Pick of the Week: 1 - 7 December

Image: Fresh Meat Collective - Breaking the Fourth Wall

Breaking the Fourth Wall
Fresh Meat Collective are a bunch of recent Loughborough University graduates who have teamed up to thus far produce some pretty impressive shows. Their latest exhibition is housed inside Hucknall’s rather wonderful, disused art deco cinema, The Byron. Breaking away from the traditional gallery setting, they’ll be displaying a right assortment of art practices from 29 artists, including painting, installations, sculpture and, as the location is so perfect, film. The fortnight long exhibition will include talks from artists and the like, as well as films showing on the big screen. And, because it would be rude not to, you can grab a cheeky little poke of the nose around what is quite a fine building.
Runs until Friday 12 December, free, The Byron, Hucknall

Nottingham World Aids Day Awareness Concert 2014 
Cultural Vibrations don’t just bring through up and coming artists in Nottingham – they’ve always got a cause in need in mind when giving us summat to move our feet to. This World Aids Day, they’re raising money for local charity Terrence Higgins Trust and their Nottingham Hardship Fund, which is a service for people with HIV in our city. To get bodies through the door and dobbing in a few quid, there’s a stream of local artists who graft on the circuit, ranging from the bluesy jazz of Robyn Hughes-Jones to the Afro-funk reggae of Blessing Magore. Listen to some proper Notts noise all in the name of helping your fellow human beans – perfect.
Monday 1 December, 7pm, £4, The Maze

My Child
Broadway’s playing host to a thought-provoking documentary, following the stories of mothers and fathers in Turkey whose children have come out as either gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Although homophobia and transphobia are still a very real problem, it can be easy to forget that people all around the world are condemned for being the person they are. With an introduction from Dr Cüneyt Çakirlar of Trent Uni, and a question and answer session with the director Can Candan and members of LISTAG (families of the LGBT community in Istanbul), it’ll open eyes about society’s silly stigmas for anyone and everyone.
Monday 1 December, 8pm, £8, Broadway Cinema

Debate: The Image is Dead, Long Live The Image 
Over the past few years, as we’ve grown more and more digitally dependent, we’ve started sharing more and more images online. Because of this, the concept of image ownership has become a bit skewed. All over the net, chances are you’ve seen an image on a website, and they nicked it from another website and so on. This brings up many issues. Issues which are to be explored in the latest Bonington debate. With a broad range of panel members including Jenny Godfrey, Wayne Hemmingway, Gary Needham and Martin Parr, we expect plenty of interesting insights and opinions into a topic that isn’t brought up as much as it probably should be.
Wednesday 3 December, 6pm, free, Newton Building, Nottingham Trent University

Make Some Noise Against Poverty 
While we’re all getting our Christmas shopping in and debating whether to have a bird in a bird in a bird or just a big owd turkeh, some people in Nottingham aren’t so fortunate. Kinda hard to believe that in this day and age, families are struggling to put food on the table, but that’s the reality of austerity measures that have been brought in by the government. Well, balls to that. We need to raise our voices loud and clear that we’re not having it – bring pots and pans and bash them about, making a right racket for all the right reasons.
Wednesday 3 December, 5.30pm, free, Brian Clough Statue

Image: Threshold Studios

Choreography, Technology and New Audience Experiences
Most of us enjoy a boogie or two on a night out – however gracefully we might flail our limbs, it’s all about letting go and letting the music take over. But dancing isn’t just recreational. Watching professional performers can be poignant, heart-warming and educational. With the fast-moving pace of technology, a whole new world is opening up on stage - Threshold Studios and Dance4 invite us to join the conversation. Head of Development at Random Dance Jen McLachlan, Co-Founder of dance company Troika Ranch and software developer Mark Coniglio, digital media designer Barret Hodgson and Artistic Director at dancedigital Tamara Ashley all make up a panel to let you know what they’re on with in the world of technological choreography.
Thursday 4 December, 5.30pm, free, Antenna

Macka B
If you fancy having a bit of a move and shake in high spirits to kick the weekend off, look no further. Macka B is a British reggae artist with some seriously uplifting vibes and he’s taking over Spanky Van Dykes with The Roots Ragga Band. Presented by Reggae Takeover, Mr B preaches a message of love, respect and consciousness that’s difficult not to get along with. He’s got support in the form of Omen Breaks, Princess and Reggae Takeover DJs, who’ll be continuing the happy vibes throughout the evening. The RT crew ran a competition to win tickets for the gig and a hamper full of fresh vegetables because… why not? Congratulations to Michelle Mother Hubbard who won - join her in an evening of oneness!
Friday 5 December, 9pm, £7.50, Spanky Van Dykes

Crocus Christmas Fair
This time of the year can feel a little swamped by consumerism, but a healthy slice of community spirit can help take the edge off it all. Forget battering grannies for a cheap telly, Crocus Café are having a Christmas extravaganza where local people host stalls with everything from the beautiful contemporary jewellery of Alex Milne to Susan Hart’s homemade, healthy doggy treats. Take the kids down to get their face painted or pop down for a mince pie and glass of mulled wine – just make sure you try one of the vegetarian scotch eggs on offer. They are mega.
Saturday 6 December, 11am – 3pm, free, Crocus Café, Church Square

Princess Mononoke

Maze in Motion: Studio Ghilbi Night
The Maze have recently ditched the gigs for a cinematic experience on a Sunday evening, so Nottingham can enjoy a pint with mates while watching awesome flicks. We heard some terrible rumours this year that Japanese film makers Studio Ghilbli would be closing their doors, never to make another film again. Of course, this caused worldwide panic, so co-founder Toshio Suzuki has reassured us that it’s simply a break. Beautifully crafted cartoon films with generous doses of weirdness are their speciality, and if you’ve never seen one before, you’re in for a right treat. Princess Mononoke and Howl’s Moving Castle are the choices for the evening – equally magical and moving viewing, all for free. Sorted.
Sunday 7 December, 6pm, free, The Maze

For the motherload of everything else going on this week check out our comprehensive Nottingham events listings.

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