What’s on this April in Sussex

PUBLISHED: 07:00 03 March 2020 | UPDATED: 16:03 03 April 2020

Judith Palmer

$image.copyright

The government advice regarding COVID-19 on March 16th recommended that we should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues.

This is very likely to impact the events listed here and those printed in our April issue which went to print before this announcement.

We recommend you check the website or social media of the organisers or venue for more details about cancellations, postponements and possible refunds.

We will resume updating this article when the government advice allows events involving large numbers of people to resume again.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ART

15 February-7 June

Anita Corbin: 100 First Women Portraits

Brighton Musuem

Discover and celebrate 100 pioneering women of the 21st century in this major exhibition by acclaimed photographer Anita Corbin. These striking images capture an impressive record of female achievement, from beatboxing to bomb detection, computing to cricket, blast furnaces to boardrooms. This exhibition features iconic portraits of celebrities, unsung heroines from across the decades, and "ordinary" women doing extraordinary jobs. Including '70s rocker Suzi Quatro, Olympian boxer Nicola Adams OBE, Lady Brenda Hale of the Supreme Court and football manager Hope Powell. 

Entry is free

www.brightonmuseums.org.uk

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1-21 March

600 years and counting

Causeway House, Horsham

Now home to Horsham Museum and Art Gallery, Causeway House began its life 600 years ago. Its prominence and picturesque charm has attracted artists over the past 150 years, especially from a time when old buildings were no longer seen as a blight on the eye, but real assets as they add charm and historic depth to any street. The exhibition features a number of such paintings including the most recent one by Gordon Rushmer, which the Friends of Horsham Museum commissioned to mark the museum's 125th birthday in 2018. 

www.horshammuseum.org/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

21-22 March

Lewes Speakers Festival 2020

Various locations, Lewes

Returning for another year, Lewes Speakers Festival has hosted hundreds of authors of more than 500 books in its time, and continues its stellar line-ups this year including talks by Norman Baker, Lord Howell and Jack Straw. See the website for the full line-up and tickets.

www.speakersfestivals.com/lewes-speakers-festival

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OUT AND ABOUT

13-14 March

Open Weekend at Sovereign Harbour

Sovereign Marina, Eastbourne

If you are planning a large family get-together, a family celebration or just a big, fun party in 2020 then why not visit Sovereign Marina, Eastbourne and view the recently refurbished Royal Sovereign Suite at Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club at their open weekend in March? Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine and a canapé or two. 

www.shyc.co.uk

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

21 March

Brighton Comic Con and Gaming Festival

Brighton Racecourse

Brighton Comic Con and Gaming Festival takes place this March with a fabulous line-up of exhibitors and traders. You'll find props from films and TV shows like Game of Thrones and Ghostbusters alongside gaming areas and the Cosplay Zone. Families will love appearances from the Bumblebee Transformer and have plenty of fun meeting mischievous dinosaurs. Guest signers and comic artists will have tables at the event and if you feel inspired you can try a comic illustration workshop for no extra cost.

www.ukcgf.com 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

25 March

MEGA MARCH HOSPICE QUIZ

East Sussex National Hotel

Lunchtime quiz noon to 3pm with questions to suit everyone. Teams of six,£22 per person includes ploughman's lunch and tea/coffee.

This quiz is one of many raising money for local hospices this month. Could you organise one for your local hospice? 

www.friendsofsussexhospices.org.uk

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

27-29 March

Shopfest and The Handmade Affair - Spring

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens 

Come and appreciate the beauty of spring at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens with Shopfest and the Handmade Affair. 

Come along and enjoy a fabulous day of shopping from an inspiring collection of artists, skilled creative makers and small businesses in a truly stunning location.

Normal entry charges apply for non-members into Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens. 

