Incoming: NDR Block Party, Lucy Strange, Punch & Judy

This year’s Northdown Road Shops Block Party takes place on Saturday, July 25. There will be discounts, offers, music and more across shops all down the road. This includes record shop Ghost Papa’s fifth birthday celebrations, which will include free cake and beer, competitions, DJs, and live music from acts including Big Woes and Crabs. 

Kent-based bestselling children’s author Lucy Strange will be celebrating the publication of her debut YA novel Cut Him Out in Little Stars with an event at the Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop in Broadstairs on Thursday, August 27. Following a reading, Lucy will answer audience questions and sign copies of the book. Suitable for readers aged 11+. Tickets £5. 

Alt karaoke night I’m Not Kara-okay heads to Olby’s in Margate on Friday, August 28. Get on stage and sing your favourite indie, emo, pop-punk and rock anthems. Tickets £10. 

Prime Eats will be taking over HOFFS in Margate for a three-course Afro Caribbean support club on Friday, July 31. You’ll get a welcome drink on arrival and be treated to relaxed music from DJ Blasé. All food is gluten free. Tickets £45.

There will be traditional Punch & Judy shows on the beach at Viking Bay in Broadstairs throughout the summer holidays. You can see three free shows per day at 11am, 12pm and 1pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in August. The run kicks off with a midweek show on Wednesday, July 29. You’ll find it at the bottom of the centre staircase. 

Artist Jackie Andrews is exhibiting her playful illustrations of houses and businesses around Margate at The Orchid Room in Cliftonville. There will be a party and opportunity to meet the artist herself on Sunday, July 26 from 3-4pm. 

Margate Death Cafe launches at The Perfect Place to Grow in Cliftonville on Wednesday, July 22. It will offer a peer-led space to share and explore grief, bereavement and loss. Free tickets. 

First Milk is the first group exhibition at new Cliftonville art space, The Romantic of Margate. Encompassing painting, sculpture, installation and a live performance or two if you’re lucky. Opening Friday, July 24, with a private view from 6-9pm. 

Kids Band Club will be running extended sessions over the summer holidays. Kids can get together, form a band and make music for two hours every Tuesday at 9am and 11am through the holidays (note: the first sessions will take place on Wednesday, July 22). Places £20. DM on Instagram to book. 

The Bradstow Singers and Bradstow Symphony Orchestra will be performing live at Holy Trinity Church in Broadstairs on Sunday, July 26. They will perform Karl Jenkins’ Adeimus: Songs for Sanctuary and Jacob Bride’s Her Half-Told Tales. Tickets £12. 

Following her recent sold out event, Katie Evans returns to Santa Clara in Margate with another talk on the psychology of horror movies next month. This one will look at vampires and what has made their stories endure over centuries. Takes place on Sunday, August 9. Tickets £11.55. 

Elias Høve has announced his new exhibition Yawn, You Look Tired, a collection of “portraits of people looking like they’d rather be somewhere else.” The series of paintings will be on display at Scrap in Margate Old Town from Wednesday, July 29 to Saturday, August 1, with a launch party from 6pm on the Wednesday. 

The Thanet Games returns with a programme of family-friendly sports and fitness activities on Wednesday, July 29. This year it will take place at the Memorial Recreation Ground in Broadstairs. Free entry. 

Magic Numbers frontman Romeo Stodart will be coming to Where Else in Margate on Friday, October 23 for a solo show. Tickets £20. 

The winners of this year’s East Kent Coast Photography Competition are going on display in a new exhibition set to tour the region over the summer. Catch it at the Crab Museum in Margate (July 14-17), Quayside, Whitstable (July 22-27), The Horsebridge, Whitstable (July 29 - August 10), Droit House, Margate (August 12-26).