Pick of the Week: 9 - 15 May

Tim Ralphs doing his thaang...

Beeston Tales
Gone are the days when you were able to while away an afternoon sitting cross-legged on a threadbare carpet listening to Miss read you a deeply engrossing story. But, here to stay are the evenings you may drink beer in a pub and listen to a thoroughly riveting tale as told by the gentlemen behind the Beeston Tales – Tim Ralphs and Mike Payton. This week, Joe Brennan will be popping over to regale you with stories from his journey from Donegal. You can have a little munch while you listen an’ all – all you’ve gotta do is bell up the White Lion and tell ‘em you want to buy a ‘Tales and Tapas’ ticket. It just keeps getting better.
Wednesday 11 May, 7.30pm, £5/£6, The White Lion

Jo Bell, probs laughing at her own joke...

Jazz and Poetry
Often the venue for many a LeftLion Christmas party, the Guitar Bar has unfortunately closed its doors for the final time. Owner Rob is hell-bent on finding a new spot to continue his mighty fine work, but until that day, the Guitar Bar events have moved over the road, with the Jazz and Poetry evening taking up residence at the Polish Eagle Club for a fair bit. Author and chair of UNESCO City of Literature David Belbin hosts the event that’s back despite the obstacles this month. Expect to see Jo Bell, David Clarke and Daniel Sluman giving us a slice of their poetic pie in readings beginning at half eight.
Wednesday 11 May, 8pm, £2/£4, Polish Eagle Club

image: Ashley Bird

Colour & Light
Broadway are branching out into the wonderful world of photography this month, with an extensive exhibition taking over all four screens, both cafe bars, and offices. Local lad and legend Ashley Bird is taking over the cinema with his latest project, and he’ll be popping in to host a series of workshops an’ all. The former editor of Kerrang!, his Colour&Light exhibition will showcase a selection of his work, including colour portraits and live performance photos from the likes of Rihanna, Arctic Monkeys and the Foo Fighters. Mr Bird will be delivering an entry-level workshop entitled Demystifying the DSLR! for budding photographers with DSLR, bridge or compact system cameras. Get over to the Broadway website to book your place.
Saturday 14 - Friday 20 May, £75/£90, Broadway

Spooky bike ride...

Bike Ride
Spooky things are bound to a gwarn this week, as another Friday 13th pokes it’s ominous head round the corner. Be you superstitious or not, get the bike out the shed and head over to Bike Works to join in with their eerie bike ride. You’re encouraged to bring any black cats, rabbits feet and lucky pants to ward off any possible bad luck, and bring your bike lights so you can clearly see and eerie spectres that may block your path. With any luck, the weather will remain glorious and you’ll have a jolly good time of it. Just make sure not to ride over any cracks...
Friday 13 May, 6.15pm, free, Nottingham Bike Works

Rob Green plays Rough Trade

Rob Green EP launch
If there’s one thing we love more than a pint of pale ale and a selection of salted nuts on a Friday eve, it’s celebrating the work of a Notts kid done good. One shining example of that is Mr Rob Green, and this month, he’s treating us to an absolute corker of an EP. Having already made it into the top twenty best selling pre-orders chart on iTunes – worra mouthful – he’s ready to knock it out the park with the physical copy of his self-titled EP, available to buy at Rough Trade. Luckily for us, we can bag a pint and some bar snacks at the same time, so everyone’s a winner.
Friday 13 May, 7pm, free, Rough Trade

Them bleddy Luddites...

Smash the Looms 
We’ve got a right rich, rebellious history here in Hoodtown. And no group comes more rebellious than the Luddites – the 19th century gang intent on destroying the lace machines that took their jobs and made working in factories dangerous and unbearable. ‘Tempreh are teaching you all about ‘em this week, as local historian Roger Tanner takes you on a walking tour that’ll include a few performances ram-packed full of facts about the most defiant bunch in town. The day is part of the Nottingham Art Weekender, which sees a whole bunch of art-based activities taking place across the city. Follow this here link to find out more. 
Saturday 14 May, 11.30am, free, Nottingham Contemporary

Not the sheep appearing in the sheep show...

Nottinghamshire County Show
Ooft. Worra whopper. The folk in charge are pulling out the big guns for the 133rd annual Nottinghamshire County Show this weekend. And by big guns, we literally mean guns, with a field gun display taking place, along with a shed load of top dollar entertainment, including live music from the Carlton Male Voice Choir and the U3A Ukelele Happy Band, free running, and the piece de resistance – a Sheep Show. Peruse the finest livestock Notts has to offer, and when you’re done with gazing longingly at sheep, head over to the ‘food experience’ zone, to catch some master chefs doing their thing with local produce. A ram-packed day for all the family. Plus, under-17s go free. What more could you wish for?
Saturday 14 - Sunday 15 May, £10/£15, Newark Showground

image: Cheshire and the Cat facebook page

Penny Black Remedy
The Gate to Southwell Festival is the event that just keeps on giving. Ahead of the main event, they’re whacking on loads of musical delicacies for Hoodtown to digest so your tabs haven’t got chance to get restless. This week, catch one of Nottingham’s favourite funk and soul bands, Cheshire and the Cat, as they warm up Spanky Van Dyke’s for headliners, the darkly humorous, Penny Black Remedy. If you like what you hear, you won’t have long to wait until the bands grace our humble city once more at the festival itself, from Thursday 9 - Sunday 12 June. Tickets are available online now, and you should definitely get your bums in gear and buy one.
Saturday 14 May, 7.30pm,  £7/£10, Spanky’s

A haven for Notts film boffs...

Short Stack 
If you’ve got a right hefty backlog of film knowledge stored up in your noggin, and you’re desperate to find some like-minded folk to discuss your ideas with, then you need live in longing no longer. Broadway are to play the generous hosts of Short Stack, bringing together the independent film community of Nottingham for a bi-monthly event that hopes to encourage a whole load of collaboration. There gonna be showcasing a bag of short films, documentaries and music videos all hailing from the glorious East Midlands, so there’ll be plenty of local inspiration for you to sink yer tegs into. What else are you gonna do with your Sundays, eh?
Sunday 15 May, 6pm, £3.50, Broadway

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

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