All Abroad! via Lewes area, East Sussex! #8, 1st-8th April '22
How was your week? Did you do anything / go anywhere / eat anything exciting, exotic or otherwise international in language or flavour? I think these past few days we've all had/are still having a proper taste of life in... (I would have said Siberia, but now I'm more inclined to say) Ukraine (given how cold these past weeks have been there and to put our woes and moans - however justified - about leaping fuel bills into perspective, for we are safe here at least). On a warmer note, I went to explore Newhaven West Beach as a mother's day treat - oui, that heavenly wedge of sandy beach (at low tide) onto which we can but look longingly, wishing we had wings instead of arms with which to descend upon it and bask in the sunshine like the gulls. I'd always understood the lack of public access to be simply because 'it belongs to the French', with some slightly absurd idea that French people arriving on the ferry from Dieppe would have exclusive access to the beach by simply showing their French passeport or carte d'identité! Alas, it's out of bounds to all, regardless of nationality, since French owners Newhaven Port and Properties (NPP) closed it to the public in 2008 after deeming it 'unsafe'. Whilst previous attempts by local campaigners to get it re-opened have been unsuccessful, there has recently been some renewed momentum and (at least) one Facebook group "SAVE NEWHAVEN BEACH AND BREAKWATER ARM" helping to drive this.
Meanwhile - and all the more poignant in the month that saw P&O ferries sack all their UK staff without warning, with all the disruption that this did/may cause - we should feel extra grateful for being able to not only watch the Newhaven <> Dieppe DFDS ferries arrive and/or depart a couple of times a day and connect us mentally to France, but potentially even enjoy a very well-priced, environmentally-acceptable journey to the continent from so close by - see below for ideas 'To Do'. Tom Serpell wrote a lovely piece in Sussex Bylines celebrating this link to Europe, with much resonating for me, including this quote: "Brexit may be unhelpful but does not prevent travel." Touché!
Eh voilà, read on for some more ideas for places, initiatives, activities, products, services and events with an international flavour going on in our area this coming week.. still trying to make it shorter and sweeter, still a work in progress, always happy to receive feedback and contributions, by email to allabroadbus@gmail.com or DM/PM on social media @allabroadbus, merci!
All Abroad! Bus local round-up #8:::
For KIDS
Two gorgeous films for kids/families will be screening at Lewes Depot this coming week. Firstly, from Saturday, a seasonal adventure animation film from Germany called "Rabbit Academy'" about the first city rabbit to be chosen in the master class for Easter Rabbits, except, together with is friends, he needs to find a super-power to protect Easter. Normal and 'relaxed' screenings - tickets here. Secondly, at the weekend on Wednesday only, an innovative animation and live dance version of ballet classic "Coppelia" - Info/tickets here.
Kids/young people aged 9-17 years old can take part in Djembé drum workshops on 8th & 9th April at King's Church Lewes, where they will be able to play and learn the traditions of Djembe, led by multi-instrumentalist and West African artist, Sidiki Dembele. For more info, contact admin@lewesmusicgroup.com or look here.
From the comfort of your own home...
Final chance to get your kids travelling around the world of language and culture with stamps! StampIT (the Association of Scottish Philatelic Societies) offers a youth programme where children can discover a world of stamps through interactive games and activities, plus they are running a competition for kids aged 5-15 to create a written or video presentation linked to postage stamps, in which kids should also show off a bit of writing in a second language to their own: "Around the world with stamps 2022". Deadline for entries 8th April. More info here.
>>BOOK NOW, DO VERY SOON...
Final places left for our All Abroad! Bus Easter holiday clubs, 11th-14th April, in which we 'transport' children and young people abroad to French-, German- and Spanish-language countries and cultures across the world, through the languages, tastes, cultures and celebrations of food - all from the lovely indoor/outdoor location that is Glynde Reading Room, just minutes away from Glynde station. As well as fun and games, participants will enjoy preparing, cooking and feasting on snacks and lunches inspired by recipes from abroad and immerse themselves in arts, crafts and music in workshops collaborations with local artists Emily Warren @thestealthyrabbit, Clare O'Leary @clareolearyart and local multilingual musician Pam Hewitt of Pam and de Femmes. More info and bookings here. Fully-funded places available for children eligible for benefits-related free school meals and/or who meet a few other criteria. Email allabroadbus@gmail.com for details.
PLUS, and whilst not international in flavour, a big shout out for all the other providers of Easter holiday clubs and activities, especially those offering places funded by #HAF2022 for any children and young people in receipt of benefits-related free school meals and/or who meet a few other criteria. There is a whole range of clubs / activities on offer and they are (mostly) open to all children - find a club here.
...DO.. (with or without kids!)...
If you don't yet have plans for the Easter holidays, there are ferry trips still to be snapped up on the DFDS website, from £69 return on midweek dates for 1 adult and 1 child travelling as foot passengers and from £122 return for 2 adults and 2 kids travelling with a standard car (prices correct after a browse on 31/3/22). Given the travel times, you would probably need to book an overnight stay or enjoy a longer stay, either in picturesque Dieppe (try Dieppe Tourisme website / menu for accommodation ideas) which would be throughly recommended after a teens and mums 3-day trip there last Autumn, or travel further into Normandy and beyond, by car or train or even bike (try Normandy tourism website for ideas). Fully-vaccinated adults and over-12s have no need to take Covid tests prior to travel and under-12s are exempt, but always check the latest travel requirements to France, here.
Get holiday- or exam-ready or just enjoy a moment elsewhere in another tongue at Luis Diamante's Spanish Chat on Wednesdays at (from) 5pm at The Dorset. (see #7). Todos bienvenidos.¡Gracias Luis!
