A selection of Sussex events to enjoy over the course of November
31 October to 8 November - Hay Fever By Noel Coward
7.45pm. The Blisses are by any measure a tad eccentric and avant-garde. Without mentioning it to each other David Bliss, his wife Judith and their adult children Simon and Sorel each invite a weekend guest to stay. Their intentions are mischievous.Misunderstandings and tempers flare as Judith’s new flame and David’s newest literary “inspiration” keep company. The children and their own amours follow suit and the Bliss family’s quiet weekend inevitability comes to an exhausting and hilarious finale. Sunday Matinee 2.30pm. Tickets: £9 (final Friday/Saturday £10), Tuesday £8.
New Venture Theatre, Brighton: 01273 746118
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1 November - Peter and the Wolf
Chamber House Winds.
11.30am and 2.30pm. A rare opportunity for young children to enjoy their first piece of orchestral music in this entertaining and intimate family concert. Chamber House Winds and narrator Jonathan Butcher introduce us to Prokofiev’s classic composition and the wind family of instruments – with the help of a very long hosepipe and some rather fetching headpieces. Tickets: £7, Family ticket £24. Age: five plus.
Studio Theatre, Brighton: 01273 709709
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1 November - Pink Martini
8pm. Somewhere between a 1930s Cuban dance orchestra, a classical chamber music ensemble, a Brazilian marching street band and Japanese film noir is the 12-piece Pink Martini. The show features original Pink Martini vocalist China Forbes and support from very special guests The von Trapps, the great grandchildren of Maria and Georg von Trapp. Tickets: £25.50, £28.50.
Brighton Dome, Brighton: 01273 709709
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1-2 November - Hastings Herring Fair
Presented by the Fishermen of Hastings Herring Fleet. Stalls over the two days will showcase herring cookery, pickling and smoking skills. Talks, films, musical entertainment and exhibitions will feature in and around the Stade Open Space.
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2 November - Brighton Veteran Car Run
Organised by the Royal Automobile Club, the 2014 Bonhams Veteran Car Run is open to all cars manufactured before 1905 – making the youngest 109 years old. The event is a moving history show, with pioneering motoring names such as Mors, Panhard, Darracq and Daimler to the fore.
This year’s Run will leave Hyde Park and pass under Wellington Arch before driving past Buckingham Palace and down The Mall through St James’s Park at the start of the 60-mile trip to Brighton.
The official and ceremonial finishes, at Brighton’s Preston Park and Madeira Drive respectively, are also popular viewing posts.
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5 November - Lewes Bonfire Night
Lewes Bonfire Night is the UK’s largest bonfire night celebration. There will be torchlit processions through the town, followed by bonfire and firework displays on the surrounding hills, organised by the various local bonfire societies.
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6 November - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Laura van der Heijden.
7.30pm. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be joined by young local star, cellist Laura van der Heijden, the 2012 BBC Young Musician. The evening will feature:
• Glinka Overture Ruslan and Ludmila
• Elgar Cello Concerto
• Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, Pathétique
Tickets: £30.95; The Hawth, Crawley: 01293 553636
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8 November to 18 January - The Royal Pavilion Ice Rink at the Royal Pavilion’s Eastern Lawns, Brighton
The 800-square metre rink has space for 250 skaters per session, with a beginners’ area, penguin skate aids and skate sizes from very young children to adult. There’s no charge for spectating for those who prefer to sit and soak up the atmosphere in the stunning rinkside Bar and Kitchen.
Ice skating tickets cost from £10 for adults (aged 12 and over) and £7 for juniors (children under 12) and the one-hour skate times run from 10am-10.15pm daily. Club Rinkidinks (10am-11am daily) offers children under five the chance to skate for free when accompanied onto the ice by an adult paying full price. There are also season tickets for those who want to learn to skate (check website for details) and great concessions for students.
For more information and tickets visit: www.royalpavilionicerink.co.uk
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8 November - Bonfire Night
Ghyll Manor, Rusper, near Horsham
Celebrate Bonfire Night at Ghyll Manor’s brilliant bonfire and fireworks display. Later, enjoy some lovely food with plenty of mulled wine and hot chocolate on offer, so you can relax in the cosy lounge in front of the roaring log fire.
Tickets: Adult £8; Child £4; Family £20 (two adults and two children).
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9 November - A Night at the Opera
The Birley Centre, Eastbourne
7.30pm-10pm. A unique opportunity to enjoy world-class opera by the talented principal singers from the renowned Opera Holland Park season. The evening will feature a variety of popular arias.
