Pyre Events

27/04/2024

Fantastic performances from

Laura Fergus
Ysella Sims
Dr Abimbole Gbemi Alao
Red Chandler
Dr Eva McGrath

With incredible thanks to Soapbox Children's Theatre for creating space and making us feel welcome and to Sarah of Ramblin Folk Photography for these glorious photos.

Also to Plymouth Poetry Festival and Plymouth Octopus - POP for making funded and fairly paid art available to our talented community.

Socials in named order:













Thank you, Pyre-lighters.

Goodnight.

❤️🔥

27/04/2024

Audience snaps with thanks to Eva McGrath and Emma-Victoria Searle

Honoured to hold space for these incredible artists

Featuring:

Laura Fergus
Ysella Sims
Red Chandler
Abimbola Gbemi Alao
Eva McGrath

With great thanks to Plymouth Poetry Festival, Soapbox Children's Theatre, Ramblin Folk Photography and Plymouth Octopus - POP

Have a wonderful rest of the fest, Pyre-lighters.

❤️🔥

26/04/2024

Introducing the incredible Dr Abimbola Gbemi Alao performing at April Pyre Night as part of the Plymouth Poetry Festival.

She is a scholar, author and lecturer.

Dr Abi Alao describes herself as Black African British. She is the author of 6 books and translator of 8 children's books. She is also a university lecturer, life coach, a literary scholar and performance storyteller. She has taught creative writing and storytelling at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the UK for 20 years.

She/her

25/04/2024

It's tomorrow!

Please come and celebrate marginalised gender talent in Plymouth at the tomorrow evening (26th of April) from 6.30pm

These shows, and the festival as a whole, are made possible by the community that surrounds them so thank you for being here: -

Tickets are pay as you feel via EventBrite:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pyre-night-at-soapbox-theatre-tickets-875265852727?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1GAGK-0S8dEVRNzq6WEv68TY4kG3YMVINijUlNvBn26KnD9vx_ZaFuZrY_aem_AdmWZ7fo1s8R-DoNgB34gBPSmbjB60DtbqVClHayME5-ncuuMBNDkICxln6XQzHhVNq76cCpPaN8w0V7R-HlYmBm

All proceeds go back into Festival running but I've made sure it can also be nothing so it's accessible for all.

With love Pyrelighters,

Pyre Events

24/04/2024

Lastly introducing the wonderful Dr Eva McGrath performing at the Pyre Night as part of the Plymouth Poetry Festival 2024 --

Dr Eva McGrath is a poet and social researcher. She is inspired by the sea and uses words weaved through her interviews and field notes to encapsulate what water means to us. She has recently been re:birthed, through the birth of her daughter in 2023 and uses creative methods to untangle and make sense of the whirlwind ride that is matrescense. Her research 'Immersion Maternal' is on display in the Archive Library at The Box, Plymouth until October 2024. Her interdisciplinary work is amongst other local artists and organisations who consider the sometimes murky, often refreshing relationship between water and wellbeing, as part of Planet Ocean.

She/her

Find out more via:

Immersion Research

Please feel welcome to join us, pay what you feel: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pyre-night-at-soapbox-theatre-tickets-875265852727?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1GAGK-0S8dEVRNzq6WEv68TY4kG3YMVINijUlNvBn26KnD9vx_ZaFuZrY_aem_AdmWZ7fo1s8R-DoNgB34gBPSmbjB60DtbqVClHayME5-ncuuMBNDkICxln6XQzHhVNq76cCpPaN8w0V7R-HlYmBm

23/04/2024

Welcoming back the incredibly talented Red Chandler to Pyre Night as part of the 2024 --
Red is a poet who recently located from Cornwall to Devon. She is a matriarch to a large, colourful, neurodivergent family. With 5 children and a lust for the outdoors her poetry speaks openly about life and its challenges. She read most recently at Q***r out loud neurodivergent poetry night.

