A selection of things to do and events to enjoy across the county this month
• 11 things to do this half term in Sussex - Don’t let rain stop play this February – get out and about and enjoy everything that Sussex has to offer
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Snowdrop time in Sussex - National Trust
Snowdrops traditionally herald the end of winter and provide welcome assurance that the brighter days of spring are on their way.
For that first glimpse of spring in Sussex, from late January to early March, beautiful displays of snowdrops start to appear at Nymans and Petworth House. Tearooms and shops are open at the properties in February. House opening dates and times vary. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
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4 February - A Very British Murder
With Lucy Worsley
7.30pm. An illustrated tour through the dark story of our fascination with murder with Lucy Worsley, a renowned historian and Chief Curator at the charity Historic Royal Palaces. She’ll examine some notorious crimes and criminals, but also explain how murder became a form of middle-class entertainment through novels, plays, paintings and the press. Tickets: £16, Concessions £14.
Connaught Theatre, Worthing: 01903 206206
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4-8 February - West Side Story
Brighton Theatre Group Youth
7.30pm. Hot on the heels of their phenomenal production of Grease last year, Brighton Theatre Group Youth (BTGY) is proud to present another show-stopping musical, this time set against a backdrop of clashing street gangs in America: West Side Story is perhaps the greatest musical ever written.
The show, billed as a musical version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, remains true to Shakespeare’s work, where love and tragedy mirror one another leading to heartbreak for two warring families. BTGY has engaged a West End orchestra for this production conducted by Simon Pickering. Matinees 2.30pm 5, 7, 8 February. Tickets: £16.50, £22.50. Concessions available.
Corn Exchange, Brighton: 01273 709709
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5-14 February - The King’s Speech
The King’s Speech is the true and heart-warming story of a greatly loved royal family who took this nation through its darkest hour. Starring Jason Donovan as Lionel Logue (see our interview with him here) and Raymond Coulthard as King George VI. Monday-Saturday evenings 7.30pm, matinees 2.30pm 7, 12, 14 February. Tickets: £14-£35. Concessions available.
Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester: 01243 781312
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8 February - Curtis Stigers
Multi-platinum selling singer, saxophonist, producer and songwriter Curtis Stigers has performed and recorded with artists including Eric Clapton, Elton John, Prince, Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker, George Benson and The Allman Brothers Band. Since 2001 Curtis has pursued a career as a first-class jazz singer. Tickets: £29.50.
The Capitol, Horsham: 01403 750220
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8 February - Pooches on the Prom
The Martlets Hospice
The Martlets Hospice is looking for four-legged friends and their walkers to join their sponsored dog walk. Pooches are asked to raise as much sponsorship as they can. Every penny raised will help provide vital end of life care for patients and their families.
Registration is £5; the walk starts at 11am at Hove Lawns Café and runs to the pier and back.
For many patients, having their pets visit them at the hospice makes a huge difference to their well-being, and it’s just one of the ways The Martlets Hospice helps patients live well.
For more information visit www.themartlets.org.uk
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11 February - Hats and Heels
The Martlets Hospice
A fabulous new event for fashion lovers featuring all styles of handbags, hats and shoes for sale and auction. Pop along in the afternoon to grab a bargain or make a night of it and come along with friends in the evening and enjoy a glass of wine while shopping. Prices to suit all purses. 2.30-5pm or 6.30-9pm.
Long Room, Sussex County Cricket Club, Eaton Road, Hove.
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12 February-17 February - Hastings Fat Tuesday
Hastings Fat Tuesday is all about appreciating the local music scene, having a good time and raising some money for local charities.
In the five years since its inception, Hastings Fat Tuesday has rapidly become one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the East Sussex coastal town’s busy cultural calendar. It has now grown into a fully-fledged five-day music festival.
Featuring pop-up performances across a series of Old Town venues and a massive Mardi Gras party. All types of funk/soul/rock/blues/jazz/Latin music played. New Orleans-style umbrella parade on the Sunday afternoon along the seafront and through the Old Town. Fancy dress a must.
For more information, visit www.hastingsfattuesday.co.uk
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14 February - Valentine’s Dinner
Bodiam Castle, Robertsbridge
6-6.30 pm. Enjoy a glass of champagne a in the castle followed by a romantic candlelit dinner in the Wharf tearoom.
Tickets £30 per person.
Booking: 01580 831324.
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15 February - Katherine Jenkins
7pm. Cherished as one of Britain’s favourite singers, Welsh mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins has achieved meteoric success as the world’s most prolific classical crossover artist. Katherine’s Home Sweet Home tour will see her perform tracks from her new album as well as favourites featured throughout her extraordinary career. Tickets: £31.50-£57.
