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We chat to Bruce Asbestos about his monster exhibition at Lakeside Arts this summer

Whether it’s creating giant monsters, quirky fashion or video games, one thing that is always integral to the work of Bruce Asbestos is playfulness. With an immersive exhibition of abstract inflatable monsters currently showing at Lakeside Arts throughout August we sat down with Bruce to talk about art, AI, and being a creative in Notts.

Join Us For A LeftLion Live Interview at Nottingham Central Library with Artist Emily Catherine

Next up in our series of LeftLion Interviews at Nottingham Central Library is the hip-hop inspired illustrator Emily Catherine on Friday 2 August at 7pm…

We talk to CIC Pulp Friction about supporting people with learning disabilities and Autism and their Chelsea Flower Show awards

Running for fourteen years, it all started with one college leaver’s simple ambition - getting a job. Pulp Friction has now grown into a multi-faceted organisation offering learning disabled and autistic people across Notts opportunities to get into work. Strings to their bow include running a community garden, community café, catering service, and their nominative mobile smoothie bike. Now they can add several Chelsea Flower Show awards. We met the team to hear all about their work…

Notts Pride, 80s inspired Boho festival, Imara art auction, a punk gig. Here's what's on in Nottingham this week 22 - 28 July

Happening here in Nottingham this week: Notts Pride street parties, Boho festival in the wilderness, Imara art auction, punk rock band Phat problem & friends, Madagascar the Musical at The Royal Centre.

We spoke to Emma Gray and Grace Carter about their new play at Broadway

Emma Gray and Grace Carter met behind the famous Broadway bar. Now they've come full circle, launching their new play Yeah, No, Fine at Broadway. But how did they do it? What challenges were there to overcome?   

We spoke to Charity Shop Sue creators Dead Sweet TV about comedy writing, creating a LGBTQ+ icon and working with Shane Meadows and Vicky McClure.

From her beginnings as a YouTube mockumentary star to appearing MTV Cribs, Charity Shop Sue has won the hearts of many - but what were the beginnings of Bulwell's iconic boss laydeh? We spoke to Stu Edwards and brothers Tim and Matt Chesney, creators at Dead Sweet TV to talk about comedy writing, creating a LGBTQ+ icon and working with Shane Meadows and Vicky McClure.

Gig review: Better Lovers at Rescue Rooms

Better Lovers rose like a phoenix from the ashes of the well-loved Every Time I Die, much to the joy of hardcore fans. At Nottingham's Rescue Rooms, they proved just why they are worth successors...

Our July cover artist Moonbuns Collective talk inspirations and creative processes

We chat to the creators of this month’s cover art, the Moonbuns Collective…

Competition: Big City Reads - win an original artwork by author and illustrator Tyrell Waiters

Nottingham City of Literature's Big City Reads campaign is underway, giving away thousands of free books to young people in the city. We're teaming up to give away one amazing prize. Read on...

Nottingham designer and entrepreneur, Sara Christie talks about merging representation, authenticity, and empowerment with her family heritage

Nottingham designer and entrepreneur, Sara Christie, is no stranger to turning heads with her iconic, bold, statement accessories and signature chunky chains. Since the launch of her label BYSARACHRISTIE in 2020, her pieces have garnered a cult following. Fans include the likes of global superstar Kelis, popular singer-songwriter RAYE and actress Sarah Niles to name a few. Following the launch of her latest collection, The Empress Collection, we caught up with Sara to find out more…

We learned about the Big City Reads project, which is giving away thousands of books to Nottingham’s youngsters

Books broaden young people’s horizons, give them an educational leg up, and can even provide big health benefits - but sometimes reading gets costly. We learned about the Big City Reads project, which is giving away thousands of books to Nottingham’s youngsters…

Review: Monuments and Melodies all-dayer at Rough Trade

2024’s Monuments & Melodies Festival at Rough Trade Nottingham promised to be "a beacon for music enthusiasts”. LeftLion spent the day, and discovered a varied and dazzling array of talent, showcasing alternative music at its best...

