Martin Schreiber, Nude Madonna

Madonna Nudes – 12 best

“I’ll take my clothes off and it will be shameless
‘Cuz everyone knows that’s how you get famous”

…well it worked for Madonna

Madonna  nude in Brighton. Well not really, but she has been nude lots of other times.

Recently, photographs of Madge’s Vad sold for $37,500 dollars. The photos were taken in 1978 by Lee Friedlander, but just gathered dust in a large porn-pile. Her fame in 1985 was sufficient to see them published in Playboy. She also found time to get naked for Bill stone in 1978; Penthouse published these images in 1985.

Bill Stone

Martin Screiber took the Impure images in 1979, when Madge was a year older and a year wiser. By this time she had lerned that for $25 dollars you keep your legs closed. She had also reached a level of professionalism whereby live animals could safely be incorporated into a photoshoot. These shots found their way into main-stream porn in 1986.

Martin Schneider, 1979

I note in passing the natural, unmanaged pubic hair in these images. It has been commented – by people that really have no idea what they are talking about - that the modern trend for depilatory styles will lead to future generations becoming naturally hairless through genetic inheritance.

Friedlander

Martin Schreiber, Nude Madonna

Helmut Newton

Helmut Newton, Madonna Nude

www.madonnashots.com has every photo ever taken of dear old Madge.

The exhibition is on at the Impure gallery throughout May www.impureart.com

Phoenix by Frances Duncan

 Frances Duncan

It would seem that the sexy-seaside-city is doing its bit to keep the nude in the forefront of contemporary art. There are at least six venues that are exhibiting erotic art as part of the Brighton Festival. 

Frances Duncan, painter of “sensual nudes with a fantasy twist” will be artist in residence at the Thomas Kemp every weekend in May. Which means you will be able to watch her creating new works and talk to her about it. The inspiration of her work is human form and the essence of sensuality, which translates to naked ladies with a dash of come-hither about them. That is the sensual nude part, the fantasy twist is that many of them have wings. Or body armour.

It is kinda like a Middle Earthian readers wives and all very well executed.

Frances tells me that she probably won’t be working using live models in the Thomas Kemp, so no naked birds -feathered or otherwise.

The work can always be seen online www.darkdeliverance.com

And in May…

Tickled Boutique, Ship Street

She Said, Ship Street Gardens

The Thomas Kemp, St Georges Road

Two to choose from here…

One will make you fat, the other will de-fat you.

To see all of our top choices Follow Me

Foodies festival in Brighton

@ Jubilee Square

16^th, 17th May 10am -6pm

Take the opportunity to see celebrity chef and restaurant owner Aldo Zilli and other top chefs cook their favourite recipes in the chef’s theatre in Jubilee Square – £6 entry and then go and buy the ingredients to make it yourself!

A great excuse to overindulge, fresh local produce will be available from Sussex food and drink producers all day – free entry.

For more info visit: http://www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk/

Heroes Run 2009 @ Hove Lawns

17^th May

Organised by local charity Passing It On who raise money to build schools and support education in some of the poorest areas of Africa, Heroes Run is a 5k, 10k or 500m fun run dressed as your favourite Superhero (for the record mine is She-Ra, Princess of Power). 

This year’s Heroes Run (formerly the Superhero Challenge) will be held on Sunday May 17^th. Even if you aren’t joining in with the running part, I recommend you at least come along to watch and cheer along. Trust me it’s quite a spectacle.

As Heroes Run is part of the Brighton Festival this year they are putting it on month later than the norm. However, they’ll also be tying this in with be attempting to set a new Guinness World record for the most Superheroes in one place.

The record attempt will take place on Hove lawns just before the run sets off, be there or be square – and be sure to bring your cape, pants and tights.

For more info visit: www.passingiton.org  and  www.heroesrun.org.uk

@ The Big Top

7^th -19^th May

Various times and prices

 This event is a Hussy pick for the Brighton Fringe.

Incorporating all aspects of Ancient Chinese theatre including the Wu-Shu Warriors, martial arts from the Shoalin Temple and artists from the Peking Opera, this is a world class production. 

With historic background provided by the narration of ‘The Monkey King’, be dazzled by mind-blowing acrobatics, the strong man, contortionists, high-wire acts and balances beyond the realms of possibility which are carried out seamlessly.

Performances from the Peking Opera include lavish costumes, characters, masks and the Flying Daggers, where endless sleeves conceal their terrifying weapons.

A colourful and enchanting production that will make you want to run away with the circus.

For more info visit: www.thechinesestatecircus.eu

This is an entry for the competition to win a ticket to the Beachdown Festival.

