What's coming up?
Fine Music for Free
Belladonna Trio - soprano, clarinet, piano
Saturday, 12 October, 6 pm - Free
Sue Mileham, soprano, Jane Plessner, clarinet and Nicola Grunberg, piano, perform songs of yearning and excitement, featuring Mozart’s most famous adolescent, Cherubino, the goddesses and dancing maidens of Bernhard Crussell’s “From Ganges’ Beauteous Strands”, and at least two lovesick shepherds: Meyerbeer’s “Hirtenlied” and Schubert’s famous “Das Hirt aus den Felsen” - and more!
The recital is free, with complimentary refreshments afterwards, but please put something in the retiring collection if you can, as it all goes towards funding more free and affordable music at St Mary's. We're wheelchair accessible and dog friendly.
Please see here for more Fine Music For Free recitals.
Belladonna Trio - soprano, clarinet, piano
Saturday, 12 October, 6 pm - Free
Sue Mileham, soprano, Jane Plessner, clarinet and Nicola Grunberg, piano, perform songs of yearning and excitement, featuring Mozart’s most famous adolescent, Cherubino, the goddesses and dancing maidens of Bernhard Crussell’s “From Ganges’ Beauteous Strands”, and at least two lovesick shepherds: Meyerbeer’s “Hirtenlied” and Schubert’s famous “Das Hirt aus den Felsen” - and more!
The recital is free, with complimentary refreshments afterwards, but please put something in the retiring collection if you can, as it all goes towards funding more free and affordable music at St Mary's. We're wheelchair accessible and dog friendly.
Please see here for more Fine Music For Free recitals.
Fine Music for Free
Natalia Uchitel, piano
Saturday, 26 October, 6 pm - Free
From St Petersburg, fine young Russian pianist Natalia Uchitel returns to St Mary's for her second concert this series, this time themed on the form of the Prelude, with music by Debussy, Bach, Chopin and Rachmaninov.
The recital is free, with complimentary refreshments afterwards, but please put something in the retiring collection if you can, as it all goes towards funding more free and affordable music at St Mary's. We're wheelchair accessible and dog friendly.
Please see here for more Fine Music For Free recitals.
Natalia Uchitel, piano
Saturday, 26 October, 6 pm - Free
From St Petersburg, fine young Russian pianist Natalia Uchitel returns to St Mary's for her second concert this series, this time themed on the form of the Prelude, with music by Debussy, Bach, Chopin and Rachmaninov.
The recital is free, with complimentary refreshments afterwards, but please put something in the retiring collection if you can, as it all goes towards funding more free and affordable music at St Mary's. We're wheelchair accessible and dog friendly.
Please see here for more Fine Music For Free recitals.
The Friends of St Mary's Christmas Fair
Saturday, 2 November, 11am - 4pm - Free
The Friends of St Mary's are holding a fundraising Christmas fair at the church on Saturday, 2nd November. The Friends' traditional Christmas cards will be on sale, along with home baking, jams, crafts, bric-a-brac and second-hand, recycled and upcycled bits and bobs.
But there's no need to buy anything. If you'd just like to drop in for a cuppa and a look around the church, you're very welcome. There will be a raffle, refreshments, toddlers' play area and some rather fine live music - all within the lovely warm space of our beautiful church. Plus we're dog-friendly and wheelchair accessible.
We have some stall spaces available (£15 each) for local makers and producers. If you would like to run a stall at the fair, please email us with details of what you'd like to sell. And if you wish to donate good quality items for the Friends to sell on, drop us an email here.
Saturday, 2 November, 11am - 4pm - Free
The Friends of St Mary's are holding a fundraising Christmas fair at the church on Saturday, 2nd November. The Friends' traditional Christmas cards will be on sale, along with home baking, jams, crafts, bric-a-brac and second-hand, recycled and upcycled bits and bobs.
But there's no need to buy anything. If you'd just like to drop in for a cuppa and a look around the church, you're very welcome. There will be a raffle, refreshments, toddlers' play area and some rather fine live music - all within the lovely warm space of our beautiful church. Plus we're dog-friendly and wheelchair accessible.
