Author Rosa Rankin-Gee will be at Margate Library on Wednesday, May 27 to talk about her novel Dreamland and its upcoming BBC adaptation. Filming crews were back in Margate this week for reshoots on the upcoming series, which is expected to hit screens this autumn. Entry to the talk next month is free, no booking required.
Yoakley House, a care home comprising 48 almshouse cottages and bungalows on the outskirts of Margate, will be opening up its award-winning gardens to the public on Friday, May 8. The event will be an opportunity to hear from head gardener Paul Twyman before his retirement, learning about the gardens and his decades of experience. There will also be a plant auction as part of the event. Tickets £8, raising money for the Yoakley League of Friends.
Where Else in Margate has announced the launch of New In Town, a new series of shows highlighting upcoming talent. The first edition on Saturday, May 9 will showcase Big Long Sun (“big confusing music that’s exciting”), Foot Foot (“leading acts of Bristol’s underground, drawing on the traditions of folk, math-rock and discordant post-rock”) and "imaginary band” Fruit Band. Tickets £10 or free for Where Else members.
The Broadstairs Children’s Literary Festival will hold its inaugural edition at Bleak House on Thursday, May 30. Authors confirmed for the event include Chris Horn, John Condon, Julie Leonard, Bibi & Sofia Haq, Peter Erlam and Nan Eshelby. Free entry.
Chump’s Comedy has announced its third birthday party at Where Else in Margate on Wednesday, May 20. Performing will be Ivo Graham, Sam Nicoresti, Kiran Saggu, and Cecily Hitchcock. Tickets £17. Can’t make that? The next night, Chump’s will be at the Hot Tin in Faversham with. Sean McLoughlin, Sunil Patel and Annie McGrath. Tickets £15.99.
Andy Malt
Following last year’s celebration of the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo, next month the town will see the return of the Dunkirk Little Ships to the Royal Harbour. As the boats arrive, there will be four days of free events from May 22-25, including live music, children’s workshops, markets and more.
Ramsgate Music Hall will welcome singer-songwriter Scott Lavene on Saturday, October 3 as part of his Acoustic Songs and Stories tour. Tickets £16.50.
Comedy fans, get ready for a trip up to the capital. New stand up festival Laughterama is launching at Somerset House this summer. The four day event will take place from July 29 to August 2. Performers include Sara Pascoe, Ed Gamble, Chloe Petts, Phil Wang, Tom Rosenthal and Margates’ Lou Sanders on the A-list bill. See the full programme.
Also in London, 10 Downing Street has announced that it will open up its private garden as part of this year’s London Open Gardens on Saturday, June 6. Just 24 places will be available on two guided tours, with tickets allocated via a ballot. Fancy a nosey? You have until May 5 to register. Enter the ballot.
The full programme for this year’s Canterbury Children’s Literary Festival has launched. Taking place from July 6-10, the event will include workshops with authors and illustrators including, Garry Parsons, Guy Bass, Christiane Engle, Helen Rose, and Ella Dove, plus quizzes, yoga, storytelling and more. See the full line up.
Women of Folk - Linda Moylan, Lizzy Hardingham, Louise Hatch, and Rebecca Mileham - are coming to Rosslyn Court in Cliftonville on Thursday, July 9. They will perform songs by artists including Sandy Denny, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and Carole King, as well as traditional songs and more. Tickets £12.
The Queens Head in Ramsgate has announced a Eurovision viewing party on Saturday, May 16 to cheer on local musician Look Mum No Computer as he represents the UK at the competition. Watch the show on a large outdoor screen, and start getting into the spirit from 6pm with compere Shiv.
Crampton Tower Museum in Broadstairs has announced the Model Railway Show, which will take place on October 31 and November 1. The weekend event will showcase ten model railway layouts, and there will be stalls selling trains and accessories so you can go away and build your own. £5 adult, £3 children, £13 family ticket.
It’s National Mills Weekend on May 9-10 and Drapers Windmill in Margate will be opening up for the occasion. Head down from 2-4pm for a tour of the mill and to learn about its history. On Saturday there will also be a performance from Bower Street Morris. Free entry.
The Ellington Park May Fayre will take place on Sunday, May 17. Open from 11.30am to 6pm, there will be live music, train rides, a funfair, dog show, market stalls and more. Free entry.
Pink Moon Collective will host a family-friendly brunch at Chandler & Dunn Farm near Ash on Saturday, May 23. You’ll be treated to a huge sharing feast, and the farm’s new micropub will be launching the same day. If you fancy making a night of it, there’s camping on site. Places are £55 per adult while kids eat free. Book now for an early bird discount.
Margate’s Crab Museum has announced a series of ‘Crab Lates’ events around International Crab Day this Sunday. There will be a free social at the museum this Sunday from 6pm to celebrate the day itself. Then on Friday, May 8, Secret Mode Games will be launching its new educational video game Everything is Crab at the museum (Tickets £6.66). And on Saturday, May 9 there will be a free ‘crab adjacent’ art exhibition by Lydia Wong at Limbo in Margate.
The Namaka team at Stone Bay will mark the summer solstice on Sunday, June 21 with a sunrise dip, coffee and a hang. Set the alarm clocks, this one is at 4.30am. You don’t have to swim if you don’t want to, and Namaka will be open 5am-6.30am for hot and cold drinks.
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