See more of her work via Words By Red on Facebook

Please buy tickets via:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pyre-night-at-soapbox-theatre-tickets-875265852727?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1GAGK-0S8dEVRNzq6WEv68TY4kG3YMVINijUlNvBn26KnD9vx_ZaFuZrY_aem_AdmWZ7fo1s8R-DoNgB34gBPSmbjB60DtbqVClHayME5-ncuuMBNDkICxln6XQzHhVNq76cCpPaN8w0V7R-HlYmBm

She/her

21/04/2024

Welcoming our second performer as part of Plymouth Poetry Festivals Pyre Night: Ysella Sims --
Ysella Sims is a poet and writer who focuses on our connection to each other and the natural world. She produces literary events and workshops and has had work published in Ink Sweat & Tears, Brittle Star, The Guardian, Iamb, Spelt Magazine and Blue Nib where she was a contributing editor. She writes about living, rural and otherwise, in Roots & Redsand.

For more, please explore: www.ysellasims.com.

She/her





Please buy tickets via:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pyre-night-at-soapbox-theatre-tickets-875265852727?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1GAGK-0S8dEVRNzq6WEv68TY4kG3YMVINijUlNvBn26KnD9vx_ZaFuZrY_aem_AdmWZ7fo1s8R-DoNgB34gBPSmbjB60DtbqVClHayME5-ncuuMBNDkICxln6XQzHhVNq76cCpPaN8w0V7R-HlYmBm

20/04/2024

Introducing the first incredible poet performing at the April Pyre Night (part of Plymouth Poetry Festival ) Laura Fergus --
Laura Fergus is an actor and poet from Cornwall. She has recently started writing poetry again and is developing her skills as a writer. She has previously explored her work within the Plymouth Art Vending Machine and performed at Theatre Royal’s ‘How To Survive’ in February 2024.

You can follow Laura on Instagram under

She/Her

Please access tickets via:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pyre-night-at-soapbox-theatre-tickets-875265852727?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1GAGK-0S8dEVRNzq6WEv68TY4kG3YMVINijUlNvBn26KnD9vx_ZaFuZrY_aem_AdmWZ7fo1s8R-DoNgB34gBPSmbjB60DtbqVClHayME5-ncuuMBNDkICxln6XQzHhVNq76cCpPaN8w0V7R-HlYmBm

Pay as you feel, payment is not necessary but it is ticketed. Thank you.

19/04/2024

Hey you,

So what are Pyre Events?

Pyre nights and workshops highlight the talents of marginalised gender artists. Our audience is open to all and we create a safe and warm environment to explore all forms of creative skill.

This particular Pyre Night will focus on poetry as part of the Plymouth Poetry Festival 2024.

Okay, so who are our artists?

Firstly, the wonderful Laura Fergus --

Laura Fergus is an actor and poet from Cornwall. She has recently started writing poetry again and is trying to develop her skills as a writer. She has previously had her work in the Plymouth art vending machine and had her first ever poetry reading at Theatre Royal’s ‘How To Survive’ open mic night in February.

You can follow her on Instagram under

She/Her

Secondly, the fantastic Ysella Sims --

Ysella Sims is a poet and writer whose work focuses on our connection to each other and the natural world. She produces literary events and workshops and has had work published in Ink Sweat & Tears, Brittle Star, The Guardian, Iamb, Spelt Magazine and Blue Nib where she was a contributing editor. She writes about living, rural and otherwise, in Roots & Redsand

For more information explore www.ysellasims.com.

She/her

Welcoming back the amazing Red Chandler --

Red is a poet who recently located from Cornwall to Devon. She is a matriarch to a large, colourful, neurodivergent family. With 5 children and a lust for the outdoors her poetry speaks openly about life and its challenges. She read most recently at Q***r out loud neurodivergent poetry night.

For more work dive into Words by Red on Facebook

She/her

And lastly the incredible Dr Eva McGrath --

Dr Eva McGrath is a poet and social researcher. She is inspired by the sea and uses words weaved through her interviews and field notes to encapsulate what water means to us. She has recently been re:birthed, through the birth of her daughter in 2023 and uses creative methods to untangle and make sense of the whirlwind ride that is matrescense. Her research 'Immersion Maternal' is on display in the Archive Library at The Box, Plymouth until October 2024. Her interdisciplinary work is amongst other local artists and organisations who consider the sometimes murky, often refreshing relationship between water and wellbeing, as part of Planet Ocean.