Concert Hall, The Dome, Brighton: 01273 709709
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20 February - Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel
SO Comedy
8pm. Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel is a comedy play spun in the inimitable style of Jane Austen – and based entirely on audience suggestions. Tickets: £14, Concessions available.
The Old Market, Hove: 01273 201801
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20-21 February - Arthur’s Dream Boat
Long Nose Puppets
11am and 2pm. This magical story with enchanting puppets and imagination will make you want to sail away in your very own dreamboat. Ages three to seven years and families. Tickets £10. Children under 16 £8.
Minerva Theatre, Chichester: 01243 781312
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20-22 February - Modelworld 2015
10am-5pm. The Brighton Centre will again be crammed, inside and out, with attractions ranging from a full-size World War One Traction Engine, Field Gun and Living Van in steam, to the smallest detail of a shoebox-sized doll’s house and live steam engines providing train rides inside the main hall. The dreaded Daleks from the BBC series Dr Who will also be there!
Tickets available from the Box Office.
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20-28 February - The Private Ear and Black Comedy
7.45pm. The Private Ear: Bob has a big date with Doreen, the Perfect Woman. Not knowing much about entertaining, he has brought ladies’ man Ted along to act as cook and moral support. Doreen though is not all she seems. What could possibly go wrong?
Black Comedy: Brindsley, a poor sculptor who hopes to sell some pieces to a millionaire art collector, also intends to ask for his fianceé’s hand in marriage. The evening is set when his neighbour returns home unexpectedly, another neighbour joins them, and Clea, Brindsley’s ex, turns up. All of this in the dark. Sunday matinee 2.30pm. No performances on Monday.
New Venture Theatre, Brighton: 01273 746118
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21 February - Brighton Chocolate Walking Tour
The Brighton Chocolate Walking Tour is a fantastic way to visit the best places for chocolate with an expert guide. The emphasis is on having fun while eating melt-in-the-mouth chocolates and absorbing a little local history.
The Brighton Chocolate Walking Tour involves a gentle walk of around a mile. The tour will run at 10am and costs £33. All sampling in-store and transport to Hove is included in the ticket price.
Meeting point 103 Gloucester Road, BN1 4AP. For more information visit www.chocolateecstasytours.com/brighton-chocolate-tour
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21 February-1 March - Rye Bay Scallop Week
Rye Bay Scallop Week in Rye, East Sussex offers the perfect opportunity to indulge in seafood delights. Local restaurants will be showcasing an array of different scallop dishes. There will also be scallop events including tasting events, cookery schools and demonstrations, live music and more.
For more information visit www.scallop.org.uk
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22 February - Britten Oboe Quartet
Elgar Andante and Allegro
Lutyens Oboe Quartet Op. 81, ‘Driving Out the Death’
Mozart Adagio for Cor Anglais and String Trio K580a
Britten Fantasy Quartet in F minor Op. 2
Oliver Knussen Cantata
Lennox Berkeley String Trio Op. 19
Mozart Oboe Quartet in F major, K370/368b
11am. The members of the Britten Oboe Quintet are all colleagues and co-principals from the Britten Sinfonia, one of the country’s most brilliant and innovative orchestras. This programme displays to perfection their adventurousness and their virtuosity, with a mixture of the classic and the contemporary that intertwines Mozart with a host of British masters.
Tickets: £18.50. Corn Exchange, Brighton: 01273 709709
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23-24 February - Cirque Berserk
Combining contemporary circus skills with thrilling stunt action, Cirque Berserk is a danger-filled spectacle that will amaze audiences of all ages.
Presenting the world’s most dangerous circus act, seen for the first time live on stage in the UK, the legendary Globe of Death (three motorcyclists speeding around inside a steel cage at over 60mph), plus a troupe of over 30 jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, musicians and death-defying stunt men are joined by Guinness World Record-holding strong man Hercules and award-winning clown Tweedy. Times vary Tickets: £15-£25, Children £10.
White Rock Theatre, Hastings: 01424 462288
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26 February - Milton Jones and the Temple of Daft
8pm. An evening in the company of an idiot. Or is he? Yes he is. Only come if you like jokes though. If not you’ll be cross. Tickets: £25.50.
The Hawth, Crawley: 01293 553636
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Wildlife Rangers
Sussex Wildlife Trust
10am-3pm. If you are interested in nature and helping wildlife, then Sussex Wildlife Trust’s outdoor exploration group for 12 to 16-year-olds is for you. Weekly Wildlife Ranger sessions run throughout the school holidays, so why not come along this half term to Stanmer Park, Brighton (Tuesday 17 February) or Tilgate Park, Crawley (Friday 20 February)?
Typical activities include opportunities to find out about wildlife, trees and plants, learn identification skills, and have a go at nature photography. Discover how to help manage important habitats to meet the needs of our local dormice, slow worms and butterflies. Cost is £10 per session. For more information visit www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk and click ‘Get Involved’.
