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In photos: Michael Head and The Red Elastic Band at Rescue Rooms, with Jack Valero and Woo

Gig review: Otala at The Bodega, with Bram Bancroft and Martial Arts

They’ll be back eventually, but for now, local sweethearts Otala have performed what they say could be their last gig in Nottingham for a “long while”. Jake George was there to witness the celebration...

Flowers Appearing On Walls Around Nottingham

Has anyone else noticed flowers appearing on walls around Nottingham recently? From Sneinton, to West Bridgford to the city centre, here's some we've noticed and photographed around over the last few weeks...

The Storm Whale at Lakeside Arts

A heartwarming production brings Benji Davies’s tale to life, blending puppetry, music and charm, celebrating friendship, belonging and unexpected connections...

Our December cover artist Marcus Gilmore talks inspirations and staying creative

This month’s cover artist, Beeston-based Marcus Gilmore talks about his mythic and fantastical inspirations as an illustrator and printmaker, staying creative, and capturing the spirit of Christmas in this edition’s magical cover art...

Gig review: Michael Kiwanuka at The Level

Mercury Prize winning singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka recently gave an intimate performance at The Level. Adam Findlay was there to experience a show that touched everyone's soul...

A queer tragedy comes to Lakeside Arts

This critically acclaimed dance production brings a mythologised Cuba to Nottingham on a cold November night. A world where gods walk and men are transformed by love... 

Buy: Overheard In Notts (Vol 6): Artificially Unintelligent

We like to think that Christmas isn’t Christmas without a bit of Overheard in Notts in it. Thus we are happy to announce the arrival of our latest book baby...

Review: cabaret, burlesque and art at Niche Artefact

Niche Artefact is a unique Nottingham event that celebrates local painters and sculptors alongside a cabaret of drag artists, singers and even an aerial burlesque performer. It’s very much a bespoke event that champions our LGBTQIA+ community and allies. Ian C Douglas went along to November’s showcase, the Halloween-themed Occult Odyssey…

Director's Seat: Shane Meadows on his gratitude for the Nottingham Television Workshop

Shane Meadows is a legend of British film and television. In the mid-90s he was making lots of short films around Nottingham before releasing his debut feature TwentyFourSeven in 1997. Since then he’s gone on to create masterpieces like A Room For Romeo Brass, Dead Man’s Shoes, This Is England, Gallows Pole, The Stone Roses: Made of Stone and more.

Shane joined us for the fifth instalment of LeftLion Live at the Library, a series of live interviews that we’ve been hosting since July at Nottingham Central Library. In front of a live audience, LeftLion Editor-in-Chief Jared Wilson chatted to Shane about his illustrious career, covering everything from the Nottingham Television Workshop to Notts County FC. Here we’ve treated you to a snapshot of the conversation, which is available in full for your auditory pleasure on Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts. 

Our November cover artist Jenny Mure talks creativity and comics

This month’s cover artist Jenny Mure talks about drawing Ned Ludd, life as a comics artist and getting inspiration from myth and folklore. 

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

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.

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...

From bean to bar: we tried a chocolate making workshop at Luisa’s Vegan Chocolates

Few foods have the emotional pull of chocolate. Just one bite of your favourite bar has the power to transport you back to the care-free days of childhood on a wave of chocolate-fuelled nostalgia. But what are the origins of this beloved sweet treat? Right here in Notts you can learn the story of bean to bar at Luisa’s Vegan Chocolates based in Sneinton Market. Lucy Campion went along to one of their chocolate workshops to discover more.

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. 

Seann Walsh moves from stand-up to drama in this new play at the Theatre Royal

Comedian Seann Walsh has made a name for himself in the world of stand-up. But will his move to acting be stand out?

Comedian and doctor Michael Akadiri talks fatherhood, politics and the Wollaton vida loca

As award-winning comedian Michael Akadiri brings his new show Trust Me, I'm a Daddy to the Canalhouse, he speaks to Leftlion about his journey this far... 

Our October cover artist Steve Cole talks photographing Ratcliffe-on-Soar

This month’s cover artist Steve Cole tells us more about his stunning photography of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station

Legendary and local music, art and 2000s telly at the theatre: Here's what's on this week in Notts 16-23 September

This week in Notts! Check out live music, from the legendary to the local, enjoy some art, or have a bloody good time at the theatre.

Our September cover artist D.A Orli talks 3D art, consumerism and the ownership of history

We sat down with this month’s cover artist D.A. Orli to hear about some of his previous work and inspirations…

Artist Maximillion Speed talks about Surrealism and his collaborative art exhibition Circus of Life

The circus is coming to town later this month, with an array of artistic feats on display in a new exhibition at Surface Gallery. Showcasing the work of six very different artists, The Circus of Life playfully reveals both inner and other worlds, with shared themes of mental health, healing, playfulness and illusion. Ahead of the exhibition’s grand opening, artist Maximilion Speed treated LeftLion to a chat about the strange workings of creative thinking, why art should be made by humans, and what to expect from the work on show.

We caught up with The Art of Football about their collaboration with Self Esteem about domestic abuse

In a recent campaign with Rebecca Lucy Taylor - AKA musician Self Esteem - Nottingham based designers The Art of Football have designed a football shirt to open up a conversation about domestic abuse. Head of Brand Kelvyn Quagraine and designer Nicole Kaminska spoke with LeftLion to reflect on the collaboration and football’s light and dark side.

From DIY theatre to still-life art: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week 19 -25 August

This week, there's definitely no shortage of opportunities to indulge your artistic, theatrical and musical needs, from art at Richmond House to the return of the Foolhardy Folk Festival. Here are our Picks of the Week from 19 to 25 August.