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Notts writer Hongwei Bao on the poetics of queer and diasporic experiences

Raised in Inner Mongolia, Dr. Hongwei Bao is now a Director of Research at the University of Nottingham and the industrious community organiser of events like the Queer Chinese Arts Festival, Poetics of Migration, Ode to Notts, plus many more. He’s also one of our most exciting creative writers, so we decided to invite him for a coffee…

Grassroots: How a Nottingham Football Film Tells a Tale of Resilience

We spoke to local film producer Ben Fletcher about his short film, She Will Play On, which had its Midlands debut at Short Stack festival at Broadway last Sunday. The film is a story of an extraordinary young girl who pushes past the barriers between her and her dreams. Behind this seemingly local tale is a universal one, underpinned by something as unexpected as an avant-garde Danish film movement, that shows us that limitations don’t always hinder us, but can push us to do something remarkable…

LeftLion's Latest Listens #18: Notts music we're currently spinning

In our latest edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews a selection of recent new releases. This time it's the turn of ROB.GREEN, Dead Mint, Drew Thomas, Sam Oakley and Stuart Pearce...

E-scooters and e-bikes - what do Nottingham people actually think?

Lauren Baker is a Postgraduate Researcher Nottingham Trent University looking at all things 'micromobility' (e-scooters and e-bikes). Here she discusses the impacts, and benefits, they have on the local community and asks for your input to feed into the latest research...

We chat to Better Joy about her EP, embracing vulnerability and touring the UK

With her debut EP heading into blue out soon, Better Joy (Bria Keely) takes listeners on a journey from the deeply personal waiting on time to the intimate reflection of quiet thing, balancing raw emotion with uplifting melodies. Working alongside legendary producer Mike Hedges, she’s crafted a sound that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly new. As she prepares for her first headline UK tour, including a date at The Bodega in Nottingham, Bria shares insights into her artistic evolution, the magic of live performance, and what’s next on her musical horizon…

Gig review: Doves at Rock City, with White Flowers

With frontman Jimi Goodwin only at Rock City 'in spirit', Doves fought on to perform a Nottingham show that proved the resilience and quality of their back catalogue...

Gig review: Divorce at Rough Trade

Last time Divorce played live in Nottingham they did four consecutive nights at the Bodega. This time around, they’re doing two gigs on the same day, taking place at Rough Trade. We headed down to the first of the shows to hear the band perform in their hometown for the first time since their debut album Drive to Goldenhammer was released to great acclaim…

Gig review: International Women's Day show at The Bodega, with Lara Elise Grant, Emily Alice and Dorothy Ella

The Bodega played host to a set of empowering gigs commemorating International Women's Day, in collaboration with Dizzy Magazine. We dropped in at the downstairs bar, where pink lighting, disco balls, glitter streamers (and crucial background music of Chappell Roan and Wet Leg) were ready to celebrate and support the local female artists of Nottingham’s music scene - to honour what we have achieved, and what work still needs to be done and recognised in the predominantly patriarchal industry...

Footstomping music at the Royal Concert Hall

Sinfonia Viva triumphs with Fanny Mendelssohn, Mozart and Beethoven...

Offline crafting, theatre, day parties, cultural festivals, and 80s new wave: here's what's on events this week 10-16 March 2025

This week in Notts! Get yourself out to enjoy the first inklings of spring, plus a load of great events around the city. Check out a four day festival at New Art Exchange, enjoy gripping theatre at Nottingham Playhouse and Theatre Royal, get crafting in a no-phone-zone, or head down to Vicky McClure's Day Fever at the Palais...

Nadia on… International Women’s Day

In her monthly column, Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome writes about the history of International Women's Day, and how the Labour government's new Employment Rights Bill will tackle aspects of gender equality.

LeftLion's Latest Listens #17 special edition: Divorce

In this special edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, we sample the debut album Drive to Goldenhammer from Nottingham's own Divorce...

Circle of Light director Tiffany Jade tells us about the future of creative hub Fisher Gate Point

Over the past five years Fisher Gate Point has been slowly blossoming into a creative and cultural hub in Nottingham, home to numerous collectives, businesses and events, from the Hockley Hustle crew, to Circle of Light. With a new cafe, exhibition and events space, they are currently gearing up for their launch party on International Women’s Day. We spoke to one of the people at its helm, Tiffany Jade, about the many programs she’s facilitated at the centre.

Mancunian indie-rockers Doves talk past gigs in Notts and their brand new sixth studio record

When people think of great Manchester bands, alt-rockers Doves can often be overlooked. But across their six albums and multiple decades together, the band have rarely put a foot wrong. With their latest opus Constellations of the Lonely just released – their first in five years - and a show at Rock City on the horizon, we sat down for a catch up with drummer Andy Williams.

A new play shines a light on the first pioneer of film-length animation and it is not Disney!

Lakeside Arts hosts this intriguing and inspiring play about Lotte Reiniger...

Film review: 1% of War, a new documentary reveals harrowing details from the frontline in Ukraine

Ukraine war three years on: new documentary, 1% of War reveals harrowing details from the front...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #16: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Otala, Sam Shaw & The Real Eyes, Green Grango, Fallowed and Divorce...

The Thompsons on Cinemas, the NHS and Candlemas Day

Folk music, theatre, Light Night and dancing: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 24 February - 2 March

The nights are getting brighter and there's lots of reasons to get out in Nottingham this week! Enjoy some soothing folk music, mesmerising light displays, breath-taking belly dance, hilarious theatre or late night DJs...

Gig review: Delights at The Bodega

Mancunian indie outlet Delights are simply incredible. They mix indie with funk and lo-fi sounds and ideas to create a chilled and cinematic sound that was built for the stage. We caught up with them on the third night of their UK headline tour, promoting the album If Heaven Looks A Little Like This, with support from Flat Party and Leah Wilcox...

Hips Don’t Lie: we hear from belly dancer Marija Zinkevica about the upcoming Belly Dance Festival and building connection with the body through dance

After a career in computer science, Marija Zinkevica swapped life behind the screen for days onstage: teaching belly dance in Nottingham and performing in competitions around the world. Ahead of the first Belly Dance Festival at the start of March, we caught up with Marija to hear how this ancient dance can build confidence, community and a deep connection with the body.

Gig review: Our Girl at The Bodega, with Davoli

Our Girl were warmly welcomed back to Nottingham and The Bodega as they celebrated the release of their latest album The Good Kind, proving their ability to uplift and excite...

Gig review: Dekker & Daudi Matsiko at The Bodega

Notts based, ever-minimalist singer-songwriters Daudi Matsiko and Dekker headlined a night of dreamy and introspective folk at The Bodega, with support arriving from local Chloe Rogers...

Musical comedy, Craig David, Festival of Science, and film screenings: Here's what's on this week 10-16 February 2025

This week in Nottingham! Head out with the family to the Festival of Science and Curiosity or the Sooty Show, go retro with Craig David and Lemar, check out some musical comedy or get into some thought-provoking film... 

Theatre Review: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

This biblical tale of family and forgiveness will have you on your feet...