Lakeside Arts, Nottingham

Reflections brings together five artists selected from a UK-wide open call inspired by our recent exhibition, Drawn Through Time.

Chosen by Penny McCarthy, Fleur Patrick, and students from the University of Nottingham, the selection of highly skilled artists from across the UK presents a series of works that coalesce into an exciting and enigmatic exhibition.

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Arch Room at PBH's Free Fringe @ Whistlebinkies
Edinburgh Festival

Adults often have ears. Ben Macpherson has poems. It's time to put those together with you in the driving seat. You're in complete control of the show picking from 30 vibes, be that silly, sordid, sad or sweet. With poems covering everything from the world's best cheese to the intimate lives of cartoon characters, Ben Macpherson has the poem for you. Blending friendly chat with style and genre, Ben is a verbal tour de force, bound to leave you laughing, crying and so much more. 'Ben Macpherson is a joy' (Caroline Bird).

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Weston Gallery, Lakeside Arts, Nottingham

The United States of America was founded upon an idea of freedom. As a place of refuge from religious persecution and the birthplace of a new political system, the American colonists who rebelled against British rule saw themselves as the founders of a new nation.

Drawing on a wide range of manuscripts and printed collections, this exhibition commemorates the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence. It explores the issues at stake in the Wars of Independence and considers some of the complex problems which faced the United States as it fought to win, and realise, its new-found freedom.

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University of Nottingham Museum
Lakeside Arts, Nottingham

This exhibition explores the prehistoric occupation of the Trent Valley and the material traces these ancient communities left behind.

See the results from years of archaeological and palaeoenvironmental investigations into one of our most important river systems, highlighting how early settlements were both shaped by and altered this dynamic landscape.

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The Angel Microbrewery & The Chapel

A poetry open mic night at The Angel. Expect an evening of varied poetic styles and voices, and monthly themes for inspiration. Whether participating or listening, experience local talent and connect with Nottingham's lit community. Every third Monday of the month in The Chesterfield Lounge.

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The Grove, Sneinton Market, Nottingham

Pints & Politics returns to explore feminism and its relevance in contemporary society. Hosted at The Grove in Sneinton Market, this informal discussion event brings together experienced feminist campaigners, including Lowenna (founder of Nottingham's Femme Fair) and Lydia (part of the team behind Nottingham's recognition of misogyny as a hate crime), to examine what feminism seeks to achieve and whether it remains pertinent today.

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Nottingham Central Library

Join us at Nottingham Central Library for a session of creativity and community at Write Queer Nottingham! Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, this event is the perfect place to work on your stories, poems, scripts or thoughts in a supportive and inclusive environment.

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Waterstones, Nottingham

Join children's author Sabrina Shah as she takes you on a musical journey with Roohi, that will have your little ones clapping along every step of the way.

"To play the music of the mountains, you must feel the rhythm, feel the beat of your people."

Roohi is practising her instrument for a school Eid concert, but even with lessons everyday, she sounds nothing like grandpa's clap-de-clap-clap rhythm and beautiful melodies.

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Broadway Cinema, Nottingham

Join Tenx9 and Kino Kolo Notts for a night of short films & storytelling on the theme of Fashion.

Tenx9 is partnering with Kino Kolo Notts at Broadway to bring you an evening of true stories and short films from Eastern Europe, on the theme of Fashion.

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Arts Theatre, Nottingham

Let it go… into one of the most iconic shows on stage! Your child will learn to dance, act, and sing their way through Frozen Jr, building all the skills of a full musical theatre production. Working in a fun and safe environment with trained and qualified teachers who have worked in professional theatre, they'll build confidence, make new friends, and perform the show for family and friends at the end of the week!

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Online

Join author Emma Pass to learn about how she established and sustained a creative practice whilst navigating neurodivergence, disability and chronic illness. Emma will lead a series of fun, no-pressure writing exercises based around wellbeing, designed to spark creativity and bring joy back into writing, and aim to give you some tools to take forward in your own creative practice. Emma will also talk about why “being a writer” and “getting published” are not the same, and why it’s vital keep writing as your happy place.

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Barley Twist, Nottingham

Get back in the basement 18th August at Barley Twist for another sensational evening riddled with literary rock gods and lyrical warlocks! Come on down for a song and a sonnet, a poem and a pint!

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Theatre Royal, Nottingham

A wicked contemporary thriller based on Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic mystery chiller.

Two women, one locked room, one bottle of poison.

When Helen regains consciousness, she finds herself bound and blindfolded in a locked room. Her captor, best friend Catherine, challenges her to a deadly game of Russian roulette to decide which of them will win the handsome film star they both desire. But the game, like the room, is far from what it seems.

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National Civil War Centre, Newark

Exploring the hidden histories of the National Civil War Centre: Join poet and artist in residence Leanne Moden for a series of free, friendly creative writing workshops. This is a rare opportunity to get up close with the museum's collections and reflect on both personal and national histories through creative writing. Take a trip through history, write poems and stories, and have a grand old time! These workshops are suitable for adults (18+) of all ages and abilities.

