Brighton Boys feature in new pop video

Cover for single Brighton Boy by Maria McAteer

Brighton boys of all ages co-star with singer-songwriter Maria McAteer in a pop video released yesterday.

The new video promotes her single, Brighton Boy, which was released for download as a sneak peek of the long-awaited debut album Her Night At Noon.

Maria directed the video, shot by co-songwriter Bjorn Dahlberg, on Hove seafront on Sunday 25 March, after putting out the call through social media.

“We were determined to get every single person we shot in”, she says, “because they’d all given time for us. And absolutely everyone’s really good.”

The video is a direct descendant of her viral hit Baby, in which diverse Brighton characters mime the familiar Justin Bieber lyrics over Maria’s vocal.

Music website Cover Me listed Baby’s salt-air visuals among it’s top 10 cover videos of 2010 for its cheeky comment on the ubiquity of the song.

The Brighton Boy video is more sophisticated in conception and execution, but retains Baby’s home-made charm and Maria’s obvious affection for this haven for individuals.

The sunniest of her own compositions, Brighton Boy has a simple, romantic hook, and Maria’s warm, wistful vocal quickly worms its way into the psyche.

Not every shot for the video was planned. “Like the guys on rollerblades; that was something in the moment. And it’s the best sequence”.

Sign up at mariamcateer.com for a free Brighton Boy mp3. The video can be viewed on YouTube

Sixties music lovers kick off the festival season at Le Beat Bespoke Weekender

View the story “Le Beat Bespoke 8 (April 2012)” on Storify

Talk About The Passion: Brighton’s Soul By The Sea Festival

By Nicolas Pierce

Making my way to the outdoor venue for Brighton’s Soul by The Sea passion play, a re-enactment of the last days of Christ on Easter Sunday, it was impossible not to notice that celebrations of the religious dimension of the Easter holidays have become sidelined. Situated some way out along the seafront and past the pier, the commercialised vanity fair of candyfloss and ghost trains which swallowed the majority of the bank holiday tourists, only the committed few (budding journos among their number) were likely to attend.

Although this made me fear that I might be the sole spectator, and a card-carrying atheist one at that, a substantial, eclectic and appreciative crowd quickly gathered. If I was to learn nothing else, I had at least discovered that there is still clearly a demand for religious theatre of this kind. Although it may occasionally pain people like myself to admit it, it is self-evident that there still exists a strong Christian contingent in this country, and despite an undeniable decline it’s destined to remain that way for some time.

Of course, the compelling thing about the Passion play is its history within the popular culture of England. Originating in church ritual, the tradition was revived in the late 19^th century due to growing public interest, and Soul By The Sea certainly keeps up the civic spirit of such events with its cast and crew of local volunteers. With occasionally wooden acting and swallowed lines, this egalitarian production code certainly leant the production an amateurish feel, but I found this surprisingly endearing where a slick professional retelling would have probably put me off. It’s altogether more moving to witness a performance by local, ordinary people who genuinely believe in and care about the story, than it would be to suffer through the glossy but soulless affair that an Andrew Lloyd Webber might make of it.

That’s not to downplay the skill with which director and lead actor James Burke-Dunsmore and Assistant Director Emily Swain marshalled their resources to immerse the audience in the world of ancient Jerusalem. At the beginning, robed women weaved ecstatically through the throng, crying ‘Jesus is coming.’ I resisted the urge to reply that – going by the official start time at least – he was already ten minutes overdue. Later on, at the moment when Christ was forced to carry the instrument of his own death to Golgotha by his Roman executioners, the crowd were encouraged to form a loose procession in his wake towards the opposite end of the venue. Far more so than the Christian folk song that opened proceedings, or the exhortations to worship at the end, the involvement of the crowd in the narrative established the story’s universal currency, regardless of one’s beliefs or background.

Speaking of background, on the website for the event the organisers make a great deal of their efforts to bring together people from a ‘mix of backgrounds and nationalities, including those originally from Europe, the Philippines, Persia and Egypt’. The colour-blind and diverse casting that was on display is certainly something the makers can be proud of, turning the play into a celebration of our recent multicultural heritage at a time when it is regularly and unhelpfully attacked.

Aside from his directorial ability, Burke-Dunsmore also showed that he is a well-schooled veteran of the role of Christ. Although he has trodden the boards in adaptations of everything from Shakespeare to Dickens he has become most familiar as the face of Jesus, having portrayed the Messiah in countless stage versions of his life, as well as to millions via BBC television and radio broadcasts. Hearing him charismatically delivering Christ’s last teachings, one got a sense of the sincere and unapologetic personality he has displayed in recent interviews when asked about the supposed controversies surrounding passion plays.

