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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…

We Feed The UK arrives at Primary

Telling the inspiring stories of food producers across the country, award-winning project We Feed The UK has arrived in Nottingham for a limited run at Primary Gallery until Saturday 14 March. We sent Jo Kingsley to the launch to find out more...

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… 

Primary talks about their new open exhibition and visual arts in the Lenton and Radford community

Primary  has a lot going on. After years of renting, the multi-purpose arts organization bought their own building in 2020 (no mean feat in a sector that’s often chronically underfunded), and have since enjoyed an incredible period of growth, with investment from Arts Council England kicking off an upgrade project for their pretty beautiful Grade II listed former school building. This month Primary will host an exciting new open exhibition, so we decided to find out more about the building and its connection with the local community.

Exhibition Review: Human Life in Motion at Primary Gallery

With reflections on travel, migration, identity, and what it means to be left behind, artist Maia Ruth Lee’s current exhibition at Primary brings sculptures and banners that are grounded in meaning and memory, whilst also being weightless and liberated.

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.

Sonic Sculptures 3

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.

Film Screening: Foragers by Jumana Manna at Primary

Lenton gallery Primary hosts Sonya Dyer’s speculative installation The Ready Room

Reclaiming the neglected stories of Black women in science and mythology, Lenton gallery Primary hosts Sonya Dyer’s speculative installation where hard science meets science fiction and the artist reimagines an alternative journey for immortal HeLa cells beyond the laboratory’s confines…

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…

Being Present | Sharing Event

Family Activity Day

Sam Keogh | The Unicorn is Killed and Brought to the Castle Cartoon

Video Materials | Primary's Residents & Members

Primary Reopening Event

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…

Exhibition Review: Be Loved at Primary

Be Loved allows a playful and personal glance into Carmen Argote’s digestion of a space, in dialogue with each environment she inhabits. Developed through a residency at Primary, and including pieces previously crafted in Los Angeles, this exhibition encompasses works on paper, video, and sculpture. We take a look at the expansive new project...