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The Name Game: We Find out the Stories Behind Some of Nottingham’s Weird and Wonderful Band Names

Generating names is always a hard task, and when it comes to naming a band, it becomes part of your identity in a strange way. And in Nottingham, it’s safe to say we’ve got some weird and wonderful examples which really do stand out among the crowd. But not only do they stand out, they also generate mind-boggling questions… So, we thought it was time we got some answers. We asked an array of Nottingham bands to tell us the true meaning behind their names. Well, we did tell them they could make something up if they wanted to, actually. So, believe these at your own risk…

We Speak to World Music Event Producer Rastarella as Her Signature Event Cultural Vibrations Turns Fifteen Years Old

Born in Trinidad, Rastarella is a world music event producer, an empowerment speaker and hosts on Nottingham’s number one urban radio station, 97.5 Kemet FM. She is also a mother of three daughters, a SEN mother, and married. If you ever get to meet Rastarella, you will never forget it. Launching her signature event Cultural Vibrations in 2009 at Hockley Hustle and founding the Nottingham Global Roots Festival in 2015, 2024 marks her fifteenth year in business. It's a massive milestone as a grassroots promoter who is consistently showcasing music from around the world at numerous venues, events and festivals. This is Rastarella, interviewed by Parisa East of Acoustickle…

Circle of Light To Orchestrate Music Career Opportunities For Hundreds of Young People

The Circle of Light music and wellbeing project is back for a fifth year with opportunities for young people aged 16-25 looking for pathways into the music industry...

Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean Winning Olympic Gold at Nottingham’s National Ice Centre

Nottingham’s National Ice Centre is gearing up for its busiest time of year with thousands of skaters of all ages and abilities set to take to the ice over February half term at the home of Torvill and Dean...

We Speak to Music Artist and Entrepreneur Parisa East as Her Live Music Platform Acoustickle Turns Fifteen Years Old

Parisa East is a music artist and entrepreneur with many years of experience promoting live music events, supporting local talent, and providing quality cultural experiences in Nottingham. In 2009 she launched Acoustickle: a live music platform to spotlight emerging artists, and encourage musicians to share their original compositions with respectful audiences. With decorated venues, and intimate, inspiring performance spaces, the immersive atmosphere captivates all that are present. In 2022, she received an AIM award, as the East Midlands local hero, nominated by Dean Jackson, presenter of BBC Introducing. This is Parisa East, interviewed by Acoustickle’s very own CeCe about her visions for the future and the importance of creating a stage for unknown artists…

We Sit Down With the Owners of the Chameleon After It Was Announced That the Building Would Be Sold

When it comes to finding the gems of Nottingham’s creative culture, sometimes you have to do a little intrepid exploring. Tucked down an alley just off the Old Market Square, legendary bar and venue The Chameleon has been hosting gigs, club nights and late night shenanigans since 2007. With the recent news that the building is to be sold, we sat down with owners John and Lauren Rothera to talk about the life and soul of the bar, and the future of independent venues…

We Speak to Laurie Illingworth about Acoustic Rooms Open Mic at Rescue Rooms

Laurie Illingworth, a well-known member of the Nottingham music scene and a musician himself, has been running Acoustic Rooms since he moved to the city in 2018. Having studied music at university, Laurie has channelled his passion into local music and showcasing new and experimental artists. We chat to him about the open mic night’s fifteenth anniversary, the artists who have performed there over the years, and how you can get involved…

In Photos: Miles Kane at Rock City

Miles Kane brings tracks from his upcoming album One Man Band to Rock City...

Plans Unveiled For New Bridge Over River Trent

Nottingham City Council have unveiled new plans for a new pedestrian and cycling bridge over the River Trent, creating links between the Waterside regeneration area, Colwick Park, Lady Bay, West Bridgford and the major sports stadiums...

Theatre Review: Once Upon a Bridge at Lace Market Theatre

Ian Kingsbury reviews Once upon A Bridge at the Lace Market Theatre...

