Frankie’s role as Plymouth Young City Laureate has been about more than just writing poetry. It’s about uplifting young voices and representing the city at various events.

In our interview as part of the #LetsDance Campaign, Dame Darcey Bussell explores the deep impact of dance on physical and mental well-being, its role in fostering confidence and social connection, and the evolving landscape for aspiring dancers.

Maryam Pourian’s journey in the dance world has taken her from Plymouth to stages across the globe, but her roots remain firmly in the community she loves. For the past 17 years, she has dedicated herself to nurturing the next generation of dancers across Devon and Cornwall.

As the founder of Crumbling Rocks Theatre, Charlie is passionate about making movement-based training accessible and fostering wellbeing through creative practice. In this article, he reflects on the resilience of Plymouth’s dance community, the challenges it faces, and the importance of collaboration in keeping dance at the heart of the city’s cultural identity.

In Conversation with Jonny Hibbs, co-founder of Pugmill Youth Dance Company—a brand-new initiative for young dancers aged 13-18 looking to take their training to the next level - launching at the end of March 2025. With diverse backgrounds in ballet and contemporary dance, Jonny and co-founder Max are bringing a fresh, challenging, and supportive approach to dance education in the city

Kelly Bryant is a multidisciplinary artist whose work bridges film, installation, and performance. In a compelling conversation, she takes us through her journey as an artist and the inspirations behind one of her latest pieces.

Seventeen-year-old Harriet Meadows is a name to remember in the dance community of Plymouth. Her message to anyone considering getting involved in dance? "Go for it! It’s an amazing way to express yourself, make lifelong friends, and be part of a supportive community. No matter your background or experience level, dance is for everyone."

Far Flung Dance Theatre is a vibrant, inclusive arts company in Plymouth, led by Disabled, Neurodivergent, Deaf, and non-disabled artists. Since 2015, they have created accessible workshops and performances, offering opportunities for creative expression and career development. In this article, Clair Sargeant, Co-Director of Far Flung, shares how the company blends dance with music, theatre, and visual arts to foster collaboration and inclusivity, making creativity accessible to all.

My name is Aaron, and I founded INSTINCT in 2020. INSTINCT is a brand that champions emerging artists through collaborative streetwear. While directing INSTINCT, I work four days a week in an architecture practice as a Part 2 architectural assistant. My background is in architecture, and it influences how I run INSTINCT.

Joanna Cooke is working her vocal chords hard to change all that. The singer-songwriter and keyboard player possesses a dynamic blues and soul-edged voice that seldom fails to take her fans on a soaring journey, be that on her self-penned records or via her soulful live performances.

If there’s one live music venue in Plymouth that’s known and loved for miles around, it’s the Pavilions. Since it opened in 1991, it’s seen the likes of The Beach Boys, The Prodigy, Them Crooked Vultures, My Chemical Romance, Paul Weller, Girls Aloud, Andy Williams, Motörhead, Slayer, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and the Sugababes grace its hallowed stage.

Anehita is recognised for participating in various solo and group exhibitions, as well as collaborations with Leadworks, Arts University Plymouth and the Crisis charity in the city, just to name a few. Gaining inspiration from significant historical art movements, Aletor developed a keen interest in art from an early age. 

Pearce, who’s training to be a yoga instructor, is known by so many bands in the city as it’s him they often deal with first when signing up to play the venue, booking tickets or sorting out their gigs on the night. Owned by Andy and Julia Kelland, who also own The Underground and The Dog & Duck venues in Mutley Plain, the Junction has been going since the mid-2000s, when it was rebranded from a previous name — and Pearce has been there practically ever since.

Kate Ferguson is a singer-songwriter from Plymouth, who combines fingerstyle guitar with her unique soprano vocal range; resulting in an easy listening folk-pop inspired sound. On 17th July at The House in the University of Plymouth, she will be performing songs from her latest EP ‘The Liminal Lady’. 

Bracken Jelier went to meet Sue to find out more about her exciting new project. It's been two years in the making after a very successful Crowdfunder and this September it will launch during a week's residency at Grow Plymouth.

Dr. Smita Tripathi is a lecturer in Leadership and Human Resource Studies, Academic Lead of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Plymouth Business School and long standing Trustee of the South Asian Society of Devon and Cornwall and Member of the PTFA at DHSB.

Denista first came over to the Uk to do a course in Theatre and Performing Arts at Dartington, near Totnes. Luckily for her she was picked to extend her residency at Dartington Hall and that took her down a path to living in The South Hams permanently. 

Plymouth based Jay Stone is a full-time videographer and drone operator working with businesses and people all across the UK. It all began at school, learning basic camera skills from his Grandfather but has grown into him being one the the city's most sought after photographer, creating some of the best known images of the city and its thriving cultural scene

Hazel is a transgender woman originally from Birkenhead. She had hopes of becoming an electrician or maybe an electronics engineer. Through a series of unexpected events she has ended up in Plymouth as a musician, artist and a poet. During lockdown in 2020 she wrote poems as she tried to make a connection in what had become a very upside down world.

Blessing Okumbor is an international chef, specialising in the food of West Africa. She is amazing not just because of her passion for cooking but, also her desire to ensure people around her are not hungry which is where her cheffing business emanated from.