Club Tropicana at Braderie.
Refugee: The Eritrean Exodus
Those seeking refuge from cruel wars, famine, gender, racial and homophobic discrimination have been given a bad time of it recently with our sensationalist tabloid press, and we reckon it’s about time we put our foot down. Nottingham Playhouse, in conjuction with the Human Rights Law Centre, University of Nottingham and the Rainbow Project have joined forces to do just that. Following the story of Chris Cotter, an American explorer, who travelled along the most common migration path through Ethiopia to Israel, taken by many Eritrean refugees as they seek to escape oppression and torture. It’s free, and it’ll open your eyes to what’s really going on. Past the headlines of The Sun.
Wednesday 2 December, 6pm, free, Nottingham Playhouse
Club Christmas Tropicana Lock-In
This time of year, it’s easy to get sick of stockings, candy canes and Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You. If, like us, you tend to turn Grinch green at the thought of donning a flashing pair of Christmas tree earrings, then look no further than Braderie this week. They’re bringing you a Club Tropicana-themed evening of bargains, Wham, and of course, an obligatory mince pie. They’re also gonna knock a third off of all full price items, so you can bag yourself the latest vintage garmz, without having to forego gerrin' yer mam that smelly stuff she likes on the 25th. It’s a win win situation for one and all.
Wednesday 2 December, 5.30pm, free, Braderie Vintage
The only pop-up department store pon road.
After Work Shopping
The Lace Market is home to a whole load of hidden gems. One of ‘em, is the temporary pop-up shop, Studio 51 that’s just opened down Kaye’s Walk. This week, they’re kicking off the Christmas shopping season with an evening of one night only discounts. Grab some proper unique gifts, ranging from artwork and jewelry, to hemp clothing and some downright quirky furniture your mates will love but your nan will hate. They’re even giving away free glasses of mulled wine, and some proper festive mince pies to go with it. Int' that nice? You best make the most of ‘em while they’re here, as they’re no gonna be there long, all thanks to the usual culprit - student flats. It’s an effin' liberty.
Wednesday 2 December, 5pm, free, Store 51
Gentleman's Dub Club
Ladies and gentlemen, hold onto your santa hats, cos Spanky’s are pulling out the big guns with this one. After performing all over the shop at festivals including Bestival, Secret Garden Party and Croatia’s Outlook Festival, Reggae Take Over are bringing the phenomenal Gentleman’s Dub Club to humble Hoodtown. If you’re a fan of whinin’ and grindin’ to some proper UK bass music, then by golly have you got summat special to look forward to. Spanky’s have made note on the Facebook page that you’ll definitely need ID to get in, so if you’re no more than a nipper, beg, borrow or steal your sibling’s provisional license now. Joking, of course. It’ll cost you a few bob, but with the night taking you well into the early hours of Saturday morning, you’ll deffo get yer pennies' worth.
Friday 4 December, 9pm, £17.50, Spanky’s
It's the Afterdark, it's the Afterdark...
The Afterdark Movement and Friends
Jesus, Mary and blinkin’ Joseph. Forget NYC, NG1 has taken over the title of the city that never sleeps this week. The city is on fire with absolute corkers of events for you to attend, and none more so than this. Brought to you by Phlexx Records, one of the biggest and baddest bands in Notts are gearing up to give you a free night of musical delight. With collaborations from the likes of Yazmin Lacey, The GOA Choir and Another Poet, The Afterdark Movement will help yer start your December the way you mean to go on. With a whole load of good vibes, good tunes, and heaps of booze. All with no dent to your wallet. Thanks, pals.
Saturday 5 December, 8pm, free, Nottingham Contemporary
Um Kongo!
We’re right in the thick of winter now. It’s dark by four o’clock in the afternoon, and we’ve got beanie hats stapled to our forr’eds. Long gone are the times when we could while away the hours sipping Red Stripe in the fresh air, listening to the freshest dancehall, reggae tunes that money could buy. ‘Ang on? Alley Cafe and Um Kongo are bringing Blend Mishkin – only the sickest reggae/dancehall DJ abaht – to play outside in their heated marquee? Our prayers have been answered. And yours, no doubt. Get your mittens on, and gerron over to Angel Row to have a proper summer-time play.
Saturday 5 December, 9pm, free, Alley Cafe
Get yer craft on, duck.
Craft.Design.Contemporary
Socks, hankies, the same Leonard Cohen CD three years running just aren’t gonna cut it as gifts this year. You need to think outside the box. Step outside your comfort zone and give relatives and mates alike summat special this year. If, like many, the creative gift buying side of your brain has been smushed by one too many heavy nights down The Old Angel, then luckily for you, ‘Tempreh have got it sorted. Their annual craft fair is back this year, with ceramics and illustrations on offer for you to buy. You can also rest your weary head after a proper stressful thinking session by listening to the stylings of Swing Gitan, and indulging in a pint from the bar. Sorted.
Friday 4 - Sunday 6 December, free, various times, Nottingham Contemporary
Our City
Blow us down with the gust of musical talent we have in this city. We’re bloody brimming with pride when we think of how much effort you lot put in to your musical endeavours, and it chuffin’ well shows. You gig, you record, you collaborate, you support each other, and you give us summat to write about which keeps us all in a job. So ta. This week, it’s about time we showed our appreciation, and got down to Rock City to celebrate the groundbreaking year of music you lot have had. With the likes of Saint Raymond, D.I.D, Indiana, Eyre Llew, Kagoule and Columbia’s newest signing Georgie all set to perform, you’d better put your hands in your pockets, fish out a couple notes, and grab a ticket before they fly off the metaphorical internet shelf.
Friday 4 December, 5.15pm, £18.50, Rock City
Women Awake
The brainchild of Rose Blah and JoJoW of the NG:She radio show, WLL, Rebel Women and The Lofthouse have joined forces to unite women of all ages in a safe space. Discussing the bonds formed between females – be they mothers, daughters, friends, sisters or lovers – women over the age of eighteen are encouraged to head over to Warser Gate for some veggie food, good company, and some proper woman-power films, including A Question of Silence and Carry Greenham Home. There’ll even be some performance poetry from founder of Blackdrop, Michelle Mother Hubbard, and live music from Notts’ own singer-songwriter, Marita. Gerron down, have a butchers, and get your discussion on. Up the women.
Sunday 6 December, 12.30pm, free before 3.30pm, £4 on the door, The Lofthouse
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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