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# News and things to do: Epic art trail, lots of gigs, big screen cat videos
- URL: https://www.strangetourist.co.uk/news-and-things-to-do-off-season-art-festival-live-music-cat-videos/
- Published: 2025-01-11T08:02:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-01-13T22:58:33.000Z
- Description: Fill that new 2025 diary with Margate's massive winter art trail, lots of live music, cat videos on the big screen, and plenty more
- Author: Strange Tourist
- Tags: Things to do in Thanet and beyond, Things to do in Broadstairs, Things to do in East Kent, Things to do in London, Things to do in Margate, Things to do in Ramsgate

This year marks the **tenth anniversary of Margate Arts Club** first opening its doors. It also marks the final year that the club will be run and programmed by Luke Vandenberg, who has [announced plans](https://www.instagram.com/p/DEhiGADOAjR/?ref=strangetourist.co.uk) to pass the baton to **“some amazing new custodians”**. For now though, it’s business as usual, so look out for details of new parties and events.

It feels like just a few weeks ago that we said goodbye to **Ramsgate pub The Queen Charlotte**. Mainly because it was. But before the dust could even settle on the empty kegs, just after Christmas its **original management team swooped in and reopened the doors**. Good news for fans of cozy spaces and great music. 

The full programme for the inaugural **Off Season art festival in Margate** has been announced. **Over 50 venues**, including galleries, cafes, pubs, private homes and more will be displaying a wide range of art across the town. There’s a lot to get through in just three days - the event runs from **Friday, January 24 to Sunday, January 26**. It’ll be worth trying to see as much as possible though. [**Check out the full listings**](https://www.offseasonmargate.co.uk/203481164481-1?ref=strangetourist.co.uk)**.** 

The **East Kent Photographic Competition** is open for entries until **Sunday, February 16**. There are five different themed categories with **winners chosen from three age ranges** from children up to adults. **Entry is free** and there will be an exhibition of the winning images later this year. [**Full details**](https://www.thanetcoast.org.uk/projects-and-issues/east-kent-coast-photographic-competition/?ref=strangetourist.co.uk)**.**

**Kebells in Broadstairs** is leaning into Veganuary will serve a **six course vegan tasting menu on Thursday, January 16**. The menu also has a Chinese theme to mark Chinese New Year. Expect steamed bao bun teriyaki jackfruit, coconut donuts with warm miso caramel and more. [**Seats are £50 a head**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DEhaYQLSIFl/?ref=strangetourist.co.uk)**.** 

**Shelley Grotto** will be launching **The Lonely Thanet Guide to Queer Margate** at **Margate Arts Club on Wednesday, January 22**. The event will take the format of an interactive training session for prospective queer tour guides. [**Tickets are free**](https://www.outsavvy.com/event/24186/margate-pride-presents-the-lonely-thanet-guide-to-queer-margate-with-shelly-grotto-special-guests?ref=strangetourist.co.uk) (although donations are welcomed).

The **Faversham Literary Festival** will be taking place this year from **Friday, February 21 to Saturday, March 2**. Speakers include Alison Steadman, Miranda Sawyer, Zandra Rhodes, Will Self, Pam Ayres, Michael Rosen, Danny Robins, Leeroy Thornhill and Harry Baker. [**Check out the full programme**](https://www.favershamliteraryfestival.org/programme/2025?ref=strangetourist.co.uk)**.** 

**Snug Club and Margate Pride** have teamed up to stage a series of **filmmaking workshops inspired by director Derek Jarman**. Workshops take place at **Oast and Camp in Margate on January 13-14**. Attendees will create their own DIY short films, which will then be screened at the Tom Thumb Theatre on Thursday, January 30\. [**Places cost £5**](https://www.outsavvy.com/event/24224/snug-club-x-margate-pride-diy-filmmaking-a-la-jarman-filmmaking-lab?ref=strangetourist.co.uk)**.** 

If you can stop watching cat videos and put your phone down for a minute, next weekend you might want to attend **CatVideoFest at Folkestone’s Silver Screen Cinema**. Started in the US in 2019, this is the first time the now global event has made it to UK cinemas. Grab your popcorn and get ready to watch 75 minutes of the world’s best cat videos on the big screen. **Catch it at 3.30pm on January 18 and 19\.** [**Get tickets**](https://folkestonecinema.com/whats-on/films/catvideofest-2024/?ref=strangetourist.co.uk)**.** 

**Margate Radio** will be curating a new series of **Turner Lates at the Turner Contemporary** this year. The first is set for **Saturday, January 24 from 5-9pm** \- also the final weekend to catch Anya Gallaccio’s (now quite smelly) Preserve exhibition. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/06/39/0639efc0-b873-4e30-ac06-2893b029d0e0/content/images/2025/01/Turner_Contemporary_landscape_3.jpg)

Margate Radio is set to take over the Turner Contemporary. Photo: Strange Tourist

