Ramsgate Day, Blackbird & Eidophusikon
Another jam-packed week of events for your diary.
I’m coming at you this week with a full belly (thank you Royal Harbour Brasserie) and a lot of gratitude for the sunshine that’s been blessing us with the most amazing views. Yes, it’s been hot, but boy has it been beautiful. From sipping drinks in Blackbird’s garden to hanging outside the front of my shop, you can bet I’ve been making the most of it.
For the week ahead, we’re celebrating Ramsgate. A special day to focus on all the fantastic businesses, makers and locals who make it great (albeit many extend beyond the High Street so make sure you visit them too!). Tag us in any of your pics @dontmissramsgate and we’ll share them far and wide.
Don’t miss out, until next week - EJP x
🎪 RAMSGATE DAY
Sat 15 Aug, 10am - 5pm / Ramsgate Town Centre
IT’S RAMSGATE DAY! This year’s event takes inspiration from Ramsgate’s connection to Sanger’s Circus, once one of the most famous travelling circuses in the world. Circus legend Ellen Sanger, later known as Madame Pauline de Vere, the Lady of the Lions, will be brought to life through a special costumed guided walk and talks exploring the extraordinary story of Ramsgate’s circus heritage.
Discovery Planet will invite visitors to uncover the secrets behind some of the circus’s most impressive feats. From testing your balance like a tightrope walker and exploring the science of juggling to creating giant and unusual-shaped bubbles, children and adults alike will have the opportunity to experiment, learn and play while discovering the STEAM principles behind the spectacle. The day will conclude at 4.40pm with a bubble parade and Looping the Loop’s life-sized elephant and lion puppets.
🎟️ FREE / More info here
🌟 Shop Local Spotlight / Blackbird
Blackbird
Wed - Thu, 4 - 10pm; Fri, 4 - 11pm; Sat, 12 - 11pm / 2-3 Addington Street
We headed straight to Blackbird on opening night last week and what a joy. For those not in the know, you can expect House lager, House IPA, Guinness, as well as wine on tap alongside a changing selection of traditional and natural wines. For the spirit lovers, there’s a well-stocked back bar with a small selection of your favourite cocktails (can also be made non-alcoholic).
Whether you want to get cosy in a booth, or sunbathe in the beer garden, we know you’ll love chilling here for a few. A short menu of bar snacks and comforting classics coming soon, but head down in the meantime for a welcome drink. It’d be rude not to!
🖌️ Tracy Davidson: Stitching My Story
Fri 14 Aug, 6 - 8pm, Sat 15 Aug, 11 - 5pm, Sun 16 Aug, 12-4pm / Hold Creative Spaces
Tracy Davidson explores childhood memories through art with the main focus on the effect of her dad’s many prison sentences on her family, causing poverty, shame and sadness.
🎟️ Free
🚒 Talk: Standing Against the Flames
Sat 15 Aug, 6.30pm - 7.30pm / The San Clu Hotel
Discover the history of Ramsgate's Fire Brigade leading up to and during WW2, and how the National Fire Service was formed 85 years ago...
🎟️ £3
𓏠 The Little Brick House Cafe
Mon, Thu, Fri, 11am - 3pm; Sat, 11am - 4pm; Sun 11am - 4pm / 74 Queen Street
Love Lego®? You’ll love the The Little Brick House Café, Kent’s first Lego® building café. Customers can choose from hundreds of Lego® sets, free play Lego® and Duplo® for 1, 2, or 3-hour sittings.
🥜 The Refillable Van
Mon 10 Aug, 11am - 2pm / Pie Factory
Bring your own containers and re-stock on liquids and dried goods. Note the new venue!
🦪 Freshly Shucked Oysters & Chablis
Sat 15 Aug, 1.30 - 5.30pm / Penelope
Join Penelope for freshly shucked oysters and Chablis (hopefully in the sunshine!). Phil Mison (Cantoma) returns for a DJ set in the evening.
🎟️ Free
🛍️ Ramsgate Handmade Fair
Sat 15 Aug, 10am - 4pm / Harbour Parade
Ramsgate’s Handmade Fair makes a special Saturday appearance. Shop local makers and show off your handmade goodies.
🎟 Free
🎸 The Cloverhearts
Tue 11 Aug, 7.30pm - 11pm / Ramsgate Music Hall
Australian Celtic Punk band, The Clovehearts showcase their new album, Germaniac!
🎟️ £22.50 / Book here
🎤 Bruce Springsteen Tribute
Fri 14 Aug, 9pm / The San Clu Hotel
We’ll all be dancing in the dark at this Springsteen tribute. Classic seaside vibes.
🎟️ FREE
🎶 Eidophusikon
Sat 15 Aug, 7pm - 3am / Ramsgate Arts Club
If you’re into abstract hip hop, funk, dub and the like, this brand new intimate and underground quarterly club night with Vinyl Dj’s and video projections.
🎟️ Free
👭 Can You Be A Befriender?
Tue 11 Aug, 5.30pm - 7pm / Lowlife
I’m making an exception for a Margate-based event in this week’s newsletter as I think it’s a very important cause that affects many all over Thanet. Kent Coast Volunteering need 30 more volunteers to spend time with people like Dennis, a 92 year old widowed veteran who has made friends with Loz - and she’s asking you to follow in her footsteps. See the video here.
🎟️ Free
📚 Wine Down Reads Book Club
Fri 14 Aug, 6pm / Ramsgate Arts Club
This event has proven so popular that they’ve had to create a second reading group. Grab a glass of wine, and chat about a chosen book.
🎟️ Free / RSVP via @winedownreadsbookclub
🔔 Sacred Sound & Healing Touch
Fri 14 Aug, 7pm - 8.30pm / Gather &
Charlotte and Eleanor help you to step into a deeply nourishing 90-minute journey where sound, movement, and touch come together as medicine for body, heart, and soul.
🎟️ £37.50 / Book here
🎩 Kids’ Workshop: Circus Crafters
Sat 15 Aug, 11am - 12.30pm / Little Ravens, 119a High Street
Celebrate Ramsgate Day with a fun-filled, hands-on workshop inspired by the magic of the circus. Helo them fet creative as they make their own juggling balls, funny nose-growing clown toys, and moving acrobats!
🎟 Free / Book here
📌 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.
Browse what’s on the board:
Thanks for reading! If you found this useful, please share with a friend so we can continue to grow in Ramsgate and beyond!
And if you missed it… last week’s newsletter still has lots of things happening you need to know about.
Sabina Pieper, Louisa Lounge Closing & Repair Cafe
Sliding into your inbox slightly later this evening as I make my way home on a very rowdy Loop bus home. I just celebrated a friend’s birthday and the sunset was just a little too beautiful to leave. I’m sure you can understand (seriously, how lucky are we?)