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Pick Six: Rastarella Music Programmer & Community Engagement Expert at Cultural Vibrations (Unity Through Music)

For this month’s Pick Six, we spoke to Rastarella - Music Programmer & Community Engagement Expert at Cultural Vibrations (Unity Through Music) and Radio Host at 97.5 Kemet Fm. Rastarella will oversee the music programming at this month’s Ay-Up Market.

Local playwright Jane Upton on her brand new play (the) woman

Written by Nottingham’s own Jane Upton and shortlisted for the Bruntwood Prize, (the) Woman is coming to Nottingham Playhouse this month. Following a woman struggling to balance her potential as a playwright with her responsibilities as a mother, it tackles hard truths about motherhood and conflicting identities. Jane was able to take the time out of her day to talk to us at LeftLion, having raced back from picking up arts and craft supplies for her children. But, as Jane herself puts it: “Sums it up, doesn’t it?”

Gig review: You Me At Six at Rock City

You Me At Six bid farewell to their Nottingham fans with three shows at Rock City on their Final Nights of Six Tour. Intensity and nostalgia were mixed with the undeniable energy of a band at their peak...

Gig review: Vazum at The Chapel, with Stained Glass and City Flowers

Travelling all the way from Detroit, rock duo Vazum are welcomed warmly to Nottingham's upper room venue, The Chapel. With two rapidly rising local groups in support, the result was an atmospheric and intoxicating night of incredible music...

Theatre Review: Mariposa at Mansfield Palace Theatre

Set in post-revolution Cuba, Mariposa is a stunning modern dance exploration of the impacts of love, longing and loss...

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.

Preview: Showstopper at Mansfield Palace Theatre

Fancy a night out watching a show that has never been seen before and will never be seen again? Mansfield Palace Theatre have just the show for you next week…

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...

Competition: Win Tickets For Showstopper at Mansfield Palace Theatre

Spontaneous musical comedy at its absolute finest – direct from the West End and now heading to Mansfield Palace Theatre! If you'd like to win one of 5 pairs of tickets we have to give away then answer our simple question below...

Fisher Gate Point party, Peggy’s Spotlight, Super League Basketball Final, and Bongo’s Bingo: Here’s what’s on this week in Nottingham 3 March - 9 March 2025

Seeing sunlight past 5pm is not the only thing we have got going on in Nottingham this week. Bongo Bingo’s long awaited return, up-and-coming Jazz & Blues musicians at Peggy’s Skylight, the UKs Super League Basketball Final, Fisher Gate Point is back and Wille and the Bandits will be taking the stage at The Bodega are just some of the many things going on this week… 

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...

LeftLion Issue #181 March 2025

This month's edition of LeftLion features Fisher Gate Point, Marcus Garvey Centre, Doves, playwright Jane Upton, A Foster Carer in Notts, wild swimming at Colwick Park, Ay-Up Market, The Lace Market Theatre, Bulwell Forest Garden, Sister Midnight and much more...

Theatre Review: The Shark is Broken

Going in deep to the cabin fever of the Jaws set

Film Review: The Monkey

If the villain in Final Destination was a toy monkey...

Film Review: Heart Eyes

A horror comedy that slices into your brain right from the opening scene…

Gig review: PENGSHUi at Rough Trade

More often seen on large festival stages, PENGSHUi's visit to the cosy environs of the upper room at Rough Trade was a show we could not miss. Matt Pratt braved the noise - and darkness - as the band, with no less than four support acts, did their best to bring the house down...

Gig review: Bilk at Rescue Rooms

Bilk don’t mess around when it comes to smack-you-in-the-face instrumentation and brutally honest lyricism. Their anthemic agenda arrived in Nottingham, bringing with them joyous debauchery and an instant mosh pit...

Music Reviews: February 2025

Cosmic Titans: Art, Science and the Quantum Universe at Lakeside Arts

In 1980, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nottingham received a letter containing a loose piece of chalk. The letter was from a former student, who explained that the chalk had been used by Albert Einstein during his visit to the university on 6 June 1930. Einstein had written equations on a blackboard during his visit, signing the corner once he had finished. This unique blackboard is now preserved at the university. Nearly a century after Einstein’s visit, Lakeside Arts is presenting Cosmic Titans: Art, Science and the Quantum Universe, an exhibition featuring newly commissioned artworks by nine artists. Jo Herlihy reviews...

Theatre review: Rosy Carrick's Musclebound at Lakeside Arts

Doctor Rosy Carrick brought her long-anticipated one-woman show to Nottingham’s Lakeside Arts on Thursday 6 February, in which she explores hidden sexual desire and female sexual empowerment through conversations between mother and daughter.

Theatre review: Rosy Carrick's Musclebound at Lakeside Arts

Doctor Rosy Carrick brought her long-anticipated one-woman show to Nottingham’s Lakeside Arts on Thursday 6 February, in which she explores hidden sexual desire and female sexual empowerment through conversations between mother and daughter.

Gig review: The Kilkennys at The Greyfriars Club

Irish balladeers The Kilkennys delighted the Nottingham audience, choosing the ever-popular and hospitable Greyfriars Club in the Thorneywood district for their first-ever visit to our city. The band delivered a dose of pure joy as they performed a multitude of well-known songs, sparking plenty of audience participation. It's safe to say great craic was had... 

Gig review: Berlioz at Rock City

Jazz, house, electronica... all is fused in a wondrous and poetic musical array in the work of Berlioz. His performance at one of Nottingham's most legendary rock venues proved that our city welcomes all genres with open arms...

Gig review: Man/Woman/Chainsaw at The Bodega

Let's face it: Man/Woman/Chainsaw should be on your ones-to-watch list. Hailing from London, the talented five-piece have been a true come-of-age story. Upheld in a vibrant and supportive DIY community, their debut EP Eazy Peazy has been snatching headlines with its theatrical beauty and joyous experimental frolics. During a celebratory tour, the band hit up Nottingham's beloved Bodega with a point to prove...