THERE are dozens of events happening across the city for Brighton Festival today.

Here are a few of the best theatre, arts and music shows: 

Festival of Ideas: Cultural Recovery at Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts in University of Sussex

“As the UK emerged from successive Covid-19 lockdowns, there was a lot of talk about the need for a ‘Cultural Recovery’, normally in relation to the re-opening of cultural spaces and, sometimes, a return to business as usual. But what else could the term imply?”

Thursday, May 26 at 5.30pm

Tickets cost £12, under 26s £10, festival standby £10

As You Like It at St Nicholas Rest Garden, Brighton

Returning to Brighton Festival, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men invite people to join them in St Nicholas Rest Garden for the sparkling comedy As You Like It.

Thursday, May 26 at 6.30pm 

Tickets cost £20, under 16s £12.50, family ticket £50, festival standby £10

In Damascus at  All Saints, Hove

Jonathan Dove’s chamber work is a “masterpiece of restrained anguish” which sets words by the Syrian poet Ali Safar to provide a vivid account of life in a war-torn country. It was commissioned by the Sacconi Quartet, which performs it alongside the acclaimed tenor James Gilchrist.

Thursday, May 26 at 6pm

Tickets cost £18, under 26s £12.50, festival standby £10

The Argus: In Damascus. photo: Alejandro TamagnoIn Damascus. photo: Alejandro Tamagno

Rihab Azar Trio at All Saints, Hove

Whilst Rihab Azar remains strongly connected to her Syrian musical roots, she has enjoyed a variety of creative projects in the UK working with partners such London Sinfonietta, Stile Antico, The Third Orchestra and composer Nigel Osborne.

“Following on from In Damascus this concert is a journey of both classical and contemporary Syrian and broader Middle-Eastern music through the intimate combination of Rihab Azar's oud, Dudley Phillips's bass guitar, and percussionist Ant Romero.”

Thursday, May 26 at 8.30pm

Tickets cost £18, under 26s £12.50, festival standby £10

Summer Commission: Jade Montserrat at Brighton CCA in Grand Parade, Brighton

The commission, focusing on Montserrat’s articulation of black histories, bodies and narratives, will consist of six new works spanning the 45 metre façade of the galleries. 

It will be running until Wednesday, June 1.