - Now until 29 August
Fabrica, Brighton
For its summer 2016 exhibition Fabrica in Brighton will be working with renowned Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto to present The Third Paradise: The Labyrinth and the Well.
Christopher Wood: Sophisticated Primitive - Now Until 2 October
Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
An influential figure in the British art world during the 1920s, Wood developed a faux-naïve style as he navigated a path between the representational painting of the Edwardian era and the abstraction of the 1930s.
Anthony Frost: Beyond Cool - 6-29 August
Zimmer Stewart Art Gallery, Arundel
The gallery welcomes back established Cornish abstract artist Anthony Frost.
A Year on the River Ouse (Sussex) - 27-29 August
Lewes House, School Hill, Lewes
Noon-5pm. A unique collaboration between Sussex painter Susie Monnington, who launches new collection of paintings Moods of the Ouse and BBC Springwatch Steve Homewood presenting underwater photographs of the annual mullet spectacle on the same river. Private view: 25 August 6pm-8pm at Dairy Studio, Old Malling Farm, Lewes or by appointment by calling 07790 556420.
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MUSIC AND THEATRE
Half a Sixpence - Until 3 September
Festival Theatre, Chichester: 01243 781312
The British musical adaptation of H.G. Wells’s novel Kipps: The Story Of A Simple Soul, based on the author’s unhappy apprenticeship as a draper at Hyde’s Drapery Emporium in Southsea. This new stage version is a fresh adaptation by Julian Fellowes, Oscar-winning screenwriter and creator of Downton Abbey. Tickets from £10.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream - 11-28 August
Glyndebourne, near Lewes
Peter Hall’s spellbinding production is a revival of the 1981 Festival production. Step into a dreamworld where calamitous love potions are used to devastating effect on a mad midsummer’s night. Spells are cast, flowers come alive and trees whisper and dance as a huge cast of lovers, fairies and rustics find their worlds colliding with riotous consequences. Tickets: £15-£230.
Much Ado About Nothing - 21 August
Nymans, Haywards Heath
6.30-8.30pm. In the 400th anniversary year of William Shakespeare’s death, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men perform Shakespeare’s sparkling, battle-of-the-sexes comedy, Much Ado About Nothing. The funny, moving and fast-paced production of one of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies is performed by an all-male cast, with Elizabethan costume, music and dance. Gates open at 5.30pm for picnics. Tickets: adults £15, children £8.
0844 249 1895
No Man’s Land - 22-27 August
Theatre Royal, Brighton: 0844 871 7650
7.45pm. Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart reunite on stage in Harold Pinter’s masterpiece. One summer evening, two ageing writers, Hirst and Spooner, meet in a Hampstead pub and continue their drinking into the night at Hirst’s stately house nearby. As the pair become increasingly inebriated, and their stories more unbelievable, the lively conversation soon turns into a revealing power game, further complicated by the return home of two sinister younger men.
Thurs and Sat matinees 2.30pm. Tickets: £25-£90
Cats - 22-27 August
Congress Theatre, Eastbourne: 01323 412000
7.30pm. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking 2015 Olivier Award-nominated musical returns to Eastbourne. On one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball where Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, makes the Jellicle choice and announces which of them will go up to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.
Thurs and Sat matinees 2.30pm. Tickets: £18.50-£37.50
That National Youth Ballet Company - 26-27 August
The Hawth, Crawley: 01293 553636
7.30pm. The company visits The Hawth for the first time with their inspirational 30th anniversary production. From classical ballet to musical theatre and exciting new works by creative emerging choreographers, supported by the National Youth Ballet Beyond Ballet platform, this is a must see show.
Programme includes excerpts from classic story The Water Babies, new works, a touch of the 1920s, the jazz age and rock ‘n’ roll.
Matinee 2.30pm. Tickets: £20, child £14
Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival - 26-29 August
One of the UK’S best boutique musical festivals offering variety and intimacy in the historical town of Rye. The festival features a range of outstanding professional concerts including Mica Paris, Liane Carroll and Joe Stilgoe. Music genres include jazz, blues, soul, R&B, funk, Latin and world music.
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OUT AND ABOUT
Brighton Pride Dog Show - 31 July
Preston Park, Brighton
A day of fun and barking frolics, as dogs and dog lovers come together and shine with Pride. In association with Coastway Vets, the Pride Dog show will feature awards for numerous categories, retail stalls, a glamorous catwalk doggy fashion show, bar and refreshments.
www.brighton-pride.org/category/events/dogshow
Brighton Racecourse Festival of Racing - 3-5 August
Brighton Racecourse, Brighton
The festival gallops off on 3 August with the Brighton Mile, Brighton Racecourse’s richest race of the year, followed by the hugely popular Frost Ladies’ Day and the Brighton Challenge Cup race on 4 August and the famous Brighton Bullet race bringing the Festival to a thundering crescendo on 5 August.
