It’s the merry month of May and time to get out and about to enjoy the best that Thanet has to offer. Here are just 47 of the amazing events going on this month, if you know of something that’s happening that’s not listed be sure to let us know. E-mail newsdesk.thanet@KRNmedia.co.uk or find us on Facebook.
Ballet Central 2015
On Friday, May 8 Ballet Central 2015 takes over the historic Theatre Royal Margate with a programme of ballet, neoclassical, contemporary and narrative dance. £14.50 full price, £12 concessions, Friends £10 (plus booking fee). www.theatreroyalmargate.com
Mr Turner Gets All Steamed Up
In Ramsgate on Friday, May 8, Mr Turner Gets All Steamed Up at Updown Gallery, Satis House, Elms Avenue in a new model theatre show written by Thanet’s own master of the art, Robert Poulter. 7.30pm for canapes and 8pm performance. Tickets £35 per person including performance, supper and wine. www.updowngallery.co.uk
After Dark Tales
After Dark Tales brings storytelling from the heart to the tiny Tom Thumb Theatre in Cliftonville on Friday, May 8. Looking at the story of Oberon outside of Shakespeare’s work, Kevin Walker, uses old documents and tales from continental folk lore, faerie lore and folk songs. Eastern Esplanade. 7.30pm. £7 in advance. £8 on the door. www.tomthumbtheatre.co.uk
Stephene Lobb: Paintings and Constructions
Stephene Lobb: Paintings and Constructions: 2000-2015 opens at Pie Factory, Broad Street, Margate, on Friday, May 8 (ends May 19 and closed May 11). Conceptual visions of forests, fairgrounds, ponds, beaches and city street scenes. 10am-5pm.
Broadstairs Town Walk
Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm join a Broadstairs Town Walk and explore the beautiful beach, harbour and prom in a gentle stroll taking just under an hour. Guides will talk about the town’s 600 years of history and connections to famous folk such as Charles Dickens, Hans Christian Anderson and Ronnie Barker. (subject to weather check the Broadstairs Visitor Information Kiosk Facebook page). Find out more from Dominic Wallace on 07968 985544.
The Great Tree
It’s Doggie Model Day on Saturday, May 9 at The Great Tree in Ramsgate. From noon to 4pm the pub welcomes well-behaved hounds to be photographed in the garden (weather permitting). Models will be considered for the pub’s calendar which will be shot in June. Free.
Mosaic master
Mosaic master Martin Cheek leads a two-day course for beginners and improvers from May 9 to 10 in Flint House, Broadstairs. http://www.martincheekmosaics.com 01843 861958.
Sailing taster day
The Royal Temple Yacht Club in Ramsgate invites you to get out on the water at its annual open day on Saturday, May 9 from 10am. Steve Stokes rear commodore sail said: “It is a fantastic opportunity for complete beginners to enjoy a couple of hours of sailing with an experienced crew completely free of charge.” Booking essential. Ages 18 and over or 12 plus accompanied by an adult. E-mail info@rtyc.com and quote “Open Day” or call Carol on 01843 591766.
Drapers Mill
On land but up in the air, it’s National Mills Weekend and Drapers Mill in Margate opens to visitors over May 9 and 10. The black smock mill, built in 1845, last worked by wind in the 1930s and has now been lovingly restored by the Drapers Windmill Trust. St Peter’s Footpath. 2pm-4pm.
Saxon history
Delver further into Thanet’s past at Stonelees Golf Centre on May 9 when it unveils a Saxon sword monument to mark the landing site of the Anglo Saxons in AD449. There will be a talk by a local archaeologist and Anglo-Saxon re-enactors. 10.30am-2pm.
The Sounds of Simon
Relive the early days of Simon and Garfunkel at the Memorial Theatre, Hilderstone, Broadstairs on May 9 when two of The Sounds of Simon perform the songs as they sounded back in the ’60s. Tickets: £12 in advance and to Friends, £14 on the door. 7.30pm. www.sarahthorne-theatrecompany.co.uk
VE Day nostalgia
Soak up the nostalgia with the Rotary Club of The Isle of Thanet Sunrise on May 9 when they mark VE Day at Kearns Hall, Birchington, from 6.30pm 1940s-style dress is optional with prizes for the best. Quiz, raffle, memorabilia table and projected images of the era. Tickets £6. 10s. 0d (CORR) from Margaret Hawkins 01843 840878.
