Bring yer shinpads, duck
City of Football
Nottingham is like the most popular girl in primary school: super intelligent, knows all the cool new songs before you’ve even turned yer radio on, and whoops all the boys at football. To reward us for our general sick-ness and strength in the latter, we’ve been awarded 1.6million squilla and crowned the City of Football. You might have seen the green banners billowing in the breeze in Market Square, but there’s more to come, my friend. The shin-pad clad clan from CoF will be taking over the square with a variety of footballing activities, including human table football, skills centres, and a chilled out gaming tent. Now the weather’s perking up, it’s a wicked way to wind down after work, or entertain the kids for an hour after school. And, thanks to all that loverly funding, it’s all free.
Monday 20 April, 6pm, free, Market Square
They're mouthin' off again...
Holly McNish and Mouthy Poets
Spoken word poetry is on the rise in the UK, and one artist who’s climbing the pole for the good of the tribe is Holly McNish. Known for her no-nonsense views on motherhood, immigration, and the female form, her sweet voice acts as the perfect buffer for some hard-hitting truths. She’s been going over and above her literary prowess in Abbey Road Studios to create both a capella and musical pieces, to be showcased in an evening of epiphanies, “mmmm” sounds, and clickety clicks. Her first single, Get Used to This (Embarrassed) is released early this month, followed by her album Versus at the end of her tour. Support for the evening comes in the form of local bard bosses, the Mouthy Poets, who will bring the skillest, most diverse bunch of words strapped tightly under their belts.
Thursday 23 April, 7pm, £11, Glee Club
Found Footage
We’re living in the era of the YouTube video ocean. We’ve been given the search engine lilo to float along its waters, plucking out cats riding hoovers, Russell Brand rants, and Japan’s sex industry documentaries, all in one fell swoop. A couple of blokes who take it back to basics are The Onion’s Joe Pickett and Letterman’s Nick Prueher – the VHS enthusiasts with a most exquisite sense of humour. Delighting in sifting through video after video, the lads find the weirdest and most wonderful footage of times past, selecting the best bits for an evening of tear-inducing laughter. Their next event celebrates the secrets of pool hustling, unusual exercise video material, piano playing rabbits (keyboard cat ain’t got shit on that bunny), and even an 1983 Arnold Schwarzenegger travel video. You can thank us for giving you the heads up in the foyer.
Tuesday 21 April, 8.30pm, £10, Broadway Cinema
Spoken word masterminds
Poetry Is Dead Good
One of our favourite events is back to bump up your Tuesday night status suitably drab to certifiably fab (check the rhyming skills) with spoken word poetry from your favourite established artists, and open mic slots for the just starting out. Keith Ford, Raegan Sealy and Miggy Angel make up three quarters of the line up, ready to hit you where it hurts with their wordplay genius and smooth rhythms. If you’re a budding poet but need to get some audience feedback that’s not your nan or your cat, this is probably the best place to do it. There’s always a friendly, supportive atmosphere and there’s a cracking selection of wines available to give you the dutch courage you might need. It’s gunna be finger-clickin’ good.
Tuesday 21 April, 7.30pm, free, Jam Cafe
Tap Jam
This one’s for all you aspiring Fred Astaire’s and Ginger Rogers’, scuffing up yer kitchen floors as you practice your shuffle-hop steps. Bring your dancing shoes and show ‘em what you’ve got this week, at the dance jam that’ll have your toes a tappin’ and your jazz hands a wiggling. There’ll be live music, and all abilities are encouraged to attend. Once you’ve worked up an appetite on the dance floor, you can gorge yourself on tapas from Beccy’s Global Kitchen, and indulge in a non-alcoholic beverage - can’t have you drunkenly skidding along the wooden floors now can we, we know what you’re like. Musicians are welcome to bring along their instruments for the jam. Oh, and if you rock up after 7.30pm, it’s free to get in. But shhh, you didn’t hear that from us.
