Today's idea - Free Circus Show and Django Spears

Two free things today, both brilliant. If you're near the bandstand between 2-4pm we heartily recommend catching Django Spears busking for charity on Brighton Bandstand. They do lovely ska style versions of Mousse T's Horny. It's glorious. Facebook page's - picnic and dancing swimwear compulsory. A bit like Gogol Bordello.



The biggest thing today meanwhile is the circus: "It's circus, but not as you know it..." Yes, it's noisier for a start. No Fit State have been making noise and practicing for three or four days and tonight's their final and free performance to the public. We've heard a loud version of Popcorn and they've currently got FGhost Town on the go. Brilliant little live band with some sort giant double bass. Correct me if I'm wrong.

"NoFit State's mission is to become the circus everyone wants to join. Now with Park Life you can! Taking up a week-long residency on Brighton's Level, NoFit State circus company ditches the big top, rips up the rulebook and invites you to get involved. With a spectacular aerial circus playground and open house programme of taster sessions, rehearsals and workshops, NoFit State will be working with local artists and community groups to develop new acts and routines. From live music jams to bicycle ballets and displays of extreme sports - everything will be on show and up for grabs. Then, as the week draws to a close, all the elements come together in one largescale open-air circus performance in Park Life - The Finale on Sun 23 May at 9pm."

So, tonight - 9pm, at The Level, and it's free.

Today's idea - Japanese Street Festival

Today Moshi Moshi brings the city's first ever Asahi Anime Festival, a celebration of all things manga and anime. There'll be a major live Japanese band (although we do not know who), a gothic Lolita fashion show, game show, speed drawing competition, giant chalk manga artwork, manga merchandise from London's Tokyo Toys, group sing-a-long karaoke and of course "Japanese street food and wacky snacks". And drink. You too can acquire a good knowledge of Japanese alcoholic beverages through the store's frequent celebration of Japenese culture.

You can find details of all the above here, and if you'd like to be part of the Japanese Gameshow it's a the place to get information.



The big thing is likely to be Cosplay (costume + play = dressing as characters, most commonly Japenese fictional ones), growing steadily in popularity in the UK.

There's even a fashion parade, and one for kids too:

"Bleach, Naruto, Sailor Moon, Chobits, and Full Metal Alchemist will be just some of the anime personalities to be seen at the Festival. Others will come as their own outlandish creations. Cosplay is where the cult of the avatar meets fashion, and indeed a fashion show will take place during the day on Saturday, including one for children."

Time: Midday - 10.30pm.
Location: Opticon (opp. Moshi Moshi restaurant), Bartholemew Square.
Map: here.

Get tickets for Good Shoes in Resident in 9 days time

I saw Good Shoes a while ago. Long ago enough that I have no sensible recollection of thrilling antics, but I do remember that they were a good fun band despite the dingy but traditional Oxford gig house. They make me think of bright colours and I had a silly dance or two, all rather nice.

"They play danceable, shed rehearsed guitar music. They like to dance, drink, draw, pretend to be on a mobile phone whilst they are not and write songs," says Last.fm.

On the 13th of January - nine days time - they'll be playing a gig in Resident, one of my favourite music stores in Brighton.

Ticket details are a bit hush-hush and involve asking staff in-store. So, rather than blog about this event on the 13th, the day when it happens and the day when the tickets will in fact be all gone, rending the blogging process advising you to go a little pointless, today we advise getting to Resident, and finding out about the in-store gig, if you're so inclined.

They're also playing later in April, on the 22nd at Audio.