We're on the countdown to Christmas, and Notts is gearing up for a proper party...
People Help The People
Now this is the kind of event we love to see. People coming together to have a jolly good time, while providing for and helping those in need all at the same time. Multi-tasking at its finest. Ally Dickaty of punk band, The Virgin Mary’s, is coming to Mansfield to play a free acoustic gig for you folks, in the hopes of raising money for local homelessness charities, Sherwood Forest Food Bank and Framework. Ally’s fresh off the back of supporting Feeder on their UK tour, and has taken it upon himself to travel around the UK, performing for free, in the hopes that folk like you rock up and donate to charity in exchange for his time. The entry fee to see him play is either a £5 donation to our local homelessness charities, or a full bag of food shopping that can be donated to local food banks. Head to the Facebook page for more information.
Tuesday 6 December, 7.30pm, £5 donation to charity or bag of food, Old Library Studios, Mansfield
Sean Paul Party
It’s about time you dust off those dancing shoes and get ready to shake dat ting, miss Annabella, Jodi and Rebecca, cah The Bodega are hosting a dance party to end ‘em all. For one night and one night only, you can wine and grind to the King of Dancehall, aka Sean Paul, courtesy of London-based dancehall and bashment specialists, Get Busy. Expect to hear the likes of Vybz Kartel, Beenie Man, Stylo G and Chronixx, and only the biggest bashment tunes for you to get down and dutty to. Head over to the facebook page and post your mates names on the wall to bag yourself a spot on the cheap entry list.
Wednesday 7 December, 11pm, £5, The Bodega
Christmas on the High Seas
All aboard, and get ready to sail the ocean blue with some of the daftest boggers about. That’s right, get your armbands at the ready, cos Seas of Mirth – everyone’s favourite sea-shanty band – are gearing up to take you on a perilous voyage with their Christmas on the High Seas gig. No fear if you’re scared of water, though. The whole thing is taking place firmly on land – the middle of Mansfield Road, to be exact. Catch the likes of Swedish band, Francobollo, Zipheads and The Dandylions before the main event, complete with mermaids, pirates and men with octopuses on their heads. Maybe. Don’t quote us on that.
Friday 9 December, 8pm, £5.50, The Maze
Backlit Christmas Fair and Alistair Frost Closing Party
Just in case you're not in the loop - it's nearly Christmas. Like, in a couple of weeks or summat. Dead soon. And although there's nothing wrong with doing a mad dash around town on Christmas Eve like some speed-crazed Supermarket Sweep contestant, there's also nowt wrong with maybe sticking your head into events like this one to maybe knock a few names off the ol' present list. A right arty party, not only will there be a plethora of visually tasty treats to buy from their studio residents (including the illustrator behind LeftLion's November cover), but there'll be a cocktail bar, food and drink and face painting. The fun does not stop there, though, oh no. It's also your last chance to catch the rather wonderful Alistair Frost exhibition, and - if you get down before 5pm - the last time to play the Amazing Human Fruit Machine. Seriously good fun!
Friday 9 December, Gallery 12-5pm, Christmas Fair/Closing Party 5.30-8.30pm, free, Backlit Studios, Ashley Street
Major Labia’s Festive Fanny Funnies
Having performed at this year’s Hockley Hustle, Major Labia, the masters – or should that be mistresses? – of vaginal comedy are hosting a Christmas shindig. Initially set up by The Television Workshop graduates to challenge the notion that women aren’t funny, the all-female bunch want you to help them celebrate the end to a rotten year in style. You can expect to see the rowdy lot perform some proper comedy, songs and poetry, and the night will no doubt feature performances from some of the city’s most talented women. Oh, and there’ll be clitoris Christmas tree decorations on tap. Yep. We definitely just said that.
Saturday 10 December, 7pm, free, Upstairs at The Angel
The Watermelon Woman
Reel Equality, everyone’s favourite woman-focused cinema club, have teamed up with the Nottingham Alternative Film Network to bring the good folk of Nottingham Cheryl Dunye’s groundbreaking film, The Watermelon Woman. Working in a video shop, Cheryl is an aspiring filmmaker who takes it upon herself to find out the true identity of the black actress known as the ‘Watermelon Woman’ in films like Gone With the Wind. The film is the first ever feature film to be directed by a black lesbian. Well in. You’ve been warned to turn up hungry, cos a vegan feast will be prepared in your honour. Plus, dressing up in true nineties fashion is strongly encouraged. Scrunchies at the ready, folks.
Saturday 10 December, 6pm, £8, The White Lion, Beeston
By The Rivers
If your “couple of pints down the local” on Saturday night ended up as a four pints, three cocktails, a taxi fare to town, three tequila shots and five doubles bender, then you might be tempted to wallow in your pit all day today. But, this is Nottingham, and in Nottingham, there is no rest for the wicked and you, my friend, are the wickedest. Have a wash and pop over to The Maze to watch By The Rivers perform in all their pop/soul/afrobeat fusion glory. The band have supported the likes of Michael Kiwanuka, The Specials and The Madness, and this time round, they’re to be supported by Nottingham’s very own Bud and The B Sides. Well worth getting out of bed for.
Sunday 11 December, 7.30pm, £9 in advance, The Maze
Life of Brian
Apparently, one day, many yonks ago, the Dear Lord Baby Jesus was birthed by a sheep who came down from heaven draped in gold chains. Or summat. There are many different versions of the Christmas story, but none quite tell biblical-era tales like Monty Python. If you haven’t seen Life of Brian before, it’s a massively satirical film about a bloke called Brian, who’s a little more uncouth than his meek-loving peer, but who manages to secure a huge amount of moral-hungry followers nonetheless. With religious and historical references that’ll have you howling, the cast of Cleese, Idle, Chapman, Palin, Gilliam and Jones never did do the funny thing by halves. And if you’re really paying attention, you might even notice a little appearance from a certain Spike Milligan. Don’t miss this one, the cinema screen atmosphere is going to be ridiculous.
Sunday 11 December, 2pm, £4.50 - £8.40, Broadway Cinema
Bling Bang Christmas Party
Add some sparkle to your stockings and give yer granneh a Christmas makeover, all while supporting some of Nottingham’s finest artists this weekend. Rough Trade are hosting the Bling Blang Christmas Party once again, where a handful of the most skilled jewellers Notts has to offer will be flogging their handmade wares, accompanied by live acoustic music. Alexa Milne, Jo Irvine and Amber Copper-Green are just three of the artists who’ll be up and at ‘em this Sunday. Have a goose at their work online, and make sure you get down early before all the good stuff is gone. It’ll be all your Christmas shopping done in one pop.
Sunday 11 December, 12pm, free entry, Rough Trade
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