22 things to see and do in Thanet, April 28-May 1

Fun for your dogs at Dreamland Image by Wow Phochiangrak

Midcentury Magic & Beyond

Alaster Calder’s collection of original fabrics from the golden age of textile design is on show for a fortnight at The Eclectic Art Gallery in Margate from Saturday 29th April. His Midcentury modern-inspired wall art and decorative functional pieces will be available to buy.

This exhibition will appeal to fans of the Midcentury modern design genre, as well as followers of contemporary interior design trends.

It takes place alongside a display of contemporary original art by the gallery’s group of 30 local artists. Their works include original paintings, figurative and abstract, and Giclee prints. Photography – traditional and digital – is also represented. 3D work features too, with ceramics, jewellery, and wood sculptures. Greetings cards and postcards are also available, and Nick Evans’ photo-book 100 Years of Dreamland is now in stock too.

The gallery is open Thursdays to Mondays, 11am to 5pm. It is in Margate’s Old Town, near Turner Contemporary.

The Drawing Machine

Margate grassroots music venue, Where Else? will be celebrating the launch of its new exhibition space with the private view of The Drawing Machine, a collection of international musicians’ visual artworks this Friday 28th April at 6:30pm.

The exhibition will feature works from a cast of musicians who usually fill concert halls around the world;  Richard  Dawson, Adam Green of The Moldy Peaches , Kate Stables (This is The Kit), Katy J Pearson, Tom Dowse (Dry Cleaning) and many more will all be exhibiting their ‘other’ work for music and art fans to admire.

The exhibition (running from 28th April to 26th May)  is set to be the first of a series of art events on the ground floor of the space.

Whereelse is based at The Centre, Margate.

Hipsville

The annual Hipsville festival rolls into Margate again this Friday (April 28), for three days of retro rock ‘n’ roll fun.

This year’s event is titled Hipsville 3000AD A Go Go, and has a Judge Dredd-inspired science fiction theme. It kicks off with a Dystopian Dance Party at The Lido on Friday evening, with DJs, live bands, and go go dancers.

TiKiViLLE, Hipsville’s exotic tiki party, takes over The Lighthouse Bar on the Harbour Arm on Saturday afternoon, with a rooftop set from The Atom Jacks at 3pm. Admission to TiKiViLLE is free.

On Sunday, there’s an afternoon vintage market at The Lido from noon. Twenty stallholders from across the UK will be selling vintage clothes, homeware, memorabilia, records and more. Admission to the market is also free.

For more information about bands, DJs, and go go dancers, or to book tickets, visit www.hipsville.co.uk.

THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY (12A)

Palace Cinema Broadstairs

The touching and funny story of Harold Fry (Jim Broadbent), an unremarkable man who sets off on a remarkable journey. Harold lives a life without purpose until he learns an old friend is sick and vows to walk across England to hand-deliver her a letter and save her life.

Friday 28 April to Thursday 11 May

Details and booking here

Film also showing at the Carlton Cinema, Westgate, April 28-May 4. Details here

Thick & Tight – Tits & Teeth

April 28, 8pm, Red Arrows Sports & Social Club 19 Newington Road, Ramsgate

Screaming Alley welcome back Thick & Tight. Expect dance, drag, mime, satire and lipsyncing with favourite acts from their last visit mixed a load of shiny stuff new to Ramsgate.

TITS & TEETH is a collection of best bits from the Thick & Tight back catalogue, with a different line-up at each tour venue. Combining mime, dance, drag and lip syncing, Tits & Teeth celebrates high and low art in all its variety, splendour and stupidity.

£15 on the door.

Margate Old Town Market

Local vintage traders, artists, designers & makers.

Every Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm, weather dependent.

Neon Blue Tales 2023

April 28-May 2, Group exhibition at the Pie Factory Gallery, Margate.

11am – 5pm daily

Artists Annie Taylor, Clair Mayrick, Bev Sage and Meg Wroe return to the Pie Factory with Neon Blue Tales 2023. Using paint, print, mixed media, textiles,  spoken word and poetry, their work complements each other while transforming the space into a place of wonder.

