Let’s face it, January was a very long month. There was the cold, the worries of putting the heating on and financially surviving the longest payday of the year!
February looks brighter! For a start, it is LGBTQ month which allows for lots of celebrations and awareness as well as some cool things to attend.
1st – 28th February
Southsea Cinema Palmerston Road Southsea
Southsea Cinema has a whole month of events with its 9th Pride Film Festival. Check out all the details here. A chance to go and support your local independent cinema and enjoy the events too. The festival will be showing a range of films, will have guest speakers, and aims to celebrate and raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other sexual identities) History Month. This year’s LGBTQ+ History Month theme celebrates LGBTQ+ peoples’ contribution to cinema and film from behind the lens- animators, cinematographers, make-up artists, producers, screenwriters and beyond. As you take part in the events you are also encouraged to look ‘Behind the Lens’ and listen to LGBTQ+ peoples’ lived experiences.’
Saturday 4th February
De-Stash by Seeded at Harbour Church Near Gunwharf Quays 10-am until 2-pm!
The Seeded De-Stash comes to St Georges Gunwharf! This popular free crafty event offers plenty of pre-loved craft stashes to browse and buy, including wool, fabrics, paper crafts, buttons and general haberdashery – think of a crafting car boot and you won’t be far off! An opportunity to find your next project, meet like-minded crafters and be inspired.
Saturday 4th February
Icebreaker Festival Southsea!
The one-day unsigned music festival is back for a delightful lineup of talent we have in Hampshire and further afield which is spread out over a few locations in Southsea. You can buy tickets on the day but last year they sold out, so best to buy from their website if possible! Have a read of what Icebreaker Festival is about here.
Saturday 4th February
Southsea Green Canoe Lake Southsea
Southsea Green is a local community garden and they are holding their monthly meet by opening to the public. It allows you to explore the garden and see what the community volunteers get up to. There will be hot beverages and a chance to have a chat about plants, and gardens but also think about the community projects going on there and how you can get involved. Based in Canoe Lake next to the cafe, it sits neatly hidden away.
Wednesday 8th February
Aspex Gallery – Gunwharf Quays 11am until 3pm
Enter the Lab for a day of exploring the world of a virus. There will be a chance to use mixed media, printmaking, collage and creative writing prompts to explore the world of a virus including what it’s like to live with one. You will collaboratively create a book out of the artworks/designs that will be used to inspire others to think about HIV.
Led by Jane Shepherd, HIV activist and graphic designer
Free to all but you have to prebook the tickets through the website here and for 18+.
Friday 10th February
Wedgewood Rooms The Annual St Valentines Day Massacre 10-year Anniversary
The Annual St Valentines Day Massacre (VDM) is back! Since 2013 the Massacre has challenged local bands to open their hearts and cover love songs in support of Youth Music. These brave souls perform earnest, ill-considered, surprising, and occasionally triumphant cover versions of their favourite relationship songs. A musical potluck of sorts, the acts get 15 minutes each where they can play whatever they want, as long as the songs deal in love, lust or heartbreak.
This year’s line up:
– Amba Tremain
– Fleet Load (Fleetingwood Mac doing something else)
– Halliwell
– Hoochawakes (The Stayawakes + Hooch)
– Mush Bird
– Stone Cold Chill Peppers
– VDM All Stars
– Waif & Stray
The last in-person event raised £4000 and with your help, they are hoping to smash that total once again. The Wedgewood Rooms are so happy to celebrate ten glorious years of this event. Grab a ticket and spread the word. There is also the return of the love raffle with some amazing prizes donated by local and independent businesses. If you’d like to contribute a prize please e-mail theannualvalentinesdaymassacre@gmail.com Tickets are £10 in advance, £12 on the door and all proceeds go to Youth Music. Doors open 7:30pm.
Friday 10th February
Staggeringly Good Brewery Fratton
Staggeringly Good are clever at bringing us cool events. After such a success last time, the smash hit comedy show ‘Mashup Blingo’ – Hip Hop Bingo is heading back to Staggeringly Good! Join potty-mouthed pensioner Grandma Flash in this smash-hit, hilarious bingo show. Expect a non-stop megamix of bingo, beats and more bling than you can throw a zimmer frame at. Sounds good to me. This is a ticketed event and starts 7pm until 10.30pm.
Get tickets here.
Thursday 16th February – 26th February
Andrew Foster – ‘Everything Louder Than Everything Else’ Corner Collective Albert Road Southsea.
Andrew Foster hits the ground running with a body of energetic, large-scale abstract paintings in his first physical solo exhibition in Portsmouth. Through these powerful pieces, The artist employs a knee-jerk response to his emotions. Bold neon colours and brave movement capture moments of reflection and struggle.
Skyline structures and contemporary symbols are echoed alongside vibrant, fast mark making creating a visual language Andrew uses to navigate his life. The works are loud and demand an emotive exchange with the viewer.
Rooted in Contemporary Abstract painting but inspired by Streetart’s fight talk over urban decay, these paintings carry subtle contemporary pop culture themes that have signposted the artist’s journey.
Thursday 16th PV opening night everyone welcome.
17th, 18th, 19th Feb open 11am till 4pm.
24th, 25th, 26th Feb open 11am till 4pm all at the Corner Collective.
Saturday 18th February
Seadog Print Studio Fratton next to Tesco Express.
Seadog Studio has a clothing sale that starts at 9.30am. This place is always cool to take the whole family and see how clothing is made. The quality of tees and hoodies from here is just the best! Head on down there and grab a bargain from the studio at Fratton next to Tesco Express. With piles of blank and printed clothing ranging from £1-10, you are bound to find something you will love! parking is always a nightmare there and especially if there is a match on so just be aware of that before you set off. There is free parking all around Milton park.
