Ooh aah then
Bonfire Night
Sod remembering the fifth of November, there’s fawking loads of events firing up on loads of different days this month. On Tuesday 4 November, Riverbank Bar on Trent Bridge is having a do with a barbecue and a huge display. Nowt like fireworks reflecting off the river, eh? On Bonfire Night itself, the council blow up loads of your money on Forest Recreation Ground with a free event that includes a funfair, fireworks and all the usual hullaballoo. If you fancied something more easygoing, The Johnson Arms is having a little party with fireworks, a barbecue and live music from lovely singer-songwriter Kezia Gill.
Saturday 8 November is looking particularly dazzling. There’s a bonfire and firework display at Standhill Park in Carlton while Nottingham Moderns Rugby Club in Wilford Village is getting on with its usual extravaganza including a hog roast, real ale marquee, firework displays and the ultimate Guy Fawkes crescendo. Clifton All Whites Football Club have got family-friendly fun with fair rides, inflatables, food, drink and fireworks too.
At Nottingham Castle, there'll be a firework display and firewalking from some Asbestos-footed nutters at 8.30pm. Before taking part in the firewalk, participants will get the chance to take part in a two-hour seminar from Time 4 Change to get their minds prepped, and all funds raised will go to My Sight, a charity looking out for Nottingham’s blind and partially sighted community. Grab hats, scarves, gloves, sparklers, mushy peas, a jacket tater and get cracking… and booming and fizzing and screaming… And oooohing and ahhhhing.
Times and ticket prices vary, check individual websites for further details
And Now It’s Dark: American Night Photography
If you’ve not gotten down to the current exhibition at Djanogly Gallery, stop your messing because it’s a must-see. The main exhibition comprises of three photographers’ works - Jeff Brouws, Todd Hido and Will Steacy - each of whom capture a different experience of what they see in the American night. All the photos, from those with vast spaces to those focused on lonely city sights, the neon lights to the people who are normally behind closed doors, have an eeriness that is strangely balanced with a sense of calm. These modern day images are complemented by an exhibition of earlier night photography dating back to the turn of the twentieth century, including Blackout, New York (1965) which documented New York coming to a standstill for over twelve hours. A jam packed exhibition that shows you sights you’ll probably never see by any other means.
Runs until Sunday 9 November, free, Djanogly Art Gallery, University Park
The Pillowman
The Pillowman
In a play by Martin DcDonagh, a writer is arrested by secret police in relation to the strange things happening to the kids in his town. Probably because Katurian Katurian is no ordinary wordsmith; he pens the darkest fairy stories for miles around, scaring the shit out of the little mites. A story that weaves humour into some disgustingly gruesome and macabre scenes and subjects, perfect for the Halloween spillover, you can be sure that this one ain't for the faint hearted. Nevertheless, if you're up for some gore and some twisted laughs, don't hestitate to get stuck in.
Monday 3 – Saturday 8 November, 7.30pm, £7 - £11, Lace Market Theatre
National Badminton League
Believe it or not, nobody has put together a professional badminton league in the UK, despite it being founded by Englishmen... until now, that is. And, check this - University of Nottingham is one of the six franchise teams from across the country who will be fighting for the title of NBL Champions 2014/15. With number five world ranked, Nottingham-born Chris Adcock captaining the team, we're in safe hands. There are thirteen players in our squad and they will compete in their first match this week against MK Badminton. This could well be history in the making and another victory to put in Nottingham's pocket, so show some support!
Monday 3 November, 7.30pm, £12, Nottingham Albert Hall
Cut it Out
Filthy’s have got a new hip hop night for a bit of Thursday naughtiness if you so wish to take them up on their kind offer. This will be their sixth evening hosted by good owd Dan Rattomatic and Ty Healy of hip hop duo Green Ratt. Each week, they'll be bringing special guests along with them from near and far, and with a mixture of flows from the old school and the new, you can expect something a little different every time. Little birdies from all around the citeh tell us the nights so far have been absolute madness, so get down for some live breaking, top tunes and drinks offers.
