9 Things to Do In Nottingham This Week

Summer of Football

This summer, the kind folk at City of Football are planning to get you out of the house and right active with a summer full of footballing activities. Think world record attempts, a female coaching workshop, free play sessions on some of the city’s best astroturf, and of course, the return of the giant balls – ahem – at the Market Square beach. There’s to be a screening of the 1966 England World Cup Final win, and in honour of the Euro 2016 tournament, restaurants in Hockley are taking part in a massive food and drink challenge that could see you win two free tickets to Splendour.
All Summer, various venues, free for most events.

Cats

Owd Andy Lloyd Webber is a bit of a legend, int he? Writing all them proper good musicals like Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar he’s nothing short of a genius, in our eyes. One of his dead good non-religion themed musicals is coming to town, and it’s bringing a whole lorra fur with it. Yep, this week you can catch the incredible Cats at the Theatre Royal. You’ll be singing along to bangers like Macavity and Memory all while watching a load of professionals prance about the stage in lycra cat suits. We, for one, are extremely excited.
Runs until Saturday 6 August, £15 - £39.580, Theatre Royal

TenFifty Presents... 

The club night that aims to give people from all walks of life a darn good time are branching out. Once a month or so, TenFifty takeover Mansfield venue, ..andwhynot.. to host party nights for people with learning disabilities to come and let their hair down. This week, they’re branching out, and Monday marks the start of their brand new event, TenFifty Presents… made possible through funding from First Art. The nights will take place four times a year, and will generally run the same as their monthly club nights, but with the added bonus of a live performer. Kicking things off is singer songwriter, Pete Jones, who’s appeared on The X Factor and Star For A Night, and who’ll have you jigging about in no time.
Monday 1 August, 6.30pm, £4, support workers go free, ...andwhynot…

Ryley Walker & Danny Thomas 

Remember that time Glee Club took on the giants of 20th Century Fox in an epic David and Goliath battle over the title of the hit US show, Glee and won? Well, in continuation of that winning form, they’ve decided to book the incredible Ryley Walker and Danny Thomas to serenade you all with their critically acclaimed sound. With a sound that has been compared to Tim Buckley and Van Morrison, the jazz/folk/rock stylings of the duo are set to hit Notts by storm. With support from Holly Macve, it’s not one to miss. Kiddos, unfortunately you’ll have to sit this one out as it’s a strictly sixteen plus event.
Wednesday 3 August, 7pm, £16.50, Glee Club 16+

Lark in the Park 

Oh, the joys of the summer holidays. Finally, no more school runs, packed lunches or last minute PE kit washing. Instead, you’ve gained a small handful of sprogs that need constant entertainment else they kick off and make your life a misery. Where’s Mrs Brown when you need her, eh?! Get the delightful little critters out the house and out your way down Bridgford Park. This year, the family fun day will see a whole load of fairground rides, inflatables and market stalls set up for you to enjoy, plus, there’s a hero theme so you’re invited to get the kiddos dressed up as their hero or idol and join in on the fun. There you go, that’s one day sorted.
Wednesday 3 August, 10am, free, Bridgford Park

The Invention of Acting

The creators of Notts’ best-loved musical, Mrs Green, are back. This time, with a hilarious sketch show that’ll have yer gigglin’ till you wet your knickers. Starring Ben Welch, aka Mrs Green, Trev Cole of D.I.D, and Zara White who you may have seen starring alongside Sheridan Smith in Powder Room, the three pals have discovered the art of pretending, and bring a whole host of proper joke characters along with ‘em. There’ll be opera-singing monkeys, a sketch about the EU that’s really nothing to do with the EU at all, and a couple of hilarious comedy songs thrown in for good measure. Having taken the rest of the country by storm on their tour, the home turf dates are bound the be the best of the bunch. Book your tickets online now, and have your nappies at the ready.
Thursday 4 - Saturday 6 August, £6, 7pm, The Television Workshop, Stoney Street

Riverside Festival

Water and summer go together like bread and butter, so what better place to chuck a festival than down on the banks of the Trent. Totally free to mooch around, there's a host of stuff going on, with live music from Super Furniture, Eyre Llew, The Money Lisa Hendricks and the Us Project Band, and a whole bunch of wonderfully weird street theatre for you to peruse at your leisure. There's stuff going off for all ages, including dragon boat races, steam engines, street theatre, circus skills workshops and a massive fireworks display on the Saturday night. It’s a proper community spirit kinda weekend, so get stuck in...
Friday 5 - Sunday 7 August, free, Trent Embankment

Yazmin Lacey & The Echoes

Every Saturday night, everyone’s favourite shipping container of an art gallery hosts some of the best sounds from Nottingham and beyond. And this August, we’ve got some talent of our very own. The finest of the city’s pipes will be taking to the stage in an evening of smooth vocals, contemporary percussion and dark electronica. In her first Nottingham headline gig, Yazmin Lacey will be joined by The Echoes in delivering a soul- and jazz-influenced set after she’s been grinding away on Gilles Peterson and Brownswood’s Future Bubblers programme. This’ll be the first large-scale performance with the band, and we can’t wait to see how she’s morphed from the humble acoustic vibe. Also appearing on the night will be singer-songwriter Daudi Matsiko with his thought-provoking folk music spanning the emotions, plus Natti Rudyj and her soothingly raspy trip hop. You’d be a bleddy sausage for missing this one.
Saturday 6 August, 8pm, free, Nottingham Contemporary

Fan Club All Dayer

The monthly club night and zine that puts women and girls on the front cover is back with an almighty summer party that’ll blow the glitter right off yer cheeks. Taking over Rough Trade for the whole day, they’ve brought an outdoor bbq, DJs and live entertainment with them to get you right in the mood. Fancy dress of the summer variety is strongly advised, and failing that, you can coat yourself in all the glitter you can manage once you arrive. Plus, they’ll be releasing their brand new Bodi-positivity bumper zine, so you can all feel the love no matter what shape you come in. They’re operating a safe space policy, so you best treat each other with respect. Boys and girls of all ages are welcome.
Saturday 6 August, 12pm, free, Rough Trade

For the full motherload of everything else going on this week check out our comprehensive Nottingham events listings.

Promoters: Want your event featured in one of our upcoming Pick of the Weeks? If so then you can start by adding your event details into our magazine and website database.