Wednesday 22 April, 6.30pm, £6, City Arts
Protect Our Minds!
Protect Our Minds
It is estimated that around a quarter of the British population will experience mental illness of some kind at some point in their life. Be it anxiety, depression, or OCD, the invisible illnesses can and do affect people from all walks of life. We’ve got a fair few people in Nottingham who want to do something to help, including the folks behind POM! - the events company striving to produce non-profit music events to raise money for mental health charities including Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. This week, they’ve got big name bands, Keto and Field Studies, to perform especially for you at The Lofthouse. Listen to some cracking tunes, and raise money for a worthwhile cause, all in one go.
Thursday 23 April, 8.30pm, £4, The Lofthouse
Writer’s Bloc
In Nottingham, you can’t walk through the city centre without seeing someone sleeping in a shop doorway, wrapped in blankets and surrounded by the entirety of their worldly possessions - often not a lot. The homeless are the truest victims of a capitalist society, and once you have found yourself in that situation, it can be very hard to get out of it. Doing something to help. are the hip hop heads over at Writer’s Bloc, who are hosting an evening of wordplay in aid of Nottingham based charity, Framework. At a mere three bob to get in, you can enjoy the might of Oliver Sudden, Benny Diction and Cracker John and 2Late, and do your bit for the good of those struggling to find somewhere to sleep in our city.
Friday 24 April, 10pm, £3, The Maze
C'mon the women
Reel Equality
We’re proud to declare ourselves feminists at LeftLion, supporting the strive for equality for women across our planet. One of the organisations leading the way in terms of female empowerment is Reel Equality Film Club, who solely showcase the flicks that star women as the main protagonist, and move away from stereotypical gender roles. This month, they’re screening the cult woman-power classic, Clueless. Dig out yer best scrunchie and get your 501s on cos there’s a competition for the best throwback outfit. Winner receives free cinema tickets and a goodie bag full of nineties memorabilia. Get watchin’ them Saved By The Bell re-runs for some heavy duty inspiration. From about half-past eight, there’ll be a host of fan club DJs playing in the cafebar, bringing you the best tunes straight outta the decade all sung by your favourite female artists. The evening is brought to you by Equation, the Nottingham charity working against domestic violence and abuse.
Friday 24 April, 8.30pm, free, Broadway Cinema
Hit The Deck
Boom. Them music boffs over at DHP are kicking off their festival season with the festival that brings all your favourite alternative artists right to your bleedin’ doorstep. Big hitters and reggae-metallers Skindred are topping the bill, with Best British Newcomer Award winners, While She Sleeps flavouring the line up with some fresh new talent. Well-established Canadian band, Cancer Bats have travelled across the pond especially for you lot, and the female-fronted force that is Rolo Tomassi are ready and waiting to deliver their own special brand of chaos. April’s a fine time to begin the season, int it? Bag a ticket online as soon as you can, there’s always high demand and you don’t want to be sat on yer tod cos you were too lazy to book. Round up your best mosher mates and rock on down.
Sunday 26 April, £33, Rock City, Rescue Rooms and Stealth
Portico
Portico
We’re lucky to have so many wicked promoters in this city, hell bent on providing us with the creme de la creme of musicians and artists virtually every weekend. One of said do-gooders, are the boys over at Farmyard. This weekend, they’re playing host to Mercury nominated band, Portico. Formerly known as the Portico Quartet, the band have dropped a member, and rebranded, but kept the familiar techno sound that old fans love and new fans will thoroughly enjoy. Having worked with industry big wigs, Joe Newman from Alt-J and Jamie Moon, the band will be showcasing their new album for all you Hood Town music fans. Tickets are expected to sell out quick time, so you’d better get your booking hats on.
Saturday 25 April, 7pm, £15, Rock City Basement
For the motherload of everything else going on this week check out our comprehensive Nottingham events listings.
Promoters: Want your event featured in one of our upcoming Pick of the Weeks? If so then you can start by adding your event details into our magazine and website database
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