We have some stall spaces available (£15 each) for local makers and producers. If you would like to run a stall at the fair, please email us with details of what you'd like to sell. And if you wish to donate good quality items for the Friends to sell on, drop us an email here.
Winter Mindsprings with Alistair Appleton
Somatic Meditation Class
Thursdays, 7 November - 12 December, 7 - 9pm
Alistair Appleton returns to St Mary's with his winter mindfulness course, which this year is a somatic meditation class open to practitioners of all levels, including beginners. Somatic practice begins with the direct experience of the 'soma' (the felt sense of the body) rather than the 'psyche' of thinking and keeps on exploring from there. With a relaxed body, we can then start to notice how the thinking mind is driven by the energy of the body. When we relax, our thoughts start to vanish. When we think less, we stress less.
For more information, prices and how to book, see the Mindsprings website.
Somatic Meditation Class
Thursdays, 7 November - 12 December, 7 - 9pm
Alistair Appleton returns to St Mary's with his winter mindfulness course, which this year is a somatic meditation class open to practitioners of all levels, including beginners. Somatic practice begins with the direct experience of the 'soma' (the felt sense of the body) rather than the 'psyche' of thinking and keeps on exploring from there. With a relaxed body, we can then start to notice how the thinking mind is driven by the energy of the body. When we relax, our thoughts start to vanish. When we think less, we stress less.
For more information, prices and how to book, see the Mindsprings website.
EXTRA! Fine Music for Free
Erin Ludwig and Nick Andrews - Piano Duets and Solos
Saturday, 9 November, 6pm - Free
We have squeezed in one last additional recital in this year's Fine Music for Free series simply because we couldn't turn down the chance to hear Franz Schubert's wonderful piano duet - the Rondo for piano, 4 hands in A major D. 951, Op. 107 or 'Grand Rondeau', 1828. It was one of Schubert's last works and is a wonderful way to round off this year's recital series.
Erin will also be playing preludes by Rachmaniov and Nick will be playing some piano pieces by Richard Strauss.
The recital is free, with complimentary refreshments afterwards, but please put something in the retiring collection if you can, as it all goes towards funding more free and affordable music at St Mary's. We're wheelchair accessible and dog friendly.
Erin Ludwig and Nick Andrews - Piano Duets and Solos
Saturday, 9 November, 6pm - Free
We have squeezed in one last additional recital in this year's Fine Music for Free series simply because we couldn't turn down the chance to hear Franz Schubert's wonderful piano duet - the Rondo for piano, 4 hands in A major D. 951, Op. 107 or 'Grand Rondeau', 1828. It was one of Schubert's last works and is a wonderful way to round off this year's recital series.
Erin will also be playing preludes by Rachmaniov and Nick will be playing some piano pieces by Richard Strauss.
The recital is free, with complimentary refreshments afterwards, but please put something in the retiring collection if you can, as it all goes towards funding more free and affordable music at St Mary's. We're wheelchair accessible and dog friendly.
BHAO Cello Ensemble Workshops
Sunday, 10 November, 2 - 5pm
Sunday, 24 November, 1 - 4pm
We're delighted to welcome back the Brighton & Hove Arts Orchestra with two half-day workshops (open to non-members of BHAO), for adult cellists of all abilities. Directed by international cellist Ivana Peranic, based in Brighton. The workshops will focus on arrangements and original works for cello ensemble, with parts graded to suit the ability of each participant. The repertoire selected will enable participants to improve their individual techniques and to develop their ensemble playing. Music will be available in advance, as pdfs.
The workshops will conclude with a free showcase concert in St Mary's at 4.30pm on Sunday, 24 November, with a retiring collection in aid of St Mary's Piano Fund.
Workshop 1: Sunday 10 November from 2pm to 5pm at St Mary's Church Hall, 61 St James's Street, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1PR.
Workshop 2: Sunday 24 November from 1pm to 4pm at St Mary's Church, 61 St James's Street, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1PR.
Cost: £20 for the two workshops.
For more information and to book a place email info@bhao.org. Places are limited so early booking is recommended.
