Madonna calls Margate "my idea of heaven"

Madonna's latest day trip to Margate, Dreamland's plan to turn the Scenic Railway into a motionless monument, more money for Margate's Theatre Royal refurbishment and more time to save Where Else. Here's this week's creative and cultural news.

Madonna was back in Margate again last weekend for Off Season. Did you bump into her? In a social media post this week she gushed about the town, saying that it “seems to be inhabited and energized by creativity.” She went on, “This is my idea of heaven. Whenever I go there, I feel like I’ve entered a dream.” She also gave a nod to her “favorite Italian restaurant” but said that she would not name it “because then everyone’s going to go there and it only has one table!” Seems a bit unfair to deny Cantina Caruso customers all year round on the off chance she’ll pop in though.  

Dreamland has put out a ‘creative call out’ for ideas about the future of the theme park’s Grade II listed Scenic Railway. The venue says that the ride has “completed its journey as a rollercoaster and will now take well-earned retirement from operation as a ride.” There has been uproar at this announcement, with many calling on Dreamland operator Live Nation to reverse the decision not to restore the ride to use after a lengthy period out of action. Submit proposals for the Scenic Railway’s future. 

The second series of Lucia Keskin’s sitcom Things You Should Have Done, filmed in locations around Thanet last year, is now available on iPlayer. Watch it.

Thanet District Council has approved a further £1 million of funding for the refurbishment and reopening of Margate’s Theatre Royal. The money has been redirected from another Margate Town Deal project to build new walking and cycle paths that has now been abandoned due to being deemed "unachievable". Planning permission and Grade II listed building consent in order to begin building work on the venue is set to be submitted next month. A public engagement event for people to find out more about the plans will be held at the theatre on Wednesday, February 11 from 3-7pm. 

The crowdfunding campaign to save Where Else in Margate has been extended by a month to Saturday, February 28. Despite being launched when Christmas was looming and running through January when everyone’s broke, the fundraiser has nonetheless brought in more than £25,000 of its £40,000 target. Further work is ongoing to ensure a sustainable future, including having the bar open Wednesday to Saturday every week, regardless of whether there’s an event on. Find out more and donate.

Thanet music venues “hanging in there” as others close

Ramsgate Music Hall’s André Dack and Sammy Clarke of Margate’s Where Else on the existential threat facing hundreds of independent music venues in the UK

Strange TouristAndy Malt

A petition has been launched calling on Thanet District Council to block planning permission to open a branch of Greggs on Northdown Road in Cliftonville. Jodie Ellena-Lindley, co-owner of Cliffs and the Bus Cafe, has set up the petition saying that the appearance of the chain bakery in the unit formerly occupied by Boots is a threat to nearby independent businesses. Read more.

Return to Water, a short film about queer identity and Walpole Bay Tidal Pool will be heading out to film festivals this year. Made by Kate Malyon and Sé Nomyo, it has been selected to be screened at FilmPride in Brighton and Queer Shorts Vienna in February.