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Artist Mitch Proctor, a.k.a Bon Idle, on his new comic: Henshin

Nine years ago, a mysterious explosion plunged a city into a seemingly endless blackout. That is, until a Mark Zuckerburg-like tech billionaire rebuilt it into a futuristic metropolis – but to Journalism student Alex, this shady figure’s motivations don’t quite ring true. Alex’s hunch soon thrusts him into a world of superheroes and monsters in Henshin, a new series from Notts-based artist Mitch Proctor, a.k.a. Bon Idle...

Shreya Sen-Handley on Being the First South Asian Woman to write an International Opera

She’s had two books published by HarperCollins, written for international media and was even the regional head of a television channel at the age of 25. It’s fair to say that there are achievers in this world, and then there’s Shreya Sen-Handley. And if that impressive CV wasn’t enough, she’s now become the first Indian and South Asian woman to write a Western, international opera, called Migrations. We catch up with the multi-talented writer to find out more...

The Inside World of Nottingham BID's Festivals...

Nottingham’s blessed with more than its fair share of events, ceremonies and festivals, many of which have been facilitated by the Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID). Formed in 2012, Nottingham BID has offered support, information and funding to some of the city’s biggest cultural offerings and, with the upcoming ballot to determine whether they’ll continue next year scheduled for October, we caught up with some of the festivals that have benefitted from their support to see how they’ve coped during lockdown, and what Nottingham BID means to them…

Film Review: I'm Thinking of Ending Things

Thinking of watching I’m Thinking of Ending Things? Miriam Blakemore reviews Charlie Kaufman’s latest film...

Illustrator Kate Sharp talks Children's Books, Lockdown and Drawing Animals

After catching our eye with a sweet illustration of our magazine stands you can find around town, we’ve had the pleasure of working with recent-graduate illustrator Kate Sharp for our spot-the-difference series and many other illustrations featured in our past few issues. After she bagged a Young Creative Award for her children’s book, Lion’s Hate Pigeons, we took a deep dive into Kate’s colourful world, discussing her past, present and future plans…

From Sneinton to Xingu: Notts Musician Nathaniel Mann and his experiences with Brazil's Wauja Indigenous Community

When Sneinton-based musician and radio broadcaster Nathaniel Mann responded to a 2018 British Council + PRSF opportunity for a musical residency with the Wauja Indigenous Community in Xingu, Mato Grosso, Brazil, he had no idea how much his life was about to change. Two years later, he collaborated with the Wauja’s principal Akari Waura, assisted with the recording and preservation of his traditional songs and produced a BBC Radio 4 documentary about their work together. Now, as the community faces the threat of COVID-19, he’s working with the Wauja to help raise awareness and funds to ensure the long-term protection of a people whose descendants have lived in the Xingu territory for over a thousand years…

Nottingham Lockdown Gallery Opens at intu Victoria Centre

The gallery shines a light on the experiences of Nottingham residents during lockdown, and is free to view...

The Nottingham Project's Greg Nugent: "We’re a creative city where culture thrives, but when other cities were upping their game, we stood still"

With a ten-year vision of turning Nottingham into a globally-recognised cultural heavyweight, and a board including the likes of Shane Meadows and Vicky McClure, last month saw the ambitious launch of The Nottingham Project. Spearheaded by the new Nottingham Board for Culture and Creativity, the project will seek to rejuvenate the city in the wake of a pandemic that has decimated much of the creative industry. As the director of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee, Project chairman Greg Nugent knows what it takes to deliver on the biggest scale. We caught up with the man at the helm to find out more about what the city’s creative community has to look forward to...

Notts Rebels: Eric Irons

In celebration of the Nottingham Castle Trust’s #VoicesofToday campaign, our Notts Rebels series continues with the story of Britain's first black magistrate: Eric Irons...

How Are Nottingham's Independents Bouncing Back from Lockdown?

It’s impossible to underestimate the devastating impact COVID-19 and the ensuing lockdown has had on independent businesses. The boutiques, breweries and bars that form the lifeblood of our community were forced to shut their doors four months ago, with many never to open again. But with some semblance of normality returning to the high street, we decided it was time for a catch up with some of Notts’ independents to find out how they’ve coped during lockdown, and the steps they’ve taken to re-open safely…

Notts-Born Singer-Songwriter Natalie Duncan on Her New Album, Free

There aren’t many things in life that are a given these days. One exception, however, is the guaranteed beauty of a new album release by Notts-born singer songwriter Natalie Duncan. Free, which was released on 31 July this year, is Nat’s first full-length album since 2012, and is full of her customary soul-infused melodies and candid lyrics. Featuring tracks written over a number of years since 2012, it’s one heck of an expansive record, brimming with vivacity and ambition. We caught up with Nat to chat about her Notts roots, the new record and her musical life in the age of COVID-19….

