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Concrete Jumble: how Nottingham could reinvent itself ready for an ever-evolving future

A pertinent question is being asked across the country: what to do about the once busy city centres now rife with empty buildings? Bereft of the bustle, and with a derelict shopping centre to boot, Sophie Gargett explores how Nottingham could reinvent itself ready for an ever-evolving future.

LeftLion Issue #177 November 2024

This month's LeftLion features Smokescreen Soundsystem, an interview with TV and film director Shane Meadows, Trekking Exploration, 25 Years of the Bodega, Author Simon Smalley, Panya Banjoko, Nottingham Forest Women's Team, Grayson Perry, Friends of Wollaton Park, Actor-turned-author Richard Armitage, Divorce, Kino Kilo Notts, Lisa Loves Style and more.

The queer reimagining of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly

Mariposa, the queer reimagining of Madame Butterfly, is about to play at Lakeside Arts. The creative force behind this new dance work, choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra, talks to Leftlion about his journey this far...   

Caves, campervans and comedy: the life of a Notts comedy promoter

Ian Whitcombe started off running comedy shows in his local pub and now has big names calling up for a gig. He talks to Left Lion about his role in the Nottingham Comedy Festival, the acts he has nurtured, and his own journey into the land of laughs... 

Notts County Council Seeks Opinions on New Ten-Year Library Plan

As the County Council launches a consultation on its new ten-year library strategy, Dr David Hindley of Nottingham Trent University wonders what that will mean...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #9: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this week's LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Luna & The Lime Slices, The Junipers, Jude Forsey and Kelsey & The Embers ...

We tried out two immersive escape rooms at Escapologic

When the LeftLion team were invited to Escapologic for a competitive, team-building afternoon, it seemed too good of an opportunity to miss, but what mind-bending and mysterious fun awaited...

Watch: Road to Tram Line Spot

Road to Tram Line Spot is a new short film by Georgianna Scurfield, which tracks the creation of the city's first (intentional) city centre skate spot, whilst documenting the famous (unintentional) Broadmarsh Banks spot it has replaced. LeftLion are proud to co-present this sixteen and a half minute movie for your viewing pleasure...

Overheard in Notts: October 2024

Corned beef and middle-class road rage both feature in this month's Overheard in Notts...

Gig review and interview: Stone at Rescue Rooms

STONE are no ordinary band: they are a movement; they are a lifestyle; they are one of the most hotly anticipated bands of this year. Talia Robinson tells of their tales as they performed at Nottingham's very own Rescue Rooms...

Chris Lawton of Skate Nottingham talks about the new Road to Tram Line Spot film by Georgianna Scurfield

Skate Nottingham's Chris Lawton walks (or should that be skates?) us down the long, sometimes arduous, road to the new Road to Tram Line Spot film by Georgianna Scurfield, now released on LeftLion...

Review: Hockley Hustle 2024

This time last week, Hockley Hustle was in full swing, filling 50 venues across this beloved quarter of Nottingham with music from an incredibly diverse and talented array of artists, and raising money for local charities. Ignoring genre boundaries, our music team joined the action all day - here we present some highlights in words and pictures...

From local rap to national comedy: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham, 28 October-3 November

There's plenty to keep you busy this week in Nottingham, from hip-hop, to poetry, to comedy...

Comedy Review: Mark Thomas: Gaffa Tapes at the Djanogly Theatre Lakeside Arts

Mark Thomas, the ‘godfather of political comedy’ brings his Gaffa Tapes show to a sold-out audience at the Lakeside Arts Theatre. So how did it unwind?

In photos: The Icicle Works at Rescue Rooms

Interview : Laura Turner dares us to decide whether to sell our soul or sell our body

A Midlands-based, female-led powerhouse, is about to ignite the stage at Nottingham Playhouse with a question that will leave audiences breathless. Emma Oldham interviews Laura Turner, the artistic director behind Fury Theatre, about why they're asking such a bold question...

The worms are coming! Our homegrown alt comedy troup are taking over.

As Nottingham's alternative comedy venue prepares for its first ever Wormhole Weekend, alternative comedian Rosa Keaton takes us for a worm's-eye view.  

Music Reviews: October 2024

This month, our music team give the run-down of the best, recent releases from Nottingham artists, including Cappo, LYVIA, and Molly Hindley.

Alfie Brown talks broken down BMW's and banana bread

Comedian Alfie Brown's journey from Top Shop to top billing has met challenges along the way. Ahead of his forthcoming Open Hearted Human Enquiry tour, Alfie shares his insights into the lessons learned thus far... 

From LGBTQ+ arts and culture to Autumnal jazz: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham, 21 -27 October

There's a diverse helping of things to do this week in Nottingham. Whether you fancy enjoying an LGBTQ+ arts and culture festival, a jazz show, Su Pollard live at the Playhouse, a pagan market, or a funk show, we've got you covered...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #8: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this week's bumper edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our picks of the latest and greatest sounds from all around Nottingham and the Midlands, our team reviews new releases from Gender Envy, Set in Motion, The Chase, Marvin's Revenge, Cracked Hands, John Hardy and Stan Buckroyd...

Comedy and community at the Lord Roberts

Dan Webber shares the inspiration behind the LOL-GBTQ+ festival coming soon to the Lord Roberts...

Beccy D'Souza turns up the volume for our local talent

We caught up with Beccy D’Souza, Artist Development Producer at Nottingham Playhouse, for a peek behind the curtain at this year’s Amplify Festival line-up... 

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #5: Shane Meadows on This Is England, Virtues, Stone Roses, Injuries, Notts County FC and more

For our fifth podcast we are delighted to welcome a true legend of British film and television, the director and screenwriter Shane Meadows...

Queer Up Duck! New LGBTQ+ Arts Festival Takes Over Nottingham

A brand new LGBTQ+ Arts Festival is taking place across Nottingham from 21 October to 2 November, celebrating the diversity and creativity of LGBTQ+ artists and communities. We took a closer look at some highlights of this very special celebration of queer arts and culture.