What's on this October in Sussex
PUBLISHED: 15:11 01 October 2019 | UPDATED: 16:16 08 October 2019
Friendsical: Sarah Goggin, Charlotte Elisabeth Yorke, Ally Retberg (Photo by Dale Wightman)
Archant
We round up some of the best events and things to do across Sussex this month
Discover weekly events and photography in the links above
FESTIVALS & EXHIBITIONS
Care(less) Exhibition - 5 October to 24 November
Fabrica, Brighton
The OPCARE Commissioning Partnership, built from research teams from the University of Brighton, Lincoln and Birmingham, has commissioned artist Lindsay Seers to create a new VR artwork called Care(less). The piece will be touring the UK this autumn in an effort to address the current public debate surrounding care. Care(less) will be accompanied by talks, discussions, and activities that seek to explore the value of care in human relationships.
Shoreham Wordfest - 7-13 October
Shoreham-by-Sea
Come and join in with the celebrations of words and ideas at Shoreham-by-Sea's annual literary festival. This year's theme explores the future and how we can help shape it. There will be 37 events happening in total including walks and tours, plus children and family-friendly activities such as a puppet show at Sussex Wildlife Trust. Highlights of the event will be the launch of John Humphrys' new book and the reading of Poet Laureate Simon Armitage's new poetry collection, Sadettie Light Vessel Automatic.
Tickets are £10-£15, boxoffice@shorehamwordfest.com
Eastbourne Beer Festival - 10-12 October
Devonshire Park, Eastbourne
More than 100 cask ales, ciders, perries, plus a variety of international bottled beers and wines... you'll definitely want to indulge a little with the award-winning range of favourites from near and far. The price of entry includes a free festival tasting glass and tasting notes so you can find the ones you love the most again.
Sussex Art Fairs (East) - 11-13 October
Brighton Racecourse, Brighton
This autumn Sussex Art Fair comes to Brighton. There will be 120 exhibitors to explore with thousands of artwork available to buy if any take your fancy. On Friday evening at the private viewing, visitors will be able to browse a range of artwork with a drink of their choosing and be the first to view the exhibitors' collections before the event opens to the general public on the weekend. Prices start at £50 for prints but can go up to more than £5,000 for masterpieces. The event has a wide variety of art to enjoy especially if you are an art collector or looking to start your own collection.
Ocean Film Festival World Tour - 22 October
Brighton Dome, Brighton
Enjoy a night of captivating ocean films in Brighton as the world tour of the Ocean Film Festival makes a stop in Sussex. From wild Arctic waters to Mexico's spectacular sinkhole, this collection of ocean films will take you on a mesmerising journey as you explore the true depths of the planet. Tour director Nell Teasdale explains: "This is your chance to dip your toes into the wonder of the big blue - from the comfort of a cinema seat!"
Tickets are £16, oceanfilmfestival.co.uk
Precious Earth: An exhibition of British Wildlife paintings by Emma Tuzzio - Until 3 November
The Ashdown Forest Visitors Centre, Coleman's Hatch Road, Forest Row RH18 5JP
This inspiring exhibition on show at the Ashdown Forest Visitors Centre, from now until 3 November 2019 showcases a collection of British Wildlife pastel paintings by Crowborough artist Emma Tuzzio. Precious Earth will showcase a collection of highly detailed, contemporary Wildlife paintings, aimed at highlighting the great awe and beauty of our native British wildlife. Original artwork, prints and cards are available to purchase and a proportion of sales will be donated to wildlife conservation charities. Emma believes that human beings are losing a sense of connection with the natural world that sustains us, at a great cost to both the health and wellbeing of our selves as well as to the planet. The rates of species decline, particularly that of butterflies and bees over the past decade, has compelled Emma to create art that may inspire a re-engagement with nature, and appreciation of the immense beauty that is so easily overlooked.
