Happy Friday, Brighton & Hove!

The city’s stages are flooded with talent this weekend, with everything from improv shows and touring comedians to a soulful Nina Simone tribute and a country love story. Between acts, we’re tucking into proper Roman lasagna on Boundary Road and ditching plastic takeaways for traditional Indian street food delivered to your door in metal tiffin tins.

Here’s what’s squawking this week: 

💿 A celebration of Vinyl at Record Store Day 2026
👄 50 years of Rocky Horror at the Dome
🥘 Sustainable & homemade Indian food from Chilli Shaak
🎤 A huge array of 10 comedy shows across the city

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🥘 Chilli Shaak

Traditional tiffin culture has made its way to Brighton, all thanks to Chilli Shaak, who deliver authentic Indian meals in tiered metal lunch containers, a staple of food delivery across South Asia. The latest weekly Friday run (titled Harakh Padudi and starring Paneer Butter Masala, Moong Dal Salad and more) has already sold out as their local fan base continues to grow. Operating from a residential road in the city centre, this family-run business serves up fresh street food that you can order hot or cold to heat up at home. It's the ideal way to get high-end spices without the environmental guilt of plastic takeaway tubs.

The story behind the food is just as hearty as the dishes. Twenty years ago, the mother of this team began selling samosas from her newsagent counter at Clyde News. That small start grew into a project revived by her children in 2019 to celebrate their heritage. These recipes carry a long history, moving from the family origins in Uganda to India and finally planting roots here. Every box comes packed with tradition, from the 'Tikka Tikka' cauliflower masala to the samosas that started the whole journey.

Sustainability is at the heart of the business. They deliver within a six-mile radius of central Brighton, and the fee includes the collection of your empty tiffins for reuse. It is £3 for addresses under five miles and £6 for those between five and six miles and all they ask is that you wash the tins before they are collected between Saturday and Tuesday. You can already order ahead for the next menu on Friday, 24th April with everything from bhaji chat and jeera rice to their classic sides like chilli and cheese thepla and onion bhajis on offer. If you miss the delivery window or they’ve sold out, you can often also find their food over at Store Brighton in Fiveways.

📍 Clyde Road, BN1
🔗 Menu & Order Online

🇮🇹 Colosseo

Boundary Road is an unlikely spot for a proper Roman escape, but Colosseo brings a legitimate taste of Italy to this quiet corner of Hove. Colosseo is a family-run spot that has been quietly climbing the local rankings by sticking to the basics of proper Italian hospitality. The owner, Bily, is famous for greeting everyone like a long-lost relative, which makes the whole room feel like a private dinner party. It has a cosy atmosphere that feels miles away from the busier spots in the city centre.

The menu focuses on authentic Roman and Mediterranean flavours with ingredients that are kept fresh and local. You will find all the Italian classics here, like carbonara and seafood linguine, but the lasagna is the dish that regulars tend to rave about. They also do a cracking hot stone steak and crispy pizzas that won't break the bank, making it the perfect spot for a filling lunch that won't result in a massive bill at the end.

If you are looking for a weekend table, you should definitely book ahead because the place fills up fast on Friday and Saturday nights. Sundays are kept aside for private functions only, making it a great shout if you have a big group to feed for a special event. They also have a solid list of Italian wines and cold beers to keep the conversation flowing while dining on their honest food served with a lot of heart.

Whether you are there for the fresh fried calamari or a slice of homemade tiramisu, the team goes out of their way to make you feel welcome. It’s a good reminder that you don’t always need to trek into the Lanes for top-tier Italian when this kitchen is serving up such authentic Roman flavours to massive local acclaim.

📍 70 Boundary Rd, Hove
🕣 12pm-3pm and 5pm-10:30pm, Mon-Sat
🔗 Menu & More

Fri

🤠 The Ballad of Johnny & June | 7:30pm, Fri & 2:30/7:30pm, Sat @ Theatre Royal
A soul-stirring musical journey through the soaring highs and shattering lows of country music’s most iconic love story. More Info

👄 Rocky Horror 50th Anniversary | 7:30pm, Fri @ Brighton Dome
Join the original cast (Brad, Magenta, and Columbia) for a 4K remaster screening with a live shadow cast and interactive Q&A. More Info

🌹 Mark Steel: Work in Progress | 7:30pm, Fri @ Caroline of Brunswick
The veteran political firebrand and Radio 4 regular tests out new material with his signature biting wit. More Info

✨ Komedia Comedy Club | 8pm, Fri @ Komedia
The Chortle-award-winning pro night returns with three top-tier acts and a resident MC in the city's best comedy basement. More Info