Margate market
Every Sunday there is a different market in Margate Old Town: First Sunday – farmers and food; second Sunday – vintage, retro and antiques; third Sunday – arts, crafts recycled and reused goods; final Sunday – general market. Market Place. 11am-4pm. Also on Sunday, May 10, Thanet Farmers’ Market at the Marlowe Academy, Ramsgate. Locally produced food and drink Market Café and children can learn to cook in the Kids Kitchen. 9.30am-1pm. @ThanetFarmMkt
Crystal Palace Band
The Crystal Palace Band strikes up at the bandstand in Broadstairs on Sunday, May 10 from 2.30pm to 4pm. On May 17, the Cantium Brass Band perform and on May 25 the UK Paper Band play.
St Peter’s Village Tour
The St Peter’s Village Tour costumed characters entertain on the walk around the village starting from Hopeville Avenue at 9.45am on Tuesday, May 12. The tour is less than a mile on flat ground although there is some standing to hear presentations. There is the chance to stop for tea and coffee. Contributions of £4 suggested for adults. 07546 514948 or www.villagetour.co.uk Also May 24 and May 28.
Plaza Suite
Expect laughter when the Minster Playhouse take to the stage from May 13 to 16 with Plaza Suite, a portrait of three couples who stay, successively, in the same hotel suite. Tickets £8. 7.30pm. 07501 894381 http://www.minsterplayhouse.co.uk.
Local art
The work of artist Robert Onion goes on display at the York Street Gallery from May 13 to May 20. www.yorkstreetgallery.co.uk
Crafty Broads
Join the Crafty Broads for a Stitch and Bitch at Bessie’s Tea Parlour, Albion Street, Broadstairs on Thursday, May 14 from 7.30pm. All crafters welcome. 01843 862559.
Young artists
See the work of young Thanet artists on display over three days at Westwood Cross when the shopping centre teams up with the Rotary Club of Margate from Friday, May 15. This year’s theme is Imagine.
Only fools and dinner
Comedy and a meal with the Trotters when Del Boy and Rodney – the Comedy Dinner Show comes to the Margate Winter Gardens on Friday, May 15. A parody of the much-loved British sit-com. 7.15pm. www.margatewintergardens.co.uk
Explore The Grange
Explore AWN Pugin’s former home in Ramsgate when The Grange opens its doors from Friday, May 15 to May 18. The 19th century building is where he produced some of his finest work, including for the House of Lords. On Saturday, May 16 at 3pm, Caroline Buckley and Friends perform Fanfare for Landmark. Friday- Sunday 10am to 4pm. Monday 10am to 1pm. www.landmarktrust.org.uk
The Counterfeit Sixties
On May 15, step back to the ’60s with The Counterfeit Sixties performing hits from more than 25 bands from the era at the Granville Theatre, Ramsgate. Tickets £17 or £15. 01843 591750 www.granvilletheatre.com
Darren Lewis exhibition
An exhibition of works by Margate artist Darren Lewis opens at Lovely’s Gallery in Northdown Road, Cliftonville on May 16 (closes May 30). Darren says: “Living in Margate, I paint the things I see around me, the things I know and feel comfortable with. I respond to the nearby coastlines of Thanet, with focus on the vistas of sand, sea and sky of my chosen locations. Thanet is surrounded by vast open spaces where sand meets sea, sea meets sky.” Open 9am to 5pm. www.lovelysgallery.co.uk
Work In Progress
Stand-up comic Kevin Bridges brings Work In Progress to the Margate Theatre Royal on Thursday, May 14. The Scot is accompanied by support acts for the night which starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £17.50 or £15.50 restricted view.www.theatreroyalmargate.com
May Fayre
Join the Friends of Ellington Park in Ramsgate for a May Fayre on Saturday, March 16. Lots of fun with music on the bandstand, dog show and fun fair. Noon to 6pm.Night at the Museum
Intrepid explorers can spend a night at the museum at Quex Park’s Powell-Cotton Museum overnight on May 16. Dare you sleep out surrounded by the wild animals (stuffed, of course…) and take part in a torch-light trail. Booking essential. 01843 842168.
See the seals
Take a trip to see the seal colony that lives on the edge of Sandwich and Pegwell bays. The Sea Searcher boat trip on May 16 takes 90 minutes. £20 per person. Book at the Pier Yard, Ramsgate or call 07837 562076.
Wantsum music?
The Wantsum Brewery Sessions 3 promises a traditional folk music and dance night at the Memorial Theatre, Hilderstone, Broadstairs on May 16. Music from The Inexplicables and Funky and the Two Tone Baby. Tickets: £8 in advance and for Friends or £10 on the door. 7pm for a 7.30pm start. 01843 863701. www.sarahthorne-theatrecompany.co.uk
Country, blues, folk and roots
Lorraine Lucas and Cliff Brown play country, blues, folk and roots from 8pm on Saturday, May 23 at The Great Tree in Ramsgate.
