Our Ron, leaving his gaff to make it to Watersones on Thursday...
NME Tour: Bloc Party, Drenge, Bugzy Malone and Ratboy
There ain’t nothin’ but loud tunes gonna be emulating from Talbot Street at the beginning of this week. NME are hosting their annual tour at the infamous Rock City, and are bringing only the best names in indie music to liven up your Tuesday eve. Kicking off the night is new boy on the block, Ratboy, a modern day, Fred Perry-clad Jamie T/The Streets soundalike. Next up is Mancunian grime artist, Bugzy Malone, followed closely by alternative two-piece, Drenge. Headlining the evening are the ever-massive, top tuneage producing Bloc Party. There’s no better way to spend your hard earned pay day dollar.
Tuesday 2 February, 7pm, £25.60, Rock City
Who doesn't love a good library?
Experimenting with the British Library’s Digital Content
Data geeks and analytical fiends, this one is right up your road. The British Library has got a whole load of data on their hands, and they’re hosting a day of workshops and presentations to tell you all about it. If that kinda thing makes you weak at the knees, then hold onto your hats, cos there’s more to come. They’re asking you to come up with some creative, experimental ideas of what they can do with all the information and digital content they’ve accrued over the years. If you’re brimming with ingenious ideas, make sure you head on down. You might even be in line to win a British Library goody bag. Oo-er.
Wednesday 3 February, 12.30, free, National Videogame Arcade
Harry Potter: A Night of Spells
“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live”, said good owd Dumbledore in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. But we reckon, in certain situations, that’s a load of old tosh. This week, you can dream all you like that you’re a wizard, just like our Harreh, courtesy of Waterstones. They’re hosting a day full of themed activities, with wizardly treats and a proper difficult quiz that’s bound to separate the aurors from the muggles. What’s more, it won’t cost you a knut. You are asked to give ‘em a call to book your place, though, cos if you lot are ote like us, Waterstones is about to get ram up, cosier than the cupboard under the stairs, in fact...
Thursday 4 February, 6pm, free, Waterstones
It's time to talk.
Time to Talk
When one in four of us are expected to experience some kind of mental health problem each year, it’s about time we started opening up some kind of dialogue surrounding what’s going on in our noggins. This week, Time to Change Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are doing just that. Setting up their village in Trinity Square, there’ll be live performances from Dan Heathcote, Ladyrose and Paul Nose, as well as a heap of stalls and interactive activities. There’ll also be ample opportunity for you to open conversation about mental health, to try and debunk the stigma. If you’re worried about your mental health, or the mental health of someone you know, you can visit Mind for more information. http://www.mind.org.uk/
Thursday 4 February, 10am, free, Trinity Square
Light Night
We’ve got a whole host of stars that hail from Notts and shine their beacons of light across our city scape. But even Jake Bugg or Torvill and Dean couldn’t top the beams in the city centre this month, all because of Light Night. The perfect family event, with no damage to the purse strings at all. Take the kiddos to the National Videogame Arcade to check out their installation, or to Market Square to catch Physics Buskers’ and City of Football’s offerings. You can climb aboard Dance4’s Illumine Bus, taking you on a tour of the city in all its glimmering glory, tuck yourself away at Debbie Bryan’s for her lace-inspired projections, and loads more. Check out our website for the full glowdown.
Friday 5 February, free, City Centre
The Blind Shake, Grey Hairs and Catbone
If like most of us you’ve stepped into February with a renewed spring in your step as the nights are almost getting shorter and you’ve finally got some cash in your pocket, it’s time to get out the house and get back on it. If raucous guitar-led fun is where you’re at, then look no further than this gig. Coming from all the way across the pond, The Blind Shake will certainly get you shaking, and jiving and generally moving about. Heavy riffing garage rock with a heft of surf-y guitars to bulk out an already bulky sound – and, let’s be honest, The Chameleon's sound system will definitely do them justice. Plus, support comes in the shape of local bands Grey Hairs and Catbone. Not a shabby line-up at all.
Friday 5 February, 8.30pm, £7, The Chameleon
Get yer groove on...
South Jack Street presents: JANE FITZ
For all you Light Night goers, here’s an intimate after party to keep you scuffing the floor with your dancing shoes ‘til the early hours. South Jack Street will be bringing big, ambient techno sounds to Bar Eleven, and they have got some tantalising treats in stall for you. Southern spinner Jane Fitz is on the bill to entertain your ears with a three hour DJ set. This lady has been in the game for over twenty years, and with support from Molinaro and resident DJ’s you can be sure you're in good hands. Spaces are limited so make sure you bag one early.
Friday 5th February, 10pm, £5/£7, Bar Eleven
Walter Murch in Conversation
You may not be instantly familiar with the name Walter Murch - unless you’re a film buff of the buffiest order – but he’s a name worth knowing. A legend of cinema, he is the only filmmaker to win an Oscar for both film editing and film sound. The latter was for Apocalypse Now. Yeah, a worthy win. He’s worked with Lucas, Coppola, Minghella, to name but a few, and has been in the business for over fifty years. If you’re a filmmaker, sound person, or just like films then get yourself to this. He’ll be talking about his experiences and work and there’ll be a chance at the end to ask him whatever you want about his career and opinions on the film industry. And, it’ll cost you nowt. Amazing.
Saturday 6 February, 3 – 5pm, free, Lakeside, Room A30
UPENDO
February has been named LGBT History month, to celebrate and highlight the positive steps and work undertaken to challenge and abolish homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in the UK. This week, New Art Exchange are holding a day of discussion and talks, focussing on the African LGBTQ community and its diaspora. Expect a film screening, a live performance from Parisa East & Collective. Lunch is included in the ticket price, so you’ll have plenty of energy to see you through to the 3.30pm skype call to LA with Shaun Kadlec (director of Born This Way) and LGBT advocate, Cedric Tchante. Get out and educate yourselves.
Saturday 6 February, 11am, £8/£10, New Art Exchange
They're right mouthy, them poets...
Mouthy Poets: Say Sum Thin 10
Nottingham’s gargantuan poetry collective are taking over the Neville Studio in a light-themed spoken word bonanza. The show takes place over two days, with two headline guest acts bringing all the metaphorical sorcery they’ve got stuffed in their pockets. That’s right – expect Hackney poet Raymond Antrobus on the Friday, and UK Poetry Slam champion Deanna Rodger on the Saturday, both with a set supported by the collective. After performing around the UK as well as Germany and South Africa last year, Mouthy Poets are back at home to deliver their tenth Say Sum Thin show. Running with the theme of light, expect to see some, hear some, and smell some, with a chunk of darkness chucked in for good measure. You can get involved yersen too – sign up to the open mic by email (production@mouthypoets.com) and show the studio what you can do. See you there, duck.
Friday 5 - Saturday 6 February, 7.30pm, £6 - £15, Nottingham Playhouse
Kitty Tray presents…
The fabulous Kitty Tray has been tirelessly paving the way for drag queens in Notts, all while sporting a perfectly styled bouffant. This month, she’s bringing the one and only Morgan McMichaels from RuPaul’s Drag Race to the humble Spankys. No doubt a raucous evening of naughty jokes and some proper diva tunes will ensue. Over 18s are invited to attend the biggest and boldest lip-syncing evening of your lives, and young fans of the drag act are able to meet and greet the stars before the event. It’s a bit of an awkward price, and we’ve got no idea why, but don’t let that put you off. Bang it on your card and think no more of it.
Sunday 7 February, 8pm, £11.74 - £19.13 (not a joke), Spanky Van Dykes
For the motherload of everything else going on this week check out our comprehensive Nottingham events listings.
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