This Week: Folk Week Kicks Off, A Pride Hike to Margate & Gigs Galore
August, let's go.
August is finally upon us, which means Folk Week is just around the corner. Kicking off this Friday in fact!
There’s just so much on, you’ll be spoilt for choice. I’ve tried to update you on all below, there will be more in next week’s newsletter, and you can keep an eye on our Instagram page for more updates as it all unfolds, but part of the beauty is roaming around and just seeing what you stumble into.
July was a mammoth month and, as you can see, August is looking like a great one too! Make sure you’re subscribed and pass it on to your friends so everyone knows what’s going on.
Don’t miss out - Kim xx
🎻 Broadstairs Folk Week Kicks Off
Fri 7 Aug - Fri 14 Aug / All over Broadstairs
Broadstairs Folk Week returns this Fri, transforming the town into a living stage with more than 400 events across 20+ venues over seven days. From pub sessions to the Bandstand, the festival offers gigs, workshops, dances, family activities and late-night music every. single. day. Families can enjoy the Hobby Horse Club daily, join music sessions, dance at ceilidhs, and relax in the new Create, Relax and Reset space at Bleak House (see more below). For tickets and the full programme visit broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk and there’s a few pub gig guides I’ve started collecting below and saved on our stories. This is what Broadstairs is all about!
See the official schedule here
💎 Introduction to Glass Fusing
Tue 4 Aug, 10am - 1.30pm / Hilderstone College
Learn how to fuse glass at this interactive workshop. You will be given individual guidance to design and make your own bespoke glass work, such as coasters, hanging ornaments or small panels. All materials and equipment provided.
🎟️ £68 / Book here
👞 Private View: Harry Jones’ ‘Shoe Collection’
Thu 6 Aug, 6pm - 8pm / Gallery@37
Head to Gallery@37 for guest artist Harry Jones’ private view and new collection, showing at the High Street gallery from 1 - 31 August. Pop in to see selected original pieces, plus beautifully printed giclée prints and greetings cards.
🎟️ Free / More info
🎭 Free Summer Theatre: Tales of an Unruly Audience
Thu 6 Aug, 7pm - 9pm / Pierremont Hall
An evening filled with myth, mirth and mischief. And it’s completely free! Tales of an Unruly Audience mixes audience participation with carnivalesque revelry. No two shows are the same. All performances are outside with limited seating (just bring a blanket). There is a licensed cashless bar and guests can bring their own picnic.
🎟️ Free / More info
🎥 Film: The Odyssey (15)
Fri 7 Aug - Tue 18 Aug, various times / The Palace Cinema
Who isn’t in this film? Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron and Robert Pattinson star in Christopher Nolan's epic new adaptation of The Odyssey, following Greek king Odysseus on a perilous multi-year journey home from the Trojan War. Fancy something epic? Head on down.
🎟️ From £8 / Book here
🍕 New Opening (we think!): The Base Pizzeria
The Base Pizzeria
I’ve been patiently waiting for this one! I hear there’s a new pizza place opening in town this week. The Base will be serving NYC-style slices of pizza from their new home at the bottom of the High Street, promising “Big slices. Biga flavour.” We saw that they’re opening this Wed, and have reached out for confirmation, but keep an eye on their new Insta page for confirmation and updates.
🌮 Folk Week Food Stalls and Pop-Up Bars
Fri 7 Aug - Fri 14 Aug / Victoria Gardens and The Promenade
You won’t be able to miss the big tents going up this week for Broadstairs Folk Week. Dotted along the promenade, and in Victoria Gardens, there will be numerous food stands, treats galore, stalls and pop-up bars from Friday. So you know where to head to grab some food or drink all week long once it opens.
🧺 Bleak House Farmers’ Market
Sun 9 Aug, 10am - 1pm / Bleak House Gardens
It’s that time of the month again to enjoy Bleak House’s gardens and stock up on some delicious food from the many stalls on offer. The farmers’ market takes place there every second Sun of the month. The next few dates are: 13 Sep, 11 Oct, 8 Nov & 13 Dec.
🎸 Pre-Folk Week Gig: Martin Barre
Thu 6 Aug, 7.30pm - 10pm / Queens Road Baptist Church
Martin Barre, Jethro Tull’s guitarist for over 43 years, is heading to Broadstairs for a pre-Folk Week gig. So if you want to start the music celebrations early, make sure you get one of the last remaining tickets.
