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The Friends of St Mary's present India in Brighton
Illustrated Talk & Curry Night
Friday, 21 September, 7 for 7.30pm - Tickets £15
It's not all about the Pavilion - though that features too!
Historian of India, Katherine Prior, presents an illustrated talk on the many connections between India and Brighton (and Hove too!) from the 18th century onwards, from shampoo-wallahs to visiting maharajas, soldiers and newspaper-sellers. Plus there's quite a bit of information about St Mary's own Indian connections and a mini guided tour of the church.
Tickets include a curry supper (vegan option available) provided by our neighbours, the wonderful Curry Leaf Cafe, and there's the usual licensed bar, raffle and plenty of chances to chat with our interesting guests. Hosted by the Friends of St Mary's and with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the renewal and repair of St Mary's Church. All proceeds go towards the restoration of the church building.
And, as a special thank you to the people who make the Heritage Lottery Fund's grants possible, we're offering a free glass of wine or juice to anyone who brings a National Lottery ticket or proof of purchase with them.
Tickets, £15 per head. Booking is essential. Please email the Friends to reserve a place or call 01273 698601. And please say when booking if you would like a vegetarian/vegan meal.
The Friends of St Mary's present India in Brighton
Illustrated Talk & Curry Night
Friday, 21 September, 7 for 7.30pm - Tickets £15
It's not all about the Pavilion - though that features too!
Historian of India, Katherine Prior, presents an illustrated talk on the many connections between India and Brighton (and Hove too!) from the 18th century onwards, from shampoo-wallahs to visiting maharajas, soldiers and newspaper-sellers. Plus there's quite a bit of information about St Mary's own Indian connections and a mini guided tour of the church.
Tickets include a curry supper (vegan option available) provided by our neighbours, the wonderful Curry Leaf Cafe, and there's the usual licensed bar, raffle and plenty of chances to chat with our interesting guests. Hosted by the Friends of St Mary's and with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the renewal and repair of St Mary's Church. All proceeds go towards the restoration of the church building.
And, as a special thank you to the people who make the Heritage Lottery Fund's grants possible, we're offering a free glass of wine or juice to anyone who brings a National Lottery ticket or proof of purchase with them.
Tickets, £15 per head. Booking is essential. Please email the Friends to reserve a place or call 01273 698601. And please say when booking if you would like a vegetarian/vegan meal.
Sunday Afternoon Guitar Recital
Ashworth and Rattenbury Guitars
Sunday, 23 September, 3.30pm - Tickets £5 on the door
Jon Rattenbury and Brian Ashworth have been exploring the guitar duet repertoire together since 2016, and they now perform a wide range of arrangements of baroque keyboard music, choros from Latin America, and works by American minimalists Philip Glass and Steve Reich.
Jon Rattenbury has wide experience as a performer on electric and classical guitar and as a music tutor. He completed his Masters in music at Goldsmiths, University of London, and has interests in both historical and contemporary musicology.
Brian Ashworth studied classical guitar, piano, and harmony, benefiting greatly from his studies with Robert Brightmore. Professional projects have included TV and radio work with composer Karl Jenkins. He works in Brighton as a guitar, bass, drum kit and ukulele teacher, and travels internationally as a performer, presenter, and educator.
A lovely way to while away an autumnal Sunday afternoon. Tickets cost £5 and are available on the door. And there will be cake!
Ashworth and Rattenbury Guitars
Sunday, 23 September, 3.30pm - Tickets £5 on the door
Jon Rattenbury and Brian Ashworth have been exploring the guitar duet repertoire together since 2016, and they now perform a wide range of arrangements of baroque keyboard music, choros from Latin America, and works by American minimalists Philip Glass and Steve Reich.
Jon Rattenbury has wide experience as a performer on electric and classical guitar and as a music tutor. He completed his Masters in music at Goldsmiths, University of London, and has interests in both historical and contemporary musicology.
Brian Ashworth studied classical guitar, piano, and harmony, benefiting greatly from his studies with Robert Brightmore. Professional projects have included TV and radio work with composer Karl Jenkins. He works in Brighton as a guitar, bass, drum kit and ukulele teacher, and travels internationally as a performer, presenter, and educator.
