Margate culture news +things to do

Tom Thumb Theatre hosts rock and roller Lo Barnes for her EP release party, on Wednesday, May 15. It's an apt choice of venue, given her EP is Live From The Tom Thumb. At this intimate gig held in the bar, she and her band will be joined by Pennsylvania group The Wild Hymns. Tickets £5.

Social Singing Choir return to Margate Leisure Centre for their summer party on Tuesday, May 28. From 7.30pm, the choir will perform some of the songs they've been working on, and there's DJs, musical guests and a raffle too. Tickets are £5 and funds raised go to Margate Pride 2024.

On Pride, there's so many ways to be part of it. Tickets to the Dreamland Drag Party (Aug 10, 6pm-11pm) featuring Jodie Harsh, Bimini and Margate's own Amy Zing are now on sale at margatepride.org.uk and outsavvy.com. Ruby Rare and pals will host the first Pride bunting-making session at Margate Arts Club, on Saturday, May 11. Turn up from 11am-3pm.

Congratulations to beach bar Sun Deck which won best bar at the Kent Muddy Stiletto awards. Get amongst it this weekend, with Noel Leeman and Alistair Mason on Saturday, May 11 or More Ritual and Ali Renault on Sunday, May 12. Coming up, Sun Deck have the Ultimate ABBA Party (Sunday, May 26) and Northern Soul, R&B and soul (Friday May 31).

Ahead of his June Where Else dates, World Poetry Slam Champ Harry Baker brings his joyful podcast, Something Borrowed with Harry Baker to Forts. On May Tuesday, May 28, Baker is joined by Toby Campion for chats and poetry as punters are welcomed to also perform as poem or song or whatever as part of the evening's open night section. Starts at 7pm and won't run later than 9.30pm. Tickets from free to £11.55.

Main Sands-side natural wine bar Little Swift continue their fifth birthday celebrations this weekend until the close of doors, Sunday, May 12. It's "shots, shots, shots" on Saturday and a cheese trolley and fizz on the Sunday. There will also be a special wine list for the occasion and celebratory tunes.

Margate Fringe Festival returns to various venues around town, May 23-27. Look out for the likes of Tom Rosenthal, Kiri Pritchard Mclean and Frankie Thompson taking the stage at Tom Thumb Theatre, Margate Arts Club and Olby's. Head to the festival's Instagram for times, dates and tickets, which are between £11.30-£13.56.

Tickets for the LOW MARGATE wine and music weekender are on sale now. Held Saturday and Sunday June 22 and 23 in the old town, guests can sample more than 100 European and British organic, biodynamic and low intervention wines. These wines will be paired with music in some 20 odd venues around town including, Faith in Strangers and Sargasso, for music that has been as carefully curated as the vino. Tickets £30, available lowmargate.com.

Turner Contemporary Late Night Live brings together author Gemma Rolls-Bentley, Talk Art's Russell Tovey and Robert Diament and Margate Pride and CAMP crew. On Saturday May 18 at 5pm, Gemma will chat with Talk Art about her new book Queer Art. Following the In Conversation, Margate Pride and CAMP hosts the afterparty with the likes of Amy Zing, Mia Grimehouse and Jess Hall. Tickets from £10 and available at tickettailor.com