The group has exhibited widely as individual artists, but their collective work creates a powerful and cohesive exhibition.

Spring Fete at Quex Barn

April 29, 11am – 5pm

Outdoor crafts, music & food in aid of St. Mary Magdelene Chuch, Monkton

* Live Jazz * Tombola * Cakes * Refreshments *

* St. Mary Magdalene’s Gospel Choir * Family Fun * Craft Stalls * Sales * Games *

* Face Painting by 5th Birchington Brownies *

Fundraising in aid of St Mary Magdalene Church, Monkton

For more information, contact: 07871 156 204

Margate Six Square Walk

April 29. Walk starts at 2pm and lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Robin Colyer will be leading a local history walk on behalf of Margate Civic Society.

The Six Squares Walk explores the development of the town in the 18th and early 19th centuries. It includes Cecil Square, Hawley Square, Charlotte Square, Addington Square, Caroline Square and Trinity Square.

The walk starts at the Droit House (Thanet Visitor Information Centre), Stone Pier (Margate Harbour Arm).

A minimum donation of £5 to Margate Civic Society is requested.

Booking in advance is recommended. For further details please phone/text 07878 537448

Birchington Food and Craft Fair

April 29, Dog Acre (green at bottom of high street). 9am-3pm.

Organised by Birchington Traders Together

All money raised is paying for the ongoing running costs and maintenance of the Birchington Christmas Lights

Ramsgate’s Charlotte Court Market

April 29, 10am – 4pm

Monthly market of crafts, goods and local produce

Old Gaffers 60th Anniversary Round Britain Race

April 29- May 1. Ramsgate harbour.

A chance to see the Old Gaffers Ships in Ramsgate before they begin the Round Britain Race!

Old Gaffers (gaff rigged craft) ships will be starting their round Britain race and visiting Ramsgate before the start date.

They will be moored on the heritage pier (in front of Ramsgate Maritime Museum) and departing Monday 1st May at high water (10am)

The Smiths Presumably

April 29, 6pm, Ramsgate Music Hall

Top international tribute The Smiths Presumably will perform all your favourite songs by The Smiths live at Ramsgate Music Hall.

Tickets £16 plus booking fee, just two left at time of publication.

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/564771

5 year Task Day

April 29, 10am, Sunken Garden Westbrook

Now that the garden has woken up after a long winter, join the 5th year of sunken gardening and the last seed swap of the season.
Normal gardening tasks include weeding, pruning, planting, sweeping, litter picking and wildlife monitoring. sustenance provided and maybe even a bit of cake.

Phoney Towers stage show

Fans of the iconic British sitcom Fawlty Towers are in for a treat when a new stage show based on the much-loved 1970s TV show comes to the Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs this Sunday (30 April, 7.30pm).

A nationwide theatre tour called Phoney Towers, which pays homage to the comedy that was named the best British TV programme of all time by the British Film Institute in 2000, will be offering charm and mirth. All of February’s shows were sold out.

With John Cleese, the mastermind behind the original show, having announced that there’s to be a sequel set in a boutique hotel on a Caribbean island, this stage version is a chance to savour the nostalgia of the classic sitcom.

This show runs at full throttle, featuring the best of loveable characters of Basil (Phil Hoyles), his wife Sybil (Ian Blight) and Manuel (Drew Cameron). It also includes an immersive aspect with hilarious audience participation.

Basil is brilliantly mastered with the mannerisms and short temper of John Cleese’s legendary character.

Hapless Spanish waiter Manuel is played by well-known impressionist Cameron, who is in his element by portraying a plethora of legendary comedy icons that include Mr Bean and Victor Meldrew.

Brighton-based Cameron’s impressive CV includes winning TV show Opportunity Knocks as a cheeky 15-year-old and reaching the final of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent

Phoney Towers will be playing at the Sarah Thorne Theatre (telephone 01843 863701) on Sunday 30 April (7.30pm). Click here for ticket information.