THEATRE & MUSIC
Friendsical - 1-5 October
Pavilion Theatre, Worthing
Bring your own friends along to enjoy the hilarious parody musical inspired by the hit Nineties TV sitcom, Friends. Written and directed by Miranda Larson, Friendsical is touring the UK and giving life back to stories of everyone's favourite friends: Joey, Chandler, Ross, Phoebe, Rachel and Monica. Featuring original songs such as (He's her) Lobster!, Richard's Moustache and You're Over Me? When Were You Under Me? Come laugh out loud as the gang takes on naked Thursdays, a power cut, and a dinosaur convention.
Tickets are £15, worthingtheatres.co.uk
Tom Gates - 2-5 October
Theatre Royal Brighton, Brighton
Liz Pichon's bestselling book Tom Gates is being brought to life on stage for the first time this year. The producers behind the Olivier award-nominated Gangsta Granny and the Horrible Histories stage shows have teamed up with Brighton's very own acclaimed author Liz Pichon to create a brand new exclusive show for the stage. Join Tom as he tries to keep out of trouble while everything seems to go increasingly wrong at home and school and he has to come through and save the day with a little help from his friends and family.
London Africa Gospel Choir - 5 October
De La Warr Pavillion, Bexhill on Sea
The London African Gospel Choir was co-founded by Crystal Kassi to help London's African community promote the gospel and to create a platform for African gospel singers and musicians. This year they embarked on a huge UK tour and will be performing Paul Simon's Graceland including hits such as Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes and You Can Call Me Al.
Keane - 5 October
Brighton Centre, Brighton
Bexhill rock band Keane are currently on tour with their latest album, Cause and Effect, which features 11 new songs. The band's previous four albums have all entered the UK chart at number one and no doubt the fifth album will follow suit. Cause and Effect comes after singer Tom Chaplin released two solo albums before reuniting with Tim Rice-Oxley who has written a range of powerful, personal songs that make up a lot of the new album. When Tom and bassist Jesse Quin heard the songs they were immediately drawn to them both sonically and lyrically and this tour is the outcome.
An Evening with Harry Redknapp - 11 October
Fontwell Park
Football legend and I'm a Celebrity winner Harry Redknapp will be back at Fontwell Park in October at a special event where fans will be able to hear the stories behind his incredible 50 years in football and life as a celebrity. The popular 72 year-old and racehorse owner who regularly runs horses at the famous West Sussex venue will this time be back for 'An Evening with Harry Redknapp' when fans can expect an entertaining, lively and exclusive evening with Harry covering everything from his life in the game to his adventures in the jungle, all told with his usual comic delivery.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra - 12 October
Eastbourne Congress Theatre
Come and enjoy some of the very best big band sounds with the Glenn Miller Orchestra this October. Visit Eastbourne Congress Theatre and relive the much-loved hits of decades gone by with songs such as Moonlight Serenade, American Patrol, Tuxedo Junction, Little Brown Jug, Pennsylvania 6-5000, Chattanooga Choo Choo and In The Mood. Veteran Ray McVay has led the UK's Glenn Miller Orchestra since 1988 and developed a devout following along the way. The performance will include a special tribute to the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
Really Want To Hurt Me - 12 October
The Marlborough Theatre, Brighton
Shortlisted for the Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence and following the show's sold-out dates in London and Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2018, Really Want To Hurt Me is now embarking on a UK tour. Flaming Theatre presents a dark comedy about growing up gay in the 1980s and features impressive dance sequences and an energetic soundtrack including hits from Culture Club, Eurythmics, Tears For Fears and more. The play explores serious issues from suicide to homophobic bullying and speaks directly to LGBTQ people's experience today and in previous generations.
Barns Courtney - 12 October
Brighton Concorde 2
Barns Courtney will be touring with his newly released album 404 this October and stopping off at Brighton. Following his European headline tour the global rising star Barns Courtney is not one to take a break and is straight back out on the road with his second studio album this autumn. Fans can expect to hear his signature deep vocals against a mixture of intense rock grooves and softer melodic sounds. Impressively the vocals on this album were recorded in only one take and are largely improvised so you can only imagine how skillful Barns' performance will be on stage.
