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First Friday
First Friday is back!
HOPE: First Friday 3 MAY 2024
In troubled times it’s hard to have hope for the future, so this month we celebrate everything hopeful, and the extraordinary ways people are paving the way for a brighter future.
We are joined by whimsical theatre maker and storyteller Bernadette Russell, who will be sharing inspiring stories throughout the evening.
Bed in for some soul nourishment with hope inspiring quotes, with resident librarians Dan Thompson and Connor Sansby, in our hope inspired reading room.
We are also joined by some very exciting local innovators and designers. Marine Studios residents HOL Group will be demonstrating how they have made clothes hangers from Vivomer and Candee. Plus, environmental charity, The Bay Trust, will be showing biochar made in their kilns.
Join Dan Thompson will be making a giant ‘Mappa Mundi’-style map of hope, which visitors will be able to contribute to.
FREE, 6–9pm. BYO refreshments and curiosity.
Supported by Arts Council England (ACE).
Accessibility: Please note this event can only be accessed via stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.
Writers’ Room
See all upcoming events at the Marine Studios Writers’ Room here.
Past events
WATER: First Friday 5 APRIL 2024
Ahead of Earth Day 2024, we are diving in to the theme of Water for our next installment of First Friday. Water means something to everyone, whether it’s the sea, rivers, rain or the water that comes out of your tap. Anyone curious about our connections with water is invited to Margate’s Marine Studios on 5 April 2024 to explore water through art, science and play.
Featuring interactive activities, exhibits and performances from coastal drag icon Shelly Grotto, Poets for the Planet, Mergate Mermaid Parade and Dan Thompson Studios.
FREE, 6–9pm. BYO refreshments and curiosity. Supported by Arts Council England (ACE).
Accessibility: Please note this event can only be accessed via stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.
CENSORED: First Friday 1 MARCH 2024
We have a very special double edition of First Friday on the theme: CENSORED! As well as the (now sold out) special screening of Respectable – The Mary Millington Story at The Margate School, at Marine Studios (5.30–10pm) you can explore the world of censorship, banned books and moral panics, with a Banned Books Reading Room hosted by Connor Sansby and a 9pm adult-only performance by poet Violet Malice (think Anglo Saxon four-letter words mixed roughly with enormous plosives).
FREE, 5.30–10pm, performance by Violet Malice is expected to be busy. BYO refreshments and curiosity. Supported by Arts Council England (ACE).
Accessibility: Please note this event can only be accessed via stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.
CENSORED: First Friday 1 MARCH 2024
Join us for a First Friday screening of Respectable: The Mary Millington Story, plus a Q&A with writer, broadcaster and filmmaker Simon Sheridan. The documentary explores the extraordinary life of Mary Millington, Britain’s only genuine sex superstar. This is a free, Arts Council England (ACE) funded event from the Marine Studios Writers’ Room, hosted at The Margate School.
Time: 5.30pm-8.30pm, screening starts at 6pm.
SOLD OUT! Book your free ticket via Eventbrite.
Accessibility: This event is wheelchair accessible. Please contact us to discuss any accessibility needs.
PRINT IS DEAD: First Friday 2 FEB 2024
Join Marine Studios and friends for a night of print and publishing themed activities exploring the theme: Print is Dead. Listen to Elte Rauch from New Menard Press speaking about her journey running an independent cross-channel publishing press.
Nick Morley, aka Linocut Boy, will showcase his linocut prints and woodblock printing demonstration. Contribute to a book sculpture that artist Willow Winston will be creating.
Dan Thompson will be opening his studio for a printmaking and 3D printing demo.
FREE, 6-9pm, please arrive early as space is limited. BYO refreshments and curiosity. Supported by Arts Council England.
Accessibility: Please note this event can only be accessed via stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.
JOURNEYS: First Friday 1 Dec 2023
Join us to launch the Marine Studios Writers’ Room in our December First Friday on the theme of Journeys.
Hear acclaimed author Travis Elborough discuss his latest work ‘The Writer’s Journey’, following the travels that influenced some of world’s most famous writers.
Experience Three Tenses in One from Dan Thompson Studio, reimagine Thanet’s streetscapes with Transit Collective, and get creative with D&D map making and Peter Gander’s map drawing. Plus there’s a Margate Bookshop pop-up to get your Christmas gifts.
FREE, 6-8.30pm. BYO refreshments and curiosity. Supported by Arts Council England.
Please note: Marine Studios is accessed via stairs.
ROBOTS: First Friday
3 Nov 2023
Marine Studios is relaunching First Fridays with the incredible Robert Poulter’s New Model Theatre and robot-related activities.
R.U.R. – Robert’s Unruly Robots is a paper theatre show inspired by Karel Čapek’s 1920 play, R.U.R, where the word ‘robot’ originated. Read more in the Isle of Thanet news.
Suitable for robot fans of all ages – under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. FREE. BYO refreshments.
Space is limited so please arrive early. Marine Studios is accessed via stairs.
First Fridays
Various dates
This event programme at Marine Studios includes exhibitions, talks, games nights, workshops and more.
We’d love to hear about other events happening on the first Friday of each month, so we can cross-promote yours.
Email info@marinestudios.co.uk
For past First Fridays events and more, view the archive.