Summer's here, and Nottingham's ready for it. Here are some fantastic events happening this week which we think are worth checking out.
When: Until Sat 25 July
Where: Lakeside Arts
How much: Free
This is an exhibition at Lakeside Arts, displaying artistic reinterpretations of The Submersion of the Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea, a rarely seen woodcut that was created in the 16th century by Italian artist Titian. The idea was first conceived by Sheffield academic and artist Penny McCarthy, who spent time researching the woodcut, before inviting celebrated artists George Shaw, James Pyman, and Billy Hughes to create works drawing from its themes of travel, time, and the cosmos, which combine drawings, AI techniques, and comic art. Considering it’s free, this should definitely be worth checking out.
When: Until 12 September
Where: New Art Exchange
How much: Free
This annual celebration of art from Nottinghamshire and the global ethnic majority at Hyson Green's New Art Exchange Gallery is back again. If you haven't heard of it before, the NAE Open selects a group of artists via an open application process, whose work is then showcased in an eclectic and exciting group exhibition. This year's instalment features many interesting voices including film and photography artist Dafe Obora, locally based Thai artist Mallika Fraser, Bristol painter Eliza Rawlings, Birmingham-based Abraham Cole who works across drawing sculpture and textiles, plus loads of other names.
When: Until Friday 12 June
Where: Nottingham Playhouse
How much: £18
This is a new play written by Notts playwright Jane Upton, whose previous work (the) Woman was shortlisted for a Bruntwood Prize. The story is a local one, following the life story of two friends who grew up in 1980s Long Eaton. A trip to the Nottingham Playhouse always comes recommended, as their comfortable facilities and intriguing productions guarantee a good time. The play is also especially warm and funny, taking a deep look and friendship, so if you schedule just one Playhouse gig this month, we’d definitely recommend this one.
When: Wed 3 June
Where: Nottingham Playhouse
How much: £42 - £47 (sold out)
The BAFTA winning actor, comedian, and writer is coming to Nottingham this month, while touring his latest book with the double-take-inducing title of Afterthoughts, or Some Pistachios Won’t Open: Wisdom for the Unreflective. The book explores lots of comedic and existential themes like ‘what box should you tick if you ARE a robot’, and ‘when one door shuts, and another opens, there’s something wrong with your doors’. Richard Ayoade is pretty legendary in British film and TV, well known for his roles in the IT Crowd, Travel Man and Crystal Maze. This show at the Playhouse is sold out.
When: Fri 5 June - Fri 12 June
Where: Various venues
How much: Various prices
Our city’s nationally recognised celebration of poetry returns this year. There’s some really great shows lined up, including one at the Poppy and Pint in West Bridgford with Bristol poet Vanessa Kisuule and Nottingham’s nature poet laureate Cara Thompson, songwriter and poet John Hegley at the Canalhouse, Yomi Sode, who was shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize, at Lakeside Arts, and nationally renowned poet Brian Bilston. As well as that, there’ll be plenty of community sourced events, so, even if you don’t consider yourself a huge poetry fan, the sheer variety of things to do will definitely make this a week to check out.
When: Fri 5 June
Where: Mist Rolling Inn
How much: £9
For those in the know, rock duo Whisky Stain are an unmissable act in the Notts scene, with songs delivering bluesy riffs, powerhouse drums, and a tinge of The Black Keys and Royal Blood. This month they’re launching their new single Hellfire at Derby Road’s relatively young guitar music venue, Mist Rolling Inn. Support comes from Ryan Farmer, who writes music grounded in Americana traditions, like the Mississippi Delta Blues. When it comes to guitar gigs, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything quite as atmospheric as this, so we definitely recommend that you give it a try.
Make sure to check out our events listings and our sister site notts.com for more things to do this week.
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