The gif below is my vibe this week. Thank you everyone for the simply OVERWHELMING response to the Don’t Miss Margate Launch Party. Wow. Nearly 200 of you have registered and that is MEGA. I’m busy getting things ready to share, and organising some things up my sleeve so while I might not be leaving my desk this week, you should. There are some f-ing incredible things to do. Got a fave in the list, let me know. Know someone who would like this, share it.
Don’t miss out - Georgina x
🎤 Intense Fascinations: Spoken Word & Performance Night
Wed 24 Apr, 7pm - 9.30pm / Margate Arts Club
Neurodiverse focused MixMatched CIC host this one off night where performers have a 5 minutes of fame. The theme is Intense Fascinations to celebrate Autism Awareness Month.
🎟 £3.96 / Book here
🙈 Delusions of Grandma & Everywhere and Nowhere
Until 25 May / Quench Gallery
A quick apology - I muddled up the artists exhibiting solo shows at Quench - both of which are must sees. Pop by for ‘Everywhere and Nowhere’ by Gaby Sahhar and ‘Delusions of Grandma’ by Kit Griffiths.
🎟 Free
✏️ The Lido Stores Open Call
Before Sun 2 June / The Lido Stores
See your art in store, the gallery has launched it’s four open call for new artists to exhibit. First prize is a solo show in 2025, shortlisted artists will be shown in a three week show in Sept. Artists selected by TKE artist Vincent Hawkins and Lido Gallery owner Kristen Healy.
🎟 Free to submit, shortlisted artists pay a £30 participation fee.
🦜 Pirate Hat Workshop
Thu 2 May, 6pm - 8pm / Sweet Caroline’s
There will be a series of pirate hat making workshops for Mergate. Bring your own hat or garment, or one can be provided. Helmed by local designer Kitty Sugar Powertex.
🎟 £11.55 / Book here
⚓️ The Freshwater Five
Sat 27 Apr, from 7.30pm / ARK Cliftonville
True crime hits Cliftonville. In 2011, five fishermen on the Isle of Wight were sentenced to a total of 104 years for conspiracy to import £53m worth of cocaine. Hear their story via this powerful play inspired by an award-winning Guardian podcast.
🎟 £10 / Book here
Food / Drink
☕️ High Tide Social Cafe Opens
Mon-Fri 8.30am - 4.30pm, Sat-Sun 9am - 3pm / High Tide Social Cafe
Soft play at the back, serious coffee up front, what was Skinny Dip is reborn. Swing by for We Are Here coffee, awesome sarnies and bacon or sausage baps.
🍺 Brewery Tour
Sat 27 Apr / Northdown Brewery
Find out how they make their beer soooo tasty. Behind the scenes tour, beer tastings and pizza and a pint. Now that’s a Saturday.
🎟 £20 / DM to book
🍸 Tins & Fins Launch Party
Fri 26 Apr / Selina Margate
Filipino fusion food and razor-sharp cocktails are the name of the game at this new restaurant in the Selina Margate. The acclaimed London team are experts in Kinilaw (flash-cured fish) and Inihaw (chef’s skewers) plus Asian inspired cocktails. Drop in for a free cocktail and skewer at the launch party on Friday and tell ‘em DMM sent you.
Music
🎷 Roots Of Margate
Sat 27 April, 8pm - late / Olby’s
Get those decks workin’ overtime, it’s an all vinyl, all blues night to dance those socks off. Selections from Jah B, Doc Murdoc, El, Sir Charlie’s High Power and Henry Mack.
🎟 Free / More info
🕺 Bez DJ Set
Fri 26 April, from 10.30pm / Justine’s
Oh Bez. Join the original party-starter for a Mad-chester soaked set in Marg’s coolest dive bar.
🎟 £21 / Book here
📼 Jon K
Fri 26 Apr, from 9pm / Whereelse
So many gigs, so little space so my pick of the week from Whereelse is Jon K, stalwart of NTS, mixtape king and go-to DJ for many a DIY rave.
🎟 £11.85 / Book here
💄 Big Gay Prom
Sat 27 Apr, 8pm - late / Margate Arts Club
Missed out on prom? Now’s your chance to relive those 80s crush moments. The annual Gay Prom has a Spring Fling theme, you don’t need a date but you can get a prom photo, so get that hairspray at the ready. It’s taffeta and perm time.
🎟 £6-10 / Book here
🎹 Big Pop Quiz
Thu 25 Apr, 7.30pm / The Wasteland Bar
This is your chance to knock reigning Nerdvana off the quiz top step. Win the cash pot or a bottle of wine, with teams of no more than four.
🎟 £2 per person cash on the door
🎸 Margate Assembly
Thu 25 Apr, 7pm - 10pm / Margate Off License
Margate Assembly’s first collab is here, Assembly Acoustic, which will bring together a collection of talented local musicians to each do a number. Hopefully they’ll be less strict than actual assemblies.
🎟 Donate what you can
You Time / Community
🏋 Fitness Classes
Various dates from 3 May / The Oval Bandstand
I love this! It’s great to see the bandstand’s space being used more often. Get fit with great views, there’s kettlebells, pilates, dance fit, kids’ classes and even a course focusing on peri/menopausal women. Let’s get sweaty.
🎟 Various prices / More info
💒 Married In Margate: Wedding Fair
Sat 26 - Sun 27 Apr, 11am - 4pm / Turner Contemporary
From Kentish fizz to live illustrators, if you want to get hitched here, find all the inspo you need from wedding artist, Posy Patou who has curated the most interesting suppliers.
🎟 Free / More info
🌕 Full Moon Sound Bath
Wed 24 Apr / Earth Studio
Lie down and relax to the soothing sound of singing bowls. What is better on a Weds than expansive sound journeying to honour the full moon.
From £10 / Book here
😻 Festival of Cats
25 - 30 Apr / Various venues
The purr-fest feline festival returns with exhibitions at Pie Factory and Joseph Wales, plus kitten crafts and cat-based drag (cat-walk anyone?). Can’t wait!
🎟Free / More info
🐥 Singing Mamas
Every Thu 2pm - 3.30pm / FLINTS
Pop down to Newgate Gap and find permaculture inspired family event organisation, FLINTS. Every Thursday afternoon they have a singing group for mamas hosted by Amy Davis.
🎟 Free
🧜♀️ Womens’ Retreat
Sat 27 Apr, 9am - 5pm / Shala Women
Four experienced teachers will guide you through this transformative retreat day, taking in circles, ceremonies and workshops to inspire your feminine power. Give yourself a day to remember.
🎟 £120 / Book here
Don’t miss…today
📙 Bee’s Bookshare
2pm / Garden Gate Project
Pop along to Bee’s Bookshare, the monthly bookclub where everyone brings a book to share and swap. Discover what other people are loving, plus tea and cake.🎟 Free
What else would you like to see in Don’t Miss…Margate? Share your ideas in the comments below!