5 Things to Do in Nottingham This Week

Nottingham’s Refugee Week is part of a nationwide celebration of the contribution refugees and asylum seekers make to our community. We’ve seen one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our lifetimes spanning the past two years, and most of the media have blasted some pretty sickening narratives into the minds of many, so it’s now more important than ever that we educate ourselves, and celebrate the diversity of our communities. And here in Notts, we’re just about as welcoming as they come. To help us open our arms to those seeking refuge and asylum, Nottingham Contemporary are hosting a whole bunch of activities in honour of refugee week, with world music events, the chance to try foods from foreign lands, theatre, film, and the chance to volunteer. There’s too much to write about here, so follow the link below to find out more.
Runs until Monday 26 June, event times and prices vary, Nottingham Contemporary, event link

We’re a bunch of proper boozy bozos round these parts. But distinguished bozos, with a taste for the finer things in life. Those finer things being craft beer. To celebrate our love for the hoppy goods, and to bring the plethora of pubs selling craft beer together, the powers that be have dedicated a week-long festival to the nectar. So, clear the schedule, and get ready. Craft Beer Week is here. There’s to be tap takeovers from the likes of Torrside, Vertical Drinks, Leeds-based North Bewing Co. and Vergant to name but a few. Plus, you can pop along to a food pairing event at The Herbert Kilpin on Wednesday 21 June, courtesy of Thornbridge. The Orange Tree have gone the whole hog and handed over the taps to Black Iris Brewery for the duration. Get one in for us, duck, we’ll see you at the bar.
Monday 19 - Sunday 25 June, pubs across Nottingham, event link

Lonely hearts may sit in solitude no longer, cos the staff over at The Berliner are playing Cupid, this week. Taking heed from the Channel 4 programme of the same name, they’ve decided to welcome singletons through the door in true style, matching them up with the perfect partner over a three-course meal. Put your best glad rags on and make your way over to the restaurant where you’ll be greeted by their suited and booted host and a free drink to calm the owd nerves. When your date arrives, there’ll be time to get to know each other before your first course arrives. There’s even the option to be filmed, should you so desire. Application for the event is available online now, and you’ll need to fill that out before you go. Especially men – apparently they’ve got bags of women looking for their Mr Right, so all you need to do is sign up.
Monday 19 June, 7pm, £12 for three course meal, The Berliner, Beeston, event link

Festival season is well and truly upon us, and organisations of every kind are gearing up to curate crackin’ programmes of events for us to sink our tegs into. One organisation doing just that is the Nottingham New Theatre. The StuFF festival is now in its third year, and is bringing eleven brand spankin’ pieces of theatre to the stage for you to take in. There’s everything from straight up dramas about shit families, to clowning and dance shows, plus art-house film screenings and performance art. Literally a little slice of theatrical pie for everyone. Phlexx and Poetry Is Dead Good are involved, as are the leaders of the fast food revolution, Mocky D’s, who’ll be popping vegan and vegetarian versions of the classic Big Mac in everyone’s hands. Score.
Tuesday 20 - Wednesday 21 June, £3 tickets, £15 day pass, festival pass £25, Nottingham New Theatre, event link

There are many evils in this world that we like to think we’ve conquered, but are all too present today; sometimes just under our radars. Slavery may have become illegal in the UK in 1833, but modern slavery is a very real, and very dangerous threat to the most vulnerable groups in our society. This month, Unchosen – a charity seeking to fight slavery through film – and the University of Nottingham, are hosting a conference to discuss innovative ways of tackling and preventing slavery. Guest speakers, including Melissa Blackburn from Unbroken, and Alison Gardner from University of Nottingham, will be leading the conversation to answer tough questions such as “How can we stop those who are homeless, refugees, migrants, or children in care, from falling victim to exploitation?” It’s going to be proper thought-provoking stuff, so make sure you book a place pronto.
Wednesday 21 June, 10am, £55 - £75, University of Nottingham, event link