Plymouth's biggest Hip Hop festival takes stage TONIGHT
Street Factory's Roots Up! will see spectacular performances of dance, rap, poetry and much more
People aged eight to 86 will be taking to the stage in Plymouth tonight as a major Hip Hop festival hits the city.
Roots Up! is back on track, after having to postpone the event multiple times due to the pandemic.
But five is the lucky number for organisers Street Factory, who are hoping to shine a light on the city's talent.
The thrilling three-hour production will present multiple creative elements of Hip Hop, including breaking or b-boying, MCing, DJ-ing, graffiti, rapping, poetry and spoken word, plus a bonus touch of R&B.
Tonight's (Friday 19 November) event will kickstart on the Piazza from 6.00pm running until 9.00pm. Afterwards everyone is invited to an after party taking place at the Havana Bar in Notte Street.
Toby and Jo Gorniak, founders of Street Factory, are determined to demonstrate that Hip Hop is a positive and inspirational culture that people of all backgrounds and ages can connect with.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Jo tells us it's about giving people an opportunity they've never previously had:
"It's a lot bigger than we've ever done before. We have been rehearsing this five times, but due to the pandemic we couldn't go ahead. So we love the number five, it's our lucky number!
"No matter what, Roots Up! is going to happen, so it's really exciting.
"Some people are established artists and they've worked internationally; and for some people it's the first time they're ever going to step out on a stage.
"So working with them on their nerves and their confidence, building them up and letting them know that it's their time to shine, that's been a really big thing that Toby's had to do with them.
"Then you bring the groups together, rehearse together, then you work again on your own - it's been a really big process."
Jo Gorniak - Street Factory
Toby G tells us about some of performers, adding that they're all 'so excited':
"You've got some of the young ones, like Lila, who I've been working with and we've created a Hip Hop theatre piece which she'll perform on her own on the stage in front of thousands of people. Somebody who is 12-years-old gets the amazing opportunity to do that.
"We even have Hilary, who's 86 and will be performing on the stage, which is phenomenal.
"It's all about Hip Hop, culture, the principles we live by: which are respect, peace, love, unity and having fun.
"These artists are so excited to be back with the community and to be back with people, so I think we all need that."
Toby Gorniak - Street Factory
Roots Up! is part of the city's Mayflower 400 commemorations, which have been continually delayed due to the pandemic.
It has been made possible with support from Arts Council England, Mayflower 400, Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Culture.