Things to do: Lou Sanders, Quench Gallery, Queer Walking Tour
The latest events and activities in Thanet and wider Kent, including a Lou Sanders book talk, food and wine, Folkestone Documentary Festival, art exhibitions, a queer walking tour, and more
Newish Margate wine bar and small plates restaurant, Pomus have announced their first wine tasting do. Get yourself down to the Centre on August 8 from 6.30pm to quaff Kent’s own delectable Chapel Down wines and munch on some canapes. There’s 12 spots only at £55 a pop. DM or email enquiries@pomus.co.uk to book or ask questions.
Thanet’s not the only place with stellar food options, as Folkestone Food Festival demonstrates. Running the weekend, Friday August 2 to Sunday August 4, in the town centre, Folkestone’s restaurants and food outlets host masterclasses, pop ups, and demos, as well as live music. On Friday 4pm-9pm, Saturday 11am-9pm, Sunday 11am-6pm around Guildhall Street and Sandgate Road.
Catch is having another takeover at the Bedford Inn, Saturday, August 3. Head to the Ramsgate pub from midday until 4pm, for a grilled seafood lunch that comes with mediterranean flair. £20 a head, book here.
Also at Bedford Inn, two cocktails for £13 Wednesday through to Sunday, 5pm-7pm, so line those sours up.
Louie On Sea teams up with Broadstairs Italian outfit Cornicello for another supper club that comes with views across Main Sands. On August 23, from 7pm to 11.30pm sit down to a traditional neapolitan feast made up of street food classics of the likes of baby octopus, slow-cooked caramelised meat ragu, pasta with smoked cheese sauce and rum baba sponge cake. Vegetarian options available. £45 per person.
A date for the diary, Folkestone Documentary Festival is on October 17-20. Passes £45, tickets to individual sessions available. The programme will be announced in September, but for opening night, it’s The Walk, a documentary about Amal, a 12-foot giant puppet of a young refugee girl travelling from Turkey to Europe.
Margate Bookshop hosts an in conversation with comedian Lou Sanders and podcaster Dan Schreiber, who chat about mistakes, family, shame, and Lou’s memoir, What’s That Lady Doing? On Thursday, August 1, at Fort Road Bar, Fort Road Hotel, 7pm-9pm. It’s free, but book to nab a seat.
Speaking of book shops, Ramsgate's Book Bodega will sadly close this weekend after two years on the town's Harbour Street. If you've never checked out this cute little place, head down before the doors shut on Sunday afternoon so that you can kick yourself (and also grab a 30% discount on all stock).
A new exhibition opened last night at Joseph Wales Studios in Margate. Theories for Overthinking by Samuel Vilanova. Come see some lovely drawings this weekend, Saturday, July 27, 12pm-5pm, Sunday, July 28 12pm-5pm.
For crafty wee things, the Driftweed Artist will hold a seaweed pressing workshop at Kinder Collective in Broadstairs on Monday, August 5 in store. Kids can make their own works of art from Thanet seaweed. There’s two sessions, one at 3pm and 4pm and run for 30 minutes. Accompanying adults don’t need to book, but little ones do. £9, and DM to book. Spaces are limited.
Quench Gallery in Cliftonville are hosting an auction of more than 100 contemporary artists to raise funds needed to keep their doors open. The auction is online, but head to the gallery today, Saturday, July 27, from 5pm-8pm for the physical exhibition. Auction runs until August 11, 6pm.
Staples Bakery is looking for a full-time baker, for four days a week to join them at their Westgate outpost. Drop them a line if you know a thing or two about yeast, at info@staplestores.co.uk.
Hayley White is exhibiting a small collection of cheeky collages as part of Margate Pride. Runs August 2 to August 31, at Daisy. Head down on August 8 for opening night drinks from 6pm.
Look out for Rise Up Residency’s Lido Paint Jam, on August 3 and 4 in Margate. It will feature murals and street art from a mix of artists, including artist in residence Breeze Yoko, Cat Neil, EKS and Copie.
Fancy a walk? Margate Queer Writers are putting on a Queer Margate Walking Tour on August 4. Set off from The Margate School at 11am, past historic and current day queer spots of interest, before ending up at Walpole Bay in time to join Queer Swim Margate for their social at 1pm. The route is accessible, but DM the crew if you have access needs or questions. Also, this one is free.
Recording studio and rehearsal space Messiah Riff Audio, which sits in the back corner of The Centre in Margate, will officially launch on Saturday August 3 with a big opening party. Head down from 3pm to check out the space (we saw the huge live room in construction and can’t wait to see the finished result). There’ll also be live music kicking off at 5pm from Muckwits, Cool Hot Rockers and Claire Pitt Wigmore.
ICYMI - In case you missed it
Shops on Cliftonville’s Northdown Road are hosting their annual Block Party today, July 27. Head down for music, offers and more.
Bar Nothing in Cliftonville is paying tribute to late landlord Kevin Morpurgo this weekend, with DJs and live music, with a ceremonial fire on Sunday night.
Margate Ceramics Market returns to Turner Contemporary this weekend, running from 10am-4pm both days.
The Wildlife Trust will be heading out on a guided walk at Pegwell Bay County Park on Wednesday, July 31 as part of National Marine Week. Book your free place in advance.
Ramsgate plant shop Foliage is hosting a kids terrarium workshop for children aged ten and over on Thursday, August 1 at 10am. £20 per child. DM to book.
Margate Soul Festival 2024 kicks off on Friday, August 2 and will run atll weekend in venues around the town. Check out the full line-up here.
