Pick of the Week: 10 - 16 November

 

Nusic Academy Workshop and Surgery
Those new music obsessives are putting on another academy event to help you musically-inclined folk get a foot on the ladder that is ‘the industry.’ You can book yourself a one-on-one surgery session with music law and finance gurus John Buckby and Tim Bellamy, as well as witness a wealth of knowledge in a workshop exploring how to raise money for your music projects. Speakers include our very own Editor-in-Chief Jared Wilson, co-founder of Outlaw Label and part of Scorzayzee’s management team Greg Lonsdale, The Petebox’s manager Tom Reed, and Segun-Lee French, the Arts Council’s Music Relationship Manager for the Midlands. If you take your tunes seriously and plan to make a career out of them, this will be a valuable evening. Chances are you’ll meet some great connections - just don’t "spread the love" too literally, okay?
Tuesday 11 November, 5pm, free, Antenna

Hush #7
Nottingham is full of musical muckers – some you want to have it out to, and others that induce a dreamy sway clutching a glass of pinot. Hush delivers an evening where - vibeswise - anything goes. For a relaxed Wednesday night treat holding cothching and getting your jam on in the same regard, Maze-goers can look forward to the sounds of the bluesy, upbeat alt-folk band Alta-Pueblo; young indie-pop singer-songwriter Paige Seabridge; rising pianist and vocalist IAmStarz; soothing acoustic guitarist Jamie Moon; and No Disco member doing his own thing, Jack Cross. Loads to listen to with a proper chilled atmosphere, get yersen out.
Wednesday 12 November, 7.30pm, £3, The Maze

Nottingham Press Club
Extra extra, read all about it! A couple of ex-journalists and an editor have plugged together to form a new get together for anyone currently or formerly involved in news media. Photographers, broadcasters, writers – unite! It’s the perfect chance for industry newbies to find out what it was like for the old hacks, or for the stalwarts to get all nostalgic and spread some wisdom. This’ll be the first session of the club and will set the tone for future meetings – whether it’s going to be a casual social or a more formal organisation will depend entirely on what happens within the group. If you fancy being part of the start of something beautiful, RSVP to NottmPressClub@gmail.com.
Wednesday 12 November, 6pm, free, Orange Tree

Under The Tree
Malt Cross has finally reopened its doors to us Nottingham folk, and they’re well and truly back in business. Promoter residents Under The Tree have selected some of the finest artists from their pot of musicians to say a massive “welcome back” to everyone’s favourite historical building. A great excuse to have a lovely pint or a brew and a slice of cake while checking out the new renovations. Richard Fenwick, Anwyn Williams, Mo Morris, Richard Jenkins, Matt McAuliffe and Hannah Clapham make up a line-up packed with country, folky sounds – jangly guitars, warm lyrics, and amazing talent a plenty.
Thursday 13 November, 7pm, free, Malt Cross

Natalie Duncan
There are a few really special voices in Nottingham, and Ms Duncan is definitely one of them. She can make hairs you didn’t even know you had stand on end, and if we were any nearer the sea you might worry she was one of them sirens with her bittersweet songs. 2012 saw Nat release her debut album Devil in Me and do a performance on Jools Holland’s long-running show. Two years later, she’s spent a bit of time out, worked on some cracking new tunes, and is bringing a showcase to Notts with a little help from her friends. They’re not giving much away, but we’ve been told to expect “some of the biggest names from our music scene collaborating.” We’d be sold without that, but we aren’t complaining if she wants to bring a bit extra for the night.
Friday 14 November, 7.30pm, £10, Nottingham Contemporary

Bamalamasingsong
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that we all love a bit of a sing song. We love shouting along to 500 Miles at the top of our lungs, but we don’t always want to be the laughing stock that gets up on stage at karaoke. The solution is simple: group karaoke. The Bamalama band play all your favourite rock hits with a massive screen bearing the lyrics, so there’s no singing the wrong verse. Everyone gets to have a good owd fashioned singalong, and there’ll be so many people there you won’t have to hear your own voice. Win win.
Friday 14 November, 6.30pm - 10pm, £5, The Rescue Rooms

OrangeFest
This weekend sees the return of OrangeFest - a day full of some of the best live music in Notts, all for the sweet, sweet price of nowt. In collaboration with I’m Not From London, The Orange Tree have gone and got a stellar lineup of local acts that cover everything from folk to blues, gospel rock to danger pop and everything in between. On top of all that, they’ll have vintage clothing stalls, record stalls, cakes, and loads more exciting things to whet your weekend appetite. Get involved.
Saturday 15 November, 1pm, free, The Orange Tree

Joel Dommett
We all need a bit of a giggle every now and again, and who better to deliver it than one of the UK’s rising comedy stars? Chances are you’ve seen Joel on the telly box, as he’s been on Skins, Popatron, Russell Howard’s Good News and even presented the MTV daily news bulletin back in 2012. After his brilliantly titled tour Finding Emo went down a storm with critics and fans alike, he’s back to offer even more laughs to us Nottingham lot. Go on, treat yourself to the best kind of medicine during the winter darkness - it is bloody horrible out there after all…
Saturday 15 November, 6.45pm, £10, The Forum

A Celebration of David Bowie with Rebel Rebel
We all love a bit of the space oddity but, let’s face it, we’ve got more chance of finding life on Mars than him coming back to Nottingham. Bad jokes aside, this weekend sees Rebel Rebel offer up a tribute to the legend’s many eras in the form of some rather slick tunes. Don’t think this is just some other tribute band though, there’s gonna be quite the visual experience alongside it, with dance, mime, costumes and props. Who needs to lay out a few hundred quid when you can get involved with this beaut for less than a tenner?
Saturday 15 November, 8pm, £8, Spanky Van Dykes

Martinmas Fair
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Goose Fair is Nottingham’s oldest fair having been around for over 700 years, but Martinmas Fair is actually Nottingham’s very first famous fair. Pre-dating Gooseh by a fair stretch, traders would have travelled from all over the continent to flog their wares at Lenton Priory on the feast of St Martin. For the first time in centuries, the Dunkirk and Lenton Partnership Forum - with the help of a few friends – are bringing it back. It’s much more than about just buying stuff, there’ll be costumed characters, medieval battle, re-enactments, archaeology, history talks, storytelling, medieval musicians and artisans, activities, the real-life Sheriff and Robin Hood and Maid Marian, stocks, a street market and more. Basically, a proper day out.
Saturday 15 November, 11am – 5pm, £1/free, Priory Church of St Anthony, Lenton

Operation Oman
Over forty years have passed since Britain fought  a secret war over in the Oman. Now, all these years later, Major Nicholas Ofield has returned to reflect on the conflict, both from a personal perspective and to learn how we can apply its lessons to wider society. Backed by archive footage and interviews with Colonel Mike Ball and Major Mike Austin, who also fought in the conflict, this documentary offers an insight into a seriously gripping story. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A session with Major Nicholas Ofield so we can gain an insight into the mind of someone involved in a counter insurgency campaign.
Sunday 16 November, 12.15pm, £8, Broadway