The Big Lebowski Film Night
Ah, the Coen Brothers – having spent their lives creating such a sturdy filmography, it’s nigh on impossible to say which is their best film. However, The Big Lebowski has got to be up there as one of the funniest movies ever made: a tale of mistaken identity, a pissed on rug, White Russians and bowling. Mosey on down Mansfield Road and see it for free this week. Bonus points for anyone who rocks up in their dressing gown, you will be rewarded with free popcorn. You can grab yourself the Dude’s tipple of choice for only £3.50, there’ll be a skittle alley in the courtyard and, of course, a rug to tie it all together.
Tuesday 12 August, free, The Maze
Family Free Activities: Who Are We?
You don’t have to be an owd codger to appreciate art. Good job, cos the nippers are off school and they’re gonna need something to amuse themselves for the rest of their summer holidays. Contemporary saves the day with their art workshop sessions, running every day of the week except Monday, with the theme of identity swilling around the building. You and your mini-mes can get involved in an array of activities like learning a bit of calligraphy, writing stories through objects, watercolouring yourself into a self-portrait, making a family totem pole or even a life-sized cut-out of yersen… The list goes on - just have a peep inside to see what’s going down.
Until Sunday 31 August, 11am – 3pm, free, Nottingham Contemporary
Skatejam
Clifton’s got a pretty awesome skate park, and if you’re a BMXer or a skater, chances are you’ve shown off some of your skills down there. As part of the annual Picnic in the Park event - a day of bouncy castles, climbing walls and loads more - yet-to-be-revealed pro BMXers and skaters will be coming down to host a load of competitions that you can get involved with. Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate, although, if you’ve never been on a skateboard, this might not be the time to give it a first try. However, veterans, get ready to show off your best Tony Hawk moves.
Tuesday 12 August, 11am, free, Clifton Playing Fields
The Secret Kitchen
Mmmm. Food. Scran. Nosh. Nosebag. Everyone loves the stuff, but unfortunately it can be a bit of a struggle to grab something that’s healthy, tasty and cheap when you’re eating out. The Secret Kitchen provide just the recipe; with a focus on eating socially, they create a big pot of gear from locally sourced, fairly traded and organic goods without the ridiculous price tags – and it’s all delicious. What started out as an idea for a pop-up café spiralled into a community of people who love beautiful, freshly made food without all the fuss of an endless choice on the menu… Could well eat an ‘oss now.
Open every Friday in August for lunch, 12.30pm – 2pm, Green’s Windmill, Sneinton
Lace Squared Launch
If you’re stuck for something to do when you're in town over the next five weekends, nip down to Lace Market Square and poke your nose around. There’ll be a vintage fair, arts and crafts stalls, and plenty of live street entertainment. If owt, you could even just have a mooch around for a bit of snap or a fairground-themed cocktail. Tasty. From jazz to folk to reggae to funk, Rastarella of Cultural Vibrations has selected a myriad of musicians to perform including Blessing Magore, Ashmore, Liam O’Kane, Hemulen Sounds, MuHa and loads more. Can’t hurt to have a peep, can it?
Launch event – Friday 15 August, 5pm, free, Lace Market Square. Lace Squared runs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until Sunday 14 September
Gypsy Folk, Funky Loop Pedals and Latin House
Exactly what it says on the tin, duck. Get yersen down for a night of dancing along to some cool tunes from an array of artistes. First on the line-up is Gavin Bradshaw, a one-man band and master of the loop pedal who’ll be serving up the funkiest of vibes in his weekend gig debut. Next up is Kiruu, the internationally influenced, multi-lingual dude who brings an interactive music show into the mix. Then, it’s a Brit-Spaniard trio in the form of Solana, creators of a Spanish guitar and Celtic flute blend. To keep everyone dancing til the early morning hours, DJ Ruben Martinez is about with some Latin house jams. Loveleh.
Friday 15 August, 8pm, free, JamCafé
Picnic at Hanging Rock
Kneel Before Zod are a film group in Nottingham who search high and low for the most crackin’ and the most crackers stuff to watch. They’ve found a seventies classic that they’re gonna let out the bag in a screening at Broadway. The film is Peter Weir’s Picnic at Hanging Rock, and it’s about a group of Australian schoolgirls who go on a trip to an isolated cliff and end up losing half their clan by the end of the day. The story follows the authorities’ struggle in piecing the mystery together which, in turn, pulls the viewer into “a dream that is both beautiful and terrifying.” Sounds alright, dunnit?
Friday 15 August, 9pm, £8, Broadway Cinema
Sound Recovery Music Festival
Whoever reckons you need alcohol to have a good night obviously hasn’t been to Sobar, Nottingham’s only booze-free bar. A whole weekend of fun without the abv is on the cards, and with some of the tastiest non-alcoholic treats in town on their menu, we’re not going to argue. The Sound Recovery Music festival is a two-dayer offering a varied mix of folk, opera, acoustic, jazz and blues. Hosted by I’m Not From London, all proceeds will go to Double Impact, a charity providing services promoting recovery and community integration for people who have experienced problematic drug and alcohol use. Listen to some tunes, have a bite to eat and sip a smoothie while helping others - sweet as.
Saturday 16 - Sunday 17 August, £4/£7, Sobar
Jungle Xplosion 2
Rogue FM DJ T Flex is having no ordinary birthday party, it’s another mad raving session at The Irish Centre. Producers and DJs, from across the globe and locally, are joining forces to dish out reggae, dancehall, drum ’n’ bass, r ‘n’ b and jungle sounds. Be prepared for a night of finding different sounds in every corner. The line-up boasts Liondub, Marga MC, Aries, Joe Nebula, XTC, Dan Terrorform, Flex Roadshow, Easy Rider, Bomma, Murder, Kryptik, Eljay, Rebecca Timson, Swing King, DJ Razor, Kemet FM DJs and the birthday boy himself, T Flex, to name but a few. There’ll be food from Mr T’s Restaurant available too. Tasty.
Saturday 16 August, 10pm, £5 - £7, The Irish Centre
Nottingham Caribbean Carnival
On top of the parade, the wonderful food, stalls and vibes, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, RubberDub and The Elementz are wacking on a musical showcase to defy the gravity of shortening Carnival to one day. Two open floors in The Maze on Saturday night mean a hip hop laden pre-party with Can B, Beatmasta Bill & Star, and DJing from the hosts themselves. The next day, there’s a jammed line-up of Trojan Sound System's Earl Gateshead, Lady V, Klashnekoff, Rodney P, new Nottingham supergroup R.A.F (Cappo, Juga-naut and Vandal Savage), Origin One, Eyez and, of course, there’ll be live art from the Mimm collective. This year the East Village Stage is sponsored by Confetti Institute - big up your bad selves.
Pre-party – Saturday 16 August, 11pm - 3am, £3, The Maze
Carnival - Sunday 17 August, 12pm - 9pm, £2, Forest Recreation Ground
Car Free Sundays
Sundays in August on The Embankment are about to get a bit better. A rather nice area of the city, and spitting distance from town, the Council will be closing off the section of the Victoria Embankment between Bunbury Street and Wilford Grove to cars. There’s also a bunch of activities that are all free. This week’s include a Sky Ride (which you’ll need to book on the Sky Ride website), Dr Bike cycle maintenance, free cycle hire for the led rides, and cycling training for young 'uns. If biking isn’t your thing, get your skates on, grab your scooter or skateboard, or just have a potter.
Sunday 17 August, 9am – 5pm, free, Victoria Embankment
For the full motherload of everything else going on this week check out our comprehensive Nottingham events listings.
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