So much to do, so little time...
Symphonica ft Mr Switch
Seemingly unable to wait until October to pop back up on your radar, the guys and gals behind Hockley Hustle are back at it this month. And what a corker they’re delivering, too. Nottingham Contemporary is gearing up to host one of the biggest and baddest collaborations since Queen and David Bowie. The brand new project, Symphonica, is one big mixing pot, with the sound of a full orchestra and the heavy beats of a DJ chucked right into the bogger. The night will see you serenaded by string sections and whipped into a frenzy by scratching records. And who better to take pride of place on the ones and twos than Mr Switch, eh? There’ll be support from the likes of Three Body Trio, of Gilles Peterson’s Future Bubblers programme, and DJ Lee Gillyon. Plus, all proceeds go to Rethink Mental Illness Nottingham. Luvvleh. Jubbleh.
Friday 26 May, 8pm, £11, Nottingham Contemporary, event link
The Invisible Orchestra
The renegade masters, back once again. We love a good tradition round these parts. Especially when that tradition involves getting down and dirty to the sounds of a 24-man-and-woman-deep orchestra inside the grand owd Masonic Lodge while necking a gin or four. The Invisible Orchestra are back at it for an intimate gig, alongside authentic fifties west coast swing stars, Rollo Markee and The Tailshakers. Ooft. Worra corker. Not only that, DJ Rick Donohue, Samyouwell and DJ Hemulen Soundz will be spinning the decks to see you through to closing time. Extra bar areas have been added to the venue to make sure you’re never too long away from the dancefloor n’all. Sound like a bit of you? We thought so. Dancing shoes, on.
Friday 26 May, 8pm, £16.50, Masonic Lodge, event link
Spring Reign
It’s a dark world that we live in. We’ve recently been shaken by an appalling attack on the children and young people in our country, and we’re reeling from the shock. There is no excuse for the act of evil that took place at the beginning of the week, but it’s important to remember that there are others in this world that live in that reality day to day. This week at Nottingham Playhouse, the lives of those in Syria are detailed in a production written by Rob Johnston and directed by Benedict Power. Spring Reign is based on real life accounts from Syrian refugees, aid workers, activists and journalists that are detailed through both a theatrical performance and front-line photography by Musa Chowdhury. It’ll be harrowing stuff, but an educational experience nonetheless.
Saturday 27 May, 7.30pm, £12/£14, Nottingham Playhouse, event link
Food and Drink Festival
Love to eat? Love to drink? An entire weekend dedicated to large amounts of both? Thrice yes. We’re a bit too excited about the return of the Nottingham Food and Drink Festival, and you lot should be an’ all. Over at the Castle this month, there’ll be more than 100 stalls selling hot and cold yammables and gulpables, plus culinary-related crafts so you can tek summat ‘ome fer yer mam. There’s even a double decker bus bar to take an up-top pew in, a Greene King pop-up with ale aplenty, plus the Coolest Drink Bar for sipping on a glass of prosecco with your pinky out. Not only that, there’s loads of entertainment cracking off while you fill your boots, including live music on the bandstand for the duration of the weekend. On the Saturday, Antonio Carluccio – aka the Godfather of Italian Gastronomy – will be demonstrating his skills in the kitchen, followed by Jean-Christophe Novelli on the Sunday and Adam Simmonds on the Monday. Get stuck in, and learn how to cook like the top dogs ‘emselves. A proper weekend, if you ask us.
Saturday 27 - Monday 29 May, £8.80 in advance, £10 otd, Nottingham Castle, event link
Dot to Dot
Like a massive child’s puzzle, Dot to Dot has Notts’ musically minded running all over the city hunting out bands, shoving fluorescent wristbands in bouncers’ faces as they go. In fact, Dot to Dot has historically been so good that Bristol and Manchester have picked the festival right out of our pockets. This year we’ve got The Big Moon, Sundara Karma and big hitters from Hoodtown, Amber Run gearing up to sing their hearts out for you. There’s normally some fringe stuff going on around the city ’n all. Grab yersens a ticket and get ready have a dance and get a bit dotty, all in the name of awesome music. Oh, and check out Mocky D’s, the vegetarian and vegan food stall making bang on meat- and dairy-free Big Mocks that taste exactly like their McDonald’s counterparts. They’ll be outside Rescue Rooms so do say hello.
Sunday 28 May, 11am, £22, city centre venues, event link
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