Cliftonville  Farmers Market

Sunday April 30, 10am-1pm, The Walpole Bay Lawns behind the Walpole Bay Hotel

The monthly farmers’ market. Stalls include Stour Valley game & meats, Real Deal Roasters, Richard ‘Dickie’ Ovenden with seasonal vegetables, Bessborough Farm, Martin’s Plants, Sam’s Sharpening, Jam Face Jam, Garfields Vegan Food, Chloe’s Fudgey Fancies, Margate Mushrooms, Kent Wildlife charity stall and much more.

Dreamland Dog Day

Dreamland  will host a Dog Day with trick training and pet photography on April 30.

There will be trick training classes provided by Enve Canine Services, taking place in the food court which can be enjoyed by pups big and small for £5 plus booking fee, alongside ‘have a go’ agility for the smartest of hounds, priced at £1.50.

Free doggy ice cream will be available from Rosco’s, plus the best dressed dog and prettiest pup will be awarded paw-fect prizes.

In the VIP hut area, specialist dog photographer, Gary Thatcher will be on hand to capture candid canine shots for £15.

There will also be stalls with gifts and accessories and more activities are due to be announced.

Dogs must be kept on leads at all times with paws on the floor.

Trick Training  from 11:20am to 4:40pm and individual 20 minute slot sessions will need to be booked.

Dog Photography  from 11am to 5pm. Individual sessions will need to be booked. Each slot is 5 minutes within a 20 minute window.

Gates open: 10:30am, Rides: from 11am, Park closes 6pm. BUY TICKETS

Saul Adamczewski

April 30, 7pm, WhereElse? Margate

Saul Adamczewski, guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer with Fat White Family, Insecure Men; and collaborator with many of your other favourite artists is going on tour in support of the future cult classic ‘Adventures in Limbo’.

This is an 18+ event

Tickets £13.20. Book now

Monthly Band Concert

April 30, 2.30pm-4.30pm, The Centre, Birchington

Listen to a mix of music from the Birchington Silver Band.

There will be also be a raffle.

Find out more about the band and full of events by visiting at www.birchingtonsilverband.co.uk

Free entry event.

Westbrook Bowls Open Day

Westbrook Bowls Club is hoping to welcome new members at an open days this Sunday.

The friendly lawn bowls club is by Westbrook bay with a clubhouse and greens which are managed and operated by its members.

The open day is on April 30 from 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm.

All are welcome to attend.

For more information:

wwwhugofox.com/community/westbrookbowlsclub

Telephone: the clubhouse 07726924133 or the media secretary 07726924247

Take The Jump pop-up

Take The Jump Thanet – an environment friendly group- is hosting a pop-up at Namaka Broadstairs from Thursday April 27th to Sunday April 30th, 9am-6pm with lates on Friday and Saturday evening.

On Saturday the focus will be sustainable food. There will be:

Edible insects! – more eco-friendly than most animal protein – but do you dare try?

A Seed Swap – Bring seeds you haven’t planted and get some others in return!

A ‘forager’s guide to Thanet’ – See edible plants as they exist in nature and get a sense of the abundance that lives all around. Plus games and information.

On Sunday there will be a swap shop run by TheSwapshopUK, which has hosted events for big brands like Westfields.

Two short film evenings take place on Friday and Saturday, both running from 7:30pm-9:30pm.

People can bring their own bottle or get bottomless free tea. Friday’s films will focus on Holiday Local, Travel Fresh and End Clutter. There will be 20-25 minutes of video for each theme followed by 10 minutes to reflect. Saturday’s films will focus on Eat Green, Dress Retro and Change the System.

There is also a photo exhibition space highlighting work by local people on each of the 6 shifts, some climate focused games to play, and a space to learn about the work of Take the Jump.

Namaka is at 23a Albion Street, Broadstairs

Find more at: https://takethejump.org/

Sandwich Salutes the 40s

April 29- May 1, 10am to 4pm, Sandwich Quay

Three days of entertainment, reenactment, classic and military vehicles, stalls, NAAFI, Bar, St Peter’s events, Delf Street and a welcome from Sandwich.