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Truth or legend: the case of the Bramley Apple tree

With this month’s LeftLion cover presenting you lovely readers with a zen looking-tree person, and Sherwood Forest providing inspiration for the latest exhibition at Nottingham Castle, it seems only right to dive into the greener myths and legends Nottingham has nurtured over the last millennium...

The Thompsons on Splendour Festival, street names, and the Major Oak

Here's what Nottingham's most opinionated grocers had to say about this month's topics in LeftLion...

Our July cover artist Beth Gillespie on her Major Oak inspired cover

This month’s cover artist Beth Gillespie talks about art, folklore and finding fantasy in reality.

Nature's song: artist and academic Caroline Locke on her work with Sherwood Forest's Major Oak

Artist and Derby Uni’s Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Arts, Caroline Locke is known throughout the country for her imaginative work with sculpture, light, and sound. Six of her creations are currently featured in FOREST: an ongoing exhibition at Nottingham Castle - in light of that she told us more about how forests ( particularly Sherwood Forest and the Major Oak) have become a central part of her art practice in recent years. 

The Major Spoke: Open Mic Night

Interview : Sam Lupton and Tom Major the stars of Only Fools and Horses at the Royal Concert Hall

Only Fools and Horses has to be one of the UK's most popular sitcoms ever. And now the musical revamp is coming to Nottingham. Leftlion chats with Sam Lupton and Tom Major as they become the new Del Boy and Rodney... 

Elevating voices of the Global Ethnic Majority with Transform, a city takeover by New Art Exchange

With aims to celebrate and amplify the leadership, creativity, and broader cultural stewardship of the Global Ethnic Majority in Nottingham through music, film, talks and more, pioneering Forest Fields art gallery New Art Exchange is soon to launch Transform, a City Takeover. We spoke to CEO & Artistic Director Saad Eddine-Said and Associate Artistic Director Saziso Phiri, about this new festival.

Major Ruse [jazz]

In Photos: Major Ruse Presents Melonyx at Peggy's Skylight

Local lot Melonyx took over Peggy's for a night of atmospheric tunes...

Comedy Group Major Labia are Launching Their First Short Film, Witches

Spreading comedy across Nottingham, Major Labia are well-known for their theatre-based comedy shows and absurdist humour. Now the group, who originally met at The Television Workshop, are creating their first short film. Titled Witches, the project explores the dynamics of female surveillance and sexuality. We catch up with Siobhán Cannon-Brownlie, Gemma Caseley-Kirk and Narisha Lawson to chat about the upcoming release…

Gig Review: Major Ruse Curates... Jafro at Peggy's Skylight

Major Ruse kicked off their ‘Curates’ series of events at Peggy’s Skylight with Leicester-based artist Jafro...

Rapper, Poet and Podcaster. Jah Digga Is A Major Player In the Nottingham Creative Scene

Few Notts artists have made the sort of impact Jah Digga has over the past decade. The rapper, spoken word performer and podcaster is involved with countless creative projects, from working with schools and youth groups to help combat knife crime to recording the No Blacks, No Irish podcast with co-host Derry Shillitto, he’s just about seen and done it all. We caught up with him fresh off the back of Poetz off the Endz, an evening he curated and hosted as part of Nottingham Poetry Festival, to talk about the importance of sharing a positive message, overcoming fear and what his own priorities are moving forward…

Major Labia Talk Role-Playing as Pigeons, Mary Berry Raps and Comedy's Gender Imbalance

From role-playing as the market square pigeons to performing Mary Berry-inspired raps, Major Labia are spreading laughs across Nottingham. As they get ready to perform live at Nottingham Playhouse this month, we chat to the Television Workshop alumni Siobhán Cannon-Brownlie, Phoebe Frances Brown, Gemma Caseley-Kirk and Narisha Lawson about their new show, comedy’s gender imbalance and chasing Lou Sanders down the street… 

LeftLion Expands Distribution To Twenty Major Notts Supermarkets

After a successful trial last issue, the upcoming (Feb-March) issue of LeftLion will be distributed across twenty Notts branches of Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Morrisons and Tesco.

Notts Bloke Promotes Footie for Wellbeing

Mental health has been a topic which has gained considerable attention in the mainstream media over the past few years. Musicians to movie stars have raised awareness over the growing mental health problems that more and more people appear to be suffering from. Local Man Nathan Kenny is using his experience and the beautiful game to tackle the issue; Isaac Seelochan went along to a session to find out more.

Theatre Review: Major Labia's Vulva La Revolution

The funniest women in Notts performed to a home crowd...

Hilarious Theatre Makers Major Labia Answer Our Questions in Photos

Having performed at this year’s Hockley Hustle, Major Labia, the masters – or should that be mistresses? – of vaginal comedy are hosting a Christmas shindig...

Major Oak Chorus

"There is an amazing raw power in hearing a song come together by sixty or so enthusiastic blokes all singing their hearts out"