News and things to do: Winter Gardens, Nerina Pallot, community hop growing
The team behind the refurbishment and reopening of Ramsgate’s Granville Theatre have been identified as the preferred partner to bring Margate’s Winter Gardens back into use. As well as regenerating the main venue, Westwood One Theatre Ltd hopes to add a theatre school, nursery, cafe/restaurant, rooftop bar and training centre to the complex, which closed in 2022. Thanet District Council is expected to make a decision on the proposals later this month. More on the TDC website.
Nerina Pallot has announced an intimate solo piano show at Ramsgate Music Hall on Saturday, November 29 as part of her All Roads Leads To tour. “I’ve played the grand concert halls and the sticky-floored backrooms, and everything in between,” she says. “But the heart of music is connection – real, unfiltered, human. That’s what this tour is about. Finding the people who need these songs, wherever they may be.” Tickets £20.
The Folkestone Wine Company has announced that it will close at the end of May, as its lease comes to an end. The restaurant has been featured in The Good Food Guide and a Time list of the UK’s best seaside eateries. Owners Polly Pleasance and David Hart have said that they will return with a new project in the future, but until then you still have a few weeks left to sample their menu.
To mark International Women’s Day today, Séte in Cliftonville begins a series of events celebrating women in hospitality. Northdown Brewery co-founder Katie Spanjar talks beer today, 3-6pm. There’ll then be a vintage cutlery and crockery pop-up and lunch with Keepers Finds on March 15, winemaker Emile Wines taking over the bar on March 22, and a kitchen collab with Flossy Phillips on March 28-29. More details.
Fancy growing your own hops? Hop Along Thanet is a community organisation that encourages people to grow the vines in their gardens and allotments, engaging in a Kentish tradition. Come harvest time in the autumn, your hard work will be turned into beer by Northdown Brewery. Head to the HAT Facebook page or email hopalongthanet@gmail.com to find out more.
Wine and music festival Low Margate returns for its second year on July 4-6. Across more than 20 venues there will be tastings, live music, dinners, talks and more. The full programme is yet to be announced but tickets are available now for £30. That fee gets you access to the central tasting venues, plus discounts on official events.
If you like the sound of that but would prefer it to be more beer focussed, then take a look at Margate Tap Takeover, which is also back for a second go. Taking place on April 4-6, it will team up 14 venues with top independent breweries. The full line up is TBA but we do know that Off Licence will be pouring Pretty Decent Beer Co, Streets will have Hand Beer Co, and Big Shot will be paired with Hackney Church Brew Co. Follow on Instagram for more updates.
What? You want a drink even sooner than that? Okay, head over to the tap room at Floc Brewing in Canterbury between Thursday, March 20 and Sunday, March 23 for Spring Sesh - a celebration of session beers. As well as Floc’s own, there will be guest beers on tap from a range of breweries. Also, each time you go to the bar you’ll be given the chance to win your round for free. Details here.
Broadstairs’ Palace Cinema is looking for volunteer ushers. There are five places up for grabs to work in the venue from April to September, putting in two three hour shifts per month. Successful applicants will be trained up and given a torch. The deadline is Sunday, March 16. Full details.
Author and journalist Jason Okundaye discusses his new book Revolutionary Acts at CAMP in Cliftonville on Thursday, March 20. The book is a social history of Black gay Britain as told through the lives of seven men. Okundaye will be interviewed by writer and broadcaster Emma Dabiri. Book free tickets.
Margate Radio will mark its fifth birthday with a party at Cliftonville Community Centre on Saturday, March 29 from 7-11pm. Jah B, Paul Camo, Felicia Buena, and Jerry & Raggamuffin will DJ. Drinks will be provided by Big Shot and Northdown Brewery, with food on offer from Jack Goldstein and the International Food Centre. Tickets £10.
The Port of Dover Regatta is set to return this year on July 12-13. As well as boat races and other sea-based displays, you can expect live music and a range of food and gift stalls. The full line up will be announced in the coming weeks.
Angela’s in Margate Old Town will be hosting a one night only menu collaboration between its own Rob Cooper and Will Devlin from Michelin Green Star restaurant The Small Holding. There will be two sittings at 5.30pm and 8.30pm on Tuesday, April 1. Places are £70 and will raise funds for training kitchen A Perfect Place To Grow. Email info@angelasofmargate.com to book.
Canterbury’s Gulbenkian Theatre has just announced that it will be hosting five performances to the stage production of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man from Tuesday, September 30 to Thursday, October 2. Tickets £15. If you want some live Julia Donaldson fun sooner than that, the theatrical version of The Detective Dog is on April 8-9.
ICYMI - previous tipped events happening in the next week
Stand up comedian Harriet Kemsley performs at Ark Cliftonville tonight as part of POW Thanet. Also performing are Helen Hackerty and Amber Topaz. Tickets £15.
My Neighbour Totoro transfers to the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End today. It is set to run until Sunday, November 2. Tickets on sale now.
Bedford Inn hosts a tasting afternoon today, 3pm-5pm. £35 per person.
Phil 'Swill' Odgers from legendary folk rock band The Men They Couldn't Hang at Ramsgate Music Hall tonight, in aid of local charities. Tickets £17.
The Whitstable Children’s Festival of Books is on at the Horsebridge Arts Centre today. Lots of fun sessions with top authors and illustrators. Tickets still available.
Catch a screening of art film From Here On at Dover Museum on Sunday. Tickets are free.
Broadstairs’ Palace cinema continues its David Lynch season, screening Blue Velvet at 7pm on Sunday. Tickets £9.
Ramsgate Community Cinema hosts a screening of Chuck Chuck Baby followed by a Q&A on Sunday at 2pm. Entry is free for young people aged between 15 and 25, or £3.50 if you’re older.
See the first two episodes of the upcoming second series of Bridget Christie’s excellent sitcom The Change on the big screen at BFI Southbank in London on Wednesday. Tickets £17.
Join a Wild Life Drawing at Margate’s Fort Road Hotel on Thursday, where you’ll be drawing a group of rescue greyhounds. Places are £35, with a tenner donated to Kent Greyhound Rescue.
Breakbeat pioneer Krafty Kuts will be DJing at Ramsgate Music Hall on Friday. Tickets are £22.66.
Dub Pistols are playing Dover’s Booking Hall on Friday. Tickets £20.
Margate Electronics takes place at Margate Arts Club on Friday. Tickets £10.