What WAS on - West Pier

From the Brighton Herald for 2nd. February 1918:-

A little Pavilion music . .

Brighton's answer to BandAid

Elderly legends such as Disco Pete and Dancing Ann have teamed up with local celebrities to release a Christmas tune.

Brighton Phil. appeal

The Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra has launched an urgent fundraising campaign to raise £70,000 to enable it to meet payment commitments and present the 2013-14 season. Founded in 1925 by Herbert Menges, the orchestra, which relies solely on donations and ticket sales, has seen a reduction in the number of legacies received over the past few years.

‘Orchestras everywhere, indeed the arts in general, are facing interesting challenges during the economic circumstances in which we are placed, but I am hopeful that with your support, we will survive the current situation, and emerge stronger as a result,’ said BPO music director Barry Wordsworth.

If you are able to donate please contact Brighton Philharmonic on 01273 622900, or mail@brightonphil.org.uk, or send any cheques made payable to Brighton and Hove Philharmonic Society to 41, George Street, Brighton, BN2 1RJ by 17th August.

Five-string banjo

Dave Hum, a class act playing at what used to be the end of Upper Russell Street. That was before nearby Churchill Square was built. The large open space in front of the Churchill Square shops is private property, hence the popularity of this particular spot, on the nearby public highway, with street entertainers.  

Dave's playing could be heard from way up Dyke Road. Call me unsophisticated by I find the sound of a 5-string banjo, expertly played, irresistible. . .

Dave's website:-
http://www.davehum.com/

I do like to be beside the seaside . .

A Festival Fringe concert at St.Bartholomews church. Now in its 8th year. Not to be missed . . .

The Forty Part Motet

Currently in the Fabrica, Duke St. you can experience Thomas Tallis's polyphonal masterpiece,"Spem in Alium", as you never have before. Each of the forty voices is assigned to a separate speaker arranged in a oval. You can sit at the focus of a universe of sound or wander about and listen to each voice at random. What this year's installation lacks in visual stimulus it more than makes up for in originality and aural impact. Although a relatively simple idea its implementation must have required considerable technical expertise.

"Spem in Alium" is also being sung live by the Purcell Singers. 10pm, 15th May at St. Bartholomew's Church.

Brighton Festival 2011

Brighton Festival this year will celebrate themes of freedom of expression, liberty and the power of the individual voice in society, with  Aung San Suu Kyi as the Guest Director, presumably in a largely symbolic role.

The programme to be launched on 23rd February includes events ranging from a newly co-commissioned work by Turkish artist Kutluğ Ataman, to a revival of the acclaimed site-specific theatre commission 'The New World Order' by theatre company Hydrocracker, based on Pinter’s political plays.  Aung San Suu Kyi’s passion for Western classical music has also been reflected right across the programme and includes Beethoven’s powerful hymn to freedom Fidelio, in a concert performance with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, conducted by Adam Fischer.

Highlights of the books and debate programme include: a discussion entitled ‘Article 19’ on 'Freedom of Information' and the 'Right to Know' with Julian Assange (this seems quite a coup);  Peter Taylor the BBC investigative journalist and author of Talking to Terrorists; Izzeldin Abuelaish, author of I Shall Not Hate; a debate on ‘The Future of Burma’: and an event with International PEN and Jericho House Theatre Co. called ‘Writing Freedom’.

Carols at the Bandstand

Brighton's historic seafront bandstand will be holding a carol concert on Saturday December 11 from 4pm to 5pm.

The Salvation Army Band will be playing on the ornate Victorian bandstand, which was restored to its former glory last year by Brighton & Hove City Council.

The free event promises to get the festive season underway in resounding style.

Since the restoration of the Grade II listed structure was completed it has become an increasingly popular venue for a variety of events, from weddings and civil partnerships to concerts, poetry readings and dance sessions. The above photo shows the Patcham Silver Band playing at the opening ceremony.

Council leader Mary Mears said:  "We restored the bandstand so we could have lovely community events like this. It should be a rather magical occasion and help inject some welcome tradition into the hubub of Christmas shopping."

Winter Warmer at the Pepperpot

Mendelssohn's Elijah

On Saturday, November 27th. at All Saints Church, Hove the excellent Brighton Orpheus Choir will be performing Mendelssohn's Elijah with a full orchestra and young professional soloists. This should be a really good sing of Mendelssohn's second oratorio. It has been extremely popular ever since its first performance in 1842, but hasn't been heard in Brighton for several years.

Over its 68 years of existence the Brighton Orpheus Choir has often arranged for a collection to support local or national charities, to which the audience and choir members have given generously. These have recently included Children in Need, Shelter,  RNLI and a Rwandan charity, Solace Ministries. At the forthcoming concert it has opted to nominate the very local Brighton, Hove & District Samaritans for the retiring collection.


The local branch of the Samaritans celebrated its 40th anniversary just a few years ago. It has, over these years, become a very busy branch, and now has over 150 volunteers providing confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. It receives of the order of 40,000 contacts per year via phone, email, SMS and personal visits. 

A "Copper" plaque

In Rottingdean this morning the City Mayor unveiled a plaque at 1 Challoner Cottages, Rottingdean, the old family home of the famous singing Copper family.  James 'Brasser' Copper, d.1924, and his brother Thomas, were honorary members of the English Dance & Folk Song Society, founded 1898. James' two sons John & Jim continued the singing tradition as did Jim's son Bob (1915-2004) who learnt songs at his "grandfather's knee". Present day descendants, including Bob's grandchildren, are carrying on the tradition and many were present at the unveiling.

Bob was also one of the last members of the family to experience at first hand the age-old farming and fishing economy of the village and set his recollections down in a number of superbly evocative books, notably: Early to Rise; A Song for Every Season; Songs & Southern Breezes. He received the EDFSS Gold Badge Award in 1978 and an MBE in 2004, a few days before he died. 

Various recordings of the family's singing have been made since the 1950s and, the definitive collection,  'Come Write Me Down', which comes with two booklets full of biographical detail is still availible.  The family are involved in The Imagined Village project.

Brighton Festival 2

For me the high spot of the Festival is usually the "Promenade" event and this year seems likely to be no exception. The theatre company Hydrocracker are performing Joe Orton's "The Erpingham Camp" on the Palace Pier and the ticket price includes a fish & chip supper. 

Several other items appeal including Handel's "Arianna in Creta", and an al fresco "Comedy of Errors" in St. Anns Well gardens; but one musn't book too much, there is  all the free stuff to get round and The Fringe programme is yet to arrive.

Incidentally the free stuff includes several art installations by the Guest  Artistic Director Anish Kapoor who also designed the programme cover I complained about in my earlier post. These installations are at various sites around the City including the Chattri and are definitely on my 'must see' list.

Brighton Festival Programme

Just received the Festival programme for 2009. First reactions ; the new layout inside is very clear and easy to navigate with everything listed in chronological order. But the cover - oh dear! so depressing. It looks as if its intended to represent a tide of gloom creeping over the city. We need cheering up, not reminding that there is a recession (or worse) coming.