Tickets start from £16 when booked online in advance, children under 18 go free.
Brighton & Hove Pride Weekend - 5-7 August
Brighton Pride 2016 is set to be the biggest yet with a dazzling array of artists, performers and DJs coming together for a stunning Carnival Of Diversity. The fundraising spectacular celebrates LGBT+ Pride in the city with a record-breaking Community Pride Parade and festival in Brighton’s Preston Park on Saturday 6 August with Sister Sledge, Carly Rae Jepsen, Fleur East and Alesha Dixon among the confirmed artists.
Plus there is the return of the two-day Pride Village Party in Kemp Town and the all new Pride Pleasure Gardens across the Old Steine and Victoria Gardens.
Chilli Fiesta - 5-7 August
West Dean Gardens, near Chichester
One of the original and biggest chilli festivals in the UK, West Dean Gardens’ award-winning Chilli Fiesta, is now in its 21st year. Chilli Fiesta is a hot weekend destination this summer as sizzling Cuban, Latin and salsa bands line up to perform over a three-day programme. Join the party and dance to live Latin music, watch cookery and gardening demonstrations and taste delicious chilli-inspired foods. The family-friendly festival has camping onsite. Fri/Sat 10am-11pm, Sun until 9pm.
The Loxwood Joust - 6-7 and 13-14 August
Loxwood Meadow, Loxwood, West Sussex
10am-6pm. Step back in time and experience the verve and vigour of a world where lives were harsh and hearts were passionate at this fun and educational day out for all the family.
Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow - 11-14 August
10am-6pm. Celebrating more than a century of flying with the return of the Flying Fortress and a large scale World War I air display at this year’s free show along Eastbourne seafront. The historic line-up joins the RAF Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, King Air and the skyscraping Typhoon.
Sheffield Park and Garden Outdoor Cinema - 12-13 August
Friday: The Innocents (12A) - Shot on location in the house and garden at Sheffield Park, this 1961 film is one of the best psychological thrillers of all time.
Saturday: Spectre (12A) - The 24th Bond blockbuster is jam-packed with action.
Firle Vintage Fair - 13-14 August
Firle Park, East Sussex BN8 6LP
10am-5pm. Firle Vintage Fair celebrates the beauty and antiquities of the past. Featuring cherry-picked vintage and antique stalls plus original 1880 Victoriana fair-rides and croquet games. Complimenting the countryside location this year the fair has flower crown workshops, talks on Sussex beekeeping and wild food workshops. Foodies can enjoy the very best artisan food and beverages with iced sloe gins from Gin & Bear It and a champagne bar on the lawns. Live entertainment throughout the weekend including a Lost Bohemia fashion catwalk and swing jazz bands, plus a wonderful collection of vintage and classic cars.
Entrance pre-booked £5/on the door £7. Children under 10 free. Vintage bus from pick-up point at Lewes Bus Station every 30 minutes. Return ticket and entrance fee £10.
Arundel Festival - 20-29 August
Arundel Festival offers music, drama and art for all. Residents and traders come together as one to promote the best that Arundel has to offer with hundreds of individual events.
Sussex Wildlife Trust - 2-29 August
Sussex Wildlife Trust is running a series of free events to encourage people of all ages to get outside and enjoy the fine summer weather.
Join one of the Shoresearch events at Saltdean or Eastbourne to help identify and record animals, plants and habitats along the Sussex shoreline to help promote their conservation. Visit Rye Harbour nature reserve to collect treasures along the seashore, create a dreamcatcher or beach sculpture.
Enjoy a circular walk through the Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Graffham Common heathland nature reserve near Petworth, and look out for woodlark or tree pipit. Or explore Ashcombe Bottom, a wonderful hidden combe on the South Downs near Lewes.
Various dates and times. All these events are free, but any donations to Sussex Wildlife Trust appreciated.
www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/whatson
August Weekend - 26-28 August
Goodwood Racecourse, near Chichester
This enchanting 1950s-themed August Bank Holiday weekend rekindles the nostalgic summer holidays of yesteryear to create the ultimate family day out.
Entertainment available includes live music and traditional fairground rides, as well as a spectacular fireworks display set to music on the Friday night.
Shoreham Riverfest - 27-29 August
Shoreham River Fest takes place at venues across Shoreham. The opening party is on Coronation Green on Friday night, with dragon boat racing on the Sunday, a river swim and food and music at various locations.
Forest Fun Days at Wakehurst Place - 31 August and 1 September
10.45am–3pm (4–11 years). A forest-school experience featuring den building, campfire cookery, woodland crafts and wild play - all in Wakehurst’s beautiful woodland. Cost: £30 (£27 Friends of Wakehurst). Snacks and hot drinks will be provided, but please bring a packed lunch.