The winner will be the one whose writings recieve the most visits.

See all of the entries here

For details of the festival www.beachdownfestival.com

To see all of our top choices Follow Me

‘A poet’s work is never done’ Luke Wright

@ Komedia studio

3rd May 3.30pm -4.30pm

£8 age res 15+

I love contemporary poetry, so since I heard works from Luke Wright, Poet Laureate in the making, explained as ‘Visceral, poignant and funny verse’ The Scotsman, ‘…from the best young performance poet around’ The Observer, my ears have been itching to hear more.

Purchasing hairspray, choosing a belt,
waiting for cheese on toast to melt
and daytime TV doesn’t watch itself.
A poet’s work is never done.

An Edinburgh Fringe Festival favourite, A Poet’s Work is Never Done is Wright’s most popular show to date and offers us light-hearted and contemporary verse.

Wright has also received 4 and 5 star reviews from The Herald, Time Out and The Metro and is the most recent poet-in-residence on BBC Radio 4′s Saturday Live.

For more info visit: http://www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk/

The winner will be the one whose writings recieve the most visits.

Candlelit Classics: Karl Jenkins requiem

@ St Bartholomew’s church

16th May 8pm-10pm

£13

This event is a Hussy pick for the Brighton Fringe.

To see all of our top choices Follow Me 

Away from the busy hubbub of Brighton, awe-inspiring Nineteenth century cathedral St Bartholomew’s is the perfect setting for this classical event with its heady mixture of incense and soft lighting.

Requiem, released in 2005 by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins, topped the UK classical charts within a month of its release. Featured on the Classical Brits and Classic FM, Jenkins’ moving work has been called “…the ultimate in post-modern Requiems…” by Music Week magazine.  

In his unusual work, Jenkins combines Japanese death poems with traditional Latin text encountered in a Requiem Mass.

It’s time to get in touch with your classical side, let Jenkins’ masterpiece wash over you for the evening whilst bathed in the magic of candlelight.

For more info visit: www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk/

This is an entry for the competition to win a ticket to the Beachdown Festival.

The winner will be the one whose writings recieve the most visits.

See all of the entries here

For details of the festival www.beachdownfestival.com

Street Funk presents:  ‘The fringe battle’

@ The Brunswick

23rd May 1pm-5pm

£5

A real, live, dance off featuring 3 on 3 breakdance battles with some of the best crews in the UK? I’m not missing this. 

The battle is hosted by JP Omari, a professional Hip Hop dancer, teacher and choreographer specialising in Streetdance and Breakdance.

JP is the Artistic Director of the Streetfunk breakdance crew performing at ‘the fringe battle’. JP’s work also includes Urban Strides and the Urban Playground – a work of parkour-inspired theatre and dance = he has also performed for Dizzee Rascal and Sean Paul.

For an afternoon of achingly cool Hip Hop beats and breathtaking dance moves, grab your trainers and be prepared to get your funk on.

For more info visit www.streetfunk.co.uk

Animal Nights @ The Brunswick

5^th, 6th, 13^th May

8pm-11pm

£10 age res 12+

 This event is a Hussy pick for the Brighton Fringe.

To see all of our top choices Follow Me

Animal Nights at intimate 1930′s built music and arts venue The Brunswick, promises to deliver a magical mix of film, theatre, comedy and music from founding members of Artists Project Earth, who produced sell-out tour ‘Tape’.

APE comprises of artists, journalists, film makers and authors who together raise awareness on all aspects of climate change and funds for disaster relief through music and the Arts. Their projects are supported by various musicians such as U2, Coldplay, Radiohead and The Kooks to name but a few.

On for three nights only here at the Fringe, artists that will be taking part in the evening include personal favourites of mine, television’s James Lance of Teacher’s and Book Group fame and actor Lee Ross who has had numerous appearances on The Catherine Tate Show, Hustle and Life on Mars.

For more info visit: www.thebrunswickpub.co.uk

This is an entry for the competition to win a ticket to the Beachdown Festival.

The winner will be the one whose writings recieve the most visits.

See all of the entries here

For details of the festival www.beachdownfestival.com

Paul Gregory (guitar)

@ St Nicholas Church

5^th May 7.30pm-9.15pm

£8

 This event is a Hussy pick for the Brighton Fringe.

To see all of our top choices Follow Me

Brighton’s oldest church St Nicholas on Dyke Road brings us something a little bit different.

With an intoxicating mix of piano and guitar combinations plus solos, works include those of Boccheri, Schubert and Albeniz.