One of these controversies has been the criticism from some quarters that the scene of the crucifixion itself, complete with a realistically bloodied and beaten Christ, would cause distress to small children. However, although there were certainly a fair few restless infants present, none of them seemed noticeably disturbed by what they were watching. The violence is certainly less than that in a lot of contemporary television, and any tears are likely to be offset by the happy ending. After all, if you think the story ends with Jesus on the cross, you must have nodded off during Sunday school lessons…

Speaking to The Guardian recently about these perennial contentions, Burke-Dunsmore said “”Whenever you turn on the radio there’s some sort of discussion about religion’s place in society. But when I’m standing in a rehearsal room with people teaching each other the teachings of Jesus, there is simply no argument. His words are the rich teaching which we can all live by – it is there to tap from and it is life changing.”

Ultimately, whatever one thinks about the question of Christianity in today’s society, the goodwill and enthusiasm of the Soul by the Sea passion play provided an admirable answer. And without a radio in sight.

From Wales to Ibiza

By Evie Purves

Welsh boy DJ Ali Morgan is set to head back to the party island of Ibiza later this month to get the party started once again.

From 1996 to 2006 he established a name for himself as the notorious DJ Ali Morgan and has played in some of the biggest clubs in Ibiza, even Es Paradis and Eden.

But it’s not just Ibiza; he has played all over the world including Australia, Egypt, London, Miami and Wales and has now got his eyes on the White island once more.

From showing off his DJ talent at store openings in Miami, to dabbling with radio and television in Australia, it seems DJ Ali Morgan has done it all. And he has no intention of slowing down!

Set to rock the party season this summer, Morgan is returning to Ibiza to DJ at Delilah’s in San Antonio, the only Welsh bar in Ibiza.

If you want to see some of DJ Ali Morgan’s tunes check out this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otlqlqnT_Fw&fb_source=message

Or better still, hop on a plane to Ibiza this summer and party with the man himself!

 

Parking charges in Brighton rocket to £20 per day

By Liam Dawes

Visitors to Brighton seafront will have to pay a staggering £20 per day for parking after new charges were introduced by Brighton & Hove City Council.

Fitness Fundraising and Family Fun at Brighton Sport Relief Mile

One of the many younger participants of the Brighton Sport Relief Mile 2012
PHOTO: Hope Wisechild

Over 3,000 fundraisers completed one of 17 flagship Miles on Kemptown’s Madeira Drive on Sunday helping Sport Relief raise a record £52 million.

Alongside serious runners including cricketer Clare Connor, Brighton participants completed 1, 3, or 6 miles dressed as clowns, superheroes, sailors, animals and even food.

Children ran, hopped, scooted or bounced the mile raising sponsorship to allow Comic Relief to change lives in the UK and the world’s poorest countries.

Paralympian Sophia Warner, who participated with three friends, one in a wheelchair and one in a pushchair said: “I’ve been so inspired to see thousands of people, of all ages and abilities, supporting Sport Relief today”.

Brighton Rock Choir flashmobbed the event and finish line entertainment provided opportunities to dance to the Millstones Big Band, hula hoop or play wheelchair football.

Sid the Shark was there to encourage youngsters to bat, bowl and catch in a seafront Sussex County Cricket Club cricket cage.

Kimberley Sibbald of The Hula Honeys, who had hooped along the seafront, said: “It’s a great way to have fun and get a little active.”

Brighton Pier to go dark for Earth Hour

Brighton Palace Pier's familiar lights will be switched off to mark Earth Hour tomorrow night.
Photo Credit : OLU

By Damien Murphy

THE familiar glitter and glare of Brighton Pier will vanish into darkness tomorrow night to mark the World Wildlife Fund’s annual Earth Hour.

The Pier’s new neighbour, the Brighton Wheel, will also turn of its lights, and the strings of bulbs that light the promenade will fall dark.

In the rare darkness, a torchlit procession will wend its way between the bandstand in Hove and the Pier as part of the largest environmental event in the world.

Earth Hour was set up by set up in Sydney by the WWF in 2007 to highlight the link between overreliance on electricity and climate change.

Small Batch Coffee Company dress up for new viral marketing video

By Kat Hopps

When your marketing budget is next to zero there is only one way to promote your brand and that is to put a man in a dress.

Small Batch Coffee Company did just that today by filming a new online viral marketing video at Brighton Train Station to promote their chain of coffee shops.

The video even has its own jingle which is aptly named the ‘small batch company coffee blues’ and is a tongue-in-cheek behind the scenes look at how the team make their coffee products.

Damon McMinn from the company took the starring role and shone in a strappy black dress, blonde wig and heels.

Asked if thought his new-found fame might go to his head he replied: “I take it in my stride, I’m still the same person. I hope I just make a few more important friends.”

The video is the brainchild of Marketing Manager, Nick Barlow, who is keen to expand the success of the company who are already a big hit with coffee lovers in Brighton.

He said that the business is growing steadily since they opened three shops last year and they hope to raise the profile of their brand as a result of the new video.

Small Batch Coffee Company has five coffee shops throughout Brighton and focus on producing quality coffee using the best green beans.

They source their coffee from international farmers and work with import partners to ensure that the products are bought at sustainable and fair prices.

Watch the uploaded video from Monday on the company’s website: www.smallbatchcoffee.co.uk

We’re going to need a bigger petrol tank

By Evie Purves

The army is being trained to deliver fuel to petrol stations after news of a possible strike by tanker drivers.

