Site search

Basket Brigade: The Charity that Delivers Parcels of Joy to Nottingham's Most Deserving Residents

It’s estimated that Brits spend over £19 billion on presents during the festive season each year, and feast on 308 million slices of turkey. But not everyone thinks of December as a season of indulgence and happiness. That’s where Basket Brigade come in. Each year, with the help of a team of volunteers and the support from local businesses, they reward individuals and families in need with an extra dose of love, in the form of a present from their community… 

Food Review: Carluccio's Christmas Menu

When you think about Christmas food, it’s hard not to imagine gluttonous platters that will leave you in a food coma for days. Italian gaff Carluccios has turned that on its head with its festive menu, which indulges you in rich, beautiful flavours rather than over-stuffing you like nana’s turkey...

Live Music Review: The Abstract Orchestra plays MF Doom at Rescue Rooms

This December, Hip Hop legends The Abstract Orchestra treated us to a night of classics by an icon of the genre, blended with a few surprises of their own...

Overheard in Notts

We've been earwigging on your lot's conversations...

Film Review: Knives Out

Rian Johnson's intriguing whodunnit packs an all-star cast, but is it more than just the sum of its parts?

Nottingham International Film Festival 2019

We sent George White and Jack Beresford down to Nottingham International Film Festival 2019 to find out what was cracking off...

Art Review: Sound Image at Surface Gallery

Our Adrian went along to see the marvellous work of four artists, who are all inspired by music...

City Stylin' #20

We took to the streets to find Notts' best dressed...

Notts’ Panto Legends Kenneth Alan Taylor and John Elkington on Bringing Sleeping Beauty to the Playhouse This Christmas

This year marks 35 years since Kenneth Alan Taylor first brought pantomime to the Nottingham Playhouse when he arrived as Artistic Director. For a generation, his gentle northern tones were the voice of the quintessential panto dame, a role he reprised over and over before hanging up the costume changes for writing instead. It’s also been 21 years since John Elkington first appeared in a Playhouse panto and solidified himself as the current dame of choice. Our Stage Editor – and massive panto fan – sat down with them both during rehearsals for Sleeping Beauty to find out about this year’s production… 

Theatre Review: Cinderella

An audio-visual feast, packed with all the choicest panto ingredients

Wigflex Lifts the Lid on Explosive 2020 City Festival Lineup

...and there are even more new venues for us to explore. Read on for the low down on dates, DJs and more as Wigflex City Festival returns for its second year 

LGBTQ+ Notts: What's Kicking Off in December?

Nusic New Music Podcast #216 with Joe Baxter, Ella Knight, Tori Sheard, Trinity Square and More...

The Thompson Brothers on 2019, New Year and The Election

Nottingham's most opinionated grocers on...

The Snowman Animator Hilary Audus on Bringing Her Industry Knowledge to the Next Animorsels Meet-Up

This month, Nottingham will play host to a real christmas legend. Hilary Audus, the creative force behind The Snowman, The Snowman and The Snowdog and The Bear, will be speaking at the next Animorsels – a bi-monthly meet-up for local animators and creators at Antenna. We caught up with her to get her thoughts on animation, directing and her artistic process…  

Under Cover Artist: Tom Morley

LeftLion photographer Tom Platinum Morley gives us the story behind the cover and poster for this month’s issue...

December Music Events Worth Braving the Cold For

It aint ‘alf nippeh outside, making it very tempting to hibernate indoors with a stash of mince pies this month. However, if you love your tunes then the music calendar is packed tighter than your belt after Christmas dinner. Here are our top picks that make it worth heading outdoors this December…

LeftLion Magazine #120

Featuring United States of Notts, Name Sakes, Nottingham Playhouse Panto, Nottingham Community Wardrobe, Basket Brigade and more... 

Leftlion Football Podcast Episode 4: Kevin George of LGBT Trickies

Hosts Colin Sisson and Gareth Watts bring Episode Four of the LeftLion Football Podcast, featuring an interview with Kevin George of LGBT Trickies

5 Cracking Christmas Market Foods at Nottingham's Winter Wonderland

We found the best Christmas Market stalls so you don’t have to. 

Interview: Talking tracks with Tristan da Cunha

We pick Tristan’s brain while he picks us some tracks ahead of his discotech x Pattern show in Notts...

Live Music Photos: George Gretton at The Bodega

George Gretton played his first hometown headline show at The Bodega, supported by Different Life Collective. 

Theatre Review: We Will Rock You at Royal Concert Hall

A stormin' show, full of bangers mashed together to create summat razzle-dazzle... 

Stage Review: Suzi Ruffell at The Glee Club

Our Caroline popped along to see Suzi in full, glorious stand-up swing... 

Film Review: Harriet

Does abolitionist leader Harriet Tubman's remarkable life-story get the big screen treatment it deserves? In a word, no.