Pick of the Week: 24 - 30 November

Records Ruin The Landscape 
Ever found yourself with a tune stuck in your head, wondering where the frig it came from? Usually it’s been the soundtrack to a wander round Wilko, where you’ve been half listening to it, half agonising whether to buy 99p bog roll or the stuff with snuggly puppies on the wrapper. How intensely you listen much depends on your surroundings and the medium you’re receiving information through. In the sixties, American composer John Cage said, “records ruin the landscape,” cos it moves focus from the present environment but, these days, the internet and infinite streaming makes interaction more fluid. Backlit's new exhibition explores a range of ways we experience recorded material, through sculpture, video, performance, painting, textiles, text, and more. With nine artists chipping in, you’re bound to relate to summat. Dip your head in.
Saturday 22 November – Saturday 6 December, Thursday – Sunday, 12pm – 5pm, free, Backlit Gallery

Sneinton Market Square Christmas Light Switch On
Whether you like it or not, the goose is gerrin’ fat, duckeh. May as well make the most on it, eh? Get down to Sneinton Market Square on Monday to see their pretty lights get switched on and drown out the stars in true Christmas spirit. Ahhh. There’s gonna be loads of lovely wintery treats to feast upon, right alongside the opportunity to meet St. Nick and grab a few prezzies. Local musicians are busting out of their venue confines to lace the sound waves with some proper tunes, too. There’s the powerful vocals of singer-songwriter and guitarist Emily Franklin, right alongside the unique Afro-funk and reggae infused sounds of Zimbabwean-born Blessing Magore. The Salvation Army are even on hand to bust a festive move. Joy to the world, indeed.
Monday 24 November, 5pm, free, Sneinton Market Square

Bondax and Friends
Electronic music has dominated music charts for a while now, but unfortunately a lot of it just isn’t interesting anymore. Bondax are one of the more exciting acts to come out of the electronic scene this decade - making a sort of futuristic blend of disco and house. Joining them is TCTS, another proper exciting house artist who brings summer beach party vibes which, let’s face it, wouldn’t go amiss with this miserable weather getting all up in our mushes. Hosting it all is K Stewart, an energetic popstar in her own right. We’re pretty sure you’re gonna be dancing the night away at this one.
Tuesday 25 November, 9pm, £10, Stealth

SIBA Craft Keg Beer Festival
In Notts, we’ve got it down when it comes to brewing. The lovely lads and lasses at Castle Rock Brewery have put us on the map nationwide - one of their Nottingham pubs, Canalhouse, is playing host to a festival that will widen the eyes of any bogger who enjoys a good pint. Over 100 different, independently-brewed craft beers are gonna be waiting for your gullet, showing just how much variety can be found within the humble bubbles of the hop. You might even find your new favourite and end up ordering a case in as a Christmas treat, so if you’re barmy for a brew or even an ale amateur, get down for a jar or three.
Thursday 27 November – Sunday 30 November, 5pm, free, Canalhouse

Nottingham Women’s Centre Library Re-Opening
We have a rare and beautiful thing here in Nottingham; we’re home to the only women's library in the East Midlands. Housing a large collection of feminist, women’s and lesbian/bi/trans fiction and non-fiction, it’s had a bit of a spruce up and will be re-opening this Friday. There will be a launch on Thursday, though, with author Kat Banyard and the Sheriff of Nottingham as guests. Kat is not only an author, she is a speaker on sexual equality and the founder of UK Feminista. So get down, nosey round the done-out space and embrace this fine example of a library. And, if you’re up for a night of it, pop down to The Maze after for some great music that’s also for a good cause.
Thursday 27 November, 3.30 – 7.30pm, free, 30 Chaucer Street

Not Just a Pretty Face
Feminist Friends Nottingham are putting on an empowering night full of live music this month, and it’s shaping up to be a corker. Leah Sinead kicks things off with her beautiful folky tones before Rattle bring their experimental stylings to the table. Headlining the evening are the rowdy Bus Stop Madonnas with their raucous punk ruckus Nottingham has come to know and love. Three acts. All female. All awesome. And all to raise money for Nottingham Central Women’s Aid, who support women and children fleeing from domestic violence. Stick two fingers up to the suffering of abuse victims everywhere by dancing like a maniac until your toes hurt. Doesn’t seem like too bad of a deal, does it?
Thursday 27 November, 7.30pm, £5, The Maze

Homelessness Benefit Show
While most of us are stuffing our faces with Jesus-shaped chocolate in a toasty lounge around Crimbo, a lot of people in Nottingham haven’t been dealt such a long straw. Homelessness is a very real problem, and its shitness can be seriously accentuated at this time of year. What better way of raising funds and awareness of the issue than through punk rock? Seeing Your Scene presents a charitable evening with sounds from the rising punky-emo Guerrilla Monsoon, keyboard-based Perkie, honest punk rockers Magpies and Vagabonds, and acoustic punk rock soul (yes, it’s a thing) from Mixtape Saints. All money raised goes to Emmanuel House and The Friary who show their support to our city’s vulnerable all year round – dob ‘em some Christmas cheer and go crazy to some serious tunes. Win, win.
Thursday 27 November, 7pm, £3/£4, JT Soar

RubberDub 7th Birthday Boogie
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran who remembers avin’ it out in the depths of Blueprint, or a newbie to the sound system game, you’ve gotta get down to The Maze for a dose of bass this month. RubberDub has been knocking about for a stonking seven years now, bringing parties to every place in Nottingham besides yer nan’s vegetable patch - and they’ve probably got their eye on that. Whether it’s jungle, garage, bassline, reggae, dubstep, or house you’re after, you can skank in safe hands knowing the rubbery massive have got you covered from the evening 'til the morning light. With a headline history to make your vinyl collection ache, we can be sure of some face-convulsing names rocking up. Right alongside Nottingham heads with the biggest banter going, it’s bound to be ridiculous.
Friday 28 November, 10pm, £5, The Maze

Image: Lee Henderson

One-Off Art Sale
If craft fairs aren’t really your thing but you wouldn’t mind getting your mitts on some pieces of art, then dry your eyes and head up Canning Circus this Saturday. A bunch of local artists of the street persuasion are coming together for a showcase of their work. And, cos they’re not mingy, they’ll be flogging their work at affordable prices. Just what you need to get some smart presents for Giftday. Don’t expect to just make a flying visit, they’re making a proper day of it by putting on live music, DJs, food, drinks, and other bits and bobs to keep you happier than a happy person taking lessons to become happier. Sound.
Saturday 29 November, 4pm til late, 35 Gamble Street, NG7 4EY

Wigflex x Mimm
Like Muhammed Ali v Joe Frazier, or Macho Man v Rick Flair, Wigflex and Mimm are going up against each other in what promises to be quite an exciting night. There will be beats thrown around by some of the best on the scene - and all on a Funktion One sound system. If you like it electronic with a dark edge, you’d be a fool not to get down with your dancing shoes. Om Unit will be dropping a three-hour set, while Akkord, Bambooman Untold, Randomer, Alexander Nut and Black Amiga will be stacking it up before. Mix in some live art and the usual Mimm and Wigflex shenanigans and you’re laughing.
Saturday 29 November, 10pm – 5am, £15/£17.50, The Irish Centre

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.