Mod Margate
Make it a mod Whitsun bank holiday with the Margate Mod and Sixties Festival at Westcoast Bar in Margate from May 22 to May 25. Small Fakers, Graham Day and the Forefathers and James Taylor Quartet are billed to play. Early Bird Full Weekend Pass £40, Full Weekend Pass £50, One Day Pass £15-£20. 01843 448595.
Abbey Patchers
And, for something completely different, the biennial quilt show is at St Mary the Virgin Church, Minster, over May 23-May 25 with the Abbey Patchers. 10am to 4.30pm.
Grayson Perry
Grayson Perry’s exhibition at Margate’s Turner Contemporary opens on May 23. Provincial Punk features more than 50 works and is only on show in Margate. Perry says: “The idea of ‘Provincial Punk’ is an oxymoron but it encapsulates creatively some sort of spirit in my work that still goes on to this day. It is a very creative force, a willingness to turn things over, to not accept the fashion and to have a bit of fun. It is a kind of teasing rebellion; it is not a violent revolution.” Opens 10am.
Harbour Wallbanger
The Harbour Wallbanger is an isle tradition and takes place on May 23. The seven kilometre race takes runners from Broadstairs harbour to the wall at Ramsgate (hence the name) and back. Start 10am at Broadstairs Pavilion. 07773 620045. www.thanetroadrunners.org.uk
Nature notes
Find out about Thanet’s seaweed and its secrets on a walk and talk with Ian Tittley from the Natural History Museum. Meet at the bottom of the slope to the beach at Dumpton Gap, Broadstairs on May 23. 9.30am. www.nekmpa.org.uk
Aspects of the Seaside
Pie Factory in Broad Street, Margate shows the work of Julia Lyon in Aspects of the Seaside until May 24. Open Wednesday to Sunday 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Maritime museum
Ramsgate Maritime Museum opens for the summer on the Spring Bank Holiday (May 24). Visit Tuesdays to Sundays 10am to 5.30pm. www.ramsgatemaritimemuseum.org
Take aim and try your arm at a Have a Go Archery day at Quex Park, Birchington on Sunday, May 25. 10am to 5pm with Thanet Archery Club. Adults £4, children £3 includes six arrows. £2 per six arrows after that. www.quexpark.co.uk
Margate Meltdown
Scooters and motorcycles from London’s Ace Café head to the seaside for the eighth Margate Meltdown on May 25. The rideout leaves London at 10.30am and takes over the Old Town and seafront throughout the day. Club and trade stands as well as music from noon with J Bill Guntrip.
Monkton Nature Reserve
Explore Monkton Nature Reserve at its open day on May 25 from10am to 3pm. Includes an orchid walk, birds of prey, crafts, observatory, book sale and bric-a-brac. Free. 11am- 4pm. On Saturday, May 31 the reserve hosts an orchid spotting walk from 1pm with the chance to spot some of the eight species of orchids which grow there. £2 per person. Members free. www.monkton-reserve.org
Feast of St Augustine
Celebrate the feast of St Augustine close to where he landed in Britain in AD597 with a week of events at St Augustine’s Abbey in Ramsgate from May 25- 31. augustinefriends.co.uk
Rattle on the Stovepipe
Little Orpy Rattle on the Stovepipe at the Tom Thumb Theatre ,Cliftonville, on May 30 bringing bluegrass, old time and Americana. The bar opens at 6pm for 7.30pm start.
Dunkirk remembered
Take a maritime tour at Margate Cemetery to find out more about the lives of the people buried at the cemetery who had links to the sea including the graves of those involved in the Dunkirk evacuations which brought more than 46,000 troops to Margate. Tours can take two hours. 2.30pm. margatecemetery.co.uk
Seaside Shuffle
Head to Seaside Shuffle at the Small Boat Owners Association in Guildford Lawn, Ramsgate, on May 30 and hear some great traditional jazz. Tickets cost £10 including buffet. Noon- 2.30pm. 01227 361238.
Flash… Ahh aaaahhhhhhhhhhh
He saved every one of us, so relive movie magic of Flash Gordon at The Great Tree pub in Ramsgate on Saturday, May 30. Free popcorn. @thegreattree9
Silver band
The Birchington Silver Band play The Centre, Birchington, on May 31 from 2.30pm. The programme includes marches, light classics and music from West End shows. Free.
Farmers’ Market
Pick up local produce at the Cliftonville Farmers Market on May 31 at Oval Lawns. 10am to 1pm.
It’s a Knockout
Watch teams compete in an It’s a Knockout style competition on May 31 at Government Acre in Ramsgate. Or, get yourself a team of eight to 10 people and take part yourself. Event entry is £25 per person. 10.30am to 3.30pm. http://www.pilgrimshospices.org/events/knockout/