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Interview: Author Ian C Douglas' new creative writing courses at Nottingham Trent University

This summer, local author Ian C Douglas is teaching two new world-building courses as part of Nottingham Trent University's Creative Short Courses programme. He chats to LeftLion about making stuff up... 

Nottingham Puppet Festival Events, film quiz, and history made fun : Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 29 June - 5 July

Elkie Brooks - the Long Farewell Tour

Review: Hot Pot at Lakeside Arts

This new play, by Nottingham's Hongwei Bao, explores East Asian LGBTQ+ narratives as four friends gather round the dinner table for a night of memories and revelations...

Big Shed World Cup 2026 - Panama vs England KO 10pm

LeftLion's Latest Listens #47: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2026, our music team reviews new releases from Drinking With Lucy, EMiDORA, Saffron Gray and Isaac Neilson...

AI And The Independent Creative: Friend, Foe, Or Just Another Tool?

Few subjects divide a room of artists, musicians, and filmmakers quite as sharply as artificial intelligence. For some, it is an exciting new instrument, full of possibility, that lowers barriers and frees up time for the work that matters. For others, it is a genuine threat to livelihoods and to the very value of human craft, built on the uncredited labour of the people it now competes with. Nottingham's independent creative scene, never shy of a strong opinion, is having this argument in studios, venues, and pubs across the city. So where does the truth actually sit?

Theatre Review: The Spy Who Came in from the Cold at Theatre Royal

A new play, based on a classic novel by British author John le Carré, is showing at Nottingham's Theatre Royal starring TV actor Ralf Little as a weary 1960s MI5 agent...

The story behind forward thinking Notts menswear brand Sauce & Brown

Fashion editor Addie Kenogbon-Harley catches up with Anthony Wallis, co-owner of Nottinghamshire independent menswear brand Sauce & Brown, to find out how their Annesley Woodhouse shop and ‘one of one hundred’ ethos is helping men break the mould without breaking the bank.

Truth or Legend: the case of the Nottingham Cheese Riots

Our investigator of Nottingham weird history checks out the strange tale of the cheese riots.

Andie & Isobel Knight

Binks Yard Film Club - Pitch Perfect

Gig review: All Them Witches and Steak at The Palais

A intoxicating night of psychedelic desert rock came to The Palais on Thursday as Nashville's All Them Witches came to Notts, with support from Steak...

Gig review: Feel the Nusic, Future Sound of Nottingham 2026

With two coveted spots on the Splendour Festival main stage up for grabs, this year's Future Sound of Nottingham competition, organised by Feel the Nusic, was once again hotly contested. LeftLion was there to revel in all the music, and to see the winners crowned...

Transphoria: a community-led refuge for Nottingham's trans youth

It can be hard to find support and community as a young person, especially if you are gender diverse and your peers and family might be struggling to support or understand you. Social group Transphoria exists to tackle that issue, providing a safe and inclusive space for trans and/or gender diverse youth. Frances Danylec finds out more about the work that they do… 

Big Shed World Cup 2026 - England vs Ghana KO 9pm

England vs Ghana 9pm KO

Theatre Review: Smoke at Nottingham Playhouse

SMOKE is a new play from acclaimed queer theatre-maker Alexis Gregory whose work has appeared in the West End and internationally. Award-winning filmmaker Campbell X directs...

Why Secure Mail is Becoming Essential for Creatives

If you make your living from a laptop in Nottingham, whether you're an illustrator, photographer, music producer, writer or something entirely different, your inbox has probably become the front door to your business. Enquiries land there, contracts get signed there, and invoices go back and forth without much thought. The trouble is that most of us never stop to ask how private that front door actually is, or who else might be able to peek through it.

Green and pleasant land: how The Meadows is building sustainability and community health

Five years ago, the Notts suburb of The Meadows got a major funding boost to help the community live greener, richer lives and take local action on climate change. With that grant now ending, local resident Lottie Limb takes a look at what the Green Meadows project has achieved and how it can evolve.

LeftLion at Download 2026

LeftLion's Kieran Lister spills the tea on his first time experience at the legendary Download Festival, which last weekend - despite the crowds - once again turned Donington Park into a place of mass catharsis, self-expression and freedom...

International movements, queer events, and classic film & music : Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 22 - 28 June

The next week in Nottingham is jam-packed with events catering to all - including a play uplifting hidden voices in our community, two documentary screenings about critical movements, and a night of gothic drag bingo at Rough Trade. Here's our full list of things we'd recommend getting involved in.

Dadfest - Fathers Day Family Festival

International Day Of Yoga

Gig review: India Arkin, Dring and Emily Ashberry at The Grove

On the same evening that England were triumphant in their opening World Cup game against Croatia, tucked away in The Grove a magical evening of live music was taking place. Headlined by immensely talented, Bristol-based singer-songwriter India Arkin, with support from local artists Dring and Emily Ashberry, it marked the first Nottingham gig from promoter Music Observer, also known as LeftLion’s own Music Co-Editor, Phil Taylor. Here’s what went down…