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Out of Time: How Divine came to Notts

Over the years, Divine has become one of the most instantly recognisable drag performers thanks to her iconic performances in John Waters’s camp classics, Pink Flamingos and Hairspray. She also had a pop career that took her on UK tours, including two performances in Nottingham.

Small talk: catching up with renowned Notts street artist Kid30

Kid30 (aka Small Kid) has been creating art in Notts for the best part of three decades, including the cover of our 200th issue. We had a chat with him about his history, his exhibitions, the Notts graffiti scene and why he’s been bulk-buying old condom machines... 

Out of time: anti-vaxxers in Victorian Notts

When we think of the anti-vaccination movement, we tend to think of COVID and anti-lockdown protests. However, the anti-vax movement is surprisingly far older than typically expected – and one that the East Midlands played a significant part in. In the Victorian era, thousands demonstrated against the new compulsory smallpox vaccinations, leading to fines and arrests… 

Stage Interview: Dan Lewis on Tommy Cooper – Have I Got Time For More?

A new show celebrating comedy giant Tommy Cooper visits Nottingham this November. Director, actor and producer, Dan Lewis, sits down with Left Lion to share the importance of being Tommy. Just like that...   

We talk to a band who define runaway success: Westside Cowboy

Manchester formed four-piece Westside Cowboy are one of the most exciting bands emerging on the current UK circuit. Within three years of forming during freshers week at university, they have toured with masterclass rock group Geese, secured the most viewed performance on the current series of 'Later… with Jools Holland', performed at  Glastonbury and filled venues of  thousands - all before their debut album was even released. Ahead of their Nottingham record store appearance, we sat down with Reuben (vocals / guitar) and Aoife (vocals / bass) to discuss the new album, their upcoming record store and headline tours, and meeting music legend Elton John...

Out of time: Nottingham's history of opium

Content warning, substances and the historical passing of children

Although it’s hard to believe today, in early to mid-Victorian Britain, it was possible to walk into a chemist’s and pick up a bottle of laudanum (opium) or cocaine, with or without a prescription. Even stranger than that, you might do so with the intention of giving it to your baby. You might even send your oldest child to go and pick it up for you. 

Tom A. Smith talks energy, dedication, and why he just keeps coming back to a certain local festival

Next week, Tom A. Smith will be returning - again - to the magical, intimate setting of 110 Above Festival, just a few miles from Nottingham. We caught up with the Sunderland artist for a quickfire interview...

René House: A race against time to change homeless people’s lives

René House, a new hub for people experiencing homelessness is opening on Mansfield Road, and there's just one month to transform the new space. We meet fundraiser Shani Jayawardena to learn how the community can help...

Out of Time: Noel Coward in Nottinghamshire

Noel Coward is remembered as a playwright and actor most often associated with the West End and London. Yet, his work has been performed for decades on stages across Nottingham’s leading theatres, with his film adaptations regularly screened in our historic cinemas. The Midlands also became something of a retreat for him. Here’s the role that our part of the world played in his life… 

Art works: Emily Grey of art collective Moonbuns talks about creative connections and nourishing the soul

For this month’s Art Works we spoke to Emily Grey, member of art collective Moonbuns, who talks about creative connections and nourishing the soul.

Pride and Joy: the organisers of Nottingham Pride talk parades, protest, and vital services come together at the festival

Later this month Notts Pride is set to take over the city once again, bringing a celebration of colour, unity, diversity, and acceptance. Local author Becki Jayne Crossley met Chairperson Leigh Ellis who has been organising the festival for the past ten years. They covered how parades, protest, and vital services come together at the festival…

Exhibition review: Drawn Through Time at Lakeside Arts

Nottingham's cultural landscape has quietly become one of the most exciting in the Midlands, with Lakeside Arts consistently bringing ambitious exhibitions to the city that challenge how audiences engage with contemporary art. Its latest exhibition, Drawn Through Time, is no exception. Housed within the Djanogly Gallery at the University of Nottingham, the exhibition takes what many might consider the simplest of artistic practices – drawing – and transforms it into something far richer: a way of navigating history, memory and imagination.

