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Nottingham Documentary Soul Boy to Feature on BBC One

Renowned Nottingham documentary makers Luke Radford and Toby Curson are looking to lift the spirits of the nation with their upbeat story of 18-year-old Athony Flavin, who finds joy from a surprising source - Northern Soul. 

To Be Continued: Sensing Systems So Far

Technologist and digital artist Matt Woodham had spent months gearing up for his debut solo exhibition, Sensing Systems, at Bonington Gallery at the beginning of the year, which was unfortunately cut short by the pandemic. This page space had initially been blocked out for a retrospective look on a key cultural moment in Nottingham. Now, our Music Editor Eileen Pegg, speaks to the artist about how he has managed to assemble and reassemble the show in a new form…

Out of Time: The Philanthropic Legacy of Florence Boot

Florence Boot is fondly remembered for her numerous charitable acts that helped transform the lives of countless local workers, as well as the landscape of the city itself, during the early 20th century. In terms of a legacy, she’s been considered  one of the most valuable assets in the history of Boots. What many don’t know, however, is that her position of equal partner in the family business was earned due to her relentless efforts to champion workers’ rights…

Interview: Local Musician Sasha Assad Shares Her Ambitions and Lockdown Experience

We caught up with emerging singer songwriter Sasha Assad (virtually of course) to chat about her ambitions, and to find out how she's coping with lockdown...

Into the Archives: What LeftLion and Overall... Were Printing In Mays Gone By

Our new regular feature delves back into the LeftLion and Overall There is a Smell of Fried Onions archives to find what Notts was up to back in the day...

Nottingham Theatres During Lockdown

We take a look at how COVID-19 has affected our city’s theatres and the local theatre community...

Film Review: Never Rarely Sometimes Always

This story of abortion is both authentic and accessible…

Mental Health Awareness Week 2020: Wellbeing and Creativity in Quarantine

Pola - The Notts Company Making Sustainably-Sourced Ice Lollies

We talk to the brains behind Pola, the Nottingham independent company creating sustainably-sourced ice lollies filled with plenty of tasty homegrown ingredients...

LeftLion Broadcasts at Nottstopping Festival

This weekend we are part of Nottstopping Festival, a Bank Holiday extravaganza celebrating and connecting Nottinghamshire. Here’s what you will see over the weekend on our Facebook page…

Film Review: Have a Good Trip

A documentary as disjointed as the psychedelic “adventures” it tries to recreate...

Notts Rebels: George Africanus

In celebration of the Nottingham Castle Trust’s #VoicesofToday campaign, our Notts Rebels series continues with the story of George Africanus, Nottingham's first black entrepreneur...

Iberico World Tapas' Pesto Pasta Recipe

To help with your rumbly lockdown tums, Iberico World Tapas' Dan Coles shares his tagliatelle and wild garlic pesto recipe...

Future for Business: Marie's Story of Retraining as a Nurse

It’s a pretty daunting time to work for the NHS. Under more scrutiny than ever before, and overwhelmed by a health crisis that, at the time of writing at least, shows no signs of slowing down, they’re literally risking their lives on a daily basis. While most of us are probably thankful that we don’t have to face working in healthcare right now, Marie, who has retrained through the Futures for Business scheme, is just about to start...

Open Kitchens Deliver Over 10,000 Free Meals to Notts' Key Workers and Vulnerable People

Busy workers. Blissful smiles. Big ideas; we discover how Nottingham’s newest charity initiative Open Kitchens is bringing meals to the doorsteps of those who need it most...

Nusic Advise Video: Publishing Shizz to Sort in Lockdown

Publishing can feel a bit like 'the boring bit' of being a musician - but if you get on it - you could be owed a bunch of money right now!

Interview: Corrina Rothwell on Life as an Artist and the End of Blather

After almost two years of unleashing the manic brilliance of writer Adrian Reynolds in an illustrative fashion, our regular feature, Blather, sadly came to an end last month. Instead of getting all melancholy about things, we chose to celebrate its time between the pages by catching up (over email, of course) with the local lady behind the brushes: Corrina Rothwell. Under the spotlight we get chatting about Blather’s beginnings, the pleasures and perils of being an artist and the inspirations behind her brand of explosive abstract workings.

5 Nottingham Albums to Listen to This Month

Brighten up your lockdown with this month's Notts musical highlights...

Film Review: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Kimmy vs the Reverend

After four seasons and 18 Emmy nominations, the makers of Netflix's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt have now released a brand new, feature-length interactive experience. But is it any good? Our Screen Co-Editor, George White, finds out... 

Ambient Music: The Unexpected Soundtrack to Lockdown

Pat Keista takes a deep-dive into the genre that many more might be turning to, following his recent album release, Ambient 3.

Interview: Susan, Conducted by Daphnellc for City Beat Radio

Susan is a singer, songwriter and performer, originally from Notts. Daphnellc also produces and performs, with a regular show on City Beat Radio. What happens when two creative, musical minds have a natter together? Listen back to the interview to find out...

NHS @ 70: The Organisation Collecting Your Stories, Memories and Opinions of the NHS

Up until recently, it’s fair to say that many of us have been guilty of taking the NHS for granted. But as the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the country, stretching the health service to its absolute limits, you can’t help but feel that, as a nation, we’re finally starting to truly understand the value of what we’re lucky to have. One organisation was well-ahead of the curve on the appreciation front, however, as the NHS at 70: The Story of Our Lives project has been collating stories, memories and experiences of the NHS for a few years, and 2020 has seen them focus their attention on the East Midlands. We talk to Oral History and Public Engagement Coordinator James McSharry to find out more...

Young Nottingham Musicians Make Friends Across the World in Lockdown

Educational youth charity Nottingham Music Hub have been making friends across Europe during lockdown by releasing a socially-distanced music video, performed by the Robin Hood Youth Orchestra...

Fleur East talks living in lockdown, reality TV and her new album, Fearless

After two stints on The X Factor, including finishing runner-up in 2014 where she became the first contestant in the show’s history to reach Number One on the iTunes chart during the competition, singer, songwriter and radio presenter Fleur East has walked an interesting path through the music industry. With her new album Fearless released last month, we caught up with her to talk about reality television, the unexpected truths of the music industry and how she’s handling lockdown...

80 Years Later: Pinocchio

Roshan Chandy looks back on this Disney classic and all of its creepy delights...