AUTUMN HALF TERM ACTIVITIES

Even though Half Term is over, here are some exciting videos and online activities for you to enjoy, from crafts and scary audio tales to spooky dance routines and activities inspired by our beautiful autumnal trees at Lakeside.

MAKE YOUR OWN AUTUMNAL SCENE

Autumn is arriving and soon crisp golden leaves will begin to fall. Bring autumn inside and fallen leaves to life with this craft and short story activity.

LET'S EXPLORE

Dupa and Kit are the very best of friends. They love exploring the great wide ocean and discovering new treasures. One day, not everything is quite as it seems when a new neighbour comes to town. What will become of their adventures when they meet Crabby? Find out in this short story and fun craft activity.

BODY OF WATER

Our friends from the contemporary cross-genre ensemble, Propellor, left audiences in awe with their wonderful performance of Loom in March 2020. Now, in collaboration with dancer, Heather Birley, they return with an atmospheric piece entitled Body of Water.

GEORGIAN DELIGHTS: THE CRADLE HYMN

If you thought that the Georgians' were just polite and dainty you might be surprised by this satirical caricature of George IV in The Cradle Hymn. In this discussion, Jeanice Brooks of the University of Southampton revisits the savage mockery of the King, music's role in gentile Georgian households and the culture's playfulness.

MINDFUL ACTIVITIES FOR WHEN YOU'RE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL

Life has been different for the past few months and it won't be a surprise if you're feeling a little bit worried about going back to school again. Enjoy these activities designed to help you relax, reflect and very importantly, have fun.

GEORGIAN DELIGHTS: INTERVIEW

Head back to the Georgian era and reign of the colourful and controversial King George IV. Join Dr Richard Gaunt as he re-considers the Cato Street Conspiracy, the aborted attempt to assassinate the British cabinet, by uncovering its motivation, history and consequences.

OUT OF STORE FOR KIDS: MAURICE COCKRILL

Learning about paintings isn't just for grown ups. Explore more about an abstract landscape painting by Maurice Cockrill called Little Fires and then try your hand at creating your own using our artistic guide.

READ SOMETHING NEW WITH CM THOMPSON

Looking for a new book to get your teeth into? Tired of the same? CM Thompson, Box Office Assistant, may have just the answer to help you navigate through a mountain of possibilities.

AUDIO BOOK: THE RABBIT'S TALE

A short story re-told by Nicky Rafferty. Find out what happens to Rabbit when he goes out for a day of fishing.  Why do Rabbit's have powder-puff tales and long floppy ears?

Image credit: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1962 

GEORGIAN DELIGHTS: INTERVIEW

Author of The King and the Catholic: The Fight for Rights (1829), Lady Antonia Fraser discusses more about the Catholic emanciaption during King George IV's rein with curator of the Manuscripts and Special Collections Georgian Delights Exhibition, Dr Richard Gaunt.

OUT OF STORE: MAURICE COCKRILL

Towards the end of Maurice's Cockrill's 'landscape' phase, he painted Little Fires before turning towards abstraction. Enjoy this week's Out of Store series which gives exclusive insights into the University’s Art Collection. Nicholas Alfrey, Honorary Research Associate at University of Nottingham shares a painting by an artist he knew well.

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OUT OF STORE: DAVID BLACKBURN

The dry-stone walls that criss-cross the beautiful landscape of Yorkshire Dales reflected in the black lines of this abstract drawing is just one of the fine details Neil Walker, our Head of Visual Arts Programming has noted about this art work from 1995. In the 'Out of Store' series he brings to light some of the art works in the University’s collection.

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XENIA PESTOVA BENNETT: CHAMBER MUSIC FOR CATS

We're delighted to share two pieces from our friend, Xenia Pestova Bennett's latest EP entitled, Atonal Electronic Chamber Music for Cats. Enjoy listening alongside a wonderful animation by Nick Romero.

LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE: MAKE A SHADOW THEATRE

Our friends at Little Angel Theatre have created charming short stories that play with shadow puppetry. Enjoy watching the short stories and then make your own shadow theatre to tell your own. Find the creative pack here.