Pick Six: writer, podcaster and resident drag artist at Gladrags, Nana Arthole

For this month’s Pick Six, we turned to writer, entertainer, and all round creative type, the fabulous Nana Arthole.

We speak to The Pastel Project about safety, healthcare, education, and making Nottingham a Trans Sanctuary City

Trans identities have become a huge news topic in recent years. Despite only 0.5% of the population reporting their gender identity and sex to be different than when registered at birth*, the media often leads us to believe that trans people pose a risk to the wider society, while trans people are rarely given a voice.

To learn more from the community themselves, we put some questions to Nottingham organisation The Pastel Project, to hear how they are looking to make Nottingham a Trans Sanctuary City, and understand their perspective on topics such as safety, law-making, healthcare, and education.

*respondents in the 2021 UK census

Follow the rainbow: we learn about Notts LGBT+ Network

With official Pride month coming to an end and Notts Pride coming up soon, we thought it important to honour a charity that has given nearly fifty years of its time to Nottingham’s Queer community: Notts LGBT+ Network. Beth Green is a current volunteer for the Network; they caught up with two others David and Rachel, to share their commendable work and dedication.

Notts Book Arts Festival Returns To A Library Near You

'Blend' is the word at this year's celebration of zines, illustrations and bookbinding...

Nottingham Arts Theatre: The Full Monty review

Middle aged men stripping off...

Dig it! We speak to York Archaeology about community digs at Wollaton Hall

Every year since 2019, a motley crew of students and local history enthusiasts has descended upon Wollaton Hall for a series of archaeological training excavations. They can be easily spotted about the grounds: a happy-looking crowd clad in mud stained high-vis, gleefully digging away or enthusiastically explaining themselves to curious park-patrons. These digs are run by Laura Parker and Tristan Cousins, community archaeologists from York Archaeology, who I met to talk about the project…

Bestselling author Constanza Casati tells us about lions, dust and PTSD

The twenty-nine year old author's mythological retelling 'Clytemnestra' was a Saturday Times bestseller - now she's back with the heroic follow-up, 'Babylonia'...

We caught up with her at Nottingham Waterstones ahead of her epic book tour earlier in the summer.

Our June cover artist Zarina Teli talks about her work and inspirations

Our June cover artist Zarina Teli talks about her work and inspirations

Theatre Review: Where I Belong

Lakeside Arts hosts poems and stories from two UNESCO Cities of Literature, Nottingham and Baghdad...

Alchemilla and Mollis founder Alex Bond talks about bringing Michelin star food to Nottingham

What do fried chicken and fine dining have in common? More than you might think if you know where to look. From the Michelin-star menus of Alchemilla to a Mollis takeover of the kitchens at Saltbox bar, Alex Bond is on a mission to elevate the Nottingham dining scene. We took a trip down to Derby Road for a chat with the star chef. 

We speak to University of Law Nottingham students about their experience of offering free legal advice to the community

Nottingham’s blessed with world-renowned universities, but there’s one you might not know about - The University of Law (ULaw). Opening their Nottingham city campus in 2019, they offer law-specific courses for those looking to get into the profession. ULaw does plenty for the wider Notts community too, by offering pro bono (without charge) services, where students can get hands-on experience whilst being supported by practising lawyers. We paid a visit to find out more from some of the law students hoping to make a difference in the world…

We speak to Benjamin Wigley, director of Paa Joe & the Lion ahead of Nottingham Poetry Festival

Next year, Nottingham Poetry Festival will be celebrating its tenth anniversary. The longevity and success of the festival, which began as a project by Confetti and is now its own company, is an ode to Nottingham’s burgeoning poetry scene. This year, part of a jam-packed programme, is a screening of three films featuring poetry by the late, great, Benjamin Zephaniah. We spoke to the film's director and friend of Zephaniah, Benjamin Wigley, along with the festival’s creative director, Alma Solarte-Tobón.

We chat to They Might Be Giants about life, music and everything in between

In November, offbeat alternative rockers They Might Be Giants will grace Rock City with their presence. LeftLion’s Izzy Morris sat down with John Flansburgh to discuss life lessons, the band's huge back catalogue, and a certain stick...