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We chat to filmmaking duo Bird Bros about their new film Lazar

Travel back in time with us to the 17th century as we hear all about Lazar, the fantastical odyssey set in an ancient Sherwood forest which follows a bard, an outlaw and oh, there are some nymphs of course...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #23: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this week's edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, we review new releases from Lucy Crisp, Pretty Windows and Rhythm Eaters...

Artworks: multi-medium artist and video creator Tom Hackett

For this month's Artwork we turned multi-medium artist Tom Hackett who's work is being exhibited at the upcoming New Art Exchange Open Exhibition from Friday 30 May...

Nottingham actor Laquarn Lewis on his role in the brand new BBC drama: What It Feels Like For a Girl

Set to be released on 3 June, upcoming BBC mini-series What It Feels Like For A Girl tells the story of Byron, a Queer teen who is desperate to escape the confines of Hucknall. Based on the novel of the same name by Hucknall-born journalist Paris Lees, the witty, gritty and heart-breaking show delves into what it was like growing up as a trans person in a small town during the early 2000s. To hear about the show, ahead of the premiere, we caught up with LaQuarn Lewis, who plays Fallen Diva, ‘the premier podium dancer-cum-hellraiser’ Lady Die…

Restaurant week, comic con, body positive art and Japanese pop-punk: Here's what's on in Nottingham 2 - 8 June 2025

There's a great mix of stuff happening this week in Notts - we've got Japanese pop-punk from Shonen Knife, Sneinton Avenues Vegan Market, Comic-con, Restaurant week and some inspiring exhibitions. Here's our top picks...

LeftLion Issue #184 June 2025

This month featuring our guide to local summer music festivals, Nottingham Poetry Festival, actor LaQuarn Lewis on BBC's What It Feels Like For A Girl, the Nottingham Attacks Two Years On, Nottingham Playhouse's Adam Penford, Nottingham Craft Beer Festival, the Lenton Centre, Future Makers and more...

Our May cover artist Becky Appleyard talks comic books, table-top games and advice

This month’s cover artist Becky Appleyard talks comic book art, inspirations, and advice for artists…

Artworks: Kelly Brown on the process of pencil drawing

For Artworks this month we spoke to local pencil artist Kelly Brown.

New frontiers: Co(l)laboratory at Universities for Nottingham seeks new community partners for 2025

It's that time of year again, when the Co(l)laboratory programme, facilitated by the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent, is seeking new research and PhD proposals from local organisations. If you work for and represent a community organisation, in fields like medicine or education, and think you know how best communities in Nottinghamshire can be progressed, Co(l)laboratory wants to hear from you. 

Theatre Review: The Zoo That Comes to You at Lakeside Arts

LeftLion's Latest Listens #22: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Blackadder, Mollie Ralph and Set In Motion...

Art exhibitions, community events and legendary gigs: here's what's on events this week in Nottingham 12 - 19 May 2025

This week in Notts, explore our material world, take One Step At A Time for community, or listen to some big tunes shaking the Arena... 

Experience different cultures, historical theatre, and homegrown Notts music: here's what's on this week 5 - 11 May 2025

This week in Notts, learn the Afro Brazilian martial art of Capoeira, experience Greek culture, check out some historical theatre or enjoy some lovely homegrown talent from local musicians...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #21: Notts music we're currently spinning

We're back once again with a pre-Bank Holiday edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens. This week, our music team reviews new releases from Swallowtail, highspeedpeach, MCØ and Drew Thomas...

Theatre review: Niche Artefact at Revolución de Cuba

Taking place in the gorgeously themed interior of Revolución de Cuba, queer performance troupe Niche Arteatrfact treated us to a jaw dropping performance of their new show: Secrets of the Molly House.

Artist Luke Jerram tells us about Gaia: an installation displayed this month at Mansfield Palace Theatre

This month the avid stargazers of Notts can experience a new perspective of life on earth over at Mansfield Palace Theatre. Featuring audio soundscapes and stunning visuals, Gaia is a vast, breathtaking replica of planet Earth by artist Luke Jerram. Aiming to get to the core of this installation, we spoke to Luke about public collaboration, merging science with art and what it takes to create on such a large scale….

LeftLion's Latest Listens #20: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this Easter weekend edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews recent releases from Katie Keddie, Joey Collins, Blu Syrup, Lace Thief and Karen Macleod...

Interview: The Northern Rascals present Sunny Side at Lakeside Arts

Northern Rascals are bringing their dance drama Sunny Side to Nottingham, a painfully honest account of male mental wellness, or the lack if it.  Founders Anna Holmes and Sam Ford talk to Left Lion about their work championing those outside the mainstream...

Nottingham author Dr Paul Crawford is back with a new mystery novel, The Wonders of Doctor Bent

Professor of Health Humanities at the University of Nottingham, Dr Paul Crawford is back with a new mystery novel, The Wonders of Doctor Bent. Aurora Amaryllis speaks to Paul about how his passion for creative writing converges with his experience researching institutional mental health.

Exhibition review: The Lovers at New Art Exchange chronicles LGBTQI+ couples over the years

New Art Exchange presents The Lovers, an exhibition of photographic works by Sunil Gupta and Charan Singh. Bringing together two collections of photographs taken forty years apart, the exhibition depicts LGBTQIA+ couples alongside a slideshow of images and a vitrine of publications featuring Gupta’s work.

Corner Cafe brings an ethnically diverse menu to New Art Exchange

Opened at the end of February 2025, the Corner Café is a brand new rejuvenation of the coffee and food spot attached to the New Art Exchange, the UK’s largest gallery dedicated to contemporary visual arts from the Global Ethnic Majority. With a lack of community-led food, drink and social spaces present in the Hyson Green area, the NAE team sought to provide that, enlisting community on everything about the venue, from the decor, to the food, to the events. We popped down to see the colourful results.

Have You Got What It Takes To Be Nottingham’s New Nature Poet Laureate?

Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature has announced an open call for a Nature Poet Laureate...

Gig review: Black Country, New Road at Rough Trade Nottingham

British math-rock sextet specialists Black Country, New Road have returned to the fold with their third album and recently hit Nottingham with a special live and signing even at Rough Trade...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #19: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this week's expanded edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Keane Baldwin, KALIKO, Pretty Windows, No Setting Son and Dusty 4 Track...

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #9 DJ Jonathan on The Palais, the changing art of DJing, Northern Soul, Jazz Funk and Tiswas

Our first podcast of 2025 and we're back with a chinwag with a veteran DJ, talking through the 1970s Nottingham scene at The Palais De Danse, as well as the changing face of music, festivals and more...