Thursday 6 November, 10pm, free/£3, Filthy’s
Knittingham
Knitting Nottingham
Before we get started, you can chuck all your owd biddy-laden preconceptions about knitting out of the window, cos Knitting Nottingham brings something completely different to the table. Designers, artists and researchers have clubbed together to deliver stunning work ranging from crazy wigs to knitted teacups. Paying close attention to the fact that Nottingham boosted the knitting industry and asking how we can take our ideas about knitting further, be prepared for historical artefacts and 3D prints alike. The exhibition also supports BBC Radio Nottingham's Big Poppy Knit and will be getting involved as part of Nottingham Trent University's celebration of 170 years of art and design. Needle we say more?
Thursday 6 – Friday 28 November, free, Bonington Gallery
Big Value Comedy Auditions
Just The Tonic's birthday bash showcased some of the most seasoned and hilarious talent this country has to offer and then some. All those comedians started out somewhere on the circuit, somewhere far away from where they are now, and embarked on a journey to the top. Every year, JTT helps others to embark on that same journey by giving people a chance to showcase their material in auditions to accompany the comedy unit up at Edinburgh. They need your help to separate the wheat from the chaff, the funny bones from banging your funny bone. Oh, and it won't cost you a penny. Sorted.
Thursday 6 November, 6.45pm, free, The Lord Roberts
Mr Scruff
Thanks to Mimm, one of the most legendary electronic DJs to come out of the UK is hitting up The Irish Centre for one of his token marathon sets. Lover of tea, big tunes and amazingly twisted cartoons, Mr Scruff has produced absolute bangers throughout his career including the popular Get a Move On, Jazz Potato and the beautifully odd Shanty Town. If one musical stalwart weren’t enough, there’s also support from the blokes who booked him twenty years ago in Nottingham – Wrighty and Beane of Soul Buggin’. They’ve just celebrated their tenth birthday of kicking out the disco jams and don’t plan on disappointing any time soon, especially not beside an old pal. Scruff says it will be “a lovely reunion of sorts, with less hair and more beards.” Excellent. It's gonna sell out, grab a ticket quick.
Friday 7 November, 9pm, £20, The Irish Centre
Trancendance
Trancendance
After showing London the time of its life back in September, Trancendance are back in Notts this month to take you on a journey through the world of psychedelic trance and GOA. Prepare yourself for visual ecstasy, with UV everything. We’re not kidding - UV stalls, UV facepainting, UV decor, and that’s not counting all the crazy lights and decorations. They’ve even got a "Celestial Chillout" space with beanbags and a the chance to get a massage for when it all gets too much. It’s Trancendance’s third birthday, and it’s Suntrip Records’ tenth birthday, so there’ll be sets from some their best DJs including Shakata and Dimension 5. Original ravers unite - grab your glowsticks, your questionable-looking paracetamol and go forth into the night.
Saturday 8 November, 10pm, £10, Marcus Garvey Ballroom
Crowns of Confidence by Rachael Young and Richard Houguez
We all love a good trim. You just can’t beat that feeling when you walk out the hairdressers, head held high, trying to catch a glimpse of yersen in every reflective surface you walk past. Well, hairstyling is culturally significant too. Your hair can say a lot about you. Performance artist Rachael Young and self-taught hairdresser Richard Hoguez are going to use the process of hairstyling to explore the cultural significance of hair and the role persona plays in hairdressing. A few weeks later, the results will be shown in the same venue. A free mop cut, and we get to fill that lifelong ambition of being a model? Count us in! Drop an email to roshni@nae.org.uk if you want to get involved.
Workshops between Saturday 8 - Sunday 16 November
Exhibition Saturday 22 November, free, New Art Exchange
Cirque du Soul and Idiot Savant present Into The Wild
Halloween can really get the creative juices flowing when it comes to costumes, it makes us wanna carry on with the tomfoolery all year. Luckily, Cirque du Soul and Idiot Savant have got our backs and have teamed up to deliver a day party with a dress code of “wild” so you and your mates can go all-out as lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Not only that, but there'll be loads of live music from the likes of Darius, Fwdslxsh, Weaver Bros, Luke Wolfman, and loads more. A mesh of big brass sounds, DJ sets, gourmet food and delicious drinkables, it looks like it's gonna be a rather pleasant Sunday afternoon if we ever saw one. Expect surprises a plenty, including the venue that is yet to be announced.
Sunday 9 November, 12pm, £8 - £20, Secret Location
For the full motherload of everything else going on this week check out our comprehensive Nottingham events listings.
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