The army and police are now on stand by to make sure fuel deliveries do not grind to a halt, mirroring the same dire situation that hit Tony Blair’s government in 2000 which almost brought the country to a standstill.

Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office minister claimed that the country has “learnt the lessons” of the 2000 situation and the government is now “ready to act” if members of the Unite union walk out.

Unite union is balloting 2,000 of its members who work for seven major fuel companies, on industrial action after saying drivers’ terms and conditions have been under “unrelenting attacks”.

Monday the 2^nd April will see the vote closing and the strike could be held next month. This could result in the Easter weekend being taken over by industrial action, causing major problems for the public.

Mr Maude advised the public on Wednesday 28^th March to stock up on petrol “maybe a little bit in the garage as well in a jerrycan”. However his advice was criticised by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and the AA who warned that it was potentially very dangerous.

A jerrycan stores more than the legal limit for the amount that can be stored at home, holding 20 litres.

Since the minister’s advice, there has been widespread panic across the country, with motorists queuing for hours trying to fill up their cars before the possible strike.

Retail Motor Industry Federation has said that petrol sales rose by 45% on Tuesday 27^th March and diesel was up 20% amid talk of this strike bringing disruption to forecourt supplies.

Police were having to barricade off some petrol stations after they became dangerously busy, as well as causing huge tailbacks resulting in major delays to other motorists.

Esso said that “some sites may temporarily be out of one or two types of fuel”.

But Shell reported “business as normal” and Tesco commented that it was experiencing “an increase in sales in some areas” but reassured customers it was working hard to meet the demand.

A van driver from Brighton has described the situation as “ridiculous” and says he has been “greatly affected, not only because of the petrol, but also because of the hold-ups because of all the traffic”.

The minister has been accused by the Labour party as “panicking people all around the country which was completely irresponsible”.

BBC Two’s Newsnight was told by the roads minister Mr Penning that: “You can’t store that amount of petrol. It was a mistake by the cabinet minister. He didn’t understand the size of a jerrycan. He has apologised since

The Cabinet Office minister has made an appeal to the employers of fuel distribution companies and the Unite union to come to an agreement to advert industrial action. But plans are already in place that could see soldiers driving tankers to avoid major disruptions to fuel supplies.

Maude has recently said: “Widespread strike action affecting fuel supply at our supermarkets, garages and airports could cause disruption across the country.” He said that: “The general public should not and must not suffer from this dispute”.

However, many are feeling the pressure, including Mr Maurice, a taxi driver in Brighton, who said that the top up tax was “unnecessary grief caused by the government”, and described it as “irresponsible”. He says: “It was hard to find garages that actually let us in”. Mr Maurice revealed he is currently spending £200 a week on diesel. However, Mr Maurice also said that despite all the panic, he did not believe a strike will happen

The chairman of the Petrol Retailers’ Association, Brian Madderson has said he does not believe the government is equipped for a strike: “We have had no word from the Department of Energy and Climate Change whatsoever.”

The result of the strike on the fuel industry will affect the emergency services as well as motorists, which would potentially cost lives. Maude has said: “we are ready to act to minimise disruption, particularly in the emergency services in the event of a strike”.

Acas, Conciliation service is trying to convene talks between Unite and seven companies involved in the dispute.

An Acas spokesman said: “We are in urgent discussions with the parties involved on an individual basis. It is normal for us to do this to establish the format for talks.”

However, a Downing Street spokesman has said there is no need for strike and insists that forecourts are being replenished; mirroring Mr David Cameron’s message that a strike of any kind would be “unjustified” and said talks will continue to avert industrial action.

Brighton smokers feeling the pinch of 2012 Budget

By Paul Lacey

Smokers in Brighton are already feeling the effect of the increase in tobacco duty with decreased sales and ‘brand flipping’.

Only eight days after the Chancellor announced a 5% rise above inflation on tobacco duty in the 2012 Budget, Brightonians have already started to change their smoking habit.

Price rises have yet to hit customers of smaller retailers due to their stocks of pre-pricemarked cigarettes but larger stores have already reported a slight decrease in sales.

Steven Paris, 25, from the Co-op convenience store in St. James Street said: “Customers complain about the rises and many have switched to rolling tobacco or just buy 10 instead of 20.”

This early indicator may vindicate the Chancellor George Osborne when he said: “There is clear evidence that increasing the cost of tobacco encourages smokers to quit.”

However, not everyone is convinced that the increase will deter smokers and even suggest that the real reason for the duty rise is to gain more revenue by unfairly targeting the less affluent.

Phil Knight, 45, from Brighton, said: “It [the rises] selectively penalises poorer people because it’s a greater portion of their income.”

He added: “If you want to raise more money for the country, you should be taking it from the richer part of the population.”

Other Brightonians however agreed with the rises and thought that paying another 37 pence per packet of 20 was a good move by the government.

Morgan Keef, 24, said: “It should be more expensive as if it’s too cheap, it encourages more people to smoke, although hardcore smokers will always find a way to fund their habit.”