News Blast: New venues and management changes as the summer season approaches
Four new venue announcements and changes of management at established haunts, a call for supporters of Pie Factory Music, and new artist opportunities. Here's this week's creative and cultural news from across Thanet.
After eight years, Alex and Sara Ratcliffe have announced that they are stepping down from running Cliftonville’s Tom Thumb Theatre. They originally announced their plans to hand over the venue to new custodians in 2023. “Running the Tom Thumb Theatre for the last eight years has been the best, most bonkers yet most fun thing we’ve done to date,” they say in a statement. Keep your eyes peeled for news of who is taking over.
The team behind Seabird in Ramsgate have acquired The Margate Coffee Shed on the seafront edge of the Old Town. The management switch happened on Friday, and it will continue to operate under the same name for the summer season - although you will start to see the food and drink offerings change. A full Seabird refurb is scheduled for the winter months.
Pie Factory Music in Ramsgate has put out a final plea for supporters to contact their local council candidates in the run up to May 1 election. Kent County Council has agreed to wait until after the vote to put Ramsgate Youth Centre, where Pie operates, up for commercial auction. Find contact details here. Read out more about Pie and its campaign to save its home in our recent interview with CEO Zoë Carassik.
A new nightclub called Fusion is set to open on Cliff Terrace in Cliftonville, in the basement under Bar Nothing. The site has been home to many different clubs dating back as far as the 1920s. Former occupants include Tops, Harriet’s, Rumours, and El Chico. This latest incarnation has announced plans to on Thursday, May 1.
Another new Margate nightclub, called Power, is planned to open in The Centre this summer. Taking on the space previously occupied by Cry Baby, it will offer DJ nights, karaoke and cocktails. It’s currently advertising for a Bar Supervisor. No firm opening date has been announced as yet.
A new cocktail bar and diner inspired by 1987 movie The Lost Boys is also set to open in The Centre this summer. The Santa Carla - named after the fictional town in which the film is set - will be located next door to Pomus, and run by the team behind Lost Souls Pizza in Camden, London.
Newly opened on King Street in Ramsgate is The Fermentorium bar, bottle shop, fermentation station, and community events venue. It's a great space, with an excellent selection of beers on tap. Its soon to be opened beer garden will also make it a great location for an al fresco drink on your way to Ramsgate Music Hall. Find out more.
Suicide prevention initiative The Baton of Hope is making its way to Margate as part of a UK tour on September 22. Ahead of that, the organisation is putting out a call for local artists to contribute artwork to be displayed around the town as part of the event. Find out more.
Arts organisation Thanet Experimental has announced its first gallery programme. Artists Lily Hughes, Laure Meloy, Dandy and Ellie Graham will display artwork at Hold in Ramsgate and The Shop Front in Margate on various dates between July and January. Full details.
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