Make a Web Game
If you reckon you’ve got a couple of computer whizz kids on your hands, who also just so happen to be driving you insane in the last weeks of the summer holidays, bundle ‘em into the car this Monday or onto the bus and ship ‘em off to the NVA. Yep, nippers aged twelve and over will be given all the tools they’ll need to create and host their very own web game using Construct 2. The software is free, and compatible for Windows, so after they’ve honed the skills they’ll need to work the programme, they’ll be able to download it at home and continue to create. Meaning you’re gifted with days of peace as they flex their creative coding skills online. It might be a little pricey, but who can put a price on quiet kids, eh?
Monday 22 - Tuesday 23 August, 10am, £55 - £65, National Videogame Arcade
Inside Out: Free Family Screening
Disney films have had a kick up the arse of late: the story lines are slicker, almost adult, but told from the perspective of a child and of course, they’ve kept the talking animals and toys that come to life. This week, if you’ve not had chance to catch the phenomenal Inside Out, you and your family can pop over to the Valley Centre in St Ann’s to watch it for free. Eleven-year-old Riley has got a lot going on in her head, what with Anger, Joy, Sadness, Fear and Disgust all having their own adventures. It’s a clever tale about mental health and wellbeing. You’ll even be given free popcorn to snack on while you’re there. Could this event be any better?!
Monday 22 August, 2pm, free, St Ann’s Valley Centre
Tiger Boe Open Evening
Have you ever fancied yourself some alternative therapies? While Western and modern medicines help many every day, unbeknown to many, there are other ways you can champion your health. After realising how expensive alternative Chinese medicine can be, Kat ‘Chu-Puncture’ has decided to set up a community clinic where people can drop by to receive treatments at affordable prices. So whether you’re curious about acupuncture, massage, meditation, yoga, or even hypnotherapy, there’ll be the chance for you to try it all out for free at the open evening. Plus, there’ll be talks, snacks, and loads of friendly faces to have a chinwag with. See you there.
Monday 22 August, 6pm, free, Tiger Boe, 7 Clarendon Street, NG1 5HS
Tiny Rebel Tap Takeover
If you’ve been to The Embankment since it opened, you’ll have been gobsmacked at the transformation by Castle Rock. They’ve got lines and pumps for days, with beverages that’re only for the most discerning of tastes. After being host to an awesome tap takeover by the colourful London brewery Beavertown, the pub is inviting another to dominate the pub of a Thursday h’evening. Tiny Rebel are an award-winning Welsh brewery and they’re posing one question to Nottingham’s beer drinkers: what’s better, cask or keg? You can find out for yourself by getting down and drinking a shedload of it. Your ticket will get you half a rebellious craft, half a rebellious keg, entry into a raffle, and a BOGOF deal on pizza. Or you can just show up and sink the beers accordingly. Your call.
Thursday 25 August, 5pm, free/£10, The Embankment
Bamalamasingsong
Whaddya get if you take one of the hottest venues in town, a large projector screen, a live band, and a whole bunch of Notts heads after a few bevvies? Bamalamasingsong at Glee Club, of course. Yep, one of our favourite events is back for another round, and the boys behind I’m Not From London are gearing up for another night of classic karaoke. But, this is not your average, middle-aged, balding man on the mic screaming Robbie Williams’ Angels at his missus while she cringes in the corner. No, no, no. INFL like to do things differently, with a live band playing the biggest and baddest karaoke bangers sung in unison by all who attend. It’s almost like a religious experience when you all get going. Deck a honey, lemon and ginger before you head out.
Friday 26 August, 8.30pm, £7/£10, Glee Club
Kold Chillin’ Cook Out Special
When The Old Angel shut shop for a bit, it was time for Nottingham’s hip hop connoisseurs to find themsens a new yard to pump up the volume. Luckily Rough Trade came to their rescue, and now they’ve settled into their new residency it’s time for a proper party, grill an’ all. That’s right, you’ve got vinyl being spun all day – afternoon reggae in the courtyard, evening hip hop in the bar, and soul food served up all day. It’s nice. Expect the likes of Archive, Lethargy and Hurst on the decks, as well as Blue Cat of Traditional Hi-Fi bringing the dubs in full force. All this, for free? Don’t mind if we do, duck.
Saturday 27 August, 3pm, free, Rough Trade
Dinosaur Zoo
Big kids, listen up. If you’ve wiled away many a sleepless night imagining yourself walking alongside diplodocus across great plains, or fighting a T-rex off using the bone of a woolly mammoth, then your ship’s just come in. For one night only, you can join the folk of Dinosaur Zoo as they bring all their prehistoric pals to the stage in a hilarious production that’ll tickle your imagination good and proper. Having performed on the West End, it’s set to be a top dollar performance for all the famleh. There’ll be little baby dinos to coo at, and somewhat larger beasts to keep a safe distance from. There’s even a chance to meet the ferocious cast members – the dinosaurs, not their handlers – after the show. You are warned though, that some of the blood-thirsty critters may not be as tame as they seem. Keep your wits about you…
Sunday 28 - Monday 29 August, £12.50 - £15, various times, Nottingham Playhouse
Paa Joe and the Lion
Remember our feature about the Ghanaian coffin makers from a couple of issues ago? Nottingham-based documentary maker Benjamin Wigley has been filming the father and son craftsmen for five years and the resulting feature film made its debut at Sheffield Doc/Fest in June. Now, you can see it in all its glory with a whole host of fun bookending the gala screening at Broadway. But what of the subjects? Paa Joe and his son Jacob create elaborate designs that bridge the gap between art and function, with all sorts in their repertoire, from Mercedez-Benz coffins to a syringe-shaped resting place. The lion? Literally speaking, it’s a giant wooden coffin shaped like the king of the jungle ‘imsen. A true work of art. Figuratively speaking, well, you’ll have to have a watch and see for yourselves. You’re in for a Ghanaian-based treat.
Sunday 28 August, 5.15pm, £8.40, concessions vary, Broadway
Ibiza Terrace Party
With the decent weather we’ve been having, there’s no better place to get settled and relax than Riverbank, overlooking the Trent with a glass of Prosecco. Now, there’s plenty of time for that in the daytime, but when the sun sets, Riverbank becomes a very different place. Gathering up some of the finest DJs on the planet, the embankment venue is set to host a party that’ll have you dancing your gladrags off. Disco through and through, the Radio1-featured Tensnake will be whacking grins on the faces, and moves on the feet, of everyone in the gaff. Plus, there's the funkiest of house vibes coming straight from Late Nite Tuff Guy. On top of all that, there’s Akadian, Iain Newton, Riverbank’s Damian Wells, and loads more. You could even book yourself a VIP ticket or restaurant table for extra vibes – you know what to do.
Sunday 28 August, 8pm, £16/£18/£20, Riverbank Bar & Kitchen
For the full motherload of everything else going on this week check out our comprehensive Nottingham events listings.
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