Find out more about Eva's work via:
research

She/her

Where will we be?

We are welcoming you to the incredible Soapbox Children's Theatre in Devonport Park as part of the Plymouth Poetry Festival 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/soapboxtheatreplymouth

Payment?

Will be pay as you feel to help continue the production of these events. Tickets are available here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pyre-night-at-soapbox-theatre-tickets-875265852727?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1GAGK-0S8dEVRNzq6WEv68TY4kG3YMVINijUlNvBn26KnD9vx_ZaFuZrY_aem_AdmWZ7fo1s8R-DoNgB34gBPSmbjB60DtbqVClHayME5-ncuuMBNDkICxln6XQzHhVNq76cCpPaN8w0V7R-HlYmBm

Timings?

Please arrive by 6.30pm with a view to begin readings at 6.50pm on Friday the 26th of April.

With love Pyrelighters, thank you for those still with me, this one was long 🤣

🔥❤️

Pyre Events.

29/03/2024

Further photography by the incredible of our March Pyre Night at

Featured




and the wonderful Lucy Barritt

Still so in awe of our brave, inspirational performers!

08/03/2024

Also this sounds amazing.

It's International Women's Day, but here at Written Off, we are holding off on our celebration of all things femme until the 21st, when Emily Mew will be guest hosting our incredible virtual open mic - this time, on the theme of womanhood. What a way to cap off Women's History Month!

Do you fancy joining us for an evening of joy, passion and connection? Tickets are PAYF and start at £0. Men - please join! We'd love for you to come and join in the fun!

Link is exactly where you'd expect to find it. Event links will be sent out the day of the open mic. Audience members are given first dibs on performance slots that come free so if you haven't managed to get a performer slot this time, come along anyway and you might get lucky ❤️

See you there, yeah?

💌



This is a trans-inclusive event, and bigotry will not be tolerated.

08/03/2024

Celebrating International Women's Day and sending out massive gratitude to the incredible artists who have graced our stage.

Here's just a few:

04/03/2024

A few early release shots from Pyre Night - Female and Marginalised Gender Showcase March 2024

As always an incredible thank you to Sarah of Ramblin Folk Photography who makes magic possible,

BulletProof Brewing for going above and beyond, particular shout out to Rowan.

From first to last, overwhelming thanks to Eloise Dunwell, Lucy Barritt, Laurie Page and Jenna Bennett Music for their incredible performances.

Stay tuned, more memories incoming.

❤️🔥

28/02/2024

🔥🔥Two days to go, Pyre-lighters🔥🔥

More information via our event page:
https://fb.me/e/4fVYXspLH

25/02/2024

Welcoming our final addition for our next Pyre Night on Friday the 1st of March - Laurie Page will be acting as our Resident Compère 2024.

Laurie is a multitalented creative. She explores various forms of musicality and poetry and knows how to support an audience. Laurie weaves ancient literature into modern contexts, seemingly with ease. She has performed as part of the Storyteller's Festival, Tunes in the Park with SproutSpoken, acted as headliner at Wordstir and at Exeter's Taking the Mic. Laurie is a regular performer at Q***r Out Loud events and is currently working on publishing her first collection as part of the Jawbone Collective.

With great gratitude, Laurie Page.

Pronouns: She/her

09/02/2024

Introducing the incredible fifth artist performing at our March Pyre Showcase: Ruby Rascal!

Ruby Rascal is a Plymouth based neo-classic burlesque artist and co-producer of POSE Alternative Life Drawing.

Her performances incorporate the glamour of the past while embracing the bold and unexpected. Ruby invites audiences to join her in celebrating sensuality, self-love, and the enduring magic of performance art. After all, she aims to tease.

