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Poets Of The Fall

The Thompsons on wrestling at Victoria Lesiure Centre, local restaurants, and poetry

Our latest chat with Nottingham's most opinionated grocers.... 

Interview: Alexis Gregory in Smoke, a queer thriller at Nottingham Playhouse

Smoke is a new play from acclaimed queer theatre-maker Alexis Gregory coming to Nottingham this month. As well as a hard-hitting, savage, comic-thriller, a panel follows the play, hosted by You Are Loved and exploring issues from the play. LeftLion speaks to Alexis about social media, drugs, homophobia and much more...    

Nottingham Poetry Festival 2026: top picks from the program

Nottingham Poetry Festival kicks off tomorrow with a 10 day city takeover. Catch shows from Brian Bilston, John Hegley, Yomi Sode, Henry Normal, Vanessa Kisuule and Nottingham’s own Nature Poet Laureate Cara Thompson. It’s a packed programme, so here's some top picks from their co-founder Henry Normal, director Tommy Rosley, and creative director Alma Solarte-Tobon...

East Midlands Pamphlet Prize launched by Bad Betty, in partnership with Writing East Midlands and Nottingham Poetry Festival

Notts based independent publisher Bad Betty Press has announced the launch of the East Midlands Pamphlet Prize, a new initiative designed to support and platform poets living, working and studying across our region.

Art, theatre, and poetry: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 1 - 7 June

Summer's here, and Nottingham's ready for it. Here are some fantastic events happening this week which we think are worth checking out.

Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature's Youth Advisory Board Celebrate the Launch of their Poetry Pamphlet

Join Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature's Youth Advisory Board as they celebrate the launch of their first poetry pamphlet on the 12th of April

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…

Free minds: the Notts open mic celebrating poetry's power

In the current climate of economic instability and political discourse, creative communities face bigger threats to remain connected. Poppy Thomason caught up with Caetano Capurro and Jasmine McCallion, the co-hosts of Free Minds – a free poetry open mic night at The King Billy pub – to ask them about the power of expression within accessible creative spaces. 

Creators in Residence: Feminist Folklore and Poetry

Nature Poetry Workshop: After Simon Armitage

Nature Poetry Workshop: After Simon Armitage

Creators in Residence: Feminist Folklore and Poetry

Creators in residence: Feminist Folklore and Poetry

Mic Drop: Open Mic Poetry

Notts poet Marjie Griffiths on reaching the final of spoken word contest Slamovision

Marjie Griffiths has been enriching Nottingham’s literary scene with her poetry since her debut at Crosswords Open Mic in 2017. Now, she’s a finalist at Slamovision – the international spoken word version of Eurovision, hosted by the UNESCO Cities of Literature. She tells us about her Slamovision journey, her passion for Nottingham’s literary community, and the surprising dinner party conversation that inspired her Slamovision poem.

Constellation: Poetry Showcase & Pamphlet Launch

Five Leaves New Poetry Launch With Sue Forrester, Elizabeth Dunford and Ramisha Rafique

Mic Drop: Open Mic Poetry

Theatre Review: Ordinary Decent Criminal at Lakeside Arts

Mark Thomas returns to Lakeside in a one-man play by Fringe First winner Ed Edwards. Telling the tale of Frankie, a writer and drug dealer with a history in political activism, who is serving his first prison sentence.  A terrifying prospect, considering his ‘lack of a right hook’... 

Heartwood Poetry Night

Diy Poets November Showcase - Feat. Vron Mcintyre

Mark Thomas - Ordinary Decent Criminal

Run raves, poetry celebrations, the return of some loved Notts musicians and a soulful Sunday: Here's what's on in Notts this week 17 - 23 November 2025

This week, kill two birds with one stone and rave whilst you run, head to the return of Notts bands Unknown Era and Captain Dangerous, delve into some poetry, or enjoy a soulful Sunday. Here's our top picks...

Mic Drop: Open Mic Poetry