A lovely way to while away an autumnal Sunday afternoon. Tickets cost £5 and are available on the door. And there will be cake!
Bournemouth Male Voice Choir
Saturday, 29 September, 6 pm - FREE
The winners of the 2017 inaugural Brighton Male Choir Festival competition return to Brighton with a joyful concert of Schubert, Mendelssohn and Faure, plus - for the sheer fun of it - a little Snow Patrol, Robbie Williams and Queen!
Founded 90 years ago, with the amalgamation of the Bournemouth Labour Choir and the Springbourne Male Voice Choir, BMVC have been singing ever since. They are committed to new music as well as old choral favourites and and have premiered in Europe new works by the American composers Rhosyphane Powell, Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen and Timothy Takach, and Randall Stroope.
The recital is free with complimentary refreshments afterwards, but please put something in the retiring collection if you can afford it. Every penny helps us to provide more fine music for free for everyone.
Saturday, 29 September, 6 pm - FREE
The winners of the 2017 inaugural Brighton Male Choir Festival competition return to Brighton with a joyful concert of Schubert, Mendelssohn and Faure, plus - for the sheer fun of it - a little Snow Patrol, Robbie Williams and Queen!
Founded 90 years ago, with the amalgamation of the Bournemouth Labour Choir and the Springbourne Male Voice Choir, BMVC have been singing ever since. They are committed to new music as well as old choral favourites and and have premiered in Europe new works by the American composers Rhosyphane Powell, Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen and Timothy Takach, and Randall Stroope.
The recital is free with complimentary refreshments afterwards, but please put something in the retiring collection if you can afford it. Every penny helps us to provide more fine music for free for everyone.
Cello Sonatas by Brahms and Shostakovich
Laurens Price-Nowak, cello & Nicholas Temple, piano
Saturday, 6 October, 6pm - FREE
A fabulous chance to hear two beautiful cello sonatas in one go - and for free! Laurens Price-Nowak and Nicholas Temple perform Brahms' Cello Sonata no. 1 in E minor, Op. 38, and Shostakovich's Cello Sonata in D Minor, Op. 40 at St Mary's on in our free Saturday recital series. Complimentary refreshments after the recital, but please put what you can in the retiring collection to help us pay Laurens and Nicholas a modest fee and to keep the music flowing freely at St Mary's.
Laurens Price-Nowak, cello & Nicholas Temple, piano
Saturday, 6 October, 6pm - FREE
A fabulous chance to hear two beautiful cello sonatas in one go - and for free! Laurens Price-Nowak and Nicholas Temple perform Brahms' Cello Sonata no. 1 in E minor, Op. 38, and Shostakovich's Cello Sonata in D Minor, Op. 40 at St Mary's on in our free Saturday recital series. Complimentary refreshments after the recital, but please put what you can in the retiring collection to help us pay Laurens and Nicholas a modest fee and to keep the music flowing freely at St Mary's.
St Mary's 140th Birthday Concert
Brighton Chamber Ensemble play Shostakovich and Korngold
Sunday, 14 October, 3pm - Tickets £5 on the door
A delightful concert to help St Mary's celebrate the 140th anniversary of the dedication of the current church building (on 15 October 1878).
Members of the Brighton Chamber Ensemble, Steve Carroll-Turner (piano), Nicola Bates and Rachel Ellis (violin), Ros Hanson-Laurent (viola) and Siriol Hugh-Jones (cello) play Dmitri Shostakovich's Piano Quintet, Op. 57, and the 'Groteske' from the Suite for Piano Left-hand, Two Violins and Cello, Op. 23 by Erich Korngold.
Brighton Chamber Ensemble play Shostakovich and Korngold
Sunday, 14 October, 3pm - Tickets £5 on the door
A delightful concert to help St Mary's celebrate the 140th anniversary of the dedication of the current church building (on 15 October 1878).
