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Catching up with Nottingham poet and cultural historian Panya Banjoko

Panya Banjoko is a Nottingham-born poet and cultural historian and a tour de force in our local literature scene. She’s also the keeper of the Nottingham Black Archive and has been a Patron of Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature since it first received the accolade in 2015. We talk to Panya about past and current projects, her new StoryArcs fellowship and why mature ladies get more done…

Gig review: The Ukrainians at Nottingham Ukrainian Cultural Centre

The Nottingham Cultural Exchange: a place of community and belonging

Whether you’re a student, international or otherwise, new to the city, and looking to make connections with people in the same boat as you, or if you’re an established Notts resident who likes the idea of broadening your cultural horizons, the Nottingham Cultural Exchange is bound to do something for you. Since 2019, the meetup group has provided a welcoming opportunity to share your respective language and culture (with a drink in hand, of course, if you so choose). With its current home being Juicebar on High Pavement, the event has only grown in popularity – Riya Pereira met the organizers… 

Good Vibrations - the Genius Of Brian Wilson

Offline crafting, theatre, day parties, cultural festivals, and 80s new wave: here's what's on events this week 10-16 March 2025

This week in Notts! Get yourself out to enjoy the first inklings of spring, plus a load of great events around the city. Check out a four day festival at New Art Exchange, enjoy gripping theatre at Nottingham Playhouse and Theatre Royal, get crafting in a no-phone-zone, or head down to Vicky McClure's Day Fever at the Palais...

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.

Cultural Exchange Birthday!!

Gig Review: Cultural Vibrations turns 15 at Nottingham Playhouse

Cultural Vibrations is the brainchild and legacy to the Nottingham music scene, of Rasta Rella aka Rastarella L Falade. From very humble beginnings the organisation has become a central part of World Music in our city and now celebrates its 15-year anniversary. We went along to the Playhouse to celebrate...

Celebrating 15 years of Cultural Vibrations

Cultural Vibrations (Unity Through Music) is Nottingham’s leading grassroots promoter for global roots music. As they celebrate their 15th anniversary with a concert at the Nottingham Playhouse on Saturday 13 July, we caught up with founder Rastarella Falade ahead of the night to hear how Cultural Vibrations began and what we can expect on the night.

We Speak to World Music Event Producer Rastarella as Her Signature Event Cultural Vibrations Turns Fifteen Years Old

Born in Trinidad, Rastarella is a world music event producer, an empowerment speaker and hosts on Nottingham’s number one urban radio station, 97.5 Kemet FM. She is also a mother of three daughters, a SEN mother, and married. If you ever get to meet Rastarella, you will never forget it. Launching her signature event Cultural Vibrations in 2009 at Hockley Hustle and founding the Nottingham Global Roots Festival in 2015, 2024 marks her fifteenth year in business. It's a massive milestone as a grassroots promoter who is consistently showcasing music from around the world at numerous venues, events and festivals. This is Rastarella, interviewed by Parisa East of Acoustickle…

Local Cultural Organisations Issue Open Letter Voicing Concern About Nottingham City Council’s Budget Cuts

With the recent announcement of budget cuts to the cultural and social sectors in Nottingham, over 120 individuals representing at least 75 local organisations have signed an open letter voicing concern about Nottingham City Council’s Section 114 process, and the impact it will have on the Nottingham communities.

Cultural Festivals, Music Gigs and Going Back to Nature, Here’s What’s on in Nottingham This Week: 4 - 10 September

This week you could be at a psychedelic party, having spicy South-Asian food or planting a sapling. Here is a list of our hot picks for the week…

New Artistic Director and CEO of the New Art Exchange Saad Eddine Said Outlines His Plans for the Iconic Cultural Centre

Formerly the Director of HOME Slough, Saad Eddine Said has built a career in the arts sector, having worked with many high-profile organisations and artists. He spoke to us about his aims within his new role as Artistic Director and CEO of the New Art Exchange in Nottingham…

Notts Art Collective INSTAR Dig Into the Role Flora and Fauna Have Played in Our Collective Cultural Past

From modern tales like The Princess and the Frog, through to ancient literature in the form of The Epic of Gilgamesh, humans have been fascinated by the wonders of mythical flora and fauna. Yet our natural world is perhaps more incredible than anything in a fairy tale…

Inspiring the Next Generation: Shekayla Maragh on Running Workshops to Help Musicians Create Lasting Jobs in the Industry

Tenacious, driven, yet always humble, Shekayla Maragh is a cultural producer making moves for musicians in the Midlands. Supporting minority musical talent on a regional level, encouraging people to have ownership, equality and build careers with integrity and longevity is important to Shekayla. She turned down a traditional industry A&R role in London to carve out her own organic career path; staying curious and being empowered by her work is also key. Led by her passion, she launched musical development agency, CUBE, in 2019...

The Nottingham Project Launches to Rejuvenate the City’s Cultural Scene

The major new project, which includes Vicky McClure, Shane Meadows and Director of the London 2012 Organising Committee Greg Nugent, will aim to breathe new life into the city post-COVID.

ArtSpeak are Working to Engage Older People in Cultural and Art Activities in Nottingham to Combat Social Isolation

ArtSpeak is a funded outreach programme from Radford Care Group which opens to get people aged sixty plus to get involved in arts and culture in Nottingham. Through the development of community hubs and a diverse programme of events and workshops, they hope to decrease social isolation among the older generation in our city. We spoke to Sharon Scaniglia and Hannah Stoddart to find out more… 

PubhD at The Vat and Fiddle: Cultural Astronomy, Osteoarthritis and Kindertransport

Every month, some of the city’s cleverest clogs meet up in the pub to share, in layman’s terms, what they’ve been researching for their PhD. The next one is on Wednesday 16 November at The Vat and Fiddle if you fancy getting down to learn a thing or two…

Brazilian Cultural Centre