This event is free within the venue.

www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MUSIC AND THEATRE

4 March

Laura Lexx: Knee Jerk

Komedia, Brighton 

After two sell-out Edinburgh shows in two years, double winner of The Comedian's Choice Best Performer Award, Laura Lexx is going on her first UK tour with Knee Jerk. Laura's new show shines a hilarious light on how hard it is to be a good person these days.

www.komedia.co.uk/brighton

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5-7 March

Jane Eyre

Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne

Blackeyed Theatre brings to the stage a thrilling new adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's masterpiece Jane Eyre. Adapted by Nick Lane, this spectacular world premiere embarks on a major eight-month tour across the UK stopping at Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne.

www.blackeyedtheatre.co.uk 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8 March

Joe Boden

Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham on Sea

Widely respected as a songwriter and interpreter of traditional song, the solo shows also showcase Jon's instrumental talents on fiddle, guitar and concertina, as well as his trademark stomp box.

Doors: 19:30, Tickets: £20(adv)/£22(door) 

01273 464440

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

17-21 March

SIX

Theatre Royal Brighton

The West End smash hit musical SIX, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, has announced dates at Theatre Royal Brighton. From Tudor queens to pop princesses, SIX sees the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their own personal tales, remixing 500 years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power.

www.atgtickets.com/brighton 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

18-21 March

The Habit of Art

Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne

Following a highly acclaimed tour in 2018, The Original Theatre Company's production of Alan Bennett's The Habit of Art will return and tour the UK in 2020. Directed by Philip Franks and starring Matthew Kelly as Fitz (W. H. Auden) and David Yelland as Henry (Benjamin Britten). 

www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

19 March

The Bootleg Beatles

De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill

The Bootleg Beatles are back this month and this year celebrating 40 years since their debut on the West End stage in Beatlemania, the world's premier Beatles band continues to draw critical acclaim with their flawless recreation of the greatest songbook of all time.

www.dlwp.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

24 March

Romesh Ranganathan: The Cynic's Mixtape

Brighton Dome

Fresh from The Reluctant Landlord, The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan, A League Of Their Own and Judge Romesh, Romesh is putting showbiz aside to deliver a carefully curated selection of all the things he has found unacceptable since his last tour, including why trying to save the environment is a scam, why none of us are truly free, and his suspicion that his wife is using gluten intolerance to avoid sleeping with him.

www.brightondome.org 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FAMILY

5 March

World Book Day

Petworth House

This free family event includes a children's trail, activity sheets and storytelling. Can you find the ten little bookworms hiding in the servants' quarters shop? Children can redeem their World Book Day free book voucher for one of the ten exclusive World Book Day books or receive £1 off any book in the shop priced £2.99 or more. Fifteen-minute storytelling sessions will be held in the shop between 11am and 2pm.

The event is free but normal admission charges apply for this venue.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house-and-park 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Weekly in March

Nature Tots Go Wild

Various Locations

Spring is in the air and Sussex Wildlife Trust Nature Tots parent and child outdoor adventure groups are back for children aged three to five in Brighton, Crawley, Eastbourne, Henfield, Horsham and Rye. Nature Tots groups are run by fully trained Forest School Leaders, providing a wonderful opportunity for families to experience and learn from nature in woodland, meadow and coastal habitats. Children will be encouraged to tackle hands-on outdoor activities, work co-operatively with others, and have an opportunity to gain a sense of achievement while developing social skills and boosting confidence. Children must be accompanied 

by an adult. See online for session venues and times.

www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/naturetots

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

28 March

Easter Market

73 Aldwick Road, Bognor Regis

Join the Aldingbourne Trust for some Easter fun at their spring market. There will be lots to do including a tombola and an easter hat competition, guess how many eggs in the jar, and guess the weight of the fruit cake, with refreshments also available.

www.aldingbournetrust.org 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 April

Baanff Mountain Film Festival

Brighton Dome

The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is back for 2020, bringing a brand-new selection of gripping action and adventure films to more venues than ever before including a stop at Dorking Halls. The tour features two different collections of extraordinary films from the world's best adventure film-makers, with super-human challenges, soulful journeys and spectacular cinematography from the wildest corners of the planet. u

www.banff-uk.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------