Brighton Entertainment

Boasting a great variety of entertainment venues, Brighton has something for everyone. With comedy at the Brighton Komedia, world music, opera and ballet at the Brighton Dome, jazz at the Joogleberry, top acts at the Brighton Centre and pre-West End shows at the Theatre Royal, youll never want for something to do.

Nightlife

As soon as the sun goes down, Brightons nightlife kicks into gear. From dusk to dawn, seven days a week, the city is breathing with theatre goers, film fans, dancers, clubbers and party animals. Brighton is home to one of the most pulsating clubbing cultures in Britain outside of London, easily challenging Leeds and Manchester. There are several pre-club bars to kick off your big night out around The Lanes and near the seafront, including The Fishbowl, Ali-Cats, The Prodigal and The Western. If youre still in the mood, a visit to Kings Road Arches down by the beach is in order. Alternatively, West Street stretches down from the Clock Tower in the city centre. The vibe on West Street is mainly young and populist, whereas Kings Road Arches pulls in the more discerning clubber. Event II in West Street hosts major gigs as well as massive club nights and roving road shows. The Zap at Kings Road Arches is probably Brightons most famous club, playing weekly host to the DJ club cultures foremost spinners. Just down from the Zap is The Beach, another magnet for the big name vinyl spinners, while the Honeyclub, down at the other end of the beach strip puts on well-attended nights of pumping club anthems.

Theatre and music

Brighton is home to a thriving theatre scene, from the big West End shows to experimental cutting edge theatre. For bigger performances, the Theatre Royal is the place to see Oscar Wilde, Shakespeare and even Ben Elton. Komedia, the Pavilion Theatre, the Sallis Benney, the Corn Exchange and the Gardner Arts Centre also stage nationally applauded performances as well as shows just breaking through. Lots of smaller and more locally based drama can be found at the Little Theatre, New Venture Theatre, Marlborough Theatre, Ray Tindle Centre or the Sussex Arts Club. The Gardner Arts Centre is a modern theatre located on the campus of Sussex University, a few miles northeast of town in Falmer.

Theres a vibrant music scene, with regular showcases every month called Brighton Rocks. The Concorde 2 features booming indie-based sound, while the hip-hop crew is drawn to venues such as The Freebutt and Sussex Arts Club. Bigger concerts are held at Brighton Centre, a 5,000-seat facility featuring mainly pop-music shows, as well as at Event II. For classical music, theres the Brighton Dome, St Barts Church, the Old Market Theatre, Sallis Benney Theatre, St Peters Church, the Pavilion Theatre and Glyndebourne (near Lewes). The best in classical orchestras can be enjoyed around the time of the Brighton Festival in May.

Festivals

There are several annual festivals that are unique to the city, with highlights including:

• The popular Brighton Festival (May) is held over three weeks. Thousands of people take part in the events, which include concerts, many theatrical performances, lively parades, street entertainers and dancing events, most of which are hosted by some of Brightons foremost venues, including the Brighton Corn Exchange and the Theatre Royal.
• The Lewes Guitar Festival (August) takes place in the Lewes area of Brighton and includes several lunchtime events such as guitar concerts performed by top-notch musicians, workshops and musical events.
• The UK Jewish Film Festival (October) is held over two weeks. The Duke of York cinema and other smaller cinemas screen many popular films celebrating Jewish life and culture.
• Herstmonceux Castle Medieval Festival (August) is in fact the UKs largest medieval festival of its kind. Held in the atmospheric Brighton Castle, east of central Brighton, the Herstmonceux Castle Medieval Festival features music, knights, archery events, refreshments, market stalls and more.
• The Brighton National Speed Trials (September) are held in Brightons Kemp Town area. A popular annual event, it features various kinds of cars and vehicles, attracting crowds of spectators.
• The Ellipse is located in central Brighton, on Brightons waterfront. This huge, outdoor venue is host to numerous exciting events and festivals all through the year, including live entertainment such as concerts, radio events, dancing, demonstrations and exhibitions.