South African style beats and moves @ Abyss Booty Camp by Twerk4Fitness every Saturday, 10-11am @ Abyss Brewery. More info, what to bring and tickets here.
Do something more to help Ukraine.
Some helpful information and news of what East Sussex is doing to help Ukraine can be found here. Other than that,
££ Donations: Red Cross, DEC, UNCHR etc or via supermarkets such as Tesco, Morrisons, or when using Nectar card in Sainsburys via Nectar Donate, etc.
Donations of essential items - keep your eye on local news pages, Facebook groups etc for details of these.
Support local fundraisers: for example, a unique vintage Bus Running event on Saturday 3rd April will see bus operators and preservationists putting on a wide range of buses starting from Lewes Station, which will run every 30 minutes, between Lewes - Seaford, Lewes - Uckfield, Lewes - Sheffield Park. To show your support, have a ride and just give a donation whilst boarding or donate via the GoFundMe page here. All donations will go to charities directly supporting the people of Ukraine. Plus, on Saturday 2nd April, Seaford Choral Society are performing their Spring Concert, at Seaford Baptist Church, 7.30pm, free with a collection for Ukraine.
Please share any future fundraising events by email to @allabroadbus@gmail.com. Дякую!
UPCOMING FESTIVALS - OPEN FOR BOOKINGS
Brighton festival, Brighton fringe, Charleston festival. *Watch this space for some more specific international-flavoured tips for these festivals over the coming weeks!*
...WATCH...
Locally-showing international films, mostly not in the English language, from 1st April... TONIGHT, FRIDAY 1st April at 8pm, travel to 1950s Rio de Janeiro through the sight and sound of of Brazilian film "The Invisible Life of Eurídice Gusmão", a drama by Karim Aïnouz (2021) at All Saints Church, c/o Lewes Film Club, tickets here or on the door.
Otherwise, as well as "Rabbit Academy" (U) and "Coppelia" (U) at Lewes Depot (see above), Norwegian 'Dramedy' "The Worst Person In the World" (15) and Swedish/Danish/German-language drama "Cries and Whispers" (15) by Ingrid Bergman will both play all week at Lewes Depot. Finally, on Tuesday 5th April at 8.30pm, there's a screening of "Easter in Art" at Uckfield picture House, exploring the Easter story as depicted in art, shot on location in Israel, the US and throughout Europe.
...WATCH - AT HOME...
If you haven't seen it yet, Stanley Tucci's "Searching for Italy" on BBC iPlayer is a melt-in-your-mouth feast of Italian cuisine, as discovered, unlocked and sampled by this Italian legend himself, whilst over on ITV Hub, you can enjoy some vicarious and humorous travel to Joanna Lumley's Great Cities of the World - so far Paris, Rome, Berlin.
For a comprehensive and ever-evolving selection of French-language, German-language and Spanish-language films & TV series to watch at home, for adults as well as separate selections for children/family-friendly, on terrestrial channels as well as streaming and one-off rental services, browse here.
...LISTEN...
On Saturday 2nd April, internationally-renowned pianist Melyvn Tan will be performing along with members of the prestigious Piatti Quartet, and guest reader Nathaniel Parker at Charleston, in an evening of music and word. More info and bookings here.
photo: https://www.charleston.org.uk/
...BOOK NOW, LISTEN SOON...
On Friday 8th April, enjoy an evening of live Indian music, brought to you by Zu Cafe, with Jason Kalidas, an internationally-renowned 'Bansuri' player and Alok Verma, one of the UK's leading tabla players. From 7pm. Limited tickets available here.
On Saturday 9th April, you can not only enjoy a concert at Lewes Saturday Folk Club of "spellbinding fiddle-singers", Rheingans Sisters - who "are steeped in traditional music from Britain, France, Scandinavia & beyond", but you can also take part in a "Fiddle Workshop" earlier on in the day with these internationally-acclaimed and roaming sisters, Rowan and Anna. More info and bookings here.
photo: http://www.rheinganssisters.co.uk/
On 9th April, classical meets folk in a recital of Spanish, French and English song, at Cliffe Hall, Lewes, with special guest artist Maria Josefina Baez (@autanaart), an internationally acclaimed Venezuelan artist currently residing in France.
In Glynde and around: Love Supreme 1-3/7 (Note: day tickets have already sold out for Saturday 2nd July); Glynde Place Concert Series 23/4, 14/5, 25/6; and the 2022 Glyndebourne opera season is open.
...TASTE...
After spotting and featuring the beautiful boxed Italian 'Colomba di Pasqua' Easter cakes on sale in Freight, Lewes (#7), it seems these Italian Easter cakes are very 'di moda' this year with Waitrose and other retailers stocking their own versions, hence Colomba cakes for every bulge size of purse this year!
Go Greek at the Beak Brewery tonight, Friday 1st April with Happy Go Souvlaki serving up "Greek street food made with love" and why not wash it down with a glass of "DÉŠŤ", Beak's "crisp, clean Czech-style pilsner that is the embodiment of refreshment in a glass". There's only one way to find out!
On the flavour of Italian, Caccia & Tales are running the café at Lewes Creatives' Spring Fair at All Saints Church on Saturday 2nd April. More info here.
...BOOK NOW, TASTE LATER...
**We'll be compiling a directory of all the in-house, takeaway, delivery, pop-up, online and otherwise made and sold international cuisine in the area. If you'd like to be included or have someone/somewhere to recommend, please get in touch!**
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