News and things to do: Pendulum, Sugar Rush, The Traitors

Graduate of the Tracey Emin Artist Residency, Margate-based artist Bianca Raffaella will have her debut solo exhibition at the Flowers Gallery in London from February 12 to March 15. Faint Memories features a collection of floral paintings, which reference the beauty she finds in braille, which is how the partially sighted artist first learned to read and write. More details on the Flowers website. 

Following the sad death of David Lynch last week, Don’t Walk Gallery in Deal has announced a group show featuring work inspired by the film director. It will run from April 1-21, with an official launch show on Saturday, April 5. Exhibiting artists include Noel Fielding, John Rogers, Fabienne Jenny Jacquet, Joseph Lynn and more.

Broadstairs Palace cinema brings its Broadscares season to a close this afternoon. A screening of Nosferatu will be preceded by a Q&A with the film’s 1st Assistant Editor Caroline Rowlands. Be in your seat by 3.45pm to hear about her work on the film and other aspects of her career to date. Tickets are £9. 

Jeffrey Lewis is coming back to Margate. He and his band The Voltage will return to Where Else on Friday, May 16 to promote new album The EVEN MORE Freewheelin’ Jeffrey Lewis (out in March). Last year’s show at the same venue was a sell out and a huge amount of fun. Tickets are £22.87.

Already wondering where you’re going to get your Traitors fix now that the third series has come to an end? Why not book tickets for Mothers of the Brides at Ramsgate’s Granville Theatre on Thursday March 20. Starring Diane Carson from series two of the show it promises “a fun-filled, sketch-packed, gag-fuelled, laugh-heavy trip through the marital maze of getting your offspring to the altar.” Tickets are £34.65.

That not enough of a Traitors fix for you? Well, if you’re really good at lying, can create drama out of nothing, like to throw shade, brew scenarios in your head which you then believe to be reality, and always wanted 15 minutes of fame, you should apply to be on the next series of the show. People who live by the sea are notoriously trusted by everyone. Or you could just pretend to be Welsh. You can apply now. You have until February 9 to do so. 

Writer Ellen Jones holds her Margate launch of her new book Outrage on Thursday, February 6, at Fort Road Bar, Fort Road Hotel, 7pm-9pm. Her book is about ‘why the fight for LGBTQ+ equality is not yet won and what we can do about it’. She’ll be joined by writer and educator Milly Evans, for an in-conversation. Book your free seat. 

Open > Project: Session is a new monthly meet up for bedroom music producers to connect with other creatives in East Kent. Supported by Youth Music’s NextGen Fund, the events will take place at Fruitworks in Canterbury every first Wednesday of the month from March to June. Before that, there will be a launch party at The Ballroom in Canterbury on Thursday, February 20. Full details. 

Queer House Party is making the trip back to the seaside with a party at Margate Arts Club on Saturday, February 20. Taali Not Charlie and Lori Mae, DJs on the night will be Harry Gay, Passer, Lanta and Mikey Snooze. This will sell out, so move fast. Tickets are £10. 

Pendulum are the latest addition to this year’s Summer Series at Dreamland. They will headline the Scenic Stage on Saturday, May 31. Support will come from Bob Vylan, Normandie and Wargasm. Tickets go on general sale on Friday, January 31. Or you can get access the day before if you sign up for the pre-sale. 

Newish DIY interiors store Our Curated Abode in Ramsgate is holding a vintage market this weekend that will be filled with retro, mid-century and secondhand interior gems. It's on Sat & Sun, January 25-26, 11am-5pm at 26 Addington Street.

Secondhand clothing market, She Sells By The Sea returns to Margate on Feb 16, 11am-5pm. Drop by Cinque Ports, 50 Marine Terrace, to rifle through vintage and pre-loved clothing and accessories, while you grab a beer or two and some hot snacks - it's a far better experience than scrolling through Vinted.

Broadstairs Happy Reading Bookshop hosts a storytime and bunting session on Friday, January 31 at 11.30am. Suitable for kids aged 3+, it's with author Eva Wong Nava and illustrator Natelle Quek and their book Dancing Dumplings. Tickets are £5.

Ramsgate's delicious Rakookoo is teaming up with The Larder at 19 Harbour Street, Whitstable for their first curry club of the year on Friday, Feb 14. £38pp will get you a sumptuous three-course dinner featuring to-be-announced curries. Booking is essential and you can DM The Larder or email jono@thelarderwhitstable.co.uk to get in on it. More good news, The Larder is hoping the curry club will become a monthly thing.

Sad news for the Sugar Rush crew who have grafted hard to turn their new space into a community arts and performance hub in Ramsgate. As they near the end of their one-year pilot, they've announced they are unable to push on with the project beyond its pilot period and will close the venue. This is thanks to rising bills and essential building repairs that will cost upto £40k to sort out. Keep an eye out for what comes next from the team, and go to the remaining events which include Valentines Throwback Party on Friday Feb 14.

