When it comes to the new year, some of us may have new year's resolutions which can range from diets to new hairdos. While there is nothing wrong with sticking to the old reliable resolutions, it can be a great time to try something completely different from the norm.
Nottingham is full of different options from pole dancing to life drawing to wine tasting. It's all easily accessible within the city centre or just a tram or bus away. You never know, you might unlock a new skill or discover a hobby you wish you had known about earlier.
Here are some of our best suggestions to get you started:
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1 - Life drawing
Life drawing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a night out but it can be a lot of fun. There are several different places to go depending on what you would like to draw or the environment you need.
The Hungry Ghost cafe is home to queer life drawing which is a perfect stop-off for anyone looking for a safe and fun space to explore their inner Picasso. If you fancy a doodle and drink then head to Nonsuch Studios on Pelham Street on a Wednesday from 6 pm to 8 pm to join their life drawing sessions there.
All levels are welcome at both so don't worry if you are more playschool than art school. Just make sure to check ahead of arrival what materials you need to bring and the costs.
2 - Catch a 'so bad it's good' or classic movie
Although we have our tried, tested and much-loved cinemas in the city centre and just beyond, there are plenty of pop-ups to keep you entertained. The Notts Bad Movie Club have just launched a good movie version so you have double the chance to catch the fun event at their Hockley location.
It's not a weekly event so make sure you pre-book and keep an eye on social media to see when the dates for screenings.
Fortune and Glory Film Club is another excellent shout where you can see the classics, such as Mean Girls and But I'm a Cheerleader, the way that they were intended to be seen, with goodie bags and games. Again, social media is the best place to keep an eye on what is coming up.
3 - Go for a forage
The cost of living crisis has given us all a minute to consider the alternatives out there and that included where we can source our food from. Nottingham has plenty of parks or woods that are perfect to have a nosey in to find wild ingredients.
It can be daunting to know where to start if you haven't foraged before but it can be really exciting once you learn what to look for. In the past, Primary in Lenton has run foraging for mushroom walks and other workshops on fermenting foods. The Nottingham Forager often advertises walks that are open to being joined on Facebook in various different locations such as Attenborough in Beeston.
4 - Support local drag
Nottingham is home to a wealth of incredible drag talent. While it's tempting to go support the drag race tours, being a drag fan starts with supporting the local acts by going to their events or attending performances.
Nana Arthole and Marilyn Sane are two of the funniest drag queens in Nottingham who host an array of events from bingo to night outs. It's truly worth heading to their bingo sessions to enjoy the banter between the two or even tuning into their individual or combined podcasts for a cackle.
5 - Learn a new skill
Have you ever looked at a craft and thought, I could do that....but where to begin? Buying all of the equipment needed to make something can take a lot of cash but thankfully, there are options out there.
Hackspace in Nottingham is hidden away in Sneinton but it's very easily accessible. For a small monthly amount, you get access to all of their equipment and space to be able to make your own anything and you can book in to have workshops or guidance if needed.
6 - Learn a new dance
If you have ever thought about trying a new style of fitness then why not dance? If it's hard to get excited about Zumba or hip hop then there are some options out there that are a bit more unusual.
Nicola Martin Studios in Beeston offer not just pole dancing but a bit of burlesque if you fancy something a bit spicer than tap dancing. The studio is just off Queen's Road so it's very accessible and classes are reasonably priced. If you need something a little bit more 'PG' then there are also ballet classes on offer at both Victoria Gym and also Virgin Media although you will need to be a member to go.
If none of that is your style then head out to Ken Martin Leisure Centre in Hucknall where you can join a line dancing class. The Circus Hub in Sneinton market also offers ariel hoop classes if you aren't afraid of heights.
8 - Experience the art of the tease
It might not be your thing to actually attempt burlesque but watching it is a whole other thing. The Gilded Merkin at Glee Club in Nottingham has a cult following of fans who often turned up an hour ahead of time to queue for the best seats in the house. The show often included the latest and greatest names in drag who will put on a show as you have never seen before.
Make sure you dress to impress too as there are often best-dressed competitions that mean free entry to the next show. Expect everything from ariel hoop performing twins to pole dancing to fire breathing and so much more you never dreamed possible.
9 - Go garden watching
The Park Gardens tour comes once every two years and it's a chance for anyone into a bit of voyeurism to see how the other half lives. The houses in the private residential housing estate open their gardens to the public for charity.
Its a great opportunity to take a nosey into other people's gardens and enjoy some street food or strawberries and cream while you are at it. The walk takes place over the summer and it's coming back in 2023 for the first time since the lockdown caused a hiatus. Expect to pay around £6 for a program and take in as much greenery as you like.
10 - Spin the wheel
This is a class for anyone who has ever watched Channel 4's 'Great pottery throw down' and thought, that looks easy. Primary in Lenton offers an amazing chance to spin the pottery wheel and see how you get on.
If you don't fancy yourself the next Grayson Perry, then you can always opt to join their Raku classes. The cost of the workshop includes two pots and the tutorage along with all the dyes that you need. Raku is a Japanese pottery art and the class involves decorating and glazing designs.
There are options to buy additional pots and plants depending on how many you want to make. Be warned though, once you make two..... it's addictive.
