10 Things to do in Nottingham this Weekend

All breastfeeding families and their friends are invited to join and be counted as part of the global Big Latch On 2017. Last year there were over 17,000 people breastfeeding at the same time. Bleddy Nora. The guys at Big Latch On have some records to break, so they need your help. They count the number of children breastfeeding at the same time (the latch count), how many breastfeeding women gathered and the total number of people who come out to show their support, so bring as many friends and family members as you can. It's always a fun day out and a great way for mothers and families alike to connect and meet new people. Cafe Sobar also offers a great choice of refreshments, pushchair parking, a baby change room and a small play area that'll cheer the little 'uns right up.
Friday 4 August, 9.30am - 11am, free, Sobar, event link

The Wigflex family is back once again with a slight twist on their usual techno antics. This weekend they plan to mix it up with a blend of 100bpm rollers, African-inspired beats and a healthy handful of hip hop. In the courtyard, join Lukas Wigflex and Matthew Orrell for a funky selection of... well, pretty much everything. In the bar area, Colombian Frank and Des Hagnasty will be laying down the eclectic vibes all the way through the evening. If the belly starts rumbling and you need a bit o' snap, hit up the courtyard for some lovely cuisine courtesy of Street Food Revolution UK. Oh yeah... did we mention the after party at Bar Eleven from midnight onwards? Well, now you're fully informed.
Friday 4 August, 5pm, free, Rough Trade, event link

Dutty whines at the ready. This weekend it's dancing shoes on, but not for the club. Nottingham-based dancer and choreographer Ramario Chevoy will be teaching a special masterclass fusing vogue, bashment and all-round good vibes. If you love to cut a rug, then Collabor8 is right up yer street. But don't be alarmed: no previous knowledge or experience of dancing is required. Just bring some comfortable shoes and lots of energy. Get a sweat on, learn how to vogue and just have a good laugh. There's no booking needed and it's 100% free, so drop in and join the crew for this fantastic opportunity and show them how to really shake yer tail feather.
Friday 4 August, 6pm - 8pm, free, The Nottingham Contemporary, event link

Bass bins, beer, plus the finest jungle and d 'n' b vibes, all stuffed down an alleyway in the centre of good owd Notts? This is gonna start your weekend off very nicely. Join the talented crew of Deeper Than Roots for a hot and sweaty outdoor romp in one of Nottingham's most well-known venues, The Alley Cafe. Old-school, local veteran DJ Kuss will be showering you all with bassweight and a heavy amount of amen-influenced bangers in his headline set after some time away. Plus Deeper Than Roots' residents Omen Breaks, Feldem, and special guests, will be blessing the decks on the night. And it's free entry. Flippin 'eck, get yer skanking boots on lads and lasses.
Friday 4 August, 10pm, free, Alley Cafe Bar, event link

Candy floss, hook-a-duck and dodgems are on the cards this weekend, cos Nottingham's biggest and most popular free festival is back again this year and it's sure to be a corker. There's a host of activities for punters to enjoy: from a bustling street fair with rides and games, to a vibrant mix of live music performances from around the globe and fireworks displays. Get yer Fred Dibnah's on and step back in time with the traditional steam engines and organs on display. Wander the street market for a world of global crafts and food stalls to explore, too. Also this year, the legendary Dragon Boat Challenge makes a welcome return with teams battling it out for charity, followed by the annual duck race. Definitely not one to be missed and it's running for three whole days... No brainer.
Friday 4 August - Sunday 6 August, from 12pm onwards, free, Victoria Embankment

Alley Cafe is a bit of a hotspot this weekend ain't it? Get yerself down for the 140bpm special where you can enjoy the finest grime, dubstep and bassline 'til the early morn. Their last three events all hit capacity so make sure you're not too late. Rising deep dubstep artist and all-around legend Reaction will be headlining, and he'll have a slew of his own productions in the playlist that are sure to rumble the whole city centre. Next up, Curtz is passing through just before he heads to Croatia to shut down Membrain Festival. And, for the first time at Subtone Society, they welcome relative newcomer to the dubstep scene, Aztek. He's got some dirt hidden up his sleeve and he ain't afraid to unleash it. As per, the Subtone residents will be providing the bangers up in the bar area all night. You're in for a bass-driven weekend, me ducks.
Saturday 5 August, 10pm, free, Alley Cafe Bar, event link

Plough Monday is an ancient festival that's been celebrated in England for the last 400 years, and has been so ingrained in English folklore that a play was written about it. Namely, the Cropwell Bishop Plough Monday play. One of the characters, Hopper Joe, a farm labourer with a particularly nifty costume, has inspired Arianne Churchman - winner of the Nottingham Castle Open 2016 solo exhibition prize - to base her upcoming exhibition on him. Well, his outfit. Ahead of the exhibition opening in September, Churchman is warming you up nicely with Horse-Play, a production that'll use Hopper Joe's "ragbag sensibilities" to explore the context of his traditional costume that forms the focus of her exhibition. Get down from 11am to watch the performance begin on the grassy area leading up to the main castle, before moving onto the play area on the Castle Green. Come rain or shine, Hopper Joe will be there...
Saturday 5 August, 11am, free but you need to book a place online, Nottingham Castle, event link

Black and white portraits are proper a la mode at the mo, what with every Timmy, Tommy and Terry using the Inkwell filter to pimp up their Insta feeds. Needless to say, this photography exhibition is putting an edgy, ultra-modern twist on classic portraits. You only need to turn up and have your photograph taken and printed by professionals, then you'll have the chance to pick from four awesome artists - Blu Loui, Kelsey Bryan, Lost+Ok and Emily Catherine - who all possess a range of urban and hip hop styles. Watch 'em flaunt their skills and doodle over your photograph, splashing colour and transforming your mug into a one-off piece of art. It's something we're proper excited about cos it's all the rage in New York, apparently. And if it's good enough for the Big Apple, it's good enough for us.
Saturday 5 August, 10am, £30, Flour Mill Studio, event link

The bandstand is where it's at this Sunday, as Nottingham welcomes Pagan Pride UK to the Arboretum this summer. Come along to the UK's biggest free pagan event. It's the eighth year running and it gets bigger and better each time. As per, the festival is free to enter, but we suggest you bring a few pennies for a cuppa, some grub, a pint, or just to treat yourself from the huge selection of bits and bobs available on one of the many stalls. But it doesn't stop there... Pagan Pride UK have announced there will be an after party at one of Nottingham's busiest venues, The Maze. There are a limited amount of entry tickets and they're only a quid, so look for the info point at the festival on the day to grab one, quicktime.
Sunday 6 August, 12pm - 6pm, free, The Arboretum, event link

They're back and better than before. Illyria's production of Jane Austen's glorious social comedy attracted sell-out audiences for four consecutive years. It's a rollercoaster of balls, dinners and social disputes. It appears Lizzie Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy stand alone as the only sane people, and they hate each other. Or do they? Can they overcome their differences in order to achieve their mutual happiness? If your idea of Jane Austen is costume-drama and tea-parties, then this sparkling adaptation based entirely on the original novel, will make you think again. Bring a picnic and have a blast as the top dons at Illyria sharpen their claws to bring you Jane Austen at her vibrant, pacy, forthright best!
Sunday 6th August, 7pm - 10pm, £11 - £16.50 per ticket, Crossley Park, Ripley, event link


For the full motherload of goings-on this weekend, check out our What's On section.