Members of the Brighton Chamber Ensemble, Steve Carroll-Turner (piano), Nicola Bates and Rachel Ellis (violin), Ros Hanson-Laurent (viola) and Siriol Hugh-Jones (cello) play Dmitri Shostakovich's Piano Quintet, Op. 57, and the 'Groteske' from the Suite for Piano Left-hand, Two Violins and Cello, Op. 23 by Erich Korngold.
Californian Wine Festival
Butlers Wine Cellar
Friday, 19 October, 7 pm - £15
Come and celebrate the great wines of California with our friends Cassie and Henry from Butlers Wine Cellar, one of Brighton's great independent traders. They have made California a feature section in their shops for a few years now, gaining a national reputation for their broad selection. The evening will mainly be showing wines from small family-run producers, along with some hard to find and exclusive beauties. If you haven't been to one of these tastings before, it's a walk-around style in our lovely church, with lots of space for chilling and admiring the architecture as well as the wines.
Tickets available direct from Butlers website. But don't leave it too late to book, as these events usually sell out
Butlers Wine Cellar
Friday, 19 October, 7 pm - £15
Come and celebrate the great wines of California with our friends Cassie and Henry from Butlers Wine Cellar, one of Brighton's great independent traders. They have made California a feature section in their shops for a few years now, gaining a national reputation for their broad selection. The evening will mainly be showing wines from small family-run producers, along with some hard to find and exclusive beauties. If you haven't been to one of these tastings before, it's a walk-around style in our lovely church, with lots of space for chilling and admiring the architecture as well as the wines.
Tickets available direct from Butlers website. But don't leave it too late to book, as these events usually sell out
An English Portrait of Land and Sea
Thalie Knights, mezzo soprano and Nico de Villiers, piano
Saturday, 27 October, 6 pm - FREE
A gorgeous free song recital commencing with Elgar's Sea Pictures, and including:
- Stanford, A soft day
- Quilter, Go lovely rose
- Gurney, The fields are full; Thou didst delight my eyes; & All night under the moon
- Somervell, Into my heart an air that kills
- Bridge, Come to me in my dreams
- Howells, Goddess of night
- Clarke, The Cloths of Heaven
Thalie Knights, mezzo soprano and Nico de Villiers, piano
Saturday, 27 October, 6 pm - FREE
A gorgeous free song recital commencing with Elgar's Sea Pictures, and including:
- Stanford, A soft day
- Quilter, Go lovely rose
- Gurney, The fields are full; Thou didst delight my eyes; & All night under the moon
- Somervell, Into my heart an air that kills
- Bridge, Come to me in my dreams
- Howells, Goddess of night
- Clarke, The Cloths of Heaven
A Time to Mourn & A Time to Dance
Brighton Chamber Ensemble and Debipriya Sircar, Sitar
Sunday, 18 November, 3.30 pm - FREE
An afternoon of music, history and poetry commemorating the men and women who died in the Great War and those who mourned them in Brighton and beyond. An event that reflects the truly global nature of the war and the suffering endured by people of so many different countries.
With organ and chamber music by Edward Elgar, Rebecca Clarke, Nikolai Myaskovsky and Erich Korngold played by members of the Brighton Chamber Ensemble and friends, and Indian sitar music by special guest, Debipriya Sircar.
Includes complimentary refreshments and a souvenir booklet recording the names on the Great War memorials from St Mary's, St James's and All Souls' Churches, and the personal stories featured at the event. A retiring collection will be shared between Blind Veterans UK and Samara's Aid Appeal.
This is a free event supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the restoration and renewal of St Mary’s Church. Thank you to the National Lottery players who make these grants possible.
Brighton Chamber Ensemble and Debipriya Sircar, Sitar
Sunday, 18 November, 3.30 pm - FREE
An afternoon of music, history and poetry commemorating the men and women who died in the Great War and those who mourned them in Brighton and beyond. An event that reflects the truly global nature of the war and the suffering endured by people of so many different countries.
With organ and chamber music by Edward Elgar, Rebecca Clarke, Nikolai Myaskovsky and Erich Korngold played by members of the Brighton Chamber Ensemble and friends, and Indian sitar music by special guest, Debipriya Sircar.
