"EMPORIUM" - A BRAND NEW THEATRE VENUE IN BRIGHTON!

Something amazing and exciting has happened in an area of Brighton, East Sussex, not renowned for its cultural or artistic ventures apart from the beautiful old Duke of Yorks cinema on Preston Circus. A brand new professional theatre has opened up on London Road, home of the charity shop and boarded up ex-shops! In fact, the whole area seems to be undergoing some sort of regeneration of late; the almost-derelict Open Market is being given a multi-million pound revamp, as are the abandoned old Co-Op department store and The Level, a public green space which is also in the midst of a massive face-lift. Not to mention the brand new ethical supermarket, HiSbe Food, about to open up just down the road.

But I digress...Emporium is a new professional theatre which has opened up on London Road high street in the long-disused old Methodist chapel. They are still in the midst of renovations but have opened up a few months early in order to take part in Brighton's ever-growing fringe festival and the "distressed" look actually works in its favour, giving an edgier feel to the place, particularly effective in a "fringe" context. The main space as you walk in is a relaxed and comfortable tea room selling exquisite cakes and delicious loose-leaf teas. The whole area is very large and spacious and the perfect place to chill either before a show or to just pop into for a gossip during the daytime. 

The entertainment on offer at Emporium is eclectic encompassing theatre, cabaret & chat and various workshops & classes. During Brighton Fringe, the wonderful Fake Bush, an inspired Kate Bush comic tribute, makes her triumphant return to Brighton after almost two years away from these parts. There are also shows from international soprano Miranda Keys, The Speakeasy Three, an all-singing, all-dancing performance group and later in the year Emporium will be a partner venue for Brighton Pride's first Film & Arts Festival. 

So whether you want to attend an all-day creative workshop, share an evening of cabaret and fine dining or just want to relax over tea and cake one morning while out shopping, pop into Emporium on London Road...I can guarantee you'll be back for more! 

For booking information check out the Emporium website HERE.

Follow Emporium on Twitter.

Like Emporium on Facebook.

IF YOU LOVE TEA AND CAKES...

If you love tea and cakes then you will really love one of the newest additions to Brighton's burgeoning independent tea shop community - B & R on Trafalgar Street in the North Laines. It's only been running for a little over six months but already B & R is gaining a reputation via word-of-mouth as one of the best independent cafes in Brighton perfectly situated on a corner just a few doors up from The Great Eastern pub and overlooking a pretty residential garden on the opposite side of the street. 

The atmosphere is calm and inviting with chilled-out jazz playing quietly in the background, big spacious windows so that you can watch the world go by and a marvelous selection of loose-leaf teas. But the biggest draw for me is the delicious array of absolutely gorgeous home-made cakes including the best Chocolate Guinness Cake I've ever tasted! I cannot recommend this highly enough to all you cake connoisseurs out there - if you're not a local, it's worth a trip to Brighton just for B & R's cakes! 

So far they've been keeping it old school but a little bird tells us that B & R will soon be entering the digital age with a website and Facebook page so that they can stay in touch with their customers and keep them up-to-date with any new cakes, teas and special events! Watch this space....

FRIDAY TWEETS AND GIGGLES!

It's a lovely sunny Friday so here at the Happy Zone we thought we'd share a couple of Twitter Funnies with you all to brighten your day even more! Have a great weekend! 

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!

Today is International Women's Day so spare a moment to celebrate women's economic, political and social achievements across the globe! 

BUCKS FIZZ : FAME & FORTUNE? New Album Review

Eurovision Song Contest winners and multi-million album sellers Bucks Fizz released their long-awaited brand new studio album last year under the name OBF (Original Bucks Fizz) after losing a legal battle against former band member Bobby G to retain the use of the name Bucks Fizz. However, original members Mike Nolan, Jay Aston and Cheryl Baker have proved that they haven't lost their fizz with this collection of new tracks and dramatically reworked versions of their old hits. Here is a review of the new Bucks Fizz album which you can buy through their fan club; just email theobfshop@gmail.com for details.

• My Camera Never Lies - The first indication that the new Bucks Fizz are a mellower beast with this dreamy chill-out acoustic version of number one power pop hit My Camera Never Lies with Mike on lead vocals. 
• Leave Them Alone - Another Mike-centric track with a light summer reggae vibe. Some lovely sax and perfect harmonies combine to make the perfect track to cruise through London in your convertible with the roof down soaking up the rays. 
• Heart of Stone - Bucks Fizz goes roots/country with a skiffle-influenced version of a track they originally released in 1988 which then had more of a rock ballad feel. Cher went on to cover the song bringing it to the charts in 1990.
• The Day Is Mine - In many ways the most "modern" and contemporary sounding of the new tracks, this Jay Aston-led electro pop could easily be released as a single with some subtle remixing and by boosting up the rest of the band's vocals on the chorus.  
• I Hear Talk - A brilliant jazz/skiffle version of the group's 80's hit, this was the first (and only?) single used to promote the new album and gives Bucks Fizz a true grown-up, retro, yet strangely fresh sound with a lead vocal from Cheryl. 
• Joy! - More reggae sounds with a Mike Nolan lead vocal and a real happy vibe. Could be boosted up a little and given a more powerful gospel choir sound but still a lovely energetic song; the exclamation mark in the title says it all.
• Can't Stand The Heat - Jay Aston's personal favourite, this was always a great dance track in its original incarnation but now given a lively latin flamenco feel. Makes me think of vacations overseas in the blazing hot sunshine - a real holiday vibe. 
• My Angel - A beautiful and poignant old school styled jazz ballad sung by Cheryl Baker; sublime.
• Talking In Your Sleep - Laid-back and surprisingly atmospheric version of yet another 80's hit, this has a subtle power and depth with a slightly gallic flavour. 
• Love To Love - Sounding instantly dated despite being a new track, this isn't one of my favourites although one could be charitable and call it "sweet". Bland and unmemorable.
• Making Your Mind Up - I've always hated this track (sorry Mike!) from the day it won Eurovision back in 1981 but this version is a revelation! I never thought in a million years that I could ever like this song but it's one of the highlights of the album, given a whole new lease of life with a perky yet laid-back jazz style. I could just put this track on repeat and chill out all day. 
• Ain't It A Shame (Ballad of Bucks Fizz) - This is a very clever track lyrically but would probably irritate the hell out of non-hardcore Bucks Fizz fans with its repetitive country refrain. The song includes many references to old Fizz tracks and is a quite melancholy look back at the mixed fortunes of the group over the years. 