Don't forget Ramsgate Market pops up every Friday, 9am-3pm, covering High Street, King Street and Queen Street with fresh produce, crafts and other goodies.

Another book launch for Margate, sex educator, broadcaster and author Ruby Rare has penned a how-to guide to non-monogamy, with her latest book, The Non-Monogamy Playbook. Join Ruby as she talks about the ins and outs of polyamory and her experience of it, with Margate Black Pride founder Gaëtan Gauthier, also at Fort Road Bar, on Thurs, Jan 30, 7pm-9pm. Free but book at eventbrite.co.uk

Bring some old school romance into your relationship(s) with a love letter collage created by you, but with help from Margate illustrator, Megan Metcalf. She's hosting a loved-up snail mail collage session on Thurs, Feb 6pm at Louie on Sea, at Turner Gallery. Tickets, £20+booking fee. You'll get a little surprise gift and a cocktail for being so sweet.

Half term is coming up, and Cliffs in Margate is getting in there early, with two sushi workshops - one for kids aged 7-11 (Sun Feb 16, £15) and another for adults (Wed Feb 19 £45). Kids will learn how to make, and then eat, traditional nigiris, rainbow maki rolls and inri pouches made out of fresh veg and/or smoked salmon. Meanwhile adults can try their hand at the likes of sweet potato katsu rolls and salmon nigiris with sashimi-grade fish. DM the venue or email sooshisushi@outlook.com.

Cinque Ports in Margate reopens with a kitchen residency by Chix Stock. Head down on Thursday, February 6 from 5pm-11pm for the opening party and your chance to scoff chicken wings and margaritas, test your guts at a hot wings challenge and for tattoos and raffles. 

Having got in on the quiz game for Christmas, Seabird is back with another on Thursday, January 30. This one will be filmed themed. Entry is £2.50 per person, with a maximum team size of five. The winning team takes all the cash and there will be spot prizes throughout too. Starts at 7pm sharp. More info. 

This is soup weather, and this weekend Soup Mother is hosting a soupy supper club at Big Shot on Margate’s seafront. For a tenner you’ll get a Persian noodle soup with salted yoghurt, crispy fried onions, and flatbread on the side. Add an aubergine dip for an extra £2 and you can still make it out of their calling yourself a cheap date. Drop in anytime between 6-9pm on Sunday, January 26. 

This Valentine’s Eve (not a thing) Séte and Palms Pizza are teaming up to get the romance swirling early. For £40 a head, you’ll get a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, a vol au vent, half a pizza, and a slice of the most romantic of desserts… Viennetta. What could make this even sexier? That’s right, a Barry White impersonator knocking out some deep voiced classics as you eat. Starts at 6pm at Séte on Thursday, February 13. Book now. 

ICYMI - previous tipped events happening in the next week

Until Sunday, various artists will take over more than 50 galleries, cafes, pubs, private homes and other venues around the town. Check out the full listings. 

Saxophonists Robert Stillman and Evan Parker at The Sailors Church on Military Road at 4.30pm today (January 25). Tickets £15. 

Charlie Don’t Surf headline Broadstairs & St Peter’s mayor Mike Garder’s night of live music in aid of Down’s syndrome charity 21 Together and Pie Factory Music at the Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs tonight. Tickets £10. 

Dancer Jodie Cole is leading a six-week contact improvisation course at The Space on High Street Margate, starting tomorrow (January 26). More info and book. 

Young Knives play Ramsgate Music Hall on Monday, January 27. Their new album Landfill was released yesterday. Tickets are £22.50. 

Grassroots music venues around the UK will be putting on shows to mark Independent Venue Week 2025 from Monday, January 27 to Sunday, February 2. Shows in Thanet are Gilles Petersen at Margate Arts Club, Kent Pop Exchange All-dayer at Where Else, Poseidon Sound Club and Wellness Wave at Faith In Strangers, Sally Ironmonger and Brian Carter at Rosslyn Court, and Keg at Ramsgate Music Hall.

Quiet psychedelic night Lounge Wizards is back on Thursday, January 30 at Daisy in Cliftonville. Entry is free. 

Chump’s Comedy has shows in London and Canterbury next week. They’ll bring Phil Wang, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Michael Odewale, Lou Wall and Amy Annette to Underbelly Boulevard Soho in London on Thursday, January 30. Catch Vittorio Angelone, Olga Koch and Huge Davies at Canterbury’s Gulbenkian Theatre on Friday, January 31. 

Gemma Rogers plays Cliftonville’s Tom Thumb Theatre on Friday, January 31. Tickets are £10.