Pick of the Week: 2 - 8 May

Graffiti Jam
As you’ve no doubt seen in our brand new mag, Jonzi D is bringing the biggest and baddest piece of hip hop theatre to our home turf on the 17 and 18 May. To celebrate, a proper massive street party has been organised to take place this bank holiday. With live performances and dance battles from local legends including Tai and Trix, some proper dance tunes from DJ Gaz, and some ground breaking live graffiti that will see the passage that connects the theatre to the Royal Concert Hall covered from ceiling to floor in some proper vibrant artwork. Sack of the run of the mill pub run, and do sommat different with yer bank holiday.
Monday 2 May, 11am, free, Theatre Royal

Seriously Funny Business
The University of Nottingham is a strange and mysterious place. If you’ve ever wondered what the lecturers at Nottingham University get up to, get dahn to Lakeside for a few proper sound lectures to raise money for The Comedy Trust. Sponsored by the UoN Business school and orchestrated by Just the Tonic, Simon Evans will host a workshop about why diversity in the workplace is important, and Lucy Porter – Have I Got News For You regular – will have a chat about what’s special about arts and mental health. Lakeside have kindly offered a two for one ticket code – funny241 – it’s case sensitive, and will definitely save you a couple of quid.
Tuesday 3 May and Thursday 5 May, £12.50 - £16.50, Lakeside Arts

Cinco de Mayo
Way back when, on this day in the grand old year of 1862, the Battle of Puebla was won by Mexican forces against the French. In a some, highly obscure way of justifying drinking tequila on a school day, Four Hundred Rabbits are celebrating the Mexican victory with a party. Samuel David Boulton will host a tequila masterclass for absolutely no charge at all. Hang on, free tequila? Surely not. Once your brain’s been well and truly buzzed by the Mexican spirit, Blue Brazil will be playing the best samba music so you can get your groove on all night long. The tequila won’t stop till you do. Prepare for the mother of all hangovers.
Thursday 5 May, 3pm, Four Hundred Rabbits

Skank’d
Once again, The Maze is about to get proper hot and sweaty and there’ll be cans of red stripe spilt all over the shop. Brought to you by Revolution Sounds the reggae night to end all is coming to Mansfield Road this week. The sweetest reggae singer about town, Bud, will be supplying her own brand of acoustic-reggae, London’s own Shanty have popped by to show us what they’re made of, and everyone’s favourite Origin One will be on the ones and twos to provide the best reggae and dancehall tunes for you to get down n’ dirty to. Clear the Saturday schedule. It’s bound to be a messy one.
Friday 6 May, 8.30pm, £5, The Maze

The Music of Queen
If you want to break free from the regular theatre experience to hear an orchestra filled with some kind of magic as they play tunes from the only band who has truly managed to live forever, then get yer bums over to Theatre Royal this Friday. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra will be joined by a full rock band and stars of the West End Musical, We Will Rock You, as they deliver classic songs from everyone’s favourite band, Queen. Hear Bohemian Rhapsody, Killer Queen and Another One Bites the Dust played in all their glory. It’s the stuff that dreams were made of.
Friday 6 May, 7.30pm, £15 - £45, Royal Concert Hall

Injustice: Screening and Discussion
Between 1969 and 1999, over one thousand people died in police custody in the UK, and not one police officer has been convicted. Something doesn’t sit right there, if you ask us. If you’re of the same inkling, make sure you head over to ‘Tempreh this week and catch their film screening and Q&A surrounding the injustice within our justice system. The documentary - which took seven years to make as the police force continually tried to censor the film - features the families of those who have died in police custody. It’s bound to be an insightful evening. You’ll need to text 07989 302571 to book your place.
Friday 6 May, 6pm, free, Nottingham Contemporary

Sunshine Vintage Bazaar
If you find yourself waltzing into your mate’s living room only to be greeted by an exact replica of your own furniture, realising your yard is pretty much the IKEA catalogue, we reckon it’s about time you got outta the pre-packed rut. Get yersens down to the Galleries of Justice this month and kit your gaff out with some top dollar vintage bargains. Sort your wardrobe out an’ all with the mountains of vintage clothing stalls, and have your hair coiffed and curled into a proper forties style. Get your groove on with some old school Charleston and swing dance workshops too. If you’re gettin’ knackered, the Split Screen Coffee Co. will be on standby to refuel you with some homemade baked goodies. Winner.
Saturday 7th May, 11am, £2.50, Galleries of Justice

Little John’s House Fundraiser
Hold onto your hats, boys and girls. This one’s a biggun. Broad Street is to be taken over by two huge free partys in aid of Little John’s House - a not-for-profit organisation that houses and benefits children with special needs in Transylvania. Live music from Jamie Joseph, LTMT and J.Littles will take place alongside Masterchef finalist, Pete Hewitt, cooking up some Asian-inspired street food. Live art from Kelsey Bryan and Whimsy Woods and a hip hop showcase with performances from Youthoracle, Jah Digga and 2 Tone are all on offer for you to enjoy to your heart’s content, all in the name of charity. Good feels for good feels, eh.
Saturday 7 May, free, from 6pm, Rum House and Broadway

Melting Pot
If you’re right mad about your scran, and would jump at the excuse to fill an entire day sampling different foods from all around the world, then boy oh boy have we got a treat in store for you. The Women’s Culture Exchange will be presenting traditional foods from all over the shop, including Zimbabwe, Sudan, Nigeria and Sri Lanka, and Forest Fields-based Screaming Carrot will have an array of the tastiest vegan morsels for you to taste. There’ll be live performances, face painting and a Rangoli craft workshop. Pop in and have a goose at the latest exhibition, Leisure Land Golf while you’re there an’ all. A wicked family day out.
Saturday 7 May, 12pm, free entry, New Art Exchange

Gedling Artists
Have yourself a right creative round off to a no doubt hectic week at the office, as you peruse the work of some of Gedling’s finest artists. Fourteen of ‘em, to be precise. Yup, the experts in all things watercolour, silversmith and even silk painting will be there to show off their latest works in an exhibition that’s all about them. Artists including Christine Oakley, Jessica Kemp and Faye Baines will be there to show off their best work, and Frabjous events will be on hand to supply you with some good, old-fashioned vintage refreshments so you stay on top form throughout your art experience. You never know, you might lay eyes on the next big thing. 
Saturday 7 - Sunday 8 May, 10am, free, Lowdham Village Hall

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

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