🎟️ From £20.75 + BF / Book here
❓ Mr Teds’ There’s Nowt So Quiz As Folk…
Thu 6 Aug / Neptune’s Hall
Looking for a raucous night? You can’t beat Mr Teds’ pub quiz at the Neptune. Head down this Thursday to test your knowledge and laugh your head off as it all unfolds.
More info
🪕 Music Gigs Galore
Fri 7 Aug - Fri 14 Aug / All over Broadstairs
Broadstairs will basically be one long going out venue from this Fri. Want to see a band at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm and 9pm? There will be somewhere. This weekend there’s everyone from Two Man Ting at Sonder, to Broken Strings Acoustic Duo at Reign Bar, Gumbo and Triggers Broom at the Charles Dickens, Calgarry at the Tartar Frigate, and Fat Tuesday and Jed at the Pavilion. Plus many, many more.
🌈 Coffee & Yap: Pride Hike Edition
Sat 8 Aug, Meet at 10am / Namaka
Meet the Gal + Gather crew at Namaka on Stone Bay for açai and coffee this Sat, then walk together to Margate for the start of the Margate Pride Parade. The walk is approx 1.5-2hrs, so they’re aiming to be in Margate for the start of the parade at 1pm.
More info
🦀 Summer Seashore Safaris
Mon 3 Aug, Tue 4 Aug +Wed 5 Aug / Botany Bay, Louisa Bay + Dumpton Gap
Explore Thanet’s chalk rocky shore for its fascinating rockpool wildlife at three different beaches this week. On Mon they will be at Botany Bay at 9am, on Tue at Louisa Bay at 9.30am, and on Wed at Dumpton Gap at 10am. Suitable for ages 4-14 years, they take around two hours.
🎟️ £2.50 suggested donation / Book here
🍿 Film: Minions & Monsters (PG)
Tue 4 Aug, 4pm + Sat 8 Aug, 4.30pm / The Palace Cinema
Head to The Palace for this new family film, pick up a free colouring sheet and lolly, and enjoy an afternoon escaping the hustle and bustle of town.
🎟️ From £5 / Book here
📚 Kids Author Events and Book Clubs
All Week / Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop
The Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop has so many book clubs and author events on over the holidays, including several this week! A few have already sold out, so be quick and check out the rest here. At the time of writing there were some spaces left on book club ‘The Wild Ones’ by Steve Cole (For ages 8-11) on Wed, and Kids Author Event: Kristina Rahim ‘Max and Ella, Stuck Together’ (Ages 9-12) on Fri, for example.
🎟️ From £5 / Book here
🚜 Free Summer Theatre: Tractor Time
Wed 5 Aug, various shows 1pm - 3pm / Pierremont Hall
Another free theatre show for little ones! Tractor Time is a vibrant dance performance for family audiences full of farm life and community celebration. Inspired by British and Slavic folk traditions, at the end audiences are invited to join in a harvest parade learning simple dance and body percussion, stomping, and grooving together. There’s ‘Trash to Treasure’ free craft activities from 11am - 1pm as well.
🎟️ Free / More info
👩🏻🍳 Curious Cooks Club + Lego Days
Old Curiosity Shop
Every Thu from 3-4pm you can head to the Old Curiosity Shop for their Curious Cooks Club, and every Fri they host a free Lego and Duplo day. Plus there’s a Shell Counting Competition every day. Give them the correct number and win a lollipop.
🎟️ Free / More info
🪼 Under the Sea Creative Workshop with Artist Meg O’Reilly
Fri 7 Aug, 4pm - 5pm / Kinder Collective
Join local artist Meg O'Reilly for a special summer art workshop inspired by the wonders of the sea. Perfect for curious, creative children, this relaxed one-hour session invites little makers to explore colour, texture and collage as they create their own vibrant underwater world. Ages 5-9 years. Check out more of their events here.
