The Grand Mod Experience

Friday, August 23

The Grand hotel, Brighton

WHILE Gary Shail and his Quadrophenia pals will be bringing the party to the seafront on Sunday, a former EastEnders star is kicking off the mod weekend in style.

Carol Harrison, who was born in London but now lives in Brighton, will be hosting the Grand Mod Experience at The Grand hotel, Brighton, on Friday, August 23.

Although Quadrophenia is a huge part of mod culture, this show will be a celebration of the entire mod movement.

The 64-year-old was the mind behind All Or Nothing, the mod musical based on the life of Small Faces singer Steve Marriott.

The show debuted in Brighton in 2013 and toured the UK during 2016 and 2017.

Last year it also had a run in London’s West End.

Now that she is done with the show, Carol wanted to put on a new celebration of mod culture and Brighton was the obvious place to choose as a host city.

Celebrity

With plenty of celebrity guests, including Gary, Phil Daniels and Mark Wingett, Carol says the evening will be a “celebration of all things mod”.

She said: “Every bank holiday we get plenty of mods down here in Brighton.

“As All Or Nothing isn’t running at the moment we wanted to celebrate mods with the Grand Mod Experience.

“The red carpet will be laid out and we’ve got photo exhibitions with some legendary mod scooters outside.

“We then have a Q and A with Phil Daniels, Gary, Mark and Trevor Laird.

“After that there will be a concert version of All Or Nothing, with all the great tracks.

“It will be fantastic event.”

Carol has called on some of her celebrity friends to donate prizes to an auction, which includes a signed tour poster from ska legends Madness.

For the music fix, broadcasting station Mod Radio will be live at the event for the duration.

And for those feeling brave enough, a donation to charity will also earn you a spot in the mod dance competition so you can bust a move with the best dancers in the city.

The contest will be judged by Sandy Sergeant, who will be known by many of those who were youngsters in the Sixties as one of the stars of TV pop music show Ready Steady Go!.

And Carol, a self-confessed former mod, said while there is plenty to enjoy for mod fans over the bank holiday this will be the event to be part of.

She said: “It took a lot of sleepless nights to put it together but it’s very special.

“You don’t have to be a mod to come to this, it’s just going to be a great night out.

“There are plenty of events going on throughout the weekend but this one stands out because it’s classy and it’s at The Grand.”

As well as a chance to celebrate the cult phenomenon that is mod, Carol sees the event as a chance to catch up with old friends.

She said: “These aren’t just stars coming to the event, they’re all my friends.

“I’ve known Phil for more than 40 years.

“Everyone is talking about it and looking forward to it.”

Carol is best remembered for her one year stint as Louise Raymond in EastEnders but now the Londoner is enjoying life on the South Coast.

She has lived in Brighton for 12 years.

It is Carol’s new-found love for the city and the seaside that inspired her to use the Grand Mod Experience to benefit those in the community.

Money raised at the event will go to The Martlets hospice, in Wayfield Avenue, Hove.

The Martlets is a charity that helps people with terminal illnesses by providing them with important life services.

And Carol is delighted to be able to help a local charity as part of the event.

She said: “I moved to Brighton in 2007. I am very much an East End girl but I’m really part of the community now.

“It’s nice to help The Martlets charity – a lot of people I know have a connection with the charity it will be great to help them out.”

The Grand Mod Experience takes place at The Grand, Brighton, on Friday, August 23.

Tickets cost £49.50

For more information visit Facebook and search Grand Mod Experience.