Kerry Priest is a poet, DJ and Opera-maker based in Devon.

One of Eyewear's ‘Best New British and Irish Poets’ 2018, her work has been published nationally and internationally, by Shearsman, Peter Lang, Black Mountain College and Poetry Salzburg. Her sound poetry has been played on BBC Radio 3 and performed at the Minack Theatre.

She has a verse novel, Nemetona, forthcoming with Slate, which details her time as a DJ on the free party rave scene. As a DJ, she has played at Latitude, Bestival, Royal Festival Hall, Thekla, Motion, XOYO and Cargo, to name but a few. She was also a resident at the legendary LGBT club night, Twat Boutique, supporting the likes of Beth Ditto, Anna Calvi and Ms Dynamite in warehouse venues in East London.

Her opera work includes libretti on two commissions from Royal Opera House; The Hardest Journey (With Anna Braithwaite) and I Wanna Be (In Center Parcs) (with Joanne Taylor).

www.kerrypriest.com

Chris White is a poet, performer & producer based in Exeter.

A multiple slam winner, a former ‘Bard of Exeter,’ and Exeter Cathedral’s first “Riddler in Residence.” He regularly creates and performs spoken-word and theatre, was the recipient of the Pleasance Partnership Award in 2020, and has brought his work to nights and festivals across the UK, from Latitude to Tongue Fu.

He's the Director of Spork! Poetry CIC, producing regular events in Exeter and across Devon, and regularly delivers workshops for both adults and young people.

In his silly, surreal way he often talks about class, identity, queerness and ducks.

www.chriswhitepoet.com

Rhys Slade-Jones (aka Bopa Rhys) is an award winning artist, writer, drag queen and theatre maker from Wales.

Rhys’ work is stuffed full of fun, silliness & heart, straddling the worlds of cabaret, performance and craft. They’ve performed across the UK at spoken-word nights, festivals and clubs, and made work with National Theatre Wales, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, The BBC, & The Pleasance.

In 2019 their show ‘The Land of my Fathers and Mothers and Some Other People,’ was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, to critical acclaim and 5 Star reviews. They are also part of Cŵm Rag; a collective of Welsh Queens, who regularly perform together, and recently climbed Snowden in full drag as part of a documentary for S4C.

https://jerwoodarts.org/artist...

Edward Tripp is a Northern Irish Spoken Word Artist, Comedian and Visual Artist.

A Graduate of Fine Art at the University of Plymouth, Ed has exhibited artwork across the UK and in the South West and was awarded Devon Artists Network's 'Emerging Artist Award' in 2014.

He regularly makes theatrical props, trophies and gadgets for his own use and for other performers and production companies, including Spork! Poetry CIC and various theatre shows. He designed the WOMAD festival slam poetry trophy in 2021.

He’s a surreal, ‘stand-up poet,’ weaving together comedy, spoken-word, visual arts and music, and performs at both Spoken Word venues and Stand-up Comedy Venues across the South West. In 2022, Edward performed his first, extended one-man show as part of Exeter's 'Locally Sourced' comedy festival. He has performed alongside comedian Spencer Jones, poet Rob Auton and poet/writer Hollie McNish.

He’s a multiple poetry-slam winner and won the Wordmakers Poetry 'Anti-Slam' in Bournemouth last year. Edward was appointed 'Bard of Exeter' in September 2022, and often creates unique work for events and communities.

www.sporkpoetry.com/edwardtrip...

BUKKY is a Nigerian/Irish artist based in London. Blending a mix of alternative psychedelic pop, hip-hop and R&B, she creates music to sing to, dance to and be a part of. With a contagious sound that fills the room, the authenticity of her work allows the audience to glance into the upcoming new wave of music within the UK. BUKKY will be performing a set of soaring love songs with a twist.