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Theatre Review: Murder She Didn't Write

A hilarious evening of improvised murder mystery mayhem

Soul Survivor: veteran DJ Jonathan on cutting his teeth at The Palais in the 1970s

Jonathan (aka Jonathan Woodliffe) has a long history of DJing in Nottingham. To many his name is synonymous to many with the early days of Rock City, but before that he cut his teeth as a DJ at The Palais. We asked Jonathan about his experiences of the Palais back in those halcyon days of the 1970s…

Big bands, Bingo and Bali Hai: A 100-year history of The Palais de Danse Nottingham

From a prison to PRYZM, we take a look through a century of dancing, drinking, entertainment and glamour at Nottingham’s The Palais de Danse…

Artist Luke Jerram tells us about Gaia: an installation displayed this month at Mansfield Palace Theatre

This month the avid stargazers of Notts can experience a new perspective of life on earth over at Mansfield Palace Theatre. Featuring audio soundscapes and stunning visuals, Gaia is a vast, breathtaking replica of planet Earth by artist Luke Jerram. Aiming to get to the core of this installation, we spoke to Luke about public collaboration, merging science with art and what it takes to create on such a large scale….

Musicals, exhibits, legendary bass players and groovy deep sea gigs: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 21 - 27 April

From a musical adaptation of British TV classics to giant replicas of Earth, take a look at what's happening in Nottingham this week...

Review: Record Store Day 2025

Last weekend, Rough Trade Nottingham hosted the 18th consecutive Record Store Day, with local bands and international acts hitting the stage for a series of exciting live performances from the likes of Bored Marsh, Chloe Rodgers, Sancho Panza, Airport Dad and more...

Locating Lawrence: April 1925

Lawrence is a man of endless energy, and so being bed-ridden and reliant on others impacts his mood...

The Reel Deal: what’s happening at this year’s Beeston Film Festival

Forget Cannes and Sundance, the Beeston Film Festival returns this month right on your doorstep! Featuring a huge range of work from international and local filmmakers, we spoke to festival director, John Currie, to hear all about the ethos behind this annual event and find out what attendees and filmmakers can expect from this year's festival.

Nottingham author Dr Paul Crawford is back with a new mystery novel, The Wonders of Doctor Bent

Professor of Health Humanities at the University of Nottingham, Dr Paul Crawford is back with a new mystery novel, The Wonders of Doctor Bent. Aurora Amaryllis speaks to Paul about how his passion for creative writing converges with his experience researching institutional mental health.

Dom Joly, Spontaneous Potter, Phat bass therapy and theatre: here's what's on this week in Nottingham 14-20 April 2025

Here in Notts this week we've got plenty happening, from theatrical twists on classic stories to delicious Cuban dining, and comedy. Here's our top picks...

Comedy Preview: Disabled Cants at the Vat and Fiddle

Disabled Cants are performing at the Vat & Fiddle. Who are they? A revolving lineup of comedians with disabilities, here to make us laugh. Funny man Benny Shakes shares with LeftLion his journey to comedy gold...  

Dance Review: Northern Ballet’s Jane Eyre

A passionate and powerful depiction of the classic novel.

Corner Cafe brings an ethnically diverse menu to New Art Exchange

Opened at the end of February 2025, the Corner Café is a brand new rejuvenation of the coffee and food spot attached to the New Art Exchange, the UK’s largest gallery dedicated to contemporary visual arts from the Global Ethnic Majority. With a lack of community-led food, drink and social spaces present in the Hyson Green area, the NAE team sought to provide that, enlisting community on everything about the venue, from the decor, to the food, to the events. We popped down to see the colourful results.

Theatre review: Chicago razzle dazzles at the Royal Concert Hall

Time reveals two types of art: that which dates and that which seems timeless. One year shy of a century since it was written, and fifty years since its musical stage debut, Chicago is firmly in the second category. This week, the Royal Concert Hall plays host to the antics of Roxie, Velma and the other ‘Merry Murderesses’ of the Cook County Jail, in a show so full of pizazz it may have even invented the concept.

James Davidson is Awarded trentbarton Bus Driver of the Year 2025

The results of the 2024-2025 trentbarton really good service awards are in...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #19: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this week's expanded edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Keane Baldwin, KALIKO, Pretty Windows, No Setting Son and Dusty 4 Track...

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #9 DJ Jonathan on The Palais, the changing art of DJing, Northern Soul, Jazz Funk and Tiswas

Our first podcast of 2025 and we're back with a chinwag with a veteran DJ, talking through the 1970s Nottingham scene at The Palais De Danse, as well as the changing face of music, festivals and more...

We heard from the director of Nottingham Playhouse production Animal Farm at Bromley House Library

The director of a new Olivier Award-nominated stage production of George Orwell’s Animal Farm has described the “vibrant, visceral, youthful” experience awaiting Nottingham audiences. Speaking at a special ‘Meet the Director’ event at Bromley House Library on Wednesday afternoon, Amy Leach said that the play offers “the kind of experience you can only have in the theatre” and feels “very much like it’s set now”.

Film Review: One of Them Days

Keke Palmer and SZA are the comical duo we didn’t know we needed. Join us as we review this jam-packed tragicomedy… 

As Motorpoint Arena celebrates its 25th birthday, we look through the stories from 25 of their seminal gigs

From Beyonce to Bieber and Dolly Parton to the Dalai Lama, Nottingham Motorpoint Arena has brought some of the world’s most famous people into our city. As the Arena celebrates its 25th birthday, we look through the stories from 25 of their seminal gigs…

The Thompsons on The Marcus Garvey Centre, International Women's Day and Wild Swimming

Here's what the Thompsons had to say about The Marcus Garvey Centre, International Women's Day and wild swimming. 

Gig review: David Gray at the Royal Concert Hall

Gig review: Tunng at Metronome, with Dana Gavanski

2005: The year indie rock peaked. The charts are dominated by Kaiser Chiefs, Franz Ferdinand and, latterly, the rise of Arctic Monkeys. It was also (probably) the last year that the NME could be considered the sole arbiter of one’s music taste. Amongst all of that is the release of a debut album that was incredibly ground-breaking for its time. This is Tunng...

We chat with Annie Dressner about touring, writing - and speaking up

Annie Dressner’s latest single, For The Thrill Of It, was released in February. Influenced by her experiences, it addresses misogyny and inappropriate behaviour towards women in the music industry. The New Yorker has been based in Cambridge for the last 13 years after meeting her partner at an open mic night. She recently made a stop in Nottingham as part of a tour supporting Danny & The Champions of The World...

In photos: White Denim at Rescue Rooms