Kate Tempest - 19 October
Brighton Dome, Brighton
With her new album, The Book of Traps and Lessons, Kate Tempest will be touring this autumn. The critically acclaimed British spoken word artist, rapper, poet, novelist and playwright Kate Tempest has released her third studio album which was produced by Rick Rubin and Dan Carey. Since her emergence in 2011 Kate, a London-born artist, has reimagined what it means to be a wordsmith in this day and age. She has proven over and over again that she can do it all and do it all well! So no doubt her latest tour will be a thriving success.
Nigel Slater's Toast - 28 October-2 November
Theatre Royal Brighton, Brighton
From Nigel Slater's award-winning biography comes Nigel Slater's Toast, a sell-out show that has impressed up and down the country at The Lowry, Traverse Festival 2018 and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. With West End star Giles Cooper starring as Nigel Slater, Toast has announced further dates for its UK tour this autumn which include Brighton.The play vividly recreates suburban England in the 1960s and tells the story of Nigel's childhood through tastes, smells and, of course, toast!
OUT AND ABOUT
Cuckfield Book Festival - 3-6 October
Cuckfield
This year will mark the third year of Cuckfield Book Festival - Bookfest. The fun starts at Borde Hill to enjoy a tour of the autumnal garden alongside a talk from garden writer Vanessa Berridge. Following the success of last year's Literary Quiz you'll have the chance to test your book knowledge, but buy tickets quickly as they won't last long. Then on Saturday the author sessions begin with guests such as Adrian Tinniswood, who will tell tales of life behind the royal scenes.
Northiam Bonfire Procession and Fireworks - 5 October
Northiam Bonfire
Since 2012, Northiam Bonfire Society has been holding an annual torchlit procession, bonfire and firework display. This fun community event raises money for local causes and is just £1 for entry. The procession starts at 7.30 and the bonfire is lit at approximately 8.30. While there you can enjoy some live music and amusements on the bonfire field. There will be a bar on site and some food to tuck into as well.
Autumn and Countryside Show - 5 and 6 October
Weald and Downland Living Museum
The show combines traditional harvest celebrations with all the sights and sounds of the countryside, including a spectacular horticultural show and a fun dog show. The show will bring many of the traditional elements of a harvest celebration to life, including heavy horse displays, ploughing by vintage tractors and steam-powered threshing. The show will feature a range of woodland and rural craft demonstrations, displays and competitions.
Battle of Hastings 2019 - 12-13 October
1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield
Join in with the famous Battle of Hastings re-enactment this October. It's a family-friendly day that has something to offer for all ages. This is considered the biggest event in the entire English Heritage calendar so you don't want to miss out on the impressive displays, activities, and re-enactments to keep you engaged with history. You'll have a chance to speak to Norman and Saxon soldiers, meet falconers and their beautiful birds of prey and try your hand at archery, among so much more!
The Greater Haywards Heath Bike Ride - 13 October
Haywards Heath
Organised by Haywards Heath Town Team since its conception in 2011, the Greater Haywards Heath Bike Ride has been a pivotal moment in the Sussex charity calendar, raising thousands of pounds for various good causes including the Air Ambulance Service and Kangaroos, a local disability support charity. This year they will be raising money for Dame Vera Lynn Children's Charity. The event is sponsored by Mike Oliver Associates, this being their third year as a major sponsor. You can book to join in with all the fun online.
Deer Rut Guided Walk - 25 October
Petworth, Sussex
Enjoy a two-hour guided walk in the great outdoors to find out more about the annual deer rut in the park. The event is completely free and a great excuse to get out into the fresh air and gain a real understanding of how the National Trust monitors the deer and why the animals rut at this time of year. You might even be lucky enough to see some examples so bring along some binoculars and wear suitable walking boots for the rough terrain.
