News and things to do: Get creative, have a dance, get among the trees

Opportunities to explore your creativity, meet local artists, hear great music, learn about Thanet's trees and more

News and things to do: Get creative, have a dance, get among the trees
Squid return to Margate next spring. Photo: Harrison Fishman

Are you a 16-24 year old Thanet resident looking to get into the creative industries (or know someone who is)? Creative Catalyst Thanet is recruiting people for work placements at a range of local creative businesses now. Apply here, or head down to one of the project’s drop-in sessions at Discovery Planet in Ramsgate on Mondays, 7-9pm.

Southern Water will be holding an event at Pierremont Hall in Broadstairs on Thursday, November 28 from 10am to 6.30pm. Staff will be on hand to talk about current and future investment in local water systems, financial support for those struggling to pay bills, and efforts to reduce storm releases. “We'll have senior leaders and teams from across the business ready to listen to your concerns,” says the company. Doesn’t sound like much fun for them.

Thanet For Palestine will be screening award-winning documentary Gaza at Where Else in Margate on Saturday, November 23 at 1.30pm. There will also be a Q&A with the film’s editor Mick Mahon afterwards. Released in 2019, the film portrays everyday life in Gaza at that time. Tickets are £9.96

The Dreamland Heritage Trust is hosting a guided tour of Margate’s art scene on Wednesday, November 27. Along the way there will be a live demonstration from Zoe Murphy, an interactive pottery session with Jayne Wright, as well as chances to meet other well-known and emerging local artists. Wine and soft drinks will also be provided as you make your way around the town’s studios and galleries. The tour starts at 6.30pm. Tickets are £15, email info@dreamlandheritagetrust.org.uk to book.

The fantastically funny Lou Sanders will be performing two work in progress shows at Where Else in Margate over the next couple of weeks. The first on Thursday, November 21 is already on the waiting list, but if you’re quick you can still bag tickets to the second on Thursday, November 28 for just £9

Creative Quests invites you to a night of creative games, inspiring conversation and imagination at Cliftonville’s Tom Thumb Theatre on Wednesday, November 20. It’s also an opportunity to meet other local creative people, and find out about Creative Quest’s Margate specific project coming up in 2025. It’s free, RSVP here

Thanet Urban Forest - which exists to improve the area’s tree canopy coverage - will be marking National Tree Week this year with a series of guided walks around the district's parks from Saturday, November 23 to Sunday, December 1. “From Ramsgate and Margate to Westbrook, Broadstairs, and Birchington, each walk reveals unique stories and fascinating details about the trees that enrich these landscapes,” says TUF’s Peter Hasted. Book in

Take a guided tour of Thanet's trees. Photo: Thanet Urban Forest

Squid will be back in Margate to play The Lido on Saturday, March 1 in support of their upcoming new album Cowards. Pre-sale tickets will be available on Monday to Where Else members and anyone who pre-orders the album via the band’s website by midnight on Sunday. Listen to new single Crispy Skin

Head to Ramsgate wine bar Penelope tonight for DJ sets from Voices Radio’s Costi, Ram Jam’s Jake The Tailor, and resident Tony Sylvester. They’ll be turning in all-vinyl sets covering reggae, rare groove, ska, and soul. 

The always special Assembly Acoustic is back at Off Licence in Cliftonville on Wednesday, November 20. Performing this month are Freya Warsi, Fruit Band, Brådis and Tin Foil Astronaut. Music starts at 7pm, but get down early to secure a seat. Pay what you can on the door

Hanging onto a piece of much loved clothing that’s past its best? Restoration London and Waste Will Save Us are hosting a restoration workshop at Upmargate in The Centre on Sunday, November 17. Using Japanese mending techniques and WWSU’s archive of fabrics, trims, stencils and paint, you’ll learn how to revive those old items and get them back on rotation. Book £33.22 tickets

Margate’s own drag marvel Pretzel Cage will be performing their show The Mountain at The Divine in London on Wednesday, November 27. “Through an alchemical romance of transformation, tragedy, and triumph, Pretzel Cage weaves a narrative of avant-garde drag theatrics.” Tickets are £10

Shedding Histories are bringing NTS resident Donna Leake to Margate Arts Club on Saturday, December 7 for a vinyl-only set covering jazz, funk, psych, reggae, Latin, Afro-beat and more. Limited early bird tickets are available for £5, before rising to £10 closer to the event. Grab yours

The next Daylight Music at Ark in Margate is set for Sunday, December 8, 3-5pm. Performing will be Adrian Crowley, Rachel Horton-Kitchlew + Dhanraj Persaud Pandey. More info here. If you’re itching to catch some live music before the painfully early sunset sooner than that, head to The Hot Tin in Faversham tomorrow, November 17. More on that here

New “soft and trippy” music night Lounge Wizards is arriving on the scene this month with not one but two shows already booked in. First, catch live music from local acts Liotia, John Boch (of Muckwits) at Daisy in Cliftonville on Thursday, November 21. Then you can catch Claire Pitt Wigmore and DJ Abstract up the road at 101 Social on Friday, 29 Nov. As well as chilled out music, food will be available too. Entry is free for both nights

Ramsgate poetry night Setlist will be back at Salon Du Miel on Thursday, November 28. Set to perform are Mithago Craze, Maggie Harris, Barry Fentiman Hall and Michael Isaacs. Tickets are pay what you can up to £5. Purchase now

If you have kids under five, head down to Margate Old Town’s Little Fish Cafe for new storytelling and singing group Story Club. Championing diverse picture books, it’s led by local musician Lennie, who has been reading and singing to children at the opening of Margate Pride since 2020. DM to book in

Laura Footes new solo exhibition opens at the Carl Freedman gallery this weekend: Photo: Laura Footes

ICYMI - previous tipped events happening in the next week

Artist Laura Footes’ new exhibition A Healing Dream officially opens at Margate’s Carl Freedman Gallery on Sunday, November 17 and runs through to February 16. Laura’s dream-like paintings explore dysfunction and healing from the perspective of someone who has lived with a long-term chronic illness. Catch a preview today, 5pm-8pm. More details.

Spencer Jones, Helen Bauer and Celya AB are on the bill for the next Chump’s comedy night at Where Else in Margate on Wednesday, November 20. Join the waiting list for tickets

Local artists Charlie Russell and Alice Walton will be holding a joint exhibition at Margo McDaid’s 35 Addington Street gallery in Ramsgate from Thursday, November 21 until Tuesday, November 26. More info on Charlie’s website

Beaujolais Nouveau arrives on November 21. Some call it Wine Christmas, some call it cynical marketing. Whatever, there is wine. And isn’t that what really counts. In Margate, you’ll find Sargasso, Little Swift, Streets, The Shakespeare, Sète, Chix Stock and La Cantina getting in on the action. Over in Broadstairs it’s Alex + Josh (formerly No. 1 Oscar Road) and in Ramsgate Penelope in Ramsgate is having a whole Beaujolais Nouveau weekend, with tastings from Thursday to Sunday.

MOP will be taking over the kitchen at Louie On Sea in the Turner Contemporary gallery for three weeks starting on Friday, November 22 until Saturday, December 14. Book your table

Broadstairs coffee shop Salt hosts Nino’s Vintage clothing and jewellery pop up on Friday, November 22, 4pm-9pm. Niamh Flanagan has curated the selection of wares - expect some festive, party season bling and some wintery gems.