Featured Events in Brighton and Hove in February, 2025 (February Updated)

We are excited to be expanding the community, discovering new poetic talent and Platforming new spoken word artists on the scene! Hosted by the iconic activist and local artist Kaia Allen-Bevan (@kaia.ab)🤩 ! There will be 8 open mic slots on the night, sign up in advance but don’t worry if you don’t get a guaranteed slot because there will also be some wild card picks on the night too! Email us or DM Kaia for open mic inquiries 🎤 The audience will vote for their favourite open micer and the winner will feature at the next Brighton event 🔥 HEADLINERS AFLO.POET AFLO. the poet (she/they) is an award-winning Brighton-based spoken word artist, activist and academic who embraces creative expression to disrupt the status quo and inspire social change. AFLO. uses poetry as a vehicle to address hard-hitting topics, particularly racism and mental health, primarily speaking from her lived experiences. From protests on the streets of Brighton, to celebrations in hills of Jamaica, AFLO. has shared her rhythmic rhymes far and wide and has no intentions of stopping. Her highlights from 2024 so far include featuring in Verve Poetry Festival, expanding her practice during residencies in Anita’s Room at Brighton Dome, and heading to the magical fields of Glastonbury to share her work and host the open mic on the Poetry & Words stage. She has been published by Penguin Random House and self-published a poetry zine in 2023. AFLO. was an in-house artist at Brighton Dome from March 2023 to September 2024, and continues to run their regular spoken word event, ‘Status Flo’. She is a significant force directing change in Brighton’s creative scenes and continues to sow seeds across the country. PABLO FRANCO I am Pablo Franco, a multi-disciplinary creative whose artistry is rooted in poetry—a medium through which I explore the profound emotional connections between humans and the natural world. As the co-director of @dimensionsbtn, a celebrated music and community networking platform, I channel this poetic spirit into curating live music and community-centred events in Brighton. Through my art, I seek to cultivate spaces of boundless creativity, offering a sanctuary where others can express, connect, and thrive. My work stands as a testament to poetry’s transformative power, a reminder that creativity is both for personal liberation and communal celebration. I recently graduated from the University of Brighton, where I worked endlessly to ensure the institution amplified diversity and inclusion within the curriculum. Through my studies I recognised the importance of honouring the richness of local histories. I saw the impact oral traditions had on preserving communities. Thus, poetry became a way to ensure that my story could be told in all its glory and placed within the collective tapestry of shared human experiences that make us what we are. Doors: 630pm Show starts: 7pm Grab your tickets now! 🎟️ About us: Poet's Palace is a platform that empowers spoken word artists to amplify their voices, connect with diverse audiences and inspire through the transformative power of poetry. We champion emerging talent by giving them the stages and resources to achieve. We grow inclusive artistic communities in spaces across the UK where artists can connect, engage and celebrate the art form. We are aiming to elevate spoken word to new platforms, expand into interdisciplinary collaborations, perform at festivals and help artists gain visibility and recognition for their work. This is a photographed and filmed event. Please get in touch if you have any access requirements. This is a safespoken event. Get in touch for our safeguarding policy. Poets Palace recognises the value of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Intersectionality, and how paramount integrating these principles into our processes. From learning opportunities through the growth of Poets Palace, we wanted to ensure equity in financial access to our events. A lot of our Poets Palace talent are from communities of the Global Majority, LGBTQ2IA+ community and diverse backgrounds who are disproportionately impacted by systems of oppressions, which may impact finances to access events like ours. Through consulting the Anti-Racism activist and Brighton host, Kaia Allen-Bevan, we have made adjustments to our ticket prices to ensure we are sticking to our principles and values - this is not a tick-box exercise. Information Source: Poet's Palace | eventbrite

Relax and immerse yourself in life drawing, portraiture, and costume upstairs at the Farm Tavern in Hove, first Tuesday of every month. Unleash your inner artist in a welcoming, creative environment. Enjoy a friendly, relaxed atmosphere filled with music, perfect for exploring your artistic expression. Whether you're a beginner or experienced, creativity thrives here. Materials available, guidance optional. Call Manus on 07914 265 849 to book or for further info. Information Source: Manus McGrogan | eventbrite

Where better to write than a bookshop with a cafe? When better than at 5am? Join other local writers from 5am on the first Wednesday of every month to write as the sun comes up. Coffee, tea and pastries available to kickstart your writing morning. We'll open the shop at 5am and you're welcome to join us then, or at anytime after that - and leave whenever you need to. The shop opens to the general public at 9.30am but if you're in full flow, you're free to stay as long as you like. Tickets are limited to 20 as we only have so many chairs and table space. While the majority of writers sit upstairs in the cafe, we also have chairs and tables on the ground floor and in the cosy basement, so feel free to spread yourself about throughout the bookshop - wherever you feel comfortable. We've had to increase our prices in 2025 because of the increase in Eventbrite fees, the minimum wage and Employers National Insurance. Tickets now cost £10 (including VAT) BUT in addition to including your first coffee or pot of tea, you will also get a 30% discount on any other drinks or snacks. The local bakery usually delivers our pastries at about 7.30am to give you that extra energy boost. This is a silent write session - there's no workshopping, just the motivation of being around other writers as the sun comes up. We can promise you a magical atmosphere. Why do we do this? Author and bookshop owner Cathy Hayward has regularly risen at 5am to write and she wondered if other local writers did the same. We started the 5am Writing Club in the bookshop as a trial on the Summer Solstice 2023. They've proved popular so they're now a monthly fixture and we'll keep running them as long as people keep turning up. If you have any questions, or feedback, email cathy@kemptownbookshop.co.uk Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable just because of the admin involved and Eventbrite's high fees - sorry. Information Source: Kemptown Bookshop | eventbrite

Award-Winning Irish Comedian Reece Kidd bring his Stand-Up Comedy Show to Brighton Reece Kidd is a stand-up comedian from Northern Ireland. He's known for his hilarious and engaging performances, Reece's comedy shows have sold out across the UK, Ireland, and Europe. With over 100 million views on his original sketches and stand-up videos, Reece is a rising star in the comedy world. In 2024, he sold out 5 shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and continues to captivate audiences with his unique style of interactive comedy and sharp wit. This is a must-see show for fans of stand-up comedy, crowd work, and Irish comedy. Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with laughter! Date & Time: Doors open: 19:15Showtime: 19:30 - 21:00 (Includes a 15-minute interval with a support act before Reece takes the stage)Ticket Price: Starting at just £8 for some of the best comedy in Brighton! Why You’ll Love Reece Kidd’s Comedy Show:Award-winning comedian with sold-out performancesHilarious crowd work and interactive comedyOver 100 million views on stand-up clips and sketchesEdinburgh Fringe sell-out shows in 2024, 2023Comedy in Brighton at a great priceBook your tickets now for one of the best live comedy shows in Brighton! Information Source: Reece Kidd | eventbrite