A new cabaret event space will open tomorrow (April 26) in the former WHSmith shop in Ramsgate.
Salon Du Miel is the first of three performance spaces being created at 5,095 Sq. Ft unit which has been taken over by Sugar Rush café and Stage Door Arts Academy CIC with Ramsgate duo Heidi Moran and Genevieve Pepper at the helm.
The performing arts school and community café moved from 66 High Street due to that site being earmarked for demolition and redevelopment.
The new Sugar Rush venue will also feature a community café with a small stage, and a professional community theatre.
Salon Du Miel is the first space to officially open after the transformation of the former shop’s stockroom.
The first event will be a spectacular night of stand up comedy hosted by the inimitable Jezebel Pye. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 7.30pm. Salon Du Miel is accessed through the rear door in Broad Street.
Tickets are £10 available at: https://www.outsavvy.com/event/19709/jezebel-pye-presents-tickle-my-clam
Genevieve said: “Salon Du Miel is the first of three performance spaces which will feature in the huge new Sugar Rush venue, as we will be adding a community café with a small stage, and a professional community theatre which will provide an affordable performance space for local schools, groups, theatre companies, bands or other acts.
“This new community theatre will specialise in bringing enjoyable, affordable entertainment to Ramsgate and the wider area. One big plan we have is to produce a pantomime with very cheap tickets, to give more families and individuals access to affordable fun!
“We are all about making the arts available and accessible to everyone, and doing things in a fresh, exciting and approachable way that includes the whole community.
“People may walk past the old WH Smith’s and think that not much has changed since we took the building over, but we have been working like very busy bees transforming the upstairs space.
“We have not only a stunning upstairs performance space, but also co working offices, a therapy/mentoring room, studios, and plenty of space to offer so much more.
“We are unable to progress the downstairs developments until we install new flooring. The costs we have been quoted range from £8.5-10k so we are asking local businesses and individuals to consider helping us out.
“We have carried out so much of the renovations reusing and repurposing donated materials and items, but the floor space downstairs is 530 square metres and we desperately need to cover it with a hard wearing vinyl floor throughout.
“It would be amazing if any local businesses or individuals were able to help us with this aspect of the project.
“We have had such generous donations, help and support so far from local people and volunteers who’ve travelled from all over Kent, Essex, London and even Manchester!
“Our volunteers are a bunch of absolute legends and I just want to take this opportunity to thank them, and everyone who’s given us their support. Every pound towards our crowdfunder, every donated item, every hour that someone’s spent helping us, every time we get shared on social media, every person who’s stopped me or my fellow director Heidi in the street to offer us kind words of encouragement- we are so grateful for every single kindness.
“Ramsgate is a wonderful town filled with so much talent and promise and we are thrilled to be opening a truly community-focused venue that will allow so many local people to explore and enjoy theatre, arts and entertainment, make friends and build community.”
Mum-of-two Heidi founded SDA in 2007 and converted it to CIC status last year. She has also run businesses ranging from tepee hire to princess parties and the café which started life in Margate Old Town in 2017 before the move to Ramsgate in 2020.
Mum-of-three Gen is a performer and has worked in marketing and advertising.
Find out how to help via Sugar Rush – The Big Build on facebook here
There is also a fundraiser to help with costs of renovating the new space.
