Coastal Currents 2019: Funky blues, unconventional dance and alternative therapy at a packed arts festival

There’s lots more lined-up for Coastal Currents 2019 this year even after three busy weeks of successful artistic events in East Sussex.

The third weekend of the festival saw Ben Urban and Flatland_Projects launch Madeleine Pledge’s first solo show in the south east.

‘Stretch’, curated by Phoebe Cripps, offers a delightful juxtaposition of Madeleine’s work against the setting of the Source Park underground skate park in Hastings.

This is the first of Flatland_Projects’ autumn programme, which is supported by Arts Council England.

Artwork by Madeleine Pledge. Picture by Alexander Brattell

Tina Morris, the director of Coastal Currents, said: “This show and the next from Flatland_Projects are high quality exhibitions in a wonderfully unique setting. One of the things I love most about this festival is showing off the incredible spaces we have in this town that are constantly reinvented by clever creative people.”

Jungle Jam, a three-day ‘neon paradise’ at Crowley’s bar in Hastings, was also a hit.

Artists Drew Copus, Kate Bruce and other contributors created a cool interactive experience with UV costumes and live music from September 13-15.

Drew said: “We couldn’t have imagined a better turn-out and everyone has been truly so brilliant.”

Amplified Edition by H2Dance. Picture by Benedict Johnson

Upcoming events at the festival

Joel White and his full band perform at The Albion, Hastings, on Sunday, September 22 (7pm-9pm, free). This will be a funky gig from a guitarist who can switch easily from superb B B King blues numbers to covers of Stevie Wonder and a wide range of pop favourites.

Amplified Edition by H2Dance is on September 26 (7.30pm), at The Printworks, Hastings. Tickets are £10 (£8 concessions, £6 students) from ticketsignite.com. This is a live performance rooted in movement and uses non-conventional ways of interacting with the black box theatre.

Crowley Calling is at Electro Studios, St Leonards, on September 28-29 (11am-4pm). Curated by Berc Consulting, this is a mixed media group exhibition influenced by modern day occultist Aleister Crowley.

Artists Ben Urban and Rachel Irons from Flatland_Projects are offering alternative therapy sessions on September 21 with Cry Club. The project has been developed in collaboration with MIND. Find out more at coastalcurrents.org.uk.

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