Incoming: Bridget Riley, Max Richter, Mozart Estate

A massive Bridget Riley exhibition coming to Margate, a sleepover to remember, and indie legend in Ramsgate and more. Dates for your diary over the coming months.

A major exhibition of work by artist Bridget Riley is coming to Margate’s Turner Contemporary later this year. Exploring the evolution of her work that examines the sensory experience of sight, it will include work dating back to the 1960s, as well as painting from the last decade. Preparatory works will also be included, shading light on her creative process. The exhibition will open on November 22. 

Black, Asian and ethnically diverse arts and heritage organisation Writing Our Legacy has announced a night of poetry at Margate Arts Club on Sunday, September 14. Performing will be Akila Richards, Adriana Lord, Liz Ikamba, Kareem Parkins-Brown, with music from DJ Fever2Ray. Tickets £5. 

Giant Coffee Broadstairs is now hosting beach volleyball as a weekly thing. Head to Stone Bay on Thursdays at 6pm to dig, spike and serve in the sand. Minimal skills required. 

For those of use who have £225.76 to spare, contemporary classical composer Max Ritchter brings SLEEP, his eight hour art-installation-music-lullaby to London this year. Marking the performance’s 10th anniversary, this show will be the biggest rendition so far. Held at Alexandra Palace overnight on Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6. Your ticket will get you an allocated bed, bedding and a light breakfast in the morning, as you leave one of the strangest yet loveliest sleepovers you’ll have. 

Mozart Estate - led by eccentric popstar Lawrence of Felt and Go-Kart Mozart fame - will be returning to Thanet later this year. The band will return to Ramsgate Music Hall on Thursday, November 20. It’ll come hot on the heels of new Mozart Estate album Tower Block In A Jam Jar, which is out on October 17. The album features 12 reworks of older Go-Kart Mozart songs. Many of which you’ll also get to hear live at the Music Hall. Tickets £20. 

Stand up comedian Marcus Brigstocke will be bringing his new tour show Vitruvian Mango to Olby’s in Margate on Wednesday, October 8. The show asks the pressing question, “What are men for?” Marcus explains, “Most heavy things can be lifted by machines and most problems can be solved by computers and most puddles can be crossed without us gallantly draping our capes over them - so are we fellas of any use at all?” Tickets £19.

The TKE Studios Summer Fair will be back on Saturday, August 30 from 1pm to 6pm. There will be stalls hosted by the various artists resident at the studios, as well as games, performances and more. 

Like Jazz, summer and Pimms? Boutique hotel on Addington Street, Ramsgate, The Falstaff hosts vocalist Lynne Wallis, accompanied by Steve Hennings and Phil Brown, for an afternoon jazz session held in the hotel’s gardens, Head over on Sunday, August 31 from 1.30pm for summery vibes. 

Jungle legend Shy FX is heading to Margate, DJing at Faith in Strangers in Cliftonville on Friday, October 3. Support comes from Sabrina and more TBA. Tickets £28.33.

Broadstairs planty cafe Foliage will host an autumn wreath making session on Saturday, October 11 at 10.30am and 3pm, with a third workshop on Sunday at 11am. Tickets are £45 per head and include a drink. Email Keely on foliageplants@icloud.com to nab a spot. 

Lido Open returns to Lido Stores in Margate September 20 to October 18. The line up is massive, with over 100 participating artists chosen by Sophie von Hellemann and Kristen Healy from 1800+ submissions. The winning artist will be announced on Saturday September 20 as part of the opening reception, which is on 7pm-9pm. 

Ramsgate-based painter and illustrator Ryan Jowitt presents You Are Here, an exhibition and love letter to the area he grew up in, Thanet. On August 22-24 at the Margo in Margate Studio on Addington Street, the exhibition includes landscapes, streetscapes and nightscapes of what will be familiar scenes to many. 

If you like games, head to Mind The Gap micropub in Broadstairs on the first Wednesday of every month for an evening of cribbage. The next Pub Crib night is on September 3 from 7.30pm onwards. 

The luscious Updown Farmhouse will welcome back its English Wine Festival on Sunday, September 7.  The tasting will be held in the boutique hotel and restaurant’s charmed gardens, followed by a late lunch, also held in the gardens, which you’re invited to explore. You’ll be able to buy the wines - at shop prices - to go with your meal, with Nyetiumber, Westwell and Pleasant Land among the participating winemakers. Starts at 11am, with wine-wasting only tickets £35, with dinner it’s £90.

ABBA Karaoke is on at Margate’s Cinque Ports. It’s sing whatever song you like, but dress like you’re Bjorn or Frida when you head down on Thursday, August 21 from 7.30pm. Best dressed wins a prize, everyone gets £1 wings and £5 Margaritas.