News and things to do: Cherry blossom, a festival of the senses, a sneaky movie and more
The best of Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs and beyond, including music, comedy, film, and festivals to rouse the senses
Work has begun to transform the former Marks & Spencer building on Margate High Street into East Kent Colleges’ new Margate Digital campus. Empty since 2017, the building’s repurposing has been made possible with over £7 million of funding from the government’s Levelling Up and Town Deal funds. It will deliver courses in subjects including animation, TV and film production, and app design to up to 300 students per year. The facility is expected to open in time for the 2025 autumn intake.
The Royal Shakespeare Company's award-winning stage production of My Neighbour Totoro transfers to the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End on Saturday, March 8. It is set to run until Sunday, November 2. Tickets are on sale now.
It’s Pancake Day on Tuesday, and if you don’t fancy flipping them yourself at home, French chef Geoffrey Papin is taking over Thao Thao in Margate’s Old Town for the day, renaming it Le Rendez-Vous. From 9am to 9pm, he’ll be serving up savoury galettes and sweet crêpes.
Margate chef Billy Stock will be moonlighting at The Blue Pelican in Deal on Sunday, March 16. He’ll be serving up a lunch featuring sharing plates, pickles and carefully paired wines. Book a table.
Catch Bach Reimagined at Canterbury’s Gulbenkian Theatre tonight. The show is a collaboration between the brilliant James Wilton Dance company and Canadian cellist Raphael Weinroth Browne - an athletic ballet with pulsating, distorted cello. Tickets £15.
The Palace Cinema in Broadstairs begins a series of David Lynch movie screenings this weekend, showing Eraserhead on Sunday night, March 2. Blue Velvet follows on March 9, and then Mulholland Drive on March 15 and 16. There will be coffee and doughnuts served too. Tickets on sale now.
A long way off, but forgive us for being excited, because Josie Long is coming back to Margate for the first time in ages. Eight years, I reckon. She will perform her new show Now is the Time of Monsters at Where Else on Wednesday, October 29. Like I said, a way off. But tickets are available now and cost £20.
The Ramsgate Through the Senses Festival returns this spring, aiming to excite your sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell. The full programme is yet to be announced, but it will include food, music, theatre, and more. It’s set to take place on April 12 and 13. More info.
TKE Studios’ current artist in residence Ziah Ziah will perform her first show in the role on Saturday, March 22. Combining sound, music, film, and sculpture, the performance will draw on her fifteen years as a hairdresser, marking her transition into a full time artist. She’ll be joined on stage by producer Geoffrey Pain and saxophonist Jorja Chalmers - both excellent in their own right. Tickets £13.70.
London's Tate Modern’s new exhibition on the life and career of the multi-hyphenate Leigh Bowery is now open and runs until the end of August. The show features a collection of Bowery’s costumes, as well as collaborations with other artists, including Fergus Greer, Nick Knight and Lucian Freud, and a look into how he blurred the boundaries between art and life. Full details.
Sam Amidon will play Ramsgate Music Hall on Friday, May 9. The folk musician recently released his ninth studio album, Salt River. Tickets £22.50.
Kent Whisky Explorers will be hosting an Irish whiskey tasting at Little Swift in Margate on Thursday, March 20 - coming just after St Patrick’s Day. There will be five different whiskies to sample, showcasing the variety in what Ireland has to offer. Tickets £27.80.
Brogdale Collections’ always delightful Hanami Festival takes place on April 12-13 this year. Go and enjoy a picnic under the cherry blossom at its peak, take part in the various activities on offer, and then have a wander around the living archive of fruit trees. Book your spot.
Following a triumphant show at Margate Lido last year, Deerhoof are coming back to do it all over again. They will return to the venue on Wednesday, July 30. The last one was a sell out, so don’t wait around. Tickets £22.87.
Ramsgate Community Cinema has announced three free screenings for young people this month. Peanut Butter Falcon will be shown today at 2pm, with Chuck Chuck Baby set for Saturday, March 9 and Unicorns on Saturday, March 22. Entry will cost nothing for those aged between 15 and 25 - everyone else is welcome on a pay-what-you-can basis (suggested donation £3.50). Further details.
Faversham foodie wonderland Macknade has announced that its Beer & BBQ Fest will be back this summer on Saturday, June 28. As well as beer and barbecued food, there’ll be live cooking demonstrations, live music, kids activities and more. Tickets are £12 (under 18s free).
Sneaky Sneaky Film Club returns to the Tom Thumb Theatre on Friday, March 7. What film are they showing? Well, that would be telling. Also, we don’t know. That’s the point. You turn up and take your chances on whatever mystery flick has been selected. As an added bonus/consolation, your £10 entry fee also gets you access to unlimited popcorn.
ICYMI - previous tipped events happening in the next week
Squid play Margate Lido tonight in support of their excellent new album Cowards. Tickets are £23.
Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols will be playing a solo show at Ramsgate Music Hall tonight. Tickets are £27.50.
Parallel Action will be playing a two hour DJ set at Ramsgate wine bar and kitchen Seabird tonight. Booking advised.
The tenth edition of Thanet’s Power of Women festival begins on Sunday and runs in venues across Ramsgate, Margate and Broadstairs until the end of the month. Read our interview with CEO Rosanagh Fuller and head of powthanet.com to book tickets.
The GATHER wedding fair takes place around Thanet this weekend. It has various events that sound like fun even if you’re not planning to get hitched.
Classes begin later this month, but new students can enroll on the next term of Screaming Alley and Pat Riarchy’s drag class at The Pub on Wednesday from 6-7pm. DM for more info.
Poetry slam Babeslam returns to Where Else on Wednesday. Previous winner Cassie O’Connor headlines. Tickets £7.52.
Ramsgate Noise Institute presents an evening of experimental music on Thursday at Unit 2, St Lawrence Industrial Estate. Entry is free.
Artist Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian converts Piccadilly Circus in London into a cosmic playground from Thursday to Saturday. Find out more.
The Wave Pictures play Ramsgate Music Hall on Friday. Tickets are £20.
