THIS WEEK IN BRIGHTON AND HOVE...

TAKEPART, the huge festival of sport in Brighton, kicks off with a family fun day in Preston Park on Saturday. You can have a go at a variety of sports including rugby, hockey, cricket and golf at the event, which is taking place from noon till 5pm.

TAKEPART itself goes on till July 5, giving people of all ages and abilities the chance to try out different sports thanks to events like “Active After Work”. More info on http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/leisure-and-libraries/sports-and-activity/takepart-festival-sport-and-physical-activity.

If you thought the Open Market off London Road was all about fruit, veg, eggs and cheese, you need to get yourself down there, fast. It’s now also a great place to go forclothes, artists’ studios, unusual food and accessories, so it’s ideal for last minute presents for Father’s Day. Even if you’re sorted for gifts, it’s still worth a visit on Saturday asa giant Scalextric track is making an appearance between 10.30am and 4.30pm. It’s £1 a race, with prizes for the top drivers. Read more about it on http://www.brightonopenmarket.co.uk/events/giant-scalextric-at-brighton-open-market/

Blakers Park near Fiveways is hosting its popular annual community picnic and summer fair on Saturday from 11.30-5pm. There will be a bouncy castle, a raffle,live music, games for the kids, stalls, and lots of food. https://www.facebook.com/blakerspark

Sunday is the 40thBritish Heart Foundation (BHF) London to Brighton Bike Ride. Although it’s too late to take part, it’s great to watch so turn up and cheer on the 27,000 runners at the end of their 54 mile race. The race finishes at Madeira Drive. Find out more on https://www.bhf.org.uk/get-involved/events/welcome-to-the-london-to-brighton-bike-ride-2015

Friday 19th

Mitch Benn
@ropetackleart
Leading musical comedian Mitch Benn brings his critically acclaimed show ‘Don’t Believe A Word’ to Shoreham with jokes and songs aplenty.
8pm, £13
Ropetackle Arts Centre
BN43 5EG

Brakes
@Concorde_2
10 years since Give Blood, Brakes are back to blast out their superior party rock, live and direct, for one night only.
7pm - 10pm, £12.50
Concorde 2
Madeira Drive, BN2 1EN

Juice Breakfast Club - Business Networking
@JuiceBrighton
Local business leaders from across the city meet for two hours of informal networking that includes a guest speaker and a full english breakfast.
8am - 10am, £10
The Hilton Brighton Metropole
King's Rd, BN1 2FU

Saturday 20th

Giant Scalextric
@BrightonOpenMkt
Come along and enjoy the high octane thrills of slot car racing at Brighton Open Market’s fantastic Scalextric track.
10:30am - 4:30pm, £1
The Open Market
Marshalls Row, BN1 4JU

Barnstormers Comedy Club
@ropetackleart
Saturday night out at Ropetackle with three top comics from the UK comedy circuit and beyond, a great laugh-out-loud night out.
8:30pm, £14 (£12.50 advance)
Ropetackle Arts Centre
BN43 5EG

Herbal Medicine Awareness Week
@BrightonOpenMkt
Brighton Apothecary present a week devoted to highlighting the benefits of herbal medicine, with Saturday being focused on five useful herbs to use at home.
11am - 4pm, free
The Open Market
Marshalls Row, BN1 4JU

TAKEPART Festival 2015
@SportActivityBH
An award winning festival celebrating sport, dance and exercise in Brighton & Hove, working with over 100 different sports clubs and activity providers.
20th June - 5th July
Various venues across Brighton

Sunday 21st

Brighton Philharmonic & Friends
A chamber music concert featuring well-known Brighton composers performed by members of the BPO & Friends.
5pm - 6pm, £15
Brighton Unitarian Church
New Road, BN1 1UF

Bella Spinks
@KomediaBrighton
An intriguing and compelling evening with Bella Spinks, 22 year old singer/songwriter from Brighton, who has a passion for creating both interesting sounds and words.
7:30pm, £6
Komedia Brighton
44-47 Gardner Street, BN1 1UN

Stewart Lee
@brightdome
Due to popular demand, an extra date has been added for this brand new live show with fresh material in preparation for Stewart's next BBC2 series of Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle.
7:30pm, £22
Brighton Dome
Church Street, BN1 1UE

Monday 22nd

Iain Stirling & Phil Wang
@ropetackleart
A brilliant double bill featuring fantastic stand-up comedy from stars Iain Stirling and Phil Wang presenting their brand new shows.
8pm, £5
Ropetackle Arts Centre
BN43 5EG

Film screening: The Fourth Estate
Free film screening of a new documentary about the mainstream media, its inner workings and the effect it has on the political economy and wider society. 
7pm, free
68 Middle Street
BN1 1AL

Tuesday 23rd

SPECTRUM: Ed Prosek
@brightdome
Following the storming Record Store Day special, Ed Prosek's exciting music project brings the freshest talent and energy from the Brighton music scene. 
7:30pm, £4
Brighton Dome
Church Street, BN1 1UE

Bite-sized Learning: Data Security
@brightonchamber
If you want to make sure your business is safe from data disasters, all you need to do is learn some key principles and use some key tools. This workshop shows you how.
9:30am - 11:30am, £35
The BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground
Eaton Rd, BN3 3AN

Wednesday 24th

Ed Gamble & Adam Hess
@ropetackleart
A brilliant double bill featuring fantastic stand-up comedy from stars Ed Gamble and Adam Hess presenting their brand new shows.
8pm, £5
Ropetackle Arts Centre
BN43 5EG

BIMM Brighton: Live & Lyrical Show
@TOMvenue
The Live & Lyrical show features a variety of original and creative arrangements by BIMM Brighton artists and musicians.
7:30pm, £2
The Old Market
Upper Market Street, BN3 1AS

Thursday 25th

Jo Neary & Friends
@KomediaBrighton
A top quality night of character comedy from some of the country's leading character acts.
8pm, £5
Komedia Brighton
44-47 Gardner Street, BN1 1UN

Milton Jones and the Temple of Daft
@TheatreRoyalBTN
Milton Jones, complete with loud shirts and messed up hair, brings his hilarious comedy to Theatre Royal.
8pm, £27.90
Theatre Royal Brighton
New Rd, BN1 1SD