Theatre Review: Noises Off at Theatre Royal

A play production descends into award winning comedy chaos...

Overheard in Notts: January 2024

What have you lot been chatting so far in 2024? Here's this month's Overheard in Notts...

We Find out More About The Correction Unit, a Feature Film Made and Set in Nottingham

We find out more about The Correction Unit, a feature film made and set in Nottingham, that issues a stark warning about how, very shortly, AI could potentially be misused in the education of vulnerable young people...

Motion for the Ocean: Nottingham City Council Votes to Back Campain Protecting Waterways

Nottingham City Council backs ambitious Motion for the Ocean to protect and improve local rivers and our ocean...

Director Aaron Trinder on His Documentary ‘Free Party: A Folk History’ - Which Features Nottingham's Own DiY Soundsystem

Free Party: A Folk History is a timely DIY indie film that follows the birth of the UK's free party movement from the late eighties and early nineties and the social, political and cultural impact it's had on our present times, with appearances from the founders of Nottingham’s very own DiY Soundsystem - but those of you who were lucky enough to go down to Broadway Cinema’s screening of the film back in November will already know this, of course. Director Aaron Trinder tells us about the process of obtaining footage for the documentary from a time before mobile phones and his own experiences of the free party movement…

An Outreach Worker in Notts

Formed in 2001, Framework is an organisation supporting vulnerable people, with housing support, job hunting, mental health, and recovery services for drugs and alcohol. Their primary focus, though, is to try and get people off the streets, and into more permanent accommodation. LeftLion caught up with one of their street outreach workers, who explains the ins and outs of their day to day…

We Caught up With Colin Mitchell, Owner of Nottingham’s Oldest Caribbean Supermarket on His Decision to Sell the Business

After almost five decades of selling Caribbean food in Nottingham, family business Mitchell's Supermarket on Alfreton Road is up for sale. We spoke to owner Colin Mitchell about his decision to sell Mitchell’s Supermarket, and what this will mean for the local community...

Local Cultural Organisations Issue Open Letter Voicing Concern About Nottingham City Council’s Budget Cuts

With the recent announcement of budget cuts to the cultural and social sectors in Nottingham, over 120 individuals representing at least 75 local organisations have signed an open letter voicing concern about Nottingham City Council’s Section 114 process, and the impact it will have on the Nottingham communities.

How Do the Processes of Making Music and Art Differ From One Another? We Find Out From 5 Nottingham Creatives

Louis Cypher asks five different Nottingham creatives how the need to make money affects their art, what the differences are in their creative processes, and whether they prefer one over the other...

We Found Out About Fast Forward Music, DJ Workshops for Young People From Synthetic Pro Audio

Fast Forward Music, an accredited Alternative Provision by Nottingham City & County Council, is set to revolutionise the educational landscape for key stage three/four youth with a series of innovative music workshops. Focused on music technology and DJ/turntablism, these workshops aim to inspire creativity, skill development, and a genuine passion for the creative music industry...

Young Creative Award Entries Are Now Open for 2024

The Young Creative Awards, an annual competition for young creatives living, working or studying in and around Nottingham, has returned for its sixteenth year, with entries now open...

We Chat With Oli Nicol to Discuss His Invoke Poetry Workshops

Oli Nicol is a prominent member of the Nottingham Literary community: he is the host of Invoke Poetry workshops and is also on the Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature Youth Board. We spoke to him about why he started the workshops, which he launched in 2022, his passion for poetry and plans for the future…

Kicking Off the New Year in Notts - Theatre, Music and Meeting New People: Here’s What’s on in Notts 8 - 14 January

If it's your resolution to get out more in 2024, kick off your year with some theatre, cabaret and social events to meet new people in Notts this week...

Overheard in Notts: December 2023

Gig Review: Bonestrider and Silent Confidant at The Old Salutation Inn

Bonestrider and Silent Confidant opened for Death Warmed Up in the Old Salutation Inn’s legendary Attic...