Opening Night at The Toy Museum Folk Club

The Toy Museum Folk Club kicked off last night with two brilliant sets, first from Jack Harris, and then the headline act Jess Morgan.

Jack Harris is an accomplished singer songwriter with a number of well regarded albums under his belt. Haunting vocals and enchanting lyrics, telling stories that everyone could easily relate to.

Jess Morgan is widely regarded as one of the finest and most uncompromising performers on the British folk scene today. She tours relentlessly (even in Whitby) and her engaging, thought provoking songs are welcomed wherever she goes. Her songs are acutely observed ballads concerning love, loss and redemption, and it was a joy to see her playing live in such an intimate venue as Brighton Toy and Model Museum.In the run-up to Christmas we have many more confirmed shows taking place at the Toy Museum Folk Club, each will be appearing after an appropriate support act who will be confirmed as each date approaches. To stay informed about who will be on, do follow our facebook events page (which includes details for all other events happening at Brighton Toy and Model Museum) or join us on Twitter where we regularly share updates and news. We look forward to many more fabulous nights at the Toy Museum Folk Club and sincelerly hope you will join us too!

Ooh La La Board For Brighton!

Vintage car collectors, owners and enthusiasts are often compared to big kids tinkering with their toys. This being so, the Committee at Brighton Toy and Model Museum thought that the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run was the perfect cue to get their trainsets running again.

Brighton Toy and Model Museum will be holding another of their ever popular Train Running Days on November the 1^st to entertain all vintage enthusiasts and the nostalgic who will be on the South Coast for the London to Brighton rally the following day. Running days at the museum are unfortunately infrequent because the time and effort put into making sure the trains are properly maintained means that they can’t be run on a regular basis. This running day will be different from the running days that the museum are occasionally able to host thanks to a French inspired theme. The museum will be unpacking its rare French made models from the first half of the last century and will be running them alongside more familiar British makes.

For those dedicated Francophiles among us, the French theme continues after the museum’s normal opening hours: In the evening the Museum will be laying on a French soirée with authentic French music and chanteuse entertaining guests. A buffet of French foods including cheeses and wines will also be available.

 The Running Day on the first of November will be much like any other day at the museum except that many of the old, rare, and delicate trains which are normally only displayed behind glass in the central layout will be running. The glass will also be removed so visitors can get a really great unimpeded view of the trains as they go. There will also be staff and museum members on hand throughout the day to talk about the collections, their history as well as offering guidance and advice to any budding model rail enthusiasts.

Admission to the Running Day will be £10 per person, admission for those who wish to attend both the running day and the evening’s entertainments (which includes access throughout the museum) is £16.00. Tickets for the evening’s event will be £8.50 and will include a complimentary glass of wine.

For more information about booking tickets please see our Eventbrite pages. One allows you to book tickets for the running day while the other allows you to book for the evening of song or buy tickets for the entire day's schedule of events.

Forthcoming Events

On Saturday, 24th November at 8pm we are hosting a Jazz Night. The music will be performed by a mainstream jazz band Harry's Tricks.

On Friday, 7th December at 7.00pm join us for an authentic Victorian Christmas Magic Lantern Show

There will be a bar during both of the events!

Not only will you be able to enjoy the events but also to see the museum's exhibitions!

There are some discounted tickets available if purchased in advance.

Music Night a great success

Many claim that it was the best Music Night we've organised yet!!! Enthusiastic guests packed the Museum on Saturday April 22 to enjoy a high-energy evening of first-class folk music. The event raised much-needed funds for the Museum.

The great line-up included:

Paul Downes - Recognised as one of the finest guitarists on the folk scene. Eight albums with bands, three highly acclaimed solo albums and over one hundred and fifty session credits have still left time for Paul to play every concert venue, theatre and festival in Britain, plus many tours in the USA and Europe with, among others, Pete Seeger. "Wonderful...Magnificent throughout," said Melody Maker.

Terry Masterson has been a giant of the local folk scene for over three decades. His wonderful ballad singing will leave you in no doubt why.

Alan White - While he was resident of the famous Boggery Folk Club in Birmingham it was Alan who gave Jasper Carrott his first break and they remain close friends. Alan toured the folk circuit extensively with his riotous comedy act and recorded two albums. A rare chance to see him performing locally.

Among the other artists appearing were the multi-instrumental duo Ray Chandler & Barry Ruffell, Pete Cartlidge & Stuart Reed of The Taverners.

Special thanks to the musicians and to our generous sponsors:

• Harveys Breweries
• Courage Breweries
• Kitchen Cafe, 93 Trafalgar Street.

Everyone's been asking when we hope to have the next one!