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BAFTA-Winning Actress Jessica Hynes on Her Directorial Feature Film Debut

As an actress, Jessica Hynes has been a mainstay of British film and television since her breakthrough role alongside Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in Spaced. Since then, she’s gone on to star in The Royle Family, Son of Rambow and W1A, for which she won a BAFTA Award in 2015. This year saw her step into the ring as a director for the first time with The Fight, a drama about a mother of three who uses boxing as a way of facing her demons…

Ayup Duck: The Latest Nottingham News

What's ruffled his feathers this month?

Artist and Curator Diana Ali on Her Role as Mentor on BBC's The Big Painting Challenge

This month sees The Big Painting Challenge back on our screens for a third series. We caught up with artist, curator and Nottingham resident Diana Ali to talk about her career and role as a mentor on the BBC One show…

Mnozil Brass Are Bringing Their Circus-Inspired Musical Show to Nottingham

“The world is a circus” reads the programme for the latest show – Cirque – from septet Mnozil Brass, who return to Nottingham for a show at the Royal Concert Hall this month. Merging comedy with virtuoso brass performances, they astound audiences the world over with the quality of their music, while simultaneously dissolving them into hilarity. A band that has to be experienced to be truly appreciated, they are funny, but the music, their talent and their sheer love of their craft is always front and centre. We caught up with the band’s sharply-dressed trumpet player (and sometime magician) Roman Rindberger who, when he’s not touring with Mnozil, is also a professor of music in his native Vienna...

Ayup Duck: The Latest Nottingham News

Our feathered friend has gorra thing or two to say...

Live Music Review and Photos: The Rumjacks and The Silk Road at Rescue Rooms

We got down to Rescue Rooms to check out The Rumjacks and Silk Road...

Ayup Duck: The Latest Nottingham News

What's been rufflin' Ayup Duck's feathers this month? 

Create Your Own Happy: Children’s Author Becky Goddard on Her Mission to Make the Little’uns Smile

According to studies by The Children’s Society and Pisa, young people in England are among the unhappiest in the world. With internet bullying, endless school tests and cuts to services, it can be bleddy hard being a kid. However, help is at hand. Together with Penny Alexander, West Bridgford’s Becky Goddard-Hill has devised Create Your Own Happy, a workbook that aims to empower children.

Ayup Duck: The Latest Nottingham News

A History of Factory Work in Nottingham

Converted factory buildings can be found on every corner of Nottingham. The machines may be silent and the buildings now repurposed, but the work undertaken inside those factory walls have left a lasting impression on the city. In more ways than one…

Ayup Duck: The Latest Nottingham News

What the bob happened last month?

Director Jack Bond on Latest Documentary An Artist's Eyes

We caught up with the legendary director ahead of the release of his latest documentary, An Artist's Eyes...

Nina Smith on Her Long-Awaited Debut Album White Feather

After years of writing and recording, Nina Smith is releasing her long-awaited debut album, White Feather. Slick and beautifully produced by Yoad Nevo (Sia, Goldfrapp), the record is emotional, with classic r’n’b sprinkled throughout for good measure. We grabbed Nina for a chat and a congratulations…

Giuseppe Garibaldi: The Italian Freedom Fighter Who Inspired Nottingham Forest FC

For many, the word “Garibaldi” conjures up thoughts of a curranty biscuit, but it was once a household name for other reasons. In Victorian times, Giuseppe Garibaldi was the celebrated freedom fighter who, with his intrepid band of volunteers, united Italy. Garibaldimania spread across Britain and even influenced Nottingham life; especially in the football department...

Ayup Duck: The Latest Nottingham News

Photographer Emily Andersen on the Release of Her New Book and Photographing Celebrities

From photographing well-known artists, musicians, writers, directors and actors - including Helen Mirren, Bella Freud and Nico - to exhibiting at some of the world’s most prestigious galleries, Emily Andersen has forged a fascinating photography career. Carefully balancing her craft while lecturing part time at NTU, she has recently published her second book, entitled Portraits: Black & White. We caught up with Emily ahead of her book launch and exhibition at Bonington Gallery later this week…  

Ayup Duck: The Latest Nottingham News

What's been rufflin' Ayup Duck's feathers this month? 

Notts Poet and Austerity Opposer Lytisha Tunbridge Tells Her Story

Lytisha Tunbridge won the Expanding Horizons Award 2018 at Nottingham Writers’ Studio, for her work supporting World Jam, DIY Poets, Poetry Aloud, Poets Against Racism, Social Model Writers, Sisterhood and Solidarity, Support the NHS, Young Voices, Reading with Dementia, and We Shall Overcome. Somehow she managed to find the time to share some words with us, and tell us her story...

Sadi Khan on her MBE and Improving Diversity

Entrepreneur, single parent, undercover supermarket employee, and recent recipient of an MBE: Sadi Khan is a force of nature. Earlier this year, Sadi was awarded for her contribution to Cultural/Religious Awareness Training and Services to Vulnerable Women by the Duke of Cambridge himself. But her success has not come without challenge. We caught up with Sadi to hear her story…

Live Music Review: Her’s at Rough Trade Nottingham

We got down to Rough Trade Nottingham to check out offbeat duo Her’s...

Ayup Duck: The Latest Nottingham News

What's been gooin' off?

Live Music Review: Mystic Braves, The Creation Factory and The Hijinks at The Bodega

Grab your paisley, velvet, suede and tassels, and get ready to take a trip back in time to the hazy, hedonistic age of psychedelia...

Film Review: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Set to the soundtrack of the seventies, the Mamma Mia! gang have dusted off their glittery platforms to bring audiences a second instalment that has almost as much sparkle as the original…

Ayup Duck: The Latest Nottingham News

Ayup Duck has been gerrin' a bit hot under the collar this past month... 

Liam Bailey Talks Depression, His New Single and Touring with Paloma Faith

Liam Bailey is a singer-songwriter from Nottingham, loved for his jazz and blues-style sound. Best known for his collaborations with DJ Fresh and Chase & Status, his reggae undertones have seen him dubbed as the young Bob Marley. But with over a decade of musical endeavours under his belt, this guy’s sound is as varied as they come.

Things are heating up once again for Liam. With a host of new music, collaborations and tours with Paloma Faith coming up, his diary is jam-packed. After we managed to wake him up from his McDonalds-induced nap, we caught up with Liam ahead of the release of his newest single.