Sunday, 10 November, 2 - 5pm
Sunday, 24 November, 1 - 4pm
We're delighted to welcome back the Brighton & Hove Arts Orchestra with two half-day workshops (open to non-members of BHAO), for adult cellists of all abilities. Directed by international cellist Ivana Peranic, based in Brighton. The workshops will focus on arrangements and original works for cello ensemble, with parts graded to suit the ability of each participant. The repertoire selected will enable participants to improve their individual techniques and to develop their ensemble playing. Music will be available in advance, as pdfs.
The workshops will conclude with a free showcase concert in St Mary's at 4.30pm on Sunday, 24 November, with a retiring collection in aid of St Mary's Piano Fund.
Workshop 1: Sunday 10 November from 2pm to 5pm at St Mary's Church Hall, 61 St James's Street, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1PR.
Workshop 2: Sunday 24 November from 1pm to 4pm at St Mary's Church, 61 St James's Street, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1PR.
Cost: £20 for the two workshops.
For more information and to book a place email info@bhao.org. Places are limited so early booking is recommended.
Butlers Christmas Wine Festival
Friday, 22 November, 7pm - £15
Our friends Cassie and Henry and all the familiar gang from Butlers Wine Cellar will be returning with over 60 wines and tipples for you to try and buy for your Christmas celebrations. Come along to learn about individual wines and vineyards from the makers and distributors and support a great local and independent retailer. And if you're feeling really Christmassy, make a donation too to The Crew Club, the fabulous youth community centre in Whitehawk where Cassie and Henry are trustees.
Tickets £15 per head available in advance from Butlers only - and don't leave it too late to book, as this event usually sells out.
Friday, 22 November, 7pm - £15
Our friends Cassie and Henry and all the familiar gang from Butlers Wine Cellar will be returning with over 60 wines and tipples for you to try and buy for your Christmas celebrations. Come along to learn about individual wines and vineyards from the makers and distributors and support a great local and independent retailer. And if you're feeling really Christmassy, make a donation too to The Crew Club, the fabulous youth community centre in Whitehawk where Cassie and Henry are trustees.
Tickets £15 per head available in advance from Butlers only - and don't leave it too late to book, as this event usually sells out.
Brighton & Hove Arts Orchestra Cello Ensemble
Free Showcase Concert led by Ivana Peranic
Sunday, 24 November, 4.30pm
Following their two workshops, the Cello Ensemble of Brighton & Hove Arts Orchestra (and friends) perform a showcase concert at St Mary's, led by international cellist Ivana Peranic. It's free to attend, with a retiring collection in aid of the Piano Fund at St Mary's. Refreshments available too. Sixteen or more cellos sound wonderful in the church's big, warm acoustic, as the audience discovered at BHAO's last cello showcase in April. Wheelchair accessible and dog friendly.
To join in the workshops, which are open to non-members of the BHAO, see the calendar entry above for Sunday, 10 November, or email info@bhao.org for further information.
Free Showcase Concert led by Ivana Peranic
Sunday, 24 November, 4.30pm
Following their two workshops, the Cello Ensemble of Brighton & Hove Arts Orchestra (and friends) perform a showcase concert at St Mary's, led by international cellist Ivana Peranic. It's free to attend, with a retiring collection in aid of the Piano Fund at St Mary's. Refreshments available too. Sixteen or more cellos sound wonderful in the church's big, warm acoustic, as the audience discovered at BHAO's last cello showcase in April. Wheelchair accessible and dog friendly.
To join in the workshops, which are open to non-members of the BHAO, see the calendar entry above for Sunday, 10 November, or email info@bhao.org for further information.
Brighton World Aids Day Concert
Sunday, 1 December, 7.30pm
Save the date! And remember to book early, as it always sells out. The Brighton World Aids Day Concert featuring a fabulous range of Brighton and Hove's LGBTI+ choirs and musical groups returns to St Mary's for a night of heartfelt music and fundraising for HIV charities, including Lunch Positive. Last year's line-up included: Actually Gay Men's Chorus, Brighton Belles, Brighton Gay Men's Chorus, Qukulele, Rainbow Chorus, Rebelles, Resound Male Voices and Sweet Chilli Singers. Keep an eye on the concert's Facebook event page for news of the ticket release.
