Man versus Zumba

If you've left the house this year, you've probably heard of Zumba. Created in Colombia during the 1990s, the dance-fitness program has gone global in the last 12 months and the brand is now a phenomenon; its website boasts over 50 classes in Brighton alone.

To discover what the fuss is about I decide to take the plunge. I arrive at my local class off Seven Dials on a freezing December evening, ready to 'party myself into shape'.

Trained dancer and Zumba instructor Sofia Upton greets me warmly, beaming from ear to ear and looking in alarmingly good shape. Noting I am the only male present makes me nervous, but rating myself a competent dancer at nightclub level I breathe deeply and take to the studio floor.

"A night out without drinking"

From nowhere, 'Hot Hot Hot' booms across the room and Sofia is off, a ball of perfectly choreographed energy busting moves for us all to follow. Each music track has a series of dance steps requiring sharp technique as well as decent fitness levels to keep up with, and I struggle. So far off the pace at times, I realise I've resorted to my default party dance: head nods, hip shimmies.

Sofia Upton

"Sing it!" Sofia commands as the music continues, and the group respond - it's part of what makes Zumba unique. "It's not boring, like going to the gym - it's something fresh and different," she says. The co-ordination is tough but when I finally nail a few steps it's satisfying and by the end I feel invigorated, if slightly relieved.

I ask Sofia if the lessons attract many men: "My classes are generally all girls, men can feel intimidated by that." The ladies present love it however, applauding loudly at the end of the hour.

Sofia sums up Zumba as a night out without drinking, and it's certainly a party that provides an alternative to weights and cross-trainers: try it.

Visit http://www.zumbakrazy.co.uk for more info on classes with Sofia

Food review: Tin Drum Charcuterie

With economic gloom set to persist for eons to come and winter looming, my joy at discovering a half-price food offer at the Tin Drum Charcuterie on Seven Dials was unbridled. 

Charcuterie is a French method of cooking devoted to cured meats (OK I googled it), and the bar-restaurant specialises in pork from the owner's Sussex-based farm. Locally sourced and discounted? All boxes ticked.

Miles at work behind the new bar

Things get even better on arrival as it's also happy hour drinks, and I ask bar supervisor Miles about the recent refurbishment and new menu. 'The bar has been brought forwards to create more of a social atmosphere', he says, and it's succeeded. The low lamps create a warm and inviting ambience and the place is buzzing, most tables taken. I order the mixed charcuterie plate, the dish Miles tells me is most popular with the locals.

Mixed charcuterie plate

The carefully presented meats showcase all the farm's products: chorizo, air dried ham and prosciutto, all tasting fabulous when washed down with an ale. Best of all is the pork terrine with a wonderful rich, earthy flavour while the pot of pickles, onions and capers add a sweet, juicy zing to set the dish off perfectly. The fries are great too, skins on and hand-cut.

So how do Brighton's famous vegetarian community feel about the concept? 'We get asked that a lot, but the owner wants to push his produce' says Miles. Bold principles, and a refreshing approach to bar food which looks here to stay.

Art heist in Seven Dials

A Seven Dials bar manager set up a sting operation to catch thieves stealing artwork worth £1000 from his premises.

Xuma bar manager Cormac Eddery exhibits works by local artists and first noticed a print by Saoirse Louise Towler and one by Sara Abbott, worth £400, had vanished on October 30th 2011.

On October 31st the group returned to steal another print but were followed home by Mr Eddery. He called the police who advised the thieves had to be caught in the act for an arrest to be made. A sting operation was then conceived to catch the gang red-handed: in the bar another work by Towler was hung on the gallery's lowest hook, with cameras trained on the item and security staff ready to swoop.

Exhibition work by Saoirse Towler

The following day Mr Eddery watched in amazement from his cellar as CCTV footage showed the thieves returning and casually removing the picture. Within 10 minutes security staff had arrived to apprehend the group. Stunned locals looked on as one of the gang attempted to order a beer whilst the police were called. 'We just couldn't believe it', Mr Eddery said.

All the prints have now been safely returned and a local woman has been charged, to stand trial in December.

A version of this story later appeared in The Brighton Argus - click here to view