JOSS ARNOTT DANCE: STAY & PLAY @HOME

Our friends at Joss Arnott Dance have been busy creating some percussion sequences for us to learn at home. Grab your pots and pans and have a go at making some music with objects you can easily find at home.

OUT OF STORE FOR KIDS: HENRY RUSHBURY

Learning about paintings isn't just for grown ups. Explore more about a painting from the past, what kind of scene they painted and whether it still looks the same today. Enjoy getting crafty with activities inspired by what you see in the painting.

LETTERS OF SOLIDARITY: WRITING OPPORTUNITY

Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature invites you to share your words of hope and be part of their exciting journey to showcase Nottingham’s young voices. Whether you tell us about your experience of lockdown, feelings attached to activism, the places of the city you miss the most, or just a message of love to your city, we want your letters of solidarity.

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JOIN JOSS ARNOTT'S DANCE:CONNECTS

Our friends at Joss Arnott Dance are inviting us to get connected through dance by joining in or watching together a choreographic response to PULSE!, originally inspired by Artistic Director Joss Arnott’s fascination with how as humans we create a series of connections that unite us. Suitable for all.

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PRAYER (NOTTINGHAM), 2010 BY JAMES WEBB

Prayer (Nottingham) was a sound installation produced for the Djanogly Gallery by South African artist James Webb in 2010. It consisted of over 45 recordings of prayers from different faith groups from this city, creating a rich aural tapestry of each person’s hopes, desires and entreaties.

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DANCE WARM-UP WITH LOU

Start the day right with Louise from Lakeside's Learning Team. Lou will get you ready for the day ahead with a fun and accessible 5-minute routine that you and all the family can do together.

DON'T WORRY LITTLE CRAB

One very big crab and one little crab venture off to the bottom of the sea. Can you imagine the underwater world that they'll find? Our friends at Little Angel Theatre and Folded Feather have crafted this lovely story which includes a creative pack for you to make your very own crab puppet.

MABON – THE LAST HUZZAH

MABON were due to retire gracefully this summer in a nationwide tour, The Last Huzzah! including performing at Lakeside. We look forward to welcoming them back but in the meantime enjoy a concert they've kindly shared filmed at Llangollen's iconic International Eisteddfod.

WATCH HERE

PAUSE FOR A MOMENT

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Jessica Corner has asked us to share with you some pieces by many of our talented artist friends to allow you a moment to pause. We invite you to enjoy contributions from professional artists and some of our own over the next few weeks #WeAreUoN #InWithLakeside 

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COLLABORATIONS WITH ELPIDA HADZI-VASILEVA

Contemporary visual artist Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva has collaborated with Lakeside Arts and the University of Nottingham for years – visitors may remember the exquisite exhibition Making Beauty in the Djanogly Gallery, 2016 or the storytelling session on Wheee! 2019 around Eurydice Prevails, the art work of gilded inverted elm trees just outside DH Lawrence Pavilion. The artist gives us an insight into her work.

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AIDY'S AWESOME ADVENTURE – THE STORY THIEF

Don't you just love a good story? What about one with your awesome Granny? This is a story about Aidy and her Granny and how they set out on a mission to stop a thief. Enjoy watching their adventure and then find out how you can become a story superhero too.

OUT OF STORE: HENRY RUSHBURY

This view of London from the Thames is by a master of urban scenery, the watercolourist and printmaker Henry Rushbury, showing the city as it appeared in 1932. This addition to the Out of Store series giving exclusive insights to the University’s Art Collection was written by Nicholas Alfrey, Honorary Research Associate, University of Nottingham.

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BAMBOOZLE THEATRE COMPANY: SHIPWRECK

Have you been dreaming of sandy beaches and blue sea? Well Koa was too when she jumped aboard the Huckleberry for a voyage of discovery only to run into some trouble a little bit later on in her journey. Bamboozle Theatre Company have put together some exciting activities for you to enjoy. Watch the story unravel...

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GARETH DAVIES' INTRODUCTION TO 7TH FESTIVAL OF HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY TALKS

"...the spirit of innovation and collaboration that we have all needed to get through lockdown, is truly evidenced by the range of subjects and topics within the talks I now have the pleasure to introduce."