Sunday, 1 December, 7.30pm
Save the date! And remember to book early, as it always sells out. The Brighton World Aids Day Concert featuring a fabulous range of Brighton and Hove's LGBTI+ choirs and musical groups returns to St Mary's for a night of heartfelt music and fundraising for HIV charities, including Lunch Positive. Last year's line-up included: Actually Gay Men's Chorus, Brighton Belles, Brighton Gay Men's Chorus, Qukulele, Rainbow Chorus, Rebelles, Resound Male Voices and Sweet Chilli Singers. Keep an eye on the concert's Facebook event page for news of the ticket release.
Regular events
Art & Inspiration Discussion Group
Monday afternoons, 2.15pm
30 September - 25 November 2019 - FREE
Our Art & Inspiration Group is back on Mondays at 2.15pm, running from 30 September through to 25 November.
It's a small, friendly discussion group, open to all, which is led by a different speaker each week exploring a work or theme in art, music or literature that is close to his or her heart. We start off on 30 September with West Gallery Singers, led by Sylvia Daly.
The group is free to attend and meets over coffee in the church, which is wheelchair accessible and well heated! Each session lasts about an hour. Please phone 01273 698601 if you have any queries.
Monday afternoons, 2.15pm
30 September - 25 November 2019 - FREE
Our Art & Inspiration Group is back on Mondays at 2.15pm, running from 30 September through to 25 November.
It's a small, friendly discussion group, open to all, which is led by a different speaker each week exploring a work or theme in art, music or literature that is close to his or her heart. We start off on 30 September with West Gallery Singers, led by Sylvia Daly.
The group is free to attend and meets over coffee in the church, which is wheelchair accessible and well heated! Each session lasts about an hour. Please phone 01273 698601 if you have any queries.
Body Control Pilates with Jan Davies
Monday evenings, 6pm and 7.15pm
New courses running from September 2019
Jan is a highly-regarded Pilates teacher with over 15 years of teaching experience in Brighton and Winchester. She runs two separate courses on a Monday evening - one for intermediate/advanced practitioners at 6 pm, and a ten-week course for beginners at 7.15 pm. Courses at both levels will be starting up again after Christmas on Monday, 8 January. If you are interested in joining or would like to talk to Jan about one-to-one tuition, please contact her via her website.
Monday evenings, 6pm and 7.15pm
New courses running from September 2019
Jan is a highly-regarded Pilates teacher with over 15 years of teaching experience in Brighton and Winchester. She runs two separate courses on a Monday evening - one for intermediate/advanced practitioners at 6 pm, and a ten-week course for beginners at 7.15 pm. Courses at both levels will be starting up again after Christmas on Monday, 8 January. If you are interested in joining or would like to talk to Jan about one-to-one tuition, please contact her via her website.
Kemptown Koalas
Parent & toddler group
Tuesday afternoons, 2.30 - 4pm
Currently on School Holiday - back in September 2019
St Mary's friendly and inclusive parent & toddler group runs in our church hall on Tuesday afternoons from 2.30 to 4 pm. The entrance to the hall is in St Mary's Place, immediately to the east of the church. We welcome people of all faiths and none and hope you'll feel comfortable with us whatever your beliefs. To help cover the costs of snacks for the littlies and afternoon tea for the grown-ups, we ask that parents pay £1.50 for the first child, and £1 for a second. But this isn't obligatory. Please speak in confidence with one of our volunteers if this would prevent you from bringing a child to the Koalas.
To keep up-to-date with special events and holiday breaks, please see the Koalas' Facebook page.
Parent & toddler group
Tuesday afternoons, 2.30 - 4pm
Currently on School Holiday - back in September 2019
St Mary's friendly and inclusive parent & toddler group runs in our church hall on Tuesday afternoons from 2.30 to 4 pm. The entrance to the hall is in St Mary's Place, immediately to the east of the church. We welcome people of all faiths and none and hope you'll feel comfortable with us whatever your beliefs. To help cover the costs of snacks for the littlies and afternoon tea for the grown-ups, we ask that parents pay £1.50 for the first child, and £1 for a second. But this isn't obligatory. Please speak in confidence with one of our volunteers if this would prevent you from bringing a child to the Koalas.
