This annual, cross-city and very BIG event returned to Plymouth Pavilions in an earlier festival slot than usual and featured performance and live art involving 874 children from 24 city schools.

In the foyer, visitors were greeted by the Plymouth Youth Music Service ‘Mini Prom’, featuring amongst others, a brass band, ukelele orchestra and woodwind ensemble. Over 200 young people performed in this more intimate location and wowed the crowds throughout the morning and early afternoon.

Moving into the arena, the curtained zone housing the Big Art Workshop saw hundreds of young artists of all ages at work, creating everything from large scale paintings to large scale architectural sculptures. Children from all parts of Plymouth and all ages worked side by side, in most cases finishing pre-started work, supported by their teachers and Plymouth College of Art student ambassadors. Behind the scenes the PCA students also delivered, set up and dismantled the large display boards that made up the work and exhibition area.

Once past the curtain, visitors entered the performance area, with the main arena stage and seating for over 500. This auditorium stayed pleasingly full throughout the day, despite the many comings and goings as parents arrived and classes left their seats to perform. Yet again, the performances were fun, exciting, hilarious, spectacular, skilful, charming and inspirational, but not necessarily all at the same time!  The photographs will give you a better idea of what the audience enjoyed than any written description, but suffice to say they included Indian, gym, ribbon, wheelchair and street  dance, a song from a show, disco drama, a whole school choir and a fashion show!

Our thanks go again to all the teachers, children and parents who were there on the day, to Plymouth Pavilions and its fantastic staff, and, of course, to our hard working Barefoot and UCP Marjon volunteers, without whom the day couldn’t have taken place.