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FESTIVAL OF HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY: CLARE’S BLOG

In its 7th year, the Nottinghamshire Festival of History and Archaeology has become a popular and exciting date each summer in our calendars Dr Clare Pickersgill, Keeper of the University of Nottingham Museum reflects on the journey of the past years in the lead up of our online event on Saturday 20 June...

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UNDISCOVERED ISLAND

An imaginary underwater world with unique plants, birds, fish and giant corals that light up and sing – what's this? An undiscovered island! Let us decipher some mysterious messages and see what lays on this fantastic place... Join us weekly to see the story unravel.

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OUT OF STORE: SAMUEL FOSSO

Discover the most memorable image, La femme libérée américaine des années '70, from Samuel Fosso's commission by French chain store, TATI in 1997 as Neil Walker takes a new work out of store.

DR HOCKING'S MUSIC PLAYLIST IV

Is the summer sunshine making you wish you were closer to the sea? Head of Music Programmes Dr Catherine Hocking is missing the sound of waves and beach walks so has created a special playlist to bring the coastline a little nearer to us.

OUT OF STORE: WILLIAM HOGARTH

A glimpse into an 18th century wife’s social gathering, where the focus seems to be an informal music party, but is it really what it appears to be? William Hogarth’s sly exposures of vice and folly come to live again in this engraving. The next addition to Neil Walker’s Out of Store series giving an exclusive insight to the University’s Art Collection.

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BOOKS FOR FOODIES WITH CM THOMPSON

Has lockdown got you experimenting in the kitchen? Here's some foodie book recomendations from CM Thompson to give some ideas and inspiration for your culinary journey.

THE FLYING BATH: STORY AND ACTIVITIES

When everyone has left the house in the morning, the bath toys spring into action and head off on exciting adventures in their magical flying bath! Listen to Julia Donaldson's much loved story then let’s get playing.

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OUT OF STORE: CHRISTOPHER WOOD

A jaunty little street scene in Monte Carlo, this is a typical demonstration of Christopher Wood’s sophisticated naivety... The next addition to Neil Walker's Out of Store series giving an exclusive insight to the University's Art Collection.

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ANGELO’s SUBLIME PLAYLIST

There are moments when you are convinced you have stepped back in time to 18th century Italy… Angelo Murphy, Arts & Heritage Duty Manager’s music playlist, inspired by his visit to the Venice Carnival.

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FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE COMES HOMES: PETER CRAWFORD

Learn more about Florence Nightingale to celebrate the bicentinary of her birth in 1820. Peter Crawford, Professor of Health Humanities at the University of Nottingham explains more.

SNEAK PEEK INTO THE ARCHIVES: FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE COMES HOMES

Discover more about the 'lady with the lamp' as the the University of Nottingham's Manuscripts and Special Collections opens the archives.

OUT OF STORE: WILLIAM HOARE OF BATH

Neil Walker explores William Hoare of Bath's painting, Children of the 2nd Duke of Newcastle (c. 1757) in this week's Out of Store.

SCULPT WITH CLAY AND PAPER

Join a sculpting adventure with clay and paper... and let's make pictures come alive! Shape your own clay figures or a paper sculpture of your favourite toy with the fun guidance of artist Sian Watson.

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DRAW WHAT YOU READ: THE SINGING GIRL

Author and Box Office Assistant, CM Thompson, writes a poem inspired by a girl who just loves to sing. Be inspired have a go at writing your own poem that'll be a number one hit.

OUT OF STORE: HETAIN PATEL

In this week's Out of Store, Neil Walker reveals more about the artist through artwork Mehndi.

DR HOCKING'S MUSIC PLAYLIST III

For music inspired by mountaineous trekking and peaceful landscape to uplift the soul, Head of Music Programmes, Dr Catherine Hocking, has put together this beautiful playlist.

AN INTERVIEW WITH CM THOMPSON

We sat down with CM Thompson, Box Office Assistant and published author. We discussed all things reading and writing, from desert islands books to what she wish she knew as an aspiring author.

LET'S WRITE A STORY: INVISIBLE HOUSE

Katrina Sansone, our Box Office Assistant started to write a story, but she needs your help! Can you send us ideas how it should continue?

