Posts Tagged ‘Brighton Lanes’

Brighton is known for many things: entertainment, fashion, music, digital culture and its love of the obscure. But if there’s a Brighton image that stays in the front of many people’s minds, it’s the one of mods and rockers battling it out on the beach.

The mid-sixties were a time when the generation born after the war was expressing itself.  And these two sub-cultures ended up as rivals, and clashed in running battles on Brighton seafront.

Perhaps the symbol of the mod culture was the Vespa motorbike. This, a parka with a target on the back, and a Ben Sherman were de rigueur for mods at the time – at least that’s how they are represented, there was, and is, much more to mod culture than Quadrophenia.

Now, if you love the scooters, this weekend is the one for you: it’s the Mad Weekender. There will be Lambrettas and Vespas from all around the world rolling up.

It’s been 46 years since the original modernists made their impression on Brighton and celebrations will be going on all weekend.

Volks is hosting the welcome party and Komedia is running two consecutive all-nighters.

And to finish off, there’s a scooter competition on Sunday followed by a ride out to Beachy Head.

So expect to see some proper dapper gents, and box-jacketed babes. Brighton: the mod generation is back in town!

For more on what it means to be mod now, look here and here

Formerly known as The End Of The Lanes Café, this little hot-spot enjoyed a complete refit not long ago. And while the décor may be different, thankfully they kept a top selection of hot chocolates.

Inline with Brighton’s quirky coffee culture, it’s a lovely spot to sit. While other places have more outrageous décor, the owners have kept a lid on their creative juices, just letting them flow enough to make the place interesting.

Grab a cuppa...

This was the first place we found the delightful chocolate on a stick drinks – thick chunks of chocolate that you dunk in hot milk, mmmm.

There’s also a fine selection of stickies and cakes, with some sandwich and salad items as well.

It’s a great spot for bookworms, too. Just take along an unwanted paperback and swap for one from their shelf. And with it being Brighton, you know there is always something zany, spiritual or radical to leaf through.

The café is small however, but this adds to the ambience. It’s the place to round off a good shopping session, or creep into mid-week, far from the madding crowd.

If you prefer, there’s always the coffee chains just around the corner. But why bother? After all, they costa too much and you get very few stars for your bucks…

Theatre Royale Brighton

When you get a ticket for the cinema there’s no need to dress up, but when it’s for an evening at the theatre, it’s time to get out the glad rags.

Brighton’s Theatre Royal may be steeped in tradition, but it’s far from frumpy; a quick look at what’s on in August reveals a diversity of performances.

Even though stars such as Sir Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart may have treaded the Brighton Theatre Royal’s boards, there’s still always been room for family friendly shows and light-hearted performances.

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Still lovin' it!

So, you made it! It’s going to be another crazy weekend in Brighton. This weekend the town comes out and shows its true colours. There will be fun and games aplenty.

But if you are here for the first time, there are a few premiere spots you should take a look at. We’ve put together a slightly sideways look at the city : The Five Fingers of Brighton.

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It's Pride 2010!

If you’re arriving in Brighton for the first time this weekend you are in for a pleasant surprise: it’s Pride 2010! Brighton celebrates all sexualities, and from today you will really see them all, because it’s ’showtime’!

This is Brighton: it is different, it is special and this weekend it’s the Pride festival. So, who better to explain the delights and dramas of Pride than trustee Geoffrey Bowden, interviewed here:

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Brighton Royal Pavilion

Another glorious weekend ahead; the summer holidays are going on and on! Visiting Brighton, here’s our selection of what’s on this week, enjoy.

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Returning to glory

One of the town’s most historic and best-loved venues is set to re-open. The Hanbury Ballrooms will be reborn as the Brighton Ballrooms from Friday 2^nd June, and get a £300,000 makeover!

The opening night party looks set to be a sell-out, and thanks to the influence of one of Brighton’s top culture couples, the Brighton Ballrooms is again making the headlines.

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It's style time

This week saw the visit of stylist to the masses Gok Wan, when he awarded prizes at the University of Brighton’s fashion show.

It’s really no surprise that the TV celeb was drawn to the coast; there is so much good fashion in this town and people always travel from London to shop. It’s true.

Well if you are visiting Brighton this week, or are a local who can shop till you drop, you are in for a treat.

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Fancy a flutter?

There’s the beach, the lanes, the lawns, the shops, the pubs and the clubs, and the parks too. But just when you thought you knew all Brighton has on offer, there’s always something new to try.

Above the city, at the top of Elm Grove, is Brighton racecourse. If you never thought a day at the races would set your pulse racing, read on: With plenty on for the family and children, you just might find a day at the gee-gees is the bee’s knees!

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It’s not often you can just walk into a stranger’s house, have a good nosey round and help yourself to a picture or some jewellery.

Well, in Brighton you can because it’s the Artists’ Open Houses Festival. Visitors to the city can wander around and pop into nearly 250 venues and look at original art, even grab themselves a cuppa while they are at it.

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