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The Carousel, 25 Hockley, Nottingham

Doodle the night away at our Drink n Draw evening. You will be supplied with prompts, materials and equipment as well as being able to wash

Join us for a fun night of creativity at The Carousel!

Are you ready to unleash your inner artist?

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Five Leaves Bookshop 14a Long Row, Nottingham, NG12DH

The incredible untold stories of the British women who broke the rules and pioneered female running today

Did you know that until April 1975 women in the UK were banned from marathons and all races longer than four miles? Back in the 1960s, women started to break the rules and ‘crash’ men’s road races, challenging discrimination and showing that they were perfectly capable of running marathons – or even further.

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The Barley Twist (Downstairs), 91 Carrington Street Nottingham

Three speakers will explain their research to a bunch of people in the pub in exchange for a pint or two. The talks are at “pub level” – you don’t need to be an academic to understand them!

See The PubhD Format and About pages for more information about what to expect at an event.

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Bakersfield Community Centre, Snainton, Nottingham

Hothouse Theatre’s youth project, has been running for about 15 years.

Summer School 26 is a chance to get involved with the group.

All sessions are free, though booking is ensential. Places are limited.

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Bakersfield Community Centre, Bakersfield, Nottingham

Lytisha is a poet, writer, editor, VR Content producer, event director, and filmmaker who lives with MS, under the paw of Dixie Cat Nottm.

She has been published in various anthologies including, Overland, Overseas, The World Outside, Us vs Virus, Safety in Numbers, Poetry and Settled Status for All, Women Say Stuff, and in DIY Zines.

The evening will also feature 10 DIY Poets, plus open mic

Pay-what-you-can

You can join us on Zoom!

You can join us in person.

Five Leaves Bookshop 14a Long Row, Nottingham

Join us for the delayed launch of the fourteenth in Five Leaves’ series of debut poetry pamphlets by East Midlands writers.

Her evocative collection shifts from the Western lens traditionally cast upon British Muslim women to that of the British Muslim woman herself, observing and reimagining the Western city. These poems navigate cityscapes marked by colonial legacies, offering lyrical meditations on race, gender, religion, and spatial belonging.

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Waterstones, Nottingham

Join our booksellers for a fun-filled look at how to create vivid and exciting settings for your stories. We will guide you as you develop and describe your own settings!

Plus, at the end of the workshop you will get to ask Alex Foulkes, author of Ministry of Mischief and Rules for Vampires, all of your burning questions about writing!

This event is suitable for children aged 8-11.

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Broadway Cinema, Nottingham

This year we lost one of Britain's most beloved artists, David Hockney. A global sensation, with exhibitions in London, New York, Paris and beyond, which attracted millions of visitors worldwide. Featuring intimate and in-depth interviews with Hockney himself, this revealing film focuses on two blockbuster exhibitions held in 2012 and 2016 at the Royal Academy of Art in London.

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Online

Join us for six weeks of horror writing workshops, feedback sessions and more, where we'll be proving summer can be scary too...

Just because the sun is shining doesn't mean the horror has gone away, and in this six-week writing school we'll be bringing the darkness to the summer! We'll be welcoming six guest workshoppers throughout the latest run, as well as providing options for additional written feedback and author 1-2-1s.

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Bonington Theatre. Arnold, Nottingham

After just one action-packed week of summer school, our amazing young performers are ready to take to the stage and show you what they’ve achieved. Through workshops in singing, dancing, acting, and even props-making and crafts, these children have worked together to create a vibrant showcase bursting with musical magic.

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Fisher Gate Point , Nottingham

Catch this exclusive preview before Horrorshow opens at Summerhall (one of the Fringe's most prestigious venues.)

Dan's got a rucksack full of stolen drugs and a plan that'll definitely work. Ollie's got his A-level reading list and serious reservations. They've been mates their whole lives. They're also becoming strangers. Set against the 00s music festival that swallows their town every summer, this gig theatre show tears into class, nostalgia and masculinity, backed by a live band playing original songs that hit like a headline set.

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Mansfield Central Library

Come and join poet Casey Bailey for a fun and relaxed poetry workshop.

A bad poem’s just an early draft. Poets! Share new work, first drafts and 'bad' ideas in a warm, inclusive setting.

Programmed in association with Bad Betty Press with funding from Arts Council England.

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Surface Gallery, Nottingham

Explore Nottingham’s walls with Boaster (Allan) - an informative graffiti tour followed by spray painting in our colour-filled alleyway.

Join us for a creative day at Surface Gallery with seasoned street artist Boaster (check out his Instagram here). On Saturday 22 August at 10:00 AM, dive into the world of street art with a guided walk around Nottingham city centre exploring all the fantastic murals.