This event is raising funds for Hearing Link, a charity supporting people struggling to cope with the practical, emotional and psychological impact of hearing loss. Tickets £35, which includes a welcome drink and canapés. Special hotel packages are also available; please enquire. For more information and tickets, tel: 0300 111 1113 or visit www.hearinglink.org/opera
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13-16 November - Petworth Literary Festival 2014
Past authors have included Antonia Fraser, Anthony Beevor, The Countess of Carnarvon and Con Coughlin.
Book tickets online or tel: 01798 344576.
For more information visit www.petworthfestival.org.uk
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15 November - Firewalk
Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy
The seventh Firewalk of the Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy is being held at the Holbrook Club, North Heath Lane, Horsham.
The challenge is a really hot one! Walking across 20 foot of 800-degree coals is no mean feat but you get training beforehand, which is inspirational and huge fun and you will never forget the experience. A £30 deposit is required and includes a bowl of chilli, rice and nachos or veggie option, with minimum further sponsorship of £25.
Minimum age 16 to take part.
For further information contact Rosie, Regional Fundraiser, tel: 01403 780444 or email rosie.wyer@dvltrust.org.uk
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15-16 November - Weald & Downland Christmas Market
10.30am-4pm. This bustling Christmas Market is located in and around the Museum’s historic buildings, with over 130 stands selling arts, crafts, food, unusual gifts and much more.
As well as the craft and trade stands, there will be hot chestnuts to ward off the winter chill, and other tasty seasonal treats to sample and buy, including a delicious hog roast and festive music around the site. Visitors will also enjoy meeting the Museum’s working horses and visiting donkeys that will be on site throughout the weekend. Reduced entry for all.
Weald & Downland Museum, Chichester: 01243 811363
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16 November - Fascinating Aïda
Charm Offensive.
7pm. Dillie Keane, Adele Anderson and Liza Pulman continue to celebrate over 30 years of Fascinating Aïda with their terrific new show Charm Offensive. Expect topical new songs hot off the press, plus some outrageous old favourites. Tickets: £20.50.
Pavilion Theatre, Worthing: 01903 206206
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16 November - John Cooper Clarke
7pm. British performance poet John Cooper Clarke is as vital now as he was in the 70s. His biting, satirical, political and humorous verse, delivered at a rapid pace, resonated with the punk movement. Today his influence can be heard through a wide cross-section of popular culture. Tickets: £23.90-£44.90.
Theatre Royal, Brighton: 0844 871 7677
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16 November - Sussex Wildlife Trust
Winter Birds at the Beach Reserve
10.30am-1pm. Following the arrival of all manner of winged winter visitors, November is the perfect opportunity to join Sussex Wildlife Trust for a bracing walk at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. One of Sussex Wildlife Trust’s flagship reserves, this special coastal habitat attracts a spectacular variety of birds to gather and feed. From wildfowl to waders and finches to raptors, there should be something to take your breath away.
Meet at Rye Harbour car park, no booking is necessary, and donations are appreciated.
For further information tel: 01797 227784 or visit www.WildRye.info/dates
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17 November - Allegri String Quartet
Music@Ardingly, Ardingly College, Haywards Heath
7.30pm in the Chapel. The Allegri Quartet is one of Britain’s finest and oldest chamber groups.
Their programme will include quartets by Beethoven and Shostakovich and Dvor?a?k’s Piano Quintet in A major with Ardingly’s Head of Keyboard.
Adults £16, concession £13. Tickets tel: 01444 893230 or visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/musicatardingly
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21-23 November - MADE Brighton
Corn Exchange, Brighton
MADE Brighton showcases more than 100 makers and designers; from unique glassware to luxurious textiles, functional ceramics to dazzling jewellery, beautiful furniture to quirky accessories, there is something for everyone. Work is priced between £10 and £1,500, providing the perfect opportunity to Christmas shop for unique gifts.
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22-23 November - Christmas Fair
Petworth House and Park
10.30am-3.30pm. Petworth House’s Christmas Fair is a seasonal family tradition for thousands of visitors. Now in its ninth year, it hosts more than 120 artisans’ stalls and a huge variety of gifts. From unique jewellery and luxury home accessories to delicious jams and handmade chocolates, the fair provides the perfect opportunity to purchase all your Christmas presents under one roof, including many gifts that you won’t see on the high street. Entry: £5 (including National Trust members), children free.
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6 December - The Snowman Spectacular Fundraising Ball
In association with Raymond Briggs, Chestnut Tree House presents The Snowman Spectacular Fundraising Ball at the Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel, 7pm.
Can you offer auction and raffle prizes for this year’s Snowman Spectacular Ball? If you would like to get involved and help your local children’s hospice, we would love to hear from you. Contact: 01903 871 821 or email: Snowman@chestnut-tree-house.org.uk. For more information visit www.thesnowmanspectacular.org.uk
The Ball has proved popular again this year and is currently sold out. However, there is a waiting list so please register your interest by contacting the organisers.