Fans of early gigs take note, **Ramsgate Radio** will be hosting performances from saxophonists **Robert Stillman and Evan Parker** at **The Sailors Church on Military Road at 4.30pm on Saturday, January 25**. The event will mark Parker’s 80th birthday, as well as the launch of his new boxset The Hericlitean Two-Step, Etc. And it’ll all be done and dusted by 7pm. [**Tickets £15**](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/evan-parker-boxset-launch-tickets-1098118835999?ref=strangetourist.co.uk)**.** 

Comedian **Joey Page** will be performing at **Justine’s in Margate** on **Thursday, February 20**. Support will come from Sham Shakil of Funny Cuts fame. [**Tickets are £12.50**](https://dice.fm/partner/ruby-raphael/event/k6x668-joey-page-20th-feb-justines-margate-tickets?ref=strangetourist.co.uk)**.** 

The **Kent Poetry Slam** is back on the road, with its next stop scheduled for **The Venue in Canterbury on Thursday, February 6**. Ten poets are already booked to duke it out, with an eleventh place reserved for a confident audience member on the night. There will also be a headline performance from Vanessa Kisuule.[**Tickets are £5**](https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/kentpoetrycic/kent-poetry-championship-slam-canterbury/e-qyagqm?ref=strangetourist.co.uk)**.** 

**Broadstairs & St Peter’s mayor Mike Garder** is putting on a **night of live music** in aid of Down’s syndrome charity 21 Together and Pie Factory Music later this month. Headlined by Charlie Don’t Surf, also on the bill are Harmony Bo, Conor Beerling and DJ Mark. It takes place at the **Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs on Saturday, January 25\.** [**Tickets £10**](https://www.broadstairs.gov.uk/event/live-music-fundraiser/?ref=strangetourist.co.uk)**.** 

Local artist **Nerena Wright** will be exhibiting her work at **High Tide Social in Cliftonville** from next week until the end of February. Join her at the **launch event 5-8pm on Friday, January 17**. The displayed artworks will also be on sale. [**Find out more**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DEiYiWVs1tT/?ref=strangetourist.co.uk). 

Head to **Salon Du Miel in Ramsgate** on **Saturday, January 17** for **Soulstream**, a brand new night of soulful beats, funk grooves and disco energy. Doors open at 8pm and [**advance tickets cost £7**](https://www.outsavvy.com/event/24303/soulstream-soul-funk-disco-classics?ref=strangetourist.co.uk) (or £9 on the door). Busy that night? Don’t worry, the **second edition** has already been confirmed for **Saturday, February 7\.** 

Also coming up at **Salon Du Miel** is the next edition of **poetry night Setlist** on **Thursday, January 23**. On stage will be The Repeat Beat Poet, Seb Reilly, Jake Nathan, Clair Meyrick, Melissa Todd, Zack Davies and Setareh Ebrahimi. [**Tickets are pay what you can up to £5**](https://www.outsavvy.com/event/24378/setlist?ref=strangetourist.co.uk).

Quiet psychedelic night **Lounge Wizards** is back on **Thursday, January 30** at **Daisy in Cliftonville**. There will be live performances from Kkailou, John Boch, MLJ and Tony Westcliff. **Entry is free**. 

Punk raconteur **Gemma Rogers** has been popping up all over the place recently. Later this month she’ll be popping up at **Cliftonville’s Tom Thumb Theatre**. On **Friday, January 31** to be precise. If you’re yet to make her acquaintance, [here’s recent single Never Have I Ever](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gzLfresCHM&ref=strangetourist.co.uk). You can [**pick up tickets for a tenner**](https://billetto.co.uk/e/gemma-rogers-tickets-1131015?ref=strangetourist.co.uk)**.**

**London’s Barbican** has announced a **season of alt-folk performances** from the beginning of February through to the end of May. The line up includes Roo Panes, I’m With Her, and Jason Isbell, as well as a night paying tribute to David Crosby with The Staves, Kris Drever and more. [**Full details**](https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2025/series/alt-folk?ref=strangetourist.co.uk). 

Do you like quizzes? Do you LOVE Peep Show? Well, get revising, because coming up on **Thursday, March 20 at Olby’s in Margate** is **Big Mad Andy's Peep Show Quiz**. It’s [**£10 a head**](https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Margate/Olbys-Soul-Cafe/Big-Mad-Andys-Peep-Show-Quiz---Margate/40524159/?ref=strangetourist.co.uk)for teams of up to six, which is pricey. However, reviews from other nights around the country are very positive. Also, it is **hosted by Liam Noble**, aka the actual Big Mad Andy from Peep Show.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/06/39/0639efc0-b873-4e30-ac06-2893b029d0e0/content/images/2025/01/S08E05-mWEUoyaw-subtitled.jpg)

Test your Peep Show knowledge at Olby's this March. Photo: Channel Four/GIFGlobe