Pick of the Week: 5 - 11 May

Screen Printing Course
The elusive art of screen printing, you hear about it everywhere but assume it’s something that must take more time and effort than you’ve got. Granted, it’s a tricky, but it’s also a rewarding industry, and this is a pretty good place to see whether it’s actually for you. Fourbeatwalk and Hand Cuts Hand have paired up to offer a four week course that’ll teach you all the ins and outs of this wonderful art form. You’ll get to learn stencil-based printing on to fabric paper and have something to stick on your fridge at the end of it all.
Every Monday starting 5 May, 7pm, £50, Malt Cross

1940s Knees Up
This bank holiday is another chance to leave the hangovers at home and get us-sens a proper day out. Luckily the council have given us a reason to leave the yard, with forties-era wartime activities to get some history down the family’s neck. Meet some war veterans, check out the vehicles and memorabilia, listen to Churchill speeches, sing a few tunes, and learn about the highs and lows of rationing. The Festival Swing Dance Society showcase and traditional street game playtime are sure to be highlights of the day too, if you fancy letting out your inner nipper.
Monday 5 May, 11am - 4pm, £2/£3/£5, Museum of Nottingham Life, Brewhouse Yard

Vertical Scratchers
Chances are that you’re not going to be in the best of moods this Tuesday: you’re back at work, hanging from the weekend’s fun, and just generally a bit bummed out. Damn You! & The Music Exchange have realised this, so they’ve come together to find the best way to combat this misery, and they worked out the answer – an awesome gig. They’ve gone and got some top talent to cheer your misery guts right up, including the “skittery guitar-pop” of Californian Vertical Scratchers, as well as some top local talent in the form of Kagoule, Grey Hairs and Rattle. Happy Tuesday.
Tuesday 6 May, 8pm, £5, The Chameleon 

Mid Riff
Cheap cocktails and great live music is always a great combination, especially when it’s breaking up your week into manageable chunks. The guys at I’m Not From London understand that, hence why their night Mid Riff does just that. There’s plenty of variation if you and your mate don’t always see eye to eye when it comes to bands you want to see. This week’s session includes the psychedelic grunge sounds of OAN, acoustic Americana sounds from Lisa De’ville, and an exclusive acoustic set from indie-popsters Suspect Alibi. Put that in a shaker and pour it in a glass.
Wednesday 7 May, 8pm, free, Pepper Rocks

Poetry Is Dead Good 
There’s a great poetry scene here, but if you’re not clued up it can feel a bit intimidating. This night hopes to show people that poetry isn’t all about that naff stuff you studied at GCSE, and that anyone can appreciate poetry. You’ll get to see loads of Notts’ finest wordsmiths, and if you fancy it, you can have a go yourself provided that you get in touch beforehand. Add to that some music from local lads Frankie Rudolf, Ashmore and Motormouf; and you’ve got yourself the perfect introduction to the world of poetry. 
Wednesday 7 May, 7.30pm, free, Malt Cross

Phlexx
After some mental recent gigs, the Phlexx team aren’t stopping any time soon. For this session, they’re taking on the most purple venue in the city and decking it out with rising Notttingham artists. From the enchanting intergalactic antics of Aja to the tranquil indie folk of Josh Wheatley, the evening takes the form of two halves, merging the skills of acoustic performers like Ben Ziec, Heavy Heads and Yazmin L with the insane skank-abilities of DJ Fish, DJ Grimmaz and the mighty Origin One. With cheap drinks and an amazing line-up, the night aims to fuse our local music scene with student nights – let’s show ‘em how we do it then.
Thursday 8 May, 9pm, free, Nirvana

East Midlands Book Award debate
It’s getting closer and closer to the announcement of the East Midlands Book Awards – 15 May – and with all the anticipation building you can let off some steam this week at a debate. Set in one of the city’s loveliest libraries, you can join our panel of writers and experts to discuss the books in this year’s competition. Expect an evening of insightful, entertaining conversation about the best in local writing. The shortlist will be reviewed in our June/July issue with online interviews with all authors as well.  
Thursday 8 May, 7.30pm, £4, West Bridgford Library

The Current Situation
Yara El-Sherbini’s new exhibition is one to get down to. She’s managed to make a giant world map out of electric wire, reinventing the “buzz-wire” game so visitors can navigate their way around country borders like never before. An awesome concept that explores the division of land and the restrictions it has on inhabitants, complimented by installation art from Aya Haidar, who uses her work to look at similar ideas. Friday evening celebrates the launch of these global messages, with talks from the artists, music from a secret live DJ and complimentary food and drink for anyone in attendance. 
Friday 9 May, 6pm, free, New Art Exchange

Soundwave Launch Party
The most beautiful festival this side of the globe is hitting Croatia in July, and with a heavy Notts presence on the cards, we’d be damned if we weren’t going to kick things off in style back home. The perfect club night for the job, Sounddhism is set to deliver a weighty line-up with artists from near and far, celebrating the diversity the two sound-masters so avidly embrace. Headlining the night are rising reggae stars Hempolics, and they’re performing alongside Nina Smith, One Bomb, Youthoracle and the soulful, talented newcomer Yazmin L. It’s gonna go off, don’t miss out.
Saturday 10 May, 10pm, £6/£7, The Bodega

Marafun
Strap yersen into your best light-up trainers, neon sweatbands and 118 shirts, it’s time to leg it. As part of Martin Beresford’s forty ‘Dedicated’ charity events, I’m Not From London are helping to put on a spread of eleven musical acts across eleven miles, in eleven pubs, and it’s your job to see every single one, grabbing stamps and pints on your travels. All the money raised from the event will go to Cystic Fibrosis and The Indee Rose Trust, aiding those diagnosed with awful conditions in a way that’ll keep many a chin up. Keep an eye out for the rest of Martin’s inspiring endurance feats, and sling him a few bob when you get chance.
Saturday 10 May, 11am, £20, Forest Recreation Ground

May Fest
University of Nottingham are whacking on their annual open day – not just for prospective students, but for the whole community. They’ve got all kinds of unusual and eye-opening activities for anyone and everyone to get involved in, including philosophical musings, pottery making, musical performances, electronic crafts, golf games, language taster sessions and loads more. It’ll be great for the little ‘uns to have a dropped jaw for the day, and the big ‘uns might even get inspired to take up a new hobby. Be sure to check out the University’s website for the full itinerary, it’ll blow your bonce.
Saturday 10 May, 11am-5pm, free, University of Nottingham

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

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