It’s International Women’s Day (March 8) which means it is time for the official launch of rhe Power of Women Festival.
The opening day has everything from a sponsored swim, talk, crafts and the evening launch event at Broadstairs Pavilion with performer Brigette Aphrodite, poet Sarah Tait and young musicians from Thanet.
The festival’s theme this year is Joy and Celebration. Activities are free but reserve your place online.
March 8 events:
A swim at Viking Bay
Sponsored Sea Swim Swim / Gathering – Brave the icy waters or cheer swimmers along as they gather at Viking Bay in Broadstairs for a sponsored morning dip. Visit powthanet.com/ swim for how to get involved. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Wednesday 8 March, 11am-11:30am
But Why?: The Importance Of Women Prioritising Joy
Free talk event but reserve your place online. Clemmie Telford talks to a special guest discussing the importance of women prioritising joy. Suitable for all ages. Wednesday 8 March, 1pm-2.30pm, The Pavilion
JOY
Fabric Collage Workshop
Free workshop with Vicki Salmi and Emily Tull in a drop-in event for all ages. Help make a huge JOY banner for this year’s POW festival parade. Wednesday 8 March, 3pm-5pm, The Pavilion
Ceramic tile making
Free drop-in workshop. Roll, cut and decorate your own tile with Jayne Wright and Sam Pisano. Materials are on a first come first served basis. Suitable for 16+ years unless accompanied by an adult, Various times, see website, at Broadstairs Library
Opening Celebration (evening)
Free live performances with Brigitte Aphrodite on a literary road-trip around the South East, celebrating legends past and present through poetry, music and stories. With support from poet Sarah Tait and talented young musicians of Thanet. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult, Wednesday 8 March, 6.30pm-10pm, The Pavilion
The POW parade
Saturday 11 March, 11am (for 11:30am start).
Join the opening procession of the Ellington Park Family Fun Day, running from 11am-4pm
Activities include:
The parade
Workshops at the bandstand including silly Olympics, music for babies, children’s dance rave, hula hooping workshop
Drama performance and choir performance
Pop-up market with artisan craft sellers
Kent Fire and Rescue Service
The Ramsgate and District Model Engineering Club will be running the model train
Ann and Daisy the campervan will invite people to help make a large collage, leave a message, share your thoughts, or just feel the vibe. It’s a free event.
A packed programme
Some 40 events are happening across Thanet and online, including live music, dance, art exhibitions, photography, performance, film, poetry, hula hooping, and events exploring nature, with most being free entry, and for all ages and genders.
Power of Women Festival’s 2023 headliner is powerful soulful singer Denai Moore, being supported by Ziah Ziah, Sophie Stirling and Institute Collective at St Luke’s Church in Ramsgate on Saturday 11th March. Tickets are available here.
You can take part in creative workshops including wool and knit collage, make your beach clean monsters for kids, DIY sensory toys for all ages, and an online creative wellbeing workshop. As well as a zine making workshop, with the Margate Zine Fair at Turner Contemporary.
Activity workshops and classes include pole fitness for all genders, a gardening taster session at Windmill Community Gardens, hula hooping for all ages, and a fitness session in Margate Caves.
Exhibitions are running throughout Thanet that you can explore for free, by artists from Thanet’s neurodivergent community and Broadstairs College students, as well as an exhibition exploring the art of knit and crochet. There are three big Youth Art Trails in Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Margate, with the artwork by young people from Thanet displayed in shop windows for everyone to enjoy.
Special events for children and families include a morning music group for babies and toddlers, a dance rave for children, silly olympics, and a singing group for babies and their parents and carers.
Power of Women Festival 2023 will run from Wednesday 8th March to Sunday 12th March. The Fringe Festival programmed by local people and supported by POW continues throughout March.