For one night only, internationally acclaimed musicians Yoko Ono, established concert guitarist Paul Gregory and tenor Robert Chavner will join forces to create a wall of impenetrable sound. Surely this speaks for itself, an event not to be missed.

For more info visit: www.guitars-maestosomusic.com

This is an entry for the competition to win a ticket to the Beachdown Festival.

The winner will be the one whose writings recieve the most visits.

See all of the entries here

For details of the festival www.beachdownfestival.com

Stephen Grant or The treason Show?

These events are Hussy picks for the Brighton Fringe.

To see all of our top choices Follow Me

Stephen Grant @ Komedia

21st May 8.30pm-10.30pm

£12 Age res 18+

 Having followed Stephen on the circuit for awhile, I’m particularly excited about this new stand-up show. Described as “brilliant” by Harry Enfield and having been the head comedy writer for Radio 1 for the last 10 years, innocent-looking comic Stephen Grant is has a reputation as one of the best comperes on the UK comedy circuit, and it’s easy to see why.  

Fast-paced stand up comedian and regular Komedia compere, quick-witted Stephen will be previewing his brand new show with virtually all new material.

Komedia is a great venue with a warm and friendly atmosphere; it’s a bit like visiting old friends. Be prepared for your cheeks to hurt, your belly to ache and your make-up to run down your face. They say laughter is the best medicine and with Stephen at centre stage you are guaranteed to laugh so hard you might even fall off your chair.

The Treason Show

@ Komedia

8th, 9th May 8pm-11pm

£13.50 age res 18

 Running for nine years and having received rave reviews from The Guardian – “Savagely Funny – Fantastically Silly”, The Treason Show is real sketch comedy and political satire at its absolute finest.  

The Treason Show is Komedia’s resident sketch comedy show. Moving as fast as the news, you’ll never get same show twice. This edgy satirical sketch show gives an irreverent look at news and current affairs.

Topical, satirical and musical performed by a team of multi-talented sketch artists, The Treason Show is a must-see Brighton institution.

For more info visit: www.komedia.co.uk

This is an entry for the competition to win a ticket to the Beachdown Festival.

The winner will be the one whose writings recieve the most visits.

See all of the entries here

For details of the festival www.beachdownfestival.com

Two to choose from here.

One inside, one outside. It may rain, The Hussy has thought of everyrthing.

These events are Hussy picks for the Brighton Fringe.

To see all of our choices follow me

A Midsummer Nights Dream

@ St Ann’s Well Gardens

7th-10^th May & 13th-17^th May

7.30-10pm

£10

Picture this, possibly the most romantic comedy from Shakespeare, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ which portrays the adventures of four young Athenian lovers, performed live at sunset.

The Festival Shakespeare Company are getting together for the Fringe festival to bring us an open-air performance of one of Shakespeare’s most popular works, in the tranquil setting of St Ann’s Well Gardens,

Pack a blanket, your picnic basket and bring a bottle of something bubbly along to enjoy a civilized evening of lighthearted romance and culture in the sunshine.

For more info visit: http://www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk/

Shakespeare’s Othello

@ Brighton Unitarian Church

18th-22^nd May

6pm – 10pm

£6 age res 12

Get lost in Shakespearian tragedy Othello, the Moor of Venice, a play which revolves around central characters Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army and his wife Desdemona.

Touching on themes such as racism, jealousy, betrayal and love, the play has long been the foundation for various operatic, film and literary adaptations.

Now Sussex University drama society is bringing us their version with a contemporary twist at the Brighton Unitarian church.

For more info visit: www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk

This is an entry for the competition to win a ticket to the Beachdown Festival.

The winner will be the one whose writings recieve the most visits.

See all of the entries here

For details of the festival www.beachdownfestival.com

To see all of our top choices Follow Me

So Get Ready for

Brighton Fringe Festival 2009

Just one of the great things we have to look forward to here during the start of the summer is The Brighton Fringe Festival – a modern mixture of open air theatre, live music, comedy, and cabaret and book readings.

Talented artistes from all over the world come to Brighton for the month of May to celebrate well, the arts and being in Brighton.

The windowsills of the local cafe’s and bars are already filling up with the guides of what’s on and where.  So roll up, roll up folks, get your tickets here and jam pack your diaries - there are some things you just won’t want to miss.

The hot picks for 2009 are listed here so clickety-click you way over.

 The list will keep growing, so come back.

Reviews will be added during the festival.

To book tickets for any of the performances listed above and to read about many more, please visit http://www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk/.

Written and selected by Sarah L Sharp