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In the club: Club Jok are bringing global cultures to big screens in Notts

Club Jok is a Nottingham-based film curation team that is bringing cultures from around the world to the big screen through films both new and old. We speak to film enthusiast and Club Jok’s lead programmer Samuel Leary, to hear more…

Closing chapter: Jane Streeter looks back at thirty years of Lowdham shop The Bookcase

After thirty years at the heart of Lowdham village, The Bookcase — an independent bookshop founded and owned by Jane Streeter – has now closed its doors. Selling an abundance of local and global books, the shop supported local schools in the community, and also welcomed a few famous authors over the years, along with founding the Lowdham Book Festival which happened for over twenty-six years. Jane told us about the journey of the bookshop, along with the highs and core memories, over three decades…

The next stage: 25 years of the Nottingham Arts Theatre

For the past 25 years Nottingham Arts Theatre has been serving the city with a programme of local and touring indie stage shows in their iconic 200 year old Hockley building. We spoke to poet, and theatre Chair director Campbell Kay about the theatre’s journey, its role as an educational charity nurturing theatrical talent in Nottingham and their diverse range of shows…

Beyond the senses: author Kerry Ward discusses her new publication This Book Will Make You Psychic

The concept of having psychic powers beyond our physical senses is one we often associate with movies – a rare talent reserved for a special few – but can these abilities be learned? This Book Will Make You Psychic is a new guide by local author and professional tarot reader Kerry Ward, created for anyone interested in tapping into their psychic abilities. We sat down with Kerry to have a chat about mindfulness, intuition, coincidence, and what lies beyond our physical senses…

Pick Six: JT Soar's Phil Booth

Ahead of JT Soar Fest #3 at The Old Cold Store on Saturday 31 October - Sunday 1 November, for this month’s Pick Six we turned to Phil Booth of DIY music venue and recording studio JT Soar.

Pedal to the Metal: envisioning how Notts could be transformed via sustainable transport

What could Nottingham look like if people, not cars, came first? This is a question posed by cycling groups throughout the city, including Critical Mass, Pedals and Ridewise, who demonstrate that cycling isn’t just a healthy, green and economical way to get about, but activism on wheels. Speaking to riders, campaigners and charity workers along the way, Finnuala Brett uncovers a city-wide movement bigger than any single ride.

20 Years of Hockley Hustle

This month, Nottingham city’s biggest independent arts and music festival, the brilliant Hockley Hustle, is celebrating twenty years of bringing sound and colour to our streets. Showcasing an eye-watering array of genres and talent, the festival is more than just a good time – it’s raised over £250K for 27 local charities, as well as providing stages for thousands of artists from Nottingham and beyond. 

This year, the Hustle is back on Sunday 25 October, bringing 500 acts to fifty stages. You’ll be able to catch the carnival, chill to some acoustic sounds, dance at the silent disco, enjoy punk, soul, Hip-Hop, and more.

To celebrate, here’s what the Hustle’s massive team of promoters, mainstay artists, and central organisers remember most fondly about the last twenty years of music and mayhem…

Art Works: Natalie Coe on her new Notts Broad Marsh mural

For this month’s Art Works, Natalie Coe (aka Talia) tells us about her new public mural which features as part of the Broad Marsh redevelopment, in collaboration with Art Fest… 

Imara Charity Art Auction raises money for survivors of childhood sexual abuse

Ahead of the Imara Charity Art Auction, which previews this Saturday at Broadway Gallery, Isabel Scott spoke to Imara Fundraiser Kirsty K to find out more about the important work of the charity and why you should spruce up your walls with some of the art they have on offer.

Left Stag: Clough's future and Halloween nightmares

The start of October is one of those times of year that feels transitionary. Nights draw in, temperatures drop, the countryside changes. In football, it's often said that you can tell a lot about your team for the season, by this point... Josh Pickering looks into the events at Mansfield Town F.C.

Cover to cover: the LeftLion team pick six personal favourite covers

Over the years, many wonderful illustrations and photos have featured on the front cover of LeftLion. To celebrate our 200th issue, our office team has each picked out a personal favourite… 

Gig review: We Are Scientists at Rock City

More than 20 years ago, We Are Scientists wowed with their major label debut With Love and Squalor. Now, with the album certified gold and a cult career on their belt, they have returned with a tour celebrating this seminal record. We caught them at Rock City...

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... 

Canne-t? A Friendly, Short Film Festival at Mammoth Cinema

A look at Canne-t, a DIY short film festival bringing friends, creativity and plenty of humour together at Nottingham’s Mammoth Cinema. From heartfelt stories to surreal comedies, the festival was a reminder to make something simply for the joy of creating.

LeftLion's Latest Listens #53: Notts music we're currently spinning

In the 53rd edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews releases from Otala, Matt Blaney, Wayne Banks and Make Strangers...

Exhibition Review: Rosemary Wels, A Retrospective at the Nottingham Society of Artists

Rosemary Wels’ final exhibition at the Nottingham Society of Artists is as educational as it is impressive as you walk through the story of her career from school sketches to Nottingham rainy-night landscapes.