Nottingham Arts Mela Returns to the New Art Exchange for Its 32nd Year

As Nottingham Mela Network, in partnership with New Art Exchange, gets ready to celebrate the 32nd year of Nottingham Arts Mela in the UK, Alex Stubbs previews the exciting, eclectic online programme of cooking, films featuring South Asian diaspora worldwide, music, dance, debates, poetry and spoken word, family art workshops, murals, archives activated, morning raags and yoga…

The Thompson Brothers on Amazon, Princess Beatrice and August Christmas Parties

Left Magpie: Home Improvements

During Lockdown, I became particularly partial to home improvement programmes. There was something quite therapeutic, during a time of intense instability and incoherence, watching someone making sense out of chaos by turning a decommissioned Soviet missile into a glamping pod.

Out of Time: The Chilwell Catastrophe

It was one of the worst wartime disasters in British history, as well as the country’s biggest involving an explosion. The month marks the 102nd anniversary of the Chilwell Catastrophe, in which a World War One ammunition factory exploded, killing 134 Nottingham workers and injuring dozens more.

Southwell Jewellery Store Last Night I Dreamt on Setting Up Shop, Significant Trinkets, and Sending Love During Lockdown

The bright lights of Nottingham’s city centre might not be quite as bright – or as busy – as they were six months ago. Yet, for one shop in Southwell, lockdown has been a little different. Nestled in North Nottinghamshire, Last Night I Dreamt is not only a curated collection of the best treasure that British brands have to offer, but is also a hive for jewellery lovers up and down the country. Our Fashion Editor, Anna Murphy, spoke to its owner, Rebecca Gibbions to find out more...

Art Works: Naa Ahinee Mensah

Artist Naa Ahinee Mensah tells us about her George Floyd triptych...

Interview: A Catch-up with Nactus Kunan

Sitting on lots of newly released material but with no imminent chance to share it live with fans, we caught up with Jack and Joe of local alternative four-piece Nactus Kunan to see how they've been keeping busy...

"No Disney princesses wear glasses and that made me feel like I wasn't beautiful enough." - Lowri Moore and Our Head Designer, Natalie Owen on Their New Children's Book

“If you don’t like something, change it.” That’s what poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou wrote and preached throughout her life. And, it’s exactly what Lowri Moore has done – fuelled by the lack of representation for glasses-wearing characters in Disney films, the eleven-year-old has collaborated with our very own designer, Natalie Owen on their new children’s book, Princess Rose and the Golden Glasses… 

The Big Notts Quiz: Part IV

Some say these quizzes have been the highlight of their lockdown life, others think they’ve been an enormous waste of everyone’s time. Either way, we’ve done one more, and made it extra difficult to finish things off…

intu Victoria Centre Calls for Photographers to Share Lockdown Photos

intu Victoria Centre is calling for local photographers to submit images captured during lockdown, to form part of a new Lockdown Gallery that will be installed in the centre...

The Art of Beer's Seth Smith Has Drawn 41 of Our City's Best Boozers

Meet Seth Smith, aka the Art of Beer. He’s spent the last half-decade creating illustrations inspired by the nation’s favourite alcoholic beverage. This year he’s drawn 41 of the city's best boozers in conjunction with Nottingham Craft Beer Week and soon they’ll be available as free postcards at a pub near you…

FlyGirl Are Launching to Empower Wxman of Colour in Nottingham

With the aim to empower womxn all across Nottingham – with particular focus on womxn of colour – FlyGirl is set to launch later this year. We caught up with Avarni Bilan, one half of the Wigflex team, to see what it’s all about…

Film Hub Midlands Invites Aspiring Filmmakers to Creative Producers School

Film Hub Midlands, a partner of the BFI Network, is giving Nottingham filmmakers the chance to gain skills and experience in the production process...

For King, Not Country: Why We Need a More Inclusive War Narrative in the UK

As the world gets ready to remember the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, photographer Jagdish Patel explores the role of Commonwealth soldiers – many of whom were conscripted under the threat of violence – in Britain’s victory.