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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.

Hips Don’t Lie: we hear from belly dancer Marija Zinkevica about the upcoming Belly Dance Festival and building connection with the body through dance

After a career in computer science, Marija Zinkevica swapped life behind the screen for days onstage: teaching belly dance in Nottingham and performing in competitions around the world. Ahead of the first Belly Dance Festival at the start of March, we caught up with Marija to hear how this ancient dance can build confidence, community and a deep connection with the body.

Film Review: Companion

A Barbie girl, living in a non-Barbie world...

An open conversation: journalist Gary Younge tells us about a public assembly on issues facing minority communities coming up in Nottingham

Well known for his twenty years at The Guardian and a current position as Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester, journalist, author and broadcaster Gary Younge has led conversations on minority experiences and systematic racism for decades. Those conversations have become all-the-more pertinent since 2020, so Mr Younge is planning new measures to address the issues facing minority communities. 

This will take the form of public assemblies in four cities, one of which will be Nottingham. In January, Mr Younge arrived here to meet the local community who inform the substance of that assembly. Here he presents an open letter, explaining what people can expect from the meeting.

Notts actress Aisling Loftus talks about her one-woman play Girls and Boys currently at Nottingham Playhouse

Nottingham’s own Aisling Loftus comes to Nottingham Playhouse with one-woman play Girls and Boys, an award-winning depiction of how love can go badly wrong. She shares her journey with LeftLion…

Preview: The Animator at Lakeside Arts

Against the subversive background of 1920’s Berlin, Lotte Reiniger pioneered groundbreaking new methods of animation and filmmaking . The story of this ‘Queen of Silhouettes’ is coming to Lakeside later this month. Beverley Makin shares why this production matters...  

Nottingham Artists Tom Dale and Barret Hodgson discuss Primal Future, their Light Night 2025 centrepiece

Promising to shine brighter than ever, Light Night 2025 will feature dozens of spectacular light installations, family-friendly activities and live performances across the city centre. Among these is a new collaboration called Primal Future, a dance and digital crossover which will be projected onto Nottingham’s Council House at the event. Created as a collaboration between Nottingham-based dancer Tom Dale and digital artist Barret Hodgson, we asked them to reveal more about their work…

We speak to Broadway, Arc and Savoy Cinemas about the future of cinema in Nottingham

Last month we learned that Cineworld cinema in the Cornerhouse will be closing, to be replaced by Vue cinema later in the year. The last few years have seen plenty of change for the cinema industry, so we put some questions to the figureheads at our three other local picture houses; Mark Gallagher at The Arc Cinema, Lucy Askew at Broadway Cinema and Paul Scotton at Savoy Cinema…

Put your records on: we find out about Revinyl Sessions, a night where anyone can be a DJ

Fancy sharing your music taste with other music lovers? Revinyl Sessions at The Golden Fleece has you covered. With an ethos that celebrates the DJ for their ability to create community in a crowd, Revinyl invites anybody, experienced or first-timer, the chance to get behind the decks and unite the room with their sound. We spoke to organiser Robin Powell to find out more…

Our January cover artist Paula Reid talks creative community and her love of Brutalism

This month’s cover artist Paula Reid tells us about her inspirations, projects and love of Brutalism…

Competition: Win Family Tickets For The Sooty Show at Nottingham Arts Theatre This Half Term

The Sooty Show is British institution that dates back to the 1950s. A new family show featuring Sooty, Sweep, and Soo with presenter George Akid is coming to the Nottingham Arts Theatre this February half-term, with shows at 11.30am and 3.30pm on Thursday 20 February. We have four tickets to give away to a lucky winner.

How the Nottingham Gig Buddies community is uniting music lovers

Starting in 2009, and now with nearly 6,000 members to its name, the meetup.com social group Nottingham Gig Buddies (NGB) has been a life changer for many, bringing together people from many different backgrounds, ages, interests, through their passion for music. To understand the success behind the growth of this group, we got to know the people behind it.

Standing In This Place: Artist Rachel Carter tells us her inspirations behind a new sculpture for Nottingham's Green Heart park.

With just 17% of statues in the UK depicting women and only 2% dedicated to people belonging to ethnic minorities, there is a clear need for more varied representation in public art. Luckily, one local artist is looking to change this in Nottingham, whilst also representing the long and diverse history of our city’s textile industry. 

Standing In This Place, a sculpture by Rachel Carter will be erected in the Green Heart park in February. We asked Rachel to tell us more about the piece, how she became an artist, and what it’s like to work as a sculptor.

Human rights barrister and author Christian Weaver talks about his second book, The Right To Protest

Rising Nottingham star Christian Weaver was named Legal Aid Newcomer of the Year in 2023 for his tenacious work addressing dangerous public housing. The Secret Barrister called his first book ‘exceptional‘ - we join him now as he releases his second, Your Right To Protest...

We Speak To Mariposa Choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra of DeNada Dance Theatre About His Madame Butterfly-inspired Dance Opera

Choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra and his company DeNada Dance Theatre bring their critically acclaimed show Mariposa, to Mansfield Palace Theatre on Friday 28 February. We asked him some questions about the show…

Switch Up founder Marcellus Baz talks about changing the lives of disadvantaged young people

The story of Dr Marcellus Baz BEM is stuff of Nottingham legend. From a kid weighed down by poverty to the leader of an internationally recognised social enterprise, he’s lifted countless people out of disadvantaged backgrounds while inspiring others along the way. Having started collaborating more often with businesses and charities across the city, he made time in his busy schedule to chat with us about the credo behind his long career.

A remedy for January blues - jazz, comedy, art: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 13-19 January

Take a dive into how Nottingham is continuing to kick off 2025. From music to comedy... there's enough going on to cure any New Year dejection.

All you need to know about the International Postcard Show at Surface Gallery Nottingham

This month, Surface Gallery's International Postcard Show unites artists across the globe with an inclusive exhibition showcasing a multi-medium array of postcard-sized artworks, created by artists as far-flung as Japan. Charlotte Pimm-Smith talks to exhibitions co-ordinator Jez Kirby about it.

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...

Paddy Sneath of Working Man's Kitchen talks about opening a new pizzeria in Sneinton Market

Home of the viral Pizza Dog, Working Man’s Kitchen built a national reputation from a humble food truck. Now it’s starting a new chapter as an independent pizzeria with an important cause at its heart. Co-food editor Lucy Campion sits down with Paddy Sneath, the working man behind the kitchen, to find out more about his pizzeria and journey from pylon painter to pizza maker. 

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...