More than a gig a day: Catching up with Isaac Neilson

Singer-songwriter Isaac Neilson is from Buxton in our neighbouring county and based here in Nottingham. But since 1 January it’s been hard to find him in the city. On that fateful day, Neilson began a mind-blowing challenge: to perform a gig on every single day of 2026. LeftLion caught up with Neilson at the halfway point of the year…

Actor Chelsea Da Silva talks about Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile at Nottingham Puppet Festival

Later this week, as part of Nottingham Puppet Festival, an adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile comes to Theatre Royal. Lead actor Chelsea Da Silva tells us more...

Local bluesy rock duo Dusty 4 Track talk their debut album How Did I Get Here?

Musical duo Dusty 4 Track have been a Nottingham live music staple for several years now, and a must-listen band for anyone looking for chilled blues, whiskey soaked vocals, and foot-stomping riffs. Not long ago they put out their debut album: How Did I Get Here?, so it seemed like a good time for us to catch up with Benjamin James (organ/guitar) and Will Jeffery (guitar/vocals).

Out of Time: How Sneinton's Victoria Lesiure Centre once hosted wrestling matches

Wrestling matches at what’s now the Victoria Leisure Centre on Gedling Street happened recently enough to be a childhood memory for some, but for others, it’s an almost forgotten occurrence. Here’s the colourful and chaotic history… 

Selina Mosinski AKA Charity Shop Sue talks Edinburgh Fringe and her new character Randy Cain

Most people will know Selina Mosinski as Sue Tuke AKA the indomitable Charity Shop Sue. This summer she’s bringing a new character to Edinburgh Fringe – and Notts – in her one-woman show Puss In Boots: A Working Class Fairy Tale, directed by Notts own Matt Chesney of Dead Sweet TV. Ahead of the show, we spoke to Selina about writing for the stage, 90s culture and how the Notts accent is reaching audiences…

Sam Heaton talks turning Notts County's The Nest into a versatile live events venue

In 2024 Notts County FC turned an old metal fabricators warehouse next to their stadium into a state-of-the-art live events venue. Thus The Nest was born and has since led a double life as a football fanzone and as a major player in Nottingham’s live music and events scene. We spoke to their events manager Sam Heaton about those last two years and their big plans for the future…

Tattoo studio Good Mornink talk community, artistry and their upcoming charity flash day

Situated on the top floor of Hopkinson, one of Nottingham's most creative and quirky hangouts, tattoo studio Good Mornink is a welcoming community of international artists. Founder and Co-owner Melisa Büyük talks about turning dreams into the reality of owning a studio, and their upcoming charity flash day to raise money for Stonebridge City Farm...

Director Alison Rashley talks us through Television Workshop's best known actors

Workshop Director Alison Rashley talks through some of the Television Workshop’s best known actors and gives the lowdown on what they were like to teach…

A First-Time Traveller’s Guide to Handling Airport Transfers Smoothly

Airport transfers can feel confusing if you’re on your first international trip, especially after a long flight. A busy arrivals hall, unfamiliar signs, different payment habits, and several transport options can make a simple journey feel harder than expected. A little preparation before landing helps you leave the airport with more confidence and reach your accommodation without unnecessary delays.

Out of time: a tale of two hotels on Derby Road

Two hotels once stood on Derby Road, and played roles in some unusual Nottingham history – one facilitated a dramatic confrontation featuring local suffragettes, the other housed a ‘mini Scotland’. Here’s the hidden history in those now-innocuous locations.

Record Store Day 2026 in Nottingham

Music aficionados united in Nottingham for Record Store Day 2026, a celebration of everything vinyl. We visited three of the city’s top record shops to soak up the vibe of a day dedicated to physical music and the enduring strength of independent retail...