Phil Hewitt

1 week ago | sussexexpress.co.uk | Phil Hewitt

It’s a massive year for Brighton’s Hammerdown Festival, the year it gets its second stage. Across the two stages, across two days, there will be 36 bands for Sussex’s largest rock and metal weekend, running on Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20, with one stage in Chalk and the other next door in Dust, all in the heart of Brighton. Managing director Harry White is delighted with the way it has all come together – and with all the opportunities that the second stage will bring.

1 week ago | sussexexpress.co.uk | Phil Hewitt

Peter Patterson has set up a new Eastbourne art gallery for the very best possible reason. “I just love art,” he explains. And it’s a passion he looks for in the artists he is working with. The Patterson Gallery is based in the Alfriston Room at The Lansdowne Hotel, Eastbourne, a specially redesigned gallery space showing a wide range of artworks from Peter’s regular artists. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-5pm when Peter will be in attendance.

1 week ago | sussexexpress.co.uk | Phil Hewitt

Childhood memories of Sussex are among the inspirations for A Yeti Under My Bed (published by Austin Macauley, £7.99, Friday, June 20, available from Waterstones, Amazon or direct from the publishers). It comes from Rupert Bacon, age 65, who lives on the edge of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. “You may think, ‘Why does a man living in deepest darkest Cornwall set the story in Sussex?’ That’s quite simple; I was supposed to be born there.

1 week ago | sussexexpress.co.uk | Phil Hewitt

Celebrating more than 50 years since the formation of the West Coast country rock band The Eagles in 1971, The Illegal Eagles return to Eastbourne on July 18 with a brand-new production promising “more of their trademark musical prowess, acute attention to detail and incredible showmanship.”They will perform at the Congress Theatre. Tickets are £42.50. Booking online at eastbournetheatres.co.uk or call the box office on 01323 412000.

1 week ago | sussexexpress.co.uk | Phil Hewitt

Taking the baton for his second time, professional operatic baritone Jon Openshaw will lead the Horsham Chamber Choir in an evening of chorus favourites on 21st June. Demonstrating the wide range of emotions that operas uniquely invoke, the pieces chosen will resonate themes of love, marriage, friendship, jealousy, and death. “These are some of the finest choruses ever written, including the famous ‘Chorus of Hebrew Slaves’ and the ‘Anvil Chorus’,” says Jon.