With MOBO tributes and Old Market Square filling up with market stalls, to Calamity Jane stopping at Theatre Royal, there is non-stop entertainment in Nottingham this coming week…
When: 24 March - 30 March
Where: Lakeside Arts
How much: From £9.50
Nottingham’s annual Soundstage Festival returns to Lakeside Arts promising a two-week schedule full of a variety of performances from vibrant bands to intimate Jazz performances. Commemorating film, cinema, music and all things creative, Journeys, Nottingham’s biggest Soundstage Festival to date, will take you across the globe and deep into the imagination. With events catered for the whole family and live music performances on several dates, there is no reason to miss this one.
Calamity Jane
When: Tue 25 - Sat 29 March
Where: Theatre Royal
How much: From £22.50 - £57
Calamity Jane has just blown in from the Windy City, and will land in Nottingham’s Theatre Royal this March. With multi-award winning tracks such as Secret Love and Just Blew in from the Windy City, West End star Carrie Hope Fletcher brings us the titular Calamity Jane. This touring company is set to dazzle audiences in a lively Western classic filled to the brim with comedy, romance and drama. Book your tickets now for a whip-crackin’ good time!
National Theatre Live: Dr. Strangelove
When: Thu 27 and Sat 29 March
Where: Savoy Cinema
How much: £11-18
If you couldn’t spare the time and hundreds of quid it would have taken to see this in the West End, then here’s the next best thing. Armando Lannuci is the brains behind TV shows such as The Day Today, The Thick of It and Veep. This is his adaptation of the classic Stanley Kubrick film, starring Steve Coogan in the role made famous by Peter Sellers. An explosively funny satire about a rogue US General who triggers a nuclear attack.
Ay-Up Market
When: Fri 28 - Sun 30 March
Where: Old Market Square
How much: Free
Nottingham’s Old Market Square doing what it does best; hosting a big weekend market stacked with local traders. Curated by It’s in Nottingham, over 90 independent stallholders are taking part, offering food and drink, vintage clothing, cosmetics, homeware, arts and crafts and much more. As well as the shopping there’s live music from the main stage too. It’s bigger and better this year, expanding to Smithy Row and all completely family-friendly, with face-painting, workshops and balloons for the kids.
When: 28 March
Where: Antenna
How much: From £3
Highlighting Music of Black Origin, Confetti NTU’s Black Student Collective, Da’Village, will be hosting their latest album’s launch party at Antenna this coming Friday. The album release party will feature the first live performance of all the tracks with even more entertainment to keep the party going. Celebrating the rich cultural heritage and innovation of Black music, the event will pay tribute to Music of Black Origin whilst demonstrating the power of collaboration featuring Further Education, Under Graduate and Post Graduate participants. Make sure to save the date!
Beer Debunked
When: Sat 29 March
Where: Various venues
How much: £15
The No Half Measures Collective and Let’s Beer are on a commendable mission to champion Nottingham’s beer scene and women in beer. They’re putting on three events on the last Saturday in March. First up is Serious Beer Business (1-4pm), a panel discussion event at Canalhouse. Following this there are tasting sessions hosted by Joanne Love from BarthHaas X hop suppliers (at The Newshouse) and Beer Sommelier Natalya Watson (at Barley Twist). Beers included in ticket prices.
Stuart Pearce
When: Sat 29 March
Where: The Bodega
How much: £11
No, it’s not the legendary Nottingham Forest and England left back. Stuart Pearce are a Notts-based band who have drawn comparisons with The Fall and describe themselves as “Gas band of substance immemorial in an era of temporal content.” Some of their releases like Nuclear Football and Red Sport International have echoes of the nation’s favourite sport though, so if anyone does turn up in a red shirt with a big number 3 on the back they might not leave disappointed.
When: 30 March
Where: The Bodega
How much: £12.80
Following on from the band’s support tour with Hi-Fi, Better Joy returns to Notts on their UK tour Heading into Blue. With praise from BBC Radio 6’s Chris Hawkins as he described them as ‘his favourite band’ of 2024, Bria Keely and her band are ones to watch this year. Better Joy’s indie-pop sound coupled with Bria’s knack for storytelling, brought comparisons from Debbie Harry to The Cure and The Smiths. With support from Dear Lily and Josie Beth, Bodega is the place to be this coming Sunday.
Billy Elliot the Musical Live (20th anniversary)
When: Sun 30 March
Where: Arc Cinema Beeston
How much: £17.95
Based on the classic coming-of-age film, this musical has won the hearts of millions since opening in the West End in 2005. Set in a 1980s northern town, against the background of the miners’ strike, Billy’s journey takes him out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class. It’s there he discovers a passion that inspires both him and his whole community. The film’s original creative team were joined by music legend Elton John to create this live theatre experience.
Don't forget to head to our What's On page to see a full list of events!
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