cmoorelife

Posts from the ‘Urban’ category

It’s a cine city…

By

Duke of York's cinemaThe 2013 Cinecity Brighton Film festival kicked off on the 14th November and runs to 1st December.

Venues include the fantastic Duke of York’s picturehouse. This Grade II listed building has been operating as a cinema for over 100 years, making it the oldest cinema in continuous use in the country.

The 20 foot can-can legs were originally made for the ‘not the Moulin Rouge’ cinema in Oxford, but were relocated in the early 1990’s.

The festival is also running at the Duke’s sister venue “Duke’s at Komedia” in the North Laine.Duke's at Komedia

Both cinemas have a bar, so if you like your film washed down with something stronger, this is where to go. For an extra special treat, throw in some cake and lounge on a sofa in the balcony at the Duke of York’s.

You can pick up the full programme for the festival at the Jubilee Library in Brighton or visit www.cine-city.co.uk.

1 Comment

Two faced Autumn

By

Passacaglia, Brighton beach by Charles HadockI love a bit of rusty cast iron in evening light. So when the Autumn came up for breath earlier in the week, I took my chance and did a quick sketch of Charles Hadcock’s striking ‘Passaclagia’ sculpture on Brighton beach.

Sadly, I left my cadmium yellow at home, so had to make do with yellow ochre to capture the mood. In case you’re wondering, that is someone in a teddy bear hood sitting in the middle about to be crushed by the huge iron wave.

Emporium, London Road, Brighton

Queens park

By this weekend Autumn was back, so I escaped from the gusts in ‘Emporium‘ on the London Road for coffee and cake, only to discover that this former methodist chapel is also a theatre and bar.

I liked it’s unusual mix of furnishings with little booths at the side, an almost classroom like setup in the center and some ornate sofa’s thrown in for luck. With it’s lanky arched windows and stained glass it has a welcoming natural light and makes for a quite unique and quirky venue. They have a real mix of events going on so it’s worth taking a look – discounts are available when you book online.

Leave a comment

Dinosaur! Dinosaur!

By

Brighton & Hove’s City Reads annual festival launched this month. This year the book of choice is Terry Prachett’s “Guards! Guards!”

If you choose to enjoy your read at the Jubilee library… beware, for high above, stalks an unnamed terror. On certain days the beast swoops down from the eco cooled concrete vaults, causing unsuspecting toddlers to scatter with terrified cries of “Dinosaw! Dinosaw!” Fear not though, for brave librarians wait to introduce you to this beautiful creature (which isn’t scary really) and help you make scales for it’s back.

Jubilee Library dragonCongratulations to the community arts charity Same Sky for making quite the finest dragon I’ve ever seen.

Leave a comment

Brighton shocks!

By

Vegetarian shoesI don’t known any other shop in the city that provokes as much shock as the Vegetarian shoe shop on Gardner street. I’ve seen even the most rampant meat eater back away in disgust, that a liberal city like ours would do such a thing with it’s vegetarians. Of course once they realise that the shoes are not made form actual vegetarians, they swiftly move off red faced.

The furry and very talented Rowlf (aka Joss Peach), has a similar ability to stir a reaction from the crowds. I particularly enjoyed his very cheerful rendition of ‘Englishman in New York’ outside Infinity Foods.

Rowlf

2 Comments

Brighton & Hove food & drink festival 2013

By

Moroccan magicLast week Brighton & Hove celebrated it’s annual Autumn Harvest food festival. The ‘Big Sussex Market’ is particularly popular. I was fortunate enough to find a few comfy sketching spots. If you touch each image with your left index finger, you should be able to take in the gorgeous aromas*.

*Note this only works if you have recently spilled food on or around yourself, or your electronic device. 

Leave a comment

It’s raining!

By

Church street

It’s been really raining on and off today. I was lucky to be sheltering in a cafe on New Road when this shower hit. ‘Pompoko’ in the background is a great place for reasonably priced Japanese food and whilst it’s not licensed, you can bring your own bottle.

Leave a comment

Homage to Peter James

By

Where it all begins: Sussex House, home of Sussex Police where Detective Superintendent Roy Grace spends his time ‘briefing’, ‘eating’ and on occasion: both at the same time.

Local man Peter James set his ‘Roy Grace’ crime series in and around Brighton & Hove. This is particularly exciting for anyone who knows the area. When I read about exotic places like the ‘Van Allen building’ and ‘Hollingbury ASDA’, I point at my book, with wide eyes whilst my inner voice blurts “I’ve been there! I know where that is!”.

This is a celebration of those often overlooked places.

This is the famous ASDA that Roy Grace stares out at from his office in Sussex House. Note that Roy would be looking at the building’s backside, which is far less beautiful. This is the view he might see when he goes to get an All-Day Breakfast egg, bacon and sausage sandwich.

In “Deadman’s footsteps” Roy parks his Alfa Romeo in the Church street NCP pictured here. I managed to spill paint all over this when someone asked me for directions; I realised later that I’d accidentally sent him the wrong way, I do hope it wasn’t Peter James.

In “Deadman’s footsteps” Roy parks his Alfa Romeo in the Church street NCP pictured here. I managed to spill paint all over this when someone asked me for directions; I realised later that I’d accidentally sent him the wrong way, Karma.

After parking up, Roy heads down past the Corn Exchange, along Marlborough place, up Trafalgar where he bumps into the dodgy “under-belly-world-crim” Terry Biglow right in this very spot by Pelham Square. When I painted this, there was just a lady quietly eating a smoked salmon sandwich though so capturing the sinister undertones was tricky. The café in the background claims that “Passenger” thinks they have the best coffee in town, I haven’t tried it but I did enjoy the very comfy sofa’s in Redwood next door.

After parking up at the NCP, Roy heads to Pelham Square on Trafalgar Street, where he bumps into Terry Biglow, the dodgy ‘under-belly-world-criminal’. When I painted this, there was just a lady quietly eating a smoked salmon sandwich, so capturing the sinister undertones was tricky.

1 Comment