Incoming: Haim, Rhys James, Queer Fight Club
Newly announced events and things to do in Thanet and wider East Kent to add to your diary
Lots of things to do in Thanet and wider East Kent, including live music, craft, stand up comedy, spoken word, self defence and more.
Haim have announced a one-off summer show at Dreamland on June 27, ahead of a wider UK arena tour in October. It will be their first UK concert since 2023, and will come a week after the release of their new album I Quit, which is out on June 20. Tickets £64.10.
Broadstairs’ Curiosity Shop will host a watercolour workshop with artist Karen McKenzie on Monday, May 19 from 5-7pm. It’s £18 for the session which is open to all levels, plus a drink and some cake. You’ll learn how to mix, so you’ll just use three colours to create your works of art.
The Curiosity Shop also hosts Crochet Club every other Friday, from 2-4pm, starting from yesterday - so the next one is on May 16. It’s BYO materials, and a pro crocheter will be on hand for any questions and guidance.
Trans Club Margate launches Queer Fight Club; self-defence classes for trans and queer people. The weekly outdoor sessions will be free, thanks to support from trans awareness charity Not A Phase, but donations are also welcomed. Begins on May 15, 6pm-7pm. Book now.
Family-friendly day rave Crèche Out has announced an adults-only party later this month. The twist, it’ll give you six full hours of dancing time and still allow you to be back at home before midnight. Local DJs Joe Corbani and Craig Gardner will be playing a mix of house, techno and electronica from 5-11pm on Saturday, May 17. Tickets £5.
Mark Steel will be bringing his new stand up show The Leopard In My House to Ramsgate’s Granville Theatre on Friday, October 31. As well as offering his take on the state of the nation, he'll explain why being diagnosed with throat cancer "was one of the happiest moments of my life." Tickets £21.45.
Margate’s Tonetic Records is hosting a panel discussion on Kent’s grassroots music scene at Canterbury Christ Church University on Saturday, May 10. Aimed particularly at people aged 16-25 looking to build a career in live music, the talk will feature Sammy Clarke from Margate’s Where Else, Geraldine Zanaska from Compass Music in Folkestone, and Sam Bailey from Canterbury's Free Range. Suggested donation £5.
Creative sector conference UK Creative Festival will be back at Dreamland on July 9-10. Once again, there will be a programme of talks, networking opportunities, parties and more. Early bird tickets £50 (full price £150).
The Bohemian Embassy is a new poetry and music night at Ramsgate Community Cinema. The first edition will take place on Tuesday, May 27 with a line up of local acts still to be announced. Free entry.
The next Margate Electronics night will be at Margate Arts Club on Friday, June 13. Performing will be audio-visual duo Sculpture, sonic experimenter Bülbül, and producer Richard Pike. Tickets £10.
Martha Wainwright will be playing a show at Dover’s Booking Hall on Friday, August 29 as part of a tour to mark the 20th anniversary of her Melting Vinyl album. Tickets £30.
Also celebrating an anniversary at the Booking Hall, The Wedding Present will be bringing their 40th anniversary tour to the venue on Sunday, October 5. Tickets £30. If you’re a real Wedding Present head, then also get yourself up to Leeds for the premiere of Reception, a new musical based on the band’s songs.
Comedian Rhys James will be performing a work in progress show at Where Else in Margate on Wednesday, May 28. It's a rare chance to see him in such an intimate setting. Tickets £15.
New Margate night club Power will open in The Centre on Friday, May 30 with a night of rap, grime and drum n bass from H.O, DJ Sky and DJ Nova. £10 entry.
The Driftweed Artist will host a seaweed pressing workshop on Broadstairs' North Foreland Estate on Saturday May 31, from 10am-2pm. In the workshop you’ll learn how to turn seaweed into works of art, just like a Victorian. Tickets are £80 and they will go on sale May 15.
New writing night Inkling has been much missed since coming to an end at the beginning of the year. Good news though, taking up the mantle is Writing In Progress, a new event allowing writers of all kinds to read their work in front of an audience. The first edition is set to take place at Off Licence in Cliftonville on Wednesday, May 14.
Kent winemakers will in in the spotlight at the Canterbury Wine Festival at Westgate Hall on May 16-17. There will be over 70 wines available to try, and their makers including Barnsole, Nine Oaks, Chartham and Gusbourne will be on hand to tell you about them. Tickets £45.
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