🏺 Hand-Building Pottery BYOB | 6:30pm, Fri @ Cornerstone Community Centre
Slow down and get creative with traditional techniques like coiling and slab building in this relaxed, beginner-friendly class. More Info

🖼️ Townhou8e | 5pm, Fri @ Regency Town House
Eight of the best pop and contemporary artists come together for an unmissable group show in a fabulous historic setting. More Info

🌿 Culpeper's Medicine Garden | 6pm, Fri @ The Coach House
Join a herbalist and musician for a walk up Whitehawk Hill, uncovering the healing folklore and traditional songs of local plants. More Info

Sat

🕯️ Candlelight: Coldplay vs Ed Sheeran | 7pm, Sat @ Royal Pavilion
A live string quartet performs hits from these two icons in the stunning, multi-sensory setting of the Pavilion. More Info

🎶 Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac | 9pm, Sat @ Royal Pavilion
Experience the magic of Fleetwood Mac’s greatest hits performed by candlelight in Brighton’s most iconic building. More Info

🌱 RHS Green Careers Day | 10am, Sat @ One Garden Brighton
Explore plant-based careers and volunteering opportunities with industry pros at this RHS-hosted open day. More Info

🤣 Whose Barn Is It Anyway? | 7pm, Sat @ The Barn at Westdene
An interactive night of improv comedy featuring the much-loved Simulation Theory troupe in an homage to the TV classic. More Info

🕺 Northern Soul All Dayer | 3pm, Sat @ Brighthelm Centre
Dust off your dancing shoes for eight hours of pure Northern Soul, featuring a stellar lineup of eight fabulous DJs. More Info

💿 Record Store Day 2026 | 8am, Sat @ Resident Music
Brighton's iconic shop celebrates vinyl culture with exclusive releases and the usual community buzz. More Info

🐎 Season Opener ft. ABBA | 2pm, Sat @ Brighton Racecourse
Kick off the flat racing season followed by a high-energy live show from ABBA The Party. More Info

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Bennett Arron | 6:30pm, Sat @ Komedia
The BAFTA-shortlisted Welsh comedian brings his new show "I Regret This Already" to the city. More Info

🎙️ Steve Bugeja | 8pm, Sat @ Artista
The BBC Radio 4 regular and national tour comic headlines a night of sharp observational comedy. More Info

Sun

🎤 Black Is The colour Of My Voice | 7pm, Sun @ The Old Market
Apphia Campbell’s acclaimed play inspired by Nina Simone, featuring many of her iconic songs performed live. More Info

🩰 Ballet Nights Masterclasses | 10am, Sun @ South East Dance
Focused training for dancers aged 10–17 with professional artists and a live pianist in contemporary and classical ballet. More Info

🇰🇷 KTAM Unleashed | 5pm, Sun @ Komedia
A high-energy K-pop showcase featuring ballad duo Studio L and special guest MC Jinu from Busan. More Info

🧘 Cally Beaton | 7pm, Sun @ The Forge Comedy Club
The QI star delivers an unapologetic and hilarious insight into navigating midlife with her show "Namaste Motherf*ckers". More Info

🫦 Le Cirque Du Sin | 7:30pm, Sun @ Artista
A twisted cabaret spectacle featuring a dark blend of drag, pole, and powerful vocals. More Info

Live Music

Brown Horse | 8pm, Fri @ Hope & Ruin
Colin Stetson | 8pm, Fri @ Attenborough Centre
Frank Turner & Sleeping Souls | 6pm, Fri @ Chalk
Colour Out of Space 9 | 5:30pm, Fri @ The Old Market
Foreign Affairs | 7pm, Fri @ Dust
Katherine Priddy | 7pm, Fri @ St George's Church
SUEP | 7pm, Fri @ Alphabet

Brighton Philharmonic: Sounds of Brazil | 6pm, Sat @ Brighton Dome
Ian McNabb | 7:30pm, Sat @ The Brunswick
Back to the Classics | 6pm, Sat @ St Mary's Church
R&B Mania Festival | 3pm, Sat @ Chalk
A Tribute to Amy | 7pm, Sat @ Concorde 2
Oden & Fatzo (Live) | 11pm, Sat @ Daltons

Son Little | 7pm, Sun @ Dust
Rotunda Jazz | 5pm, Sun @ Rotunda Cafe
The Jins | 7:30pm, Sun @ Daltons
B-Town Indie Night | 7:15pm, Sun @ The Pipeline