Includes complimentary refreshments and a souvenir booklet recording the names on the Great War memorials from St Mary's, St James's and All Souls' Churches, and the personal stories featured at the event. A retiring collection will be shared between Blind Veterans UK and Samara's Aid Appeal.
This is a free event supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the restoration and renewal of St Mary’s Church. Thank you to the National Lottery players who make these grants possible.
Regular events
Body Control Pilates with Jan Davies
Monday evenings, 6 pm and 7.15 pm
New courses starting in Autumn 2018
A newcomer to our church hall, 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, 6 pm and 7.15 pm
New courses starting in Autumn 2018
A newcomer to our church hall, 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
Runs throughout the year, including school holidays
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.
We would like to know if there is interest in an afternoon group on another day of the week. We may be able to offer one on a Monday or Friday afternoon. Do let us know if this would be of use to you.
Parent & toddler group
Tuesday afternoons, 2.30 - 4pm
Runs throughout the year, including school holidays
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.
We would like to know if there is interest in an afternoon group on another day of the week. We may be able to offer one on a Monday or Friday afternoon. Do let us know if this would be of use to you.
Kemp Town Talks
Free English-conversation classes
Friday mornings, 10 am - 12 noon
Saturday mornings, 10.15 am - 12.15 pm
Runs throughout the year
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
Runs throughout the year
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.
Immediacy with Alistair Appleton of Mind Springs
Wednesday evenings, 7 - 9 pm
New courses in Autumn 2018
Alistair is back at St Mary's for the winter of 2018/19 teaching an 8-week course on Immediacy.
Meditation practitioners for thousands of years have looked at methods for recognising that fundamental brightness and spaciousness of Life. Recent advances in neuroscience and biochemistry have confirmed that our somatic (i.e. bodily) intelligence is far wiser than our rather clunky thinking minds.
So this winter, we're looking at the simple (but profound) practice of immediacy - or 'simply being' - and exploring ways in which we can drop the story-line that so weighs us down and step our into a reality that is alive, unpredictable but also vivid and ever-changing. More importantly still, we can live in that reality in way that focuses on others rather than ourself. Immediacy leads to kindness in all sorts of ways.
The class will run from 7pm to 9pm on Wednesdays from October 2018. Bookings at www.mind-springs.org
Wednesday evenings, 7 - 9 pm
New courses in Autumn 2018
Alistair is back at St Mary's for the winter of 2018/19 teaching an 8-week course on Immediacy.
Meditation practitioners for thousands of years have looked at methods for recognising that fundamental brightness and spaciousness of Life. Recent advances in neuroscience and biochemistry have confirmed that our somatic (i.e. bodily) intelligence is far wiser than our rather clunky thinking minds.
So this winter, we're looking at the simple (but profound) practice of immediacy - or 'simply being' - and exploring ways in which we can drop the story-line that so weighs us down and step our into a reality that is alive, unpredictable but also vivid and ever-changing. More importantly still, we can live in that reality in way that focuses on others rather than ourself. Immediacy leads to kindness in all sorts of ways.
The class will run from 7pm to 9pm on Wednesdays from October 2018. Bookings at www.mind-springs.org
The Young Actors Group
Drama classes for 8 - 15 year-olds
New year begins 13 September 2018
We're delighted to announce that the Kemp Town branch of Brighton's Young Actors Group will be returning to our church hall on 13th September 2018. 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.
Drama classes for 8 - 15 year-olds
New year begins 13 September 2018
We're delighted to announce that the Kemp Town branch of Brighton's Young Actors Group will be returning to our church hall on 13th September 2018. 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.
Bike for Life - Bicycle Maintenance Course
Next start - Saturday, 29 September 2018, 12 noon - 6 pm
Bruce, from Bike for Life, returns to our church hall on Saturday, 29 September with the next 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 one more set of courses in 2018. 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, 29 September 2018, 12 noon - 6 pm
Bruce, from Bike for Life, returns to our church hall on Saturday, 29 September with the next 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 one more set of courses in 2018. 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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