Overall, this is a pretty strong album from a classic pop band which left me occasionally missing Bobby's harder-edged rockier vocals and the energetic percussion that was an essential part of the group's sound. However, Fame & Fortune shows a real maturity and an ear for a great tune combined with strong lead vocals and the ever-present perfect harmonies. With the right backing (are you listening out there record companies and promoters?) Bucks Fizz could definitely give the younger pop bands a run for their money and still be a musical force to be reckoned with. 

More good news for Fizz fans is that Mike Nolan is releasing his very first solo album called In My Life, a personal and poignant collection of songs; a contemporary twist on some 70's influenced classics. The album is now available to pre-order from Mike's website and look out for some TV, radio and live appearances too. I shall be reviewing Mike's new album in the very near future so watch this space! 

GREEN TREE HEALING - Just One Session And The Pain Had Gone!

Here at The Happy Zone we love to bring you ideas and places that can help keep you healthy and happy in both mind and spirit. We especially like to support small, independent businesses which is why today we want to draw your attention to Green Tree Healing based in Brighton, East Sussex in the UK. Focusing on a variety of therapies, Graham and Liz use a combination of Body Electronics, Shamanic Healing, BodyMind Therapy and Nutritional advice in order to help you on your own journey to health and rediscovering the magic of life.

I wanted to share my own story with you today as a testament to Green Tree Healing's amazing restorative and healing techniques. I have suffered from depression virtually my whole life and was at a particularly low ebb both mentally and physically. Along with the depression I had been suffering from painful verrucas for eight months which would not go away and had virtually crippled me; the pain was so intense there were times when I could barely walk. I came to see Graham for some healing as I had tried every remedy I could find but they just would not budge. After just one session with Graham the pain stopped and I could walk properly for the first time in eight months. Within a couple of weeks (two sessions) the verrucas had almost gone. Just a few short weeks later my foot was completely healed and the verrucas have never returned. 

Not only that, but after every Energy Healing session my depression would lift for a few days and I would feel more balanced mentally. I also suffer from rosacea, which makes my face flare up, my skin dry and gives me severe acne symptoms. After my healing sessions, my face also began to improve. I cannot recommend Graham strongly enough and am incredibly grateful for his help.

If you are suffering from any physical or mental ailments and you need some help or a bit of a mental or physical boost contact the Green Tree Healing centre and book an appointment with Graham or Liz today. Please tell them The Happy Zone sent you. Their prices are incredibly reasonable and they have a huge range of treatments.

If you want to recommend any particular healing centres or have a positive story you'd like to share, please feel free to comment below.

You can call Green Tree Healing on 01273 563054 or Graham directly on 07748 223072.

Don't forget to tell them The Happy Zone sent you!

KNITTING, A PENGUIN AND A SLICE OF CAKE...

Knitting, a penguin and a slice of cake...battenberg to be precise! It all sounds very bizarre and intriguing but these are just a few of the elements that come together to form the heart-warming and hilarious play Me, As A Penguin by Tom Wells. The Guildford Fringe Theatre Company are presenting a brilliant comedy all this week at The Star Inn, Guildford every night from 7:30pm as directed by Tim Astley and starring Guy Adams, Molly Roberts, James Beedham and Simon Victor. 

Last night was press night and the buzz has been fantastic on Twitter and Facebook. There are tickets available for the rest of the week so why not pop along, have a drink and meet the cast? If you take your knitting with you, you also get a free slice of battenberg cake! It sounds very intriguing but apparently all will be revealed at the performance...so bring your knitting and come along!

The doors open at 6:30pm, the show starts at 7:30 and the running time is approximately one hour and ten minutes. 

Tickets, priced at £12.50 (£10 for concessions) are now on sale. Click here to book online.  

Alternatively, you can call 01483 444334 or buy them in person at Guildford Tourist Information Centre on the High Street!

And finally you can always buy tickets on the door at the venue from 6:30pm but it's cash only!

Me, As A Penguin is only playing until Saturday 8th December so make sure you see it now while you can! You can find more details about the play over on the Guildford Fringe website. The Happy Zone crew will be there on Friday evening so we may see some of you then! 

Click here to buy your tickets online!

The Star Inn is on Quarry Street, just off the High Street (on the right just before the cobbled/pedestrianised section starts).  See the map below.