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Nottingham Contemporary Weekday Cross Nottingham

An exploration of Chico da Silva’s life story through the examination of his artistic output. This talk takes currently exhibiting artist Chico da Silva's artworks as a point of entry into his life story - and into the worldview that shaped both. Moving between formal analysis and biographical narrative, Cecilia Vilela will trace how the paintings illuminate three interconnected dimensions of the artist's practice: his rootedness in land-dependent ways of living, inherited from both Indigenous and coastal-dwelling culture

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Broadway Cinema, Nottingham

Join us for a fascinating afternoon exploring the world of practical SFX. Facilitated by Steve Best of award-winning studio, FakeUp, who will share his experience and expertise of silicone and gelatine prosthetics.

We’ll explore creation of prosthetics and props for film and TV, followed by a hands-on demonstration of the application of scars and wounds.

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Online

Issue no. 6 of Writing East Midlands’ digital and print magazine, Pulse, releases in September 2026, and we thought it’d be fun to get you, the readers, involved. We’re looking for creative queer people to have a go at designing an image for our next front cover—whether that’s a photograph, a drawing, or something else entirely—that showcases the theme of Issue 6: Queer Writing.

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Online Competition

Pulse Issue 6 is coming out in September 2026! We’re inviting writers from the LGBTQIAP+ community to enter their short fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction for the chance to be featured and to receive a cash prize.

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Nottingham Arboretum, Waverley Street, Nottingham

A free, colourful day at the Arboretum celebrating dahlias - talks, workshops, live music, botanical art and family crafts.

Join us for a relaxed and colourful day celebrating one of the garden's most-loved flowers at Dahlia Fest 2026, right in the heart of Nottingham at the Arboretum.

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New Arts Exchange

Join GOBS Collective for Voices of Hyson Green — a free twelve-week spoken word and creative writing programme delivered in partnership with New Art Exchange as part of the Art Your Way programme.

Designed for young people aged 18–30, this programme offers a welcoming space to explore creative writing, spoken word and performance while building confidence, developing new skills and connecting with other creatives.

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Five Leaves Bookshop 14a Long Row, Nottingham

Fifty-five fictional cities, each described in beautiful detail – each with a woman’s name…
In Invisible Cities Marco Polo conjures up cities of magical times for his host, the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan, but gradually it becomes clear that he is actually describing one city: Venice.
This is a captivating meditation on culture, language, time, memory and the nature of human experience.

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Arts Theatre, Nottingham

In our exciting brand-new workshop, young performers won’t just build confidence, make friends and learn skills - they’ll create their very own original musical from scratch. Working with professional tutors and together as a company, they’ll discover the joy of collaboration, imagination, and storytelling, before premiering their brand-new show on the Friday.

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Five Leaves Bookshop 14a Long Row, Nottingham

This month, the Irish Group will be discussing Wendy Erskine’s The Benefactors

A searing debut novel about class, sexual assault and the lengths to which privileged parents will go to protect their children.

Refreshments provided.

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Lace Market Theatre, Nottingham

Henry has acquired a briefcase that’s not his. It also happens to have a LOT of money inside. What follows is a superb farce that accelerates and spirals with delightful comedic pacing. This is going to be done very much like a sitcom taped in front of a live studio audience, only all in one take! The timing, pacing, and physical comedy will be rehearsed like a dance, and the ability to perform accents and larger than life characters is a plus.

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Theatre Royal, Nottingham

Premiere production of the original play - Piège pour un homme seul by Robert Thomas. Translated and freely adapted into English by Sean Aita.

Memories can lie. Identities can be stolen. But someone always knows the truth.

Daniel Edwards is desperate to find his wife who has gone missing after an argument at their remote Cornish holiday cottage.

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Squire Performing Arts Centre, Nottingham

Rent is a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning rock musical by Jonathan Larson that follows a year in the lives of impoverished artists and musicians struggling in NYC’s East Village under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Loosely based on Puccini’s La Bohème, it explores love, loss, and living for today.

Content Warnings – Explores challenging topics and themes, including AIDS, suicide, substance abuse, homophobia, violence, and homelessness.

Rent the musical is generally recommended for audiences aged 13 and older due to mature themes.

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New Art Exchange, 41 Gregory Boulevard, Nottingham

Welcome to an immersive cultural experience where songs become memories and poems become confessions. Casa do Fado transforms the room at New Art Exchange into a symbolic house of feeling, centering language, culture, and community to create a space where audiences can connect through shared emotion, personal stories, and artistic expression.

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Bonington Theatre, Nottingham

Verdi’s hugely popular La Traviata returns to the Sydney Harbour water stage featuring a breath-taking soaring 9 metre high, 3.5 ton chandelier covered in 10,000 shimmering Swarovski crystals. This glamorous production was captured on location on Sydney Harbour in 2021 in front of a sold out audience. La Traviata features timeless romantic arias, lively choreography, beautiful costumes and spectacular fireworks.

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