🎟️ £28 / Book here
🐲 Hobby Horse Club
Sat 8 Aug - Fri 14 Aug, 10.45am - 12.30pm / The Bandstand
There’s just so much to list for families in Folk Week, the best bet is to check out their website for exactly what’s going on. But if you head to the Bandstand each morning you’re guaranteed some free kid-friendly entertainment. Clarence the Dragon and the hooden horses always make an appearance, there’s songs and games, and each day is themed if you want to dress up your little ones and really get involved. Here’s the run down of themes: Sat 8 is Under the Sea, Sun 9 is Grandparents’ day, Mon 10 is Circus Day, Tue 11 is Back-to-Front Day, Wed 12 is The Wizard of Oz, Thu 13 is Pirate Day and Fri 14 is Superheroes Day and Clarence’s birthday.
🎟️ Free / Check out the full schedule of family events
🕯 Create Your Own Crystal Candle Workshop
Fri 7 Aug - Fri 14 Aug / Victoria Gardens
Head to the Folk Week marquee to visit Cosmic Drift and create your own crystal candle to take home and treasure. Your child can decorate their own pre-poured candle with crystals, glitter & other decorations, and add their own personalised label.
🎟️ £10 per child, for ages 5+ / More info
🛹 Scorcha Saturdays
Sat 8 Aug, various slots between 11am - 2pm / Broadstairs Skatepark
Head to Broadstairs Skatepark just below Broadstairs train station for the weekly Scorcha Skate School skateboarding lessons. The friendliest sessions around. Always check their insta for updates, as it’s all weather dependent, but it’s looking good!
🎟️ £9 / Book here
💪 Hunky Dory Beach Fitness Classes
Various times, Mon - Sat / Stone Bay
Have you tried out a Hunky Dory beach fitness class yet? A staple of the summer now, it’s the best way to get fit by heading outdoors with the good beach vibes. Andrea does a mix of kettlebells mobility, strength and circuits, plus pilates from the sand. Check out her timetable and get added to her WhatsApp group to join on here.
Follow Andrea here
꩜ New Yoga Class Starting: Slow Flow and Soul
Thu 6 Aug, 9.30am / Music Room, Pierremont Hall
Yoga teacher Sari Riches is adding a new yoga class from the Music Room at Pierremont Hall from this Thurs. These sessions will focus on Slow Flow Yoga combined with sound. Expect gentle, mindful movements that align breath and body. Everyone is welcome, even if you’ve never done yoga before!
🎟️ £13 / Book here
🥂 Pilates and Prosecco
Fri 7 Aug, 7pm / Ashley & Co
Join Pose Reformer Pilates at Ashley and Co Hair in the High Street for the ultimate girls’ evening. A glass of Prosecco and time to mingle, a strength mat Pilates class, a calming guided meditation and a gorgeous goodie bag, including an Ashley & Co voucher and luxury haircare treats.
🎟️ £40 / More info
📀 REWD Padel Beats
Sun 9 Aug, 8am - 12pm / REWD Padel
Start your Sunday with four hours of Americano-style padel, live music and great company! Rotate partners and opponents throughout a fun, fast-paced session designed for players of all levels, with live DJs Joe Corbani and Craig Gardner, as well as coffee breaks and wellness shots.
🎟️ £20pp. £16 for Origin Members / More info
Finally, 3 Things To Know…
Pure Gym Broadstairs is teaming up with Abigail's, a new cafe in Margate, for member discounts and for the cafe to showcase in their club. Think yummy bagels, coffees and cakes. If you’re a Pure Gym Member you’ll receive 10% off.
Artist Emma O’Rourke is starting a new six-week creative journaling group course for caregivers from her new Emma O Studio space on Nelson Place, starting 9 Sep. Find out more and book on here.
There’s only one more fireworks to go this summer! If you missed out on last week’s, make a note of Wed 19 Aug, and also note it’s at an earlier time of 9.15pm.
📌 The Noticeboard is here — for all of Thanet
Got a job to fill, a space to hire, a class to shout about or something to sell? The Don’t Miss Noticeboard is our new community listings board.
One place for jobs, volunteering, community notices, wanted & for sale, spaces, learning and local services across Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs.
Listings start from £25 a month and go out to thousands of engaged local readers. Pop yours on here.
Browse what’s on the board:
Thanks for reading! If you found this useful, please share it so we can continue to grow in Broadstairs and beyond!
And if you missed it… last week’s newsletter still has lots of things happening that you might want to know about.
Beach Cinema Screenings, Broadstairs Water Gala + Fireworks, Plus Free Theatre Shows
I often say how jampacked the newsletter is, but this week it really is incredibly jampacked.