Pronouns: She/her

07/02/2024

Introducing our fourth performer at our March Pyre Showcase: Jenna Bennett

Having written and performed songs since the tender age of 3, Jenna is at her most natural telling stories behind her beloved guitar, ‘Betty’. Her gigs are full of instant warmth as she holds the crowd’s hearts and attention with both humour and vulnerability. Jenna’s songs vary from finger-picking folk tunes to high energy, slamming chords with a powerful voice to match. Not to be missed. Returning to the South West as a Mother after 14 years in Brighton. Jenna has a lot to share with you…

Pronouns: She/her

05/02/2024

Introducing our third fantastic performer at the March Pyre Showcase: Eloise Dunwell

Eloise is an Australian-British poet who started writing from the age of nine, deep in the guts of an ancient caldera in Northern New South Wales.

Using writing as a both an escape, and a more direct way of percolating her thoughts, she consciously kept most of her work to herself until there came a time she felt comfortable to share. Now is that time!

New to the mic, but not to the deep, dark waters of the soul, she aims to map all the creatures and trappings lurking there in order to share them with you.

Pronouns: She/her

02/02/2024

Introducing our second artist at the March Pyre Showcase: Lucy Barritt

Lucy is a wandering soul. She has recently returned to Plymouth to grow some roots. She's been performing music and poems for over a decade around campfires and on bar stools and during lockdown she began writing her own songs.

Think Radiohead meets Joni Mitchell with a twist of Norah Jones, Lucy is a translator of the heart and soul.

Please see her work on Youtube:
https://youtube.com/?si=d0VmLXpmMXPSYtRQ

Pronouns: She/her

31/01/2024

Introducing the first incredibly talented performer at the March Pyre Showcase: Harula Ladd

Harula is a poet based in Totnes. She’s a slam winner, has performed in London and Bristol, and is co-host of Word Stir, a monthly open mic afternoon in a Totnes bookshop. She’s written on the spot poems for conferences, in libraries, and at Torbay Hospital. She is passionate about community and the importance of the arts for everyone’s wellbeing, individually and communally. Harula is known to keep a toe in Narnia at all times, and her poetry wraps itself around you like one of her Mum’s brilliant handmade cardigans.

Pronouns: She/her

Photography: and niebroj

27/01/2024

Did you know Pyre Events will now be offering an open mic slot to audience members as part of their evening showcase?

So, if you identify as a female or marginalised gender artist, and would like to highlight your skills, get a feel for our show and community please feel welcome to put your name in the bowl upon arrival for the five minute open mic slot.

See you there!

26/01/2024

Releasing the incredible line up of our next Pyre Night - Female and Marginalised Gender Showcase on March the 1st.

Please all feel welcome from 7pm

14/01/2024

Pyre Events 2024 ARTIST CALL OUT:

This year we will be hosting three showcase events comprised of eight artists including comedians, musicians, poets, dancers and art exhibitions. Please feel welcome to reach out if you'd like to contribute in any way.

Note we are currently unfunded and everything we do for our community is achieved without funding. We are, however, welcoming, focused on our active tribe, and ensure photography and careful promotion.

With care,

Poppy





Featuring Lorna McTavish, photography by Ramblin Folk Photography

03/01/2024

Second set of Pyre Night October



As always an exceptional thank you to and

Until next time fire lighters!

24/12/2023

🧡

23/12/2023

🌍🔥

Apply. You've got this.

📢 New opportunity with the Theatre Royal Plymouth 📢

The Theatre Royal are currently looking for applicants for their first ever Open Mic Night: How to Survive.

The two-night series of open mic events explores the themes of diversity, inclusion and the climate emergency through music, spoken word, create writing and more.

Coming to The Drum on the 15th and 16th February. Applications are now open, closing on the 5th January.

Find out more and apply: https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/survive/

21/12/2023

Here's our last playlist of 2023, I focused on music you can dance to as we cross into 2024. I'll add more, for sure.

:-

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyRc96BrE-u27Fm0TXx53rV429svMarIo&si=GF1xeLgagMGzU0Fm

Until next year, fire wielders.

🔥

Art by Wolfskulljack Illustration