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Brighton’s friendliest comedy club, set in the heart of the Lanes, has announced its stellar line up for the next few months. The award-winning Secret Comedy Club hosts some of the most nationally and internationally recognised performers, including acts featured on BBC, Netflix, and Comedy Central. Comedians performing over the coming months include Ali Woods, Tadiwa Mahlunge, Esther Manito, Joe Thomas (The Inbetweeners), Red Richardson, and Laura Lexx.
Artista Café & Gallery, also known as Artista Studio, is one of Brighton’s most dynamic and multi-faceted independent creative venues. Founded by Alexander Voodoo, its story spans more than a decade of artistic, performance, and community-driven activity, evolving from a small photographic workspace into a vibrant cultural hub. They will be hosting a stage for their third consecutive year at The Great Escape Festival in May alongside shows during the Brighton Fringe and will also have a pre-Edinburgh Fringe preview season for 2026.
“Artista has always been about creating a home for creativity, somewhere people feel inspired, supported and part of something bigger. Every laugh, every song, every piece of art adds another layer to that story. I want to build on that by hosting more workshops, art classes and exhibitions, giving artists a true home to create and connect. We’ve reopened the photo studio and are bringing cabarets and burlesque into the mix too, whilst continuing to support every part of the comedy scene, from open mics and new acts finding their voice to professional comedians honing their craft.”
Originally established in the early 2010s as a photographic workspace, offering services such as model portfolios, event photography, and creative workshops. Artista was conceived as a practical studio environment, but quickly grew into a gathering place for a network of photographers, models, and creative professionals. The team behind Artista recognised a broader need: a space where artists and performers could collaborate, learn, and socialise while sharing their work.
In 2014, Artista was formally launched on Hove’s Waterloo Street, and quickly became a hub for Brighton’s independent arts scene with a café, gallery and performance space. It became known for its inclusive, multi-disciplinary approach, hosting a wide range of events. Curated by Alexander, they hosted live performances including stand-up comedy nights (including the now-iconic Secret Comedy Club), improv and sketch comedy, theatre productions, storytelling, and cabaret as well as music nights, open mic music, jam sessions, acoustic showcases, jazz, world, and experimental performances.
In 2023 they moved to a much larger venue on Brighton Square in the heart of the Lanes, as it had outgrown its space. They expanded their capacity while maintaining the intimate, community-focused atmosphere. They continued to host comedy, music, theatre, workshops, exhibitions, and private/community events. They also encompass art & visual culture with exhibitions, photography shows, pop-up installations, and live art sessions. They curate workshops & creative development and support both private & community events from Birthday parties, corporate events, film screenings, charity events, creative meet-ups, and pop-up markets.
The creative heartbeat of the venue has many forms, but few places capture the city’s eclectic energy like Artista Café & Gallery. At the centre of its evolution is Alexander, a visionary whose journey through photography, music, and performance has shaped one of the city’s most dynamic cultural hubs.
Voodoo has been in the UK since 1999, moving to Brighton in 2001, where he first immersed himself in the city’s nightlife and creative community. A trained photographer, he studied his craft in Portugal and continued at Northbrook College in Brighton, before studying music production there. His early involvement in Brighton’s club scene included flyering and DJing for Audio, combining performance skills with his academic studies in music production.
Parallel to his music work, Alexander built a distinguished career in photography under the brands Voodoo Creations Photography and Alexander Fashion Photography, specialising in fashion, editorial, model portfolios, and studio hire. His photographic vision and professional technical expertise provided the foundation for his next big step: transforming a modest photography studio into a full-fledged creative venue.
Artista’s impact was formally recognised in 2021, where they won the Audience Choice Award – Best Venue at the Brighton Fringe, highlighting its innovation, inclusivity, and centrality to Brighton’s independent arts scene. Alexander’s vision is simple yet powerful: to create a home for creativity where people feel inspired, supported, and part of something bigger. Through his dual role as photographer and venue curator, he has nurtured emerging talent, championed cross-disciplinary arts, and maintained a space that bridges nightlife, performance, visual arts, and community engagement.
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