To keep up-to-date with special events and holiday breaks, please see the Koalas' Facebook page.
The Young Actors Group: Drama classes for 8 - 15 year-olds
Thursdays, 4pm and 6pm
New year begins 19 September 2019
We're delighted to announce that the Kemp Town branch of Brighton's Young Actors Group will be returning to our church hall for a new year of classes on 19 September 2019. YAG offers superb tuition and professional tips and advice for budding actors, and the classes are also a great way of helping children improve confidence and self-esteem.
The classes for younger children (aged 8 to 11) are on Thursday afternoons, from 4 pm to 6 pm, while the class for the older group (aged 12 to 15) runs Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 pm.
Please see the Young Actors Group website for details of the courses, and also information about tuition fees and scholarship opportunities.
The congregation at St Mary's sponsors two half-fee scholarships for children from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
Thursdays, 4pm and 6pm
New year begins 19 September 2019
We're delighted to announce that the Kemp Town branch of Brighton's Young Actors Group will be returning to our church hall for a new year of classes on 19 September 2019. YAG offers superb tuition and professional tips and advice for budding actors, and the classes are also a great way of helping children improve confidence and self-esteem.
The classes for younger children (aged 8 to 11) are on Thursday afternoons, from 4 pm to 6 pm, while the class for the older group (aged 12 to 15) runs Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 pm.
Please see the Young Actors Group website for details of the courses, and also information about tuition fees and scholarship opportunities.
The congregation at St Mary's sponsors two half-fee scholarships for children from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
Kemp Town Talks
Free English-conversation classes
Friday mornings, 10 am - 12 noon
Saturday mornings, 10.15 am - 12.15 pm
Currently on Summer Holidays
St Mary's holds free, drop-in classes for adults who need or would like to improve their English conversation skills. We have friendly, experienced EFL teachers who will get you talking confidently and help you understand colloquial usage. The groups are small, free and welcoming. No need to book. Just turn up!
There's always a cup of tea or coffee on offer, and a great bunch of volunteers to help out - plus Magnus the Scottie dog, who has terrible verbal skills but who understands anyone who gives him a friendly pat and a dog biscuit.
Free English-conversation classes
Friday mornings, 10 am - 12 noon
Saturday mornings, 10.15 am - 12.15 pm
Currently on Summer Holidays
St Mary's holds free, drop-in classes for adults who need or would like to improve their English conversation skills. We have friendly, experienced EFL teachers who will get you talking confidently and help you understand colloquial usage. The groups are small, free and welcoming. No need to book. Just turn up!
There's always a cup of tea or coffee on offer, and a great bunch of volunteers to help out - plus Magnus the Scottie dog, who has terrible verbal skills but who understands anyone who gives him a friendly pat and a dog biscuit.
Bike for Life - Bicycle Maintenance Course
Next start - Saturday, 14 September 2019, 12 - 6 pm
Bruce, from Bike for Life, is back in our church hall on Saturday, 14 September with the second run of this year's three-part bicycle maintenance courses. Each session runs for six hours on a Saturday, from 12 noon, and provides intensive, hands-on tuition. With the odd tea break thrown in for good measure. :-)
If you can't make this course, Bruce will be running new courses in November 2019. Watch this space. For details and to book, please see Bike for Life's website or email Bruce or Ronnie via this link.
Next start - Saturday, 14 September 2019, 12 - 6 pm
Bruce, from Bike for Life, is back in our church hall on Saturday, 14 September with the second run of this year's three-part bicycle maintenance courses. Each session runs for six hours on a Saturday, from 12 noon, and provides intensive, hands-on tuition. With the odd tea break thrown in for good measure. :-)
If you can't make this course, Bruce will be running new courses in November 2019. Watch this space. For details and to book, please see Bike for Life's website or email Bruce or Ronnie via this link.
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