EARTH DAY 2020

2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, a movement created to celebrate the wonders of the Earth and to remind everybody to treat the planet with kindness and gratitude. 

GEORGIAN DELIGHTS: HEIRS AND SPARES

Dr Richard Gaunt invites you to read more of the assailable future of George IV legacy once he succeeded to the throne in January 1820.

GEORGIAN DELIGHTS: INTERVIEW

Co-Curator of the Manuscripts and Special Collections Georgian Delights Exhibition, Richard Gaunt sits down with Nigel Aston to discuss in more detail the influence of Ladies Hertford and Conyngham in relation to the personal and private life of George IV during his reign.

OUT OF STORE: ROGER FRY

In this week's Out of Store, Neil Walker explores Roger Fry's La Fontaine Noir.

AUDIO BOOK: TWO FROGS IN MILK

This extraordinary tale re-told by Nicky Rafferty, is a story about determination and strength. Find out what happens when two frog friends end up in a slippery situation

Listen Here

DR HOCKING'S MUSIC PLAYLIST II

Catherine Hocking shares with us a new playlist inspired by nature and birdsong. Have a listen to enjoy some of her favourites.
 

LITTE RED RIDING HOOD: INTERACTIVE STORY

We love Little Red Riding Hood and we really love acting out stories. Artist, Annabelle Terry helps us turn this well-known tale into an interactive story that we can all take part in at home. 

WATCH HERE

IAN'S JAZZ PICKS

In Part 3 of our regular jazz playlist, the latest tracks have been added by our Box Office Manager and jazz expert, Ian Perry, continuing the list with music from the other side of the pond.

HAVE A LISTEN

ROMAN THEATRE MASKS

Associate Artist, Elaine Winter, and The University of Nottingham Museum, team up to bring us an online Roman Theatre Mask workshop. Have fun making your own mask which you can use in your very own theatre production.
 

CAPTAIN THREEPLANK'S LETTER

Our Learning Team have partnered up with author, and one of our Box Office Assistants, CM Thompson to take you to a land far, far away. 

#MILLIONSUNFLOWERS

To lighten our paths through this difficult time, the Biodiscovery Institute Engagement Team have launched a new sunny project.

IAN'S JAZZ PICKS

Jazz expert and our Box Office Manager, Ian Perry, adds the latest three songs to his US jazz playlist. Have a listen to the latest additions and discover more.

DISCOVER MORE

OUT OF STORE: MARILÈNE OLIVER 

In this week's Out of Store, Neil Walker brings into focus work by Marilène Oliver entitled Kiss II. 

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INDOOR EASTER HUNT

Our Learning Team have put together the perfect Easter activity for you to enjoy at home. You'll have a cracking time with this Easter Hunt which includes fun rhyming-riddles and plenty of jokes.

HAVE A GO

IAN'S JAZZ PICKS

Our Box Office Manager, jazz expert, Ian Perry invites us to listen to a series of jazz discoveries. This week's jazz playlist is from musicians on the other side of the pond.

HAVE A LISTEN

AUDIO BOOK: ANANSI THE SPIDER AND TURTLE

This funny short story re-told by Nicky Rafferty, is a tale of two friends who just love food. However, in enjoying dinner together they will learn an important lesson about sharing.

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OUT OF STORE: ROSALBA CARRIERA

In this week's Out of Store, Neil Walker explores Rosalba Carriera's Portrait of Lord Lincoln.

DR HOCKING'S MUSIC PLAYLIST

Join Head of Music Programmes, Dr Catherine Hocking, each week as she shares a selection of her favourite pieces. To introduce this playlist series, Catherine shares a taste of home.

GEORGIAN DELIGHTS: INTERVIEW

To accompany the Georgian Delights Manuscripts and Special Collection exhibition in the Weston Gallery, Dr Richard Gaunt sat down with Professor Jeanice Brooks to explore what the music was like during George IV’s reign.

DRAW WHAT YOU READ: THE ALIEN

Author and Box Office Assistant, CM Thompson, has written a poem that's out of this world. Be inspired and draw your own extraterrestrial creations.

OUT OF STORE: LAURA KNIGHT

In this week's Out of Store, Neil Walker explores Laura Knight's Lamorna Birch (1869–1955), and his Daughters.