Super Sunday: Celebrate Folklore
04 May 2025 - 04 May 2025
Join us for a spectacular day inspired by the 'John Lyons: Carnivalesque' exhibition. Our programme includes creative family activities, live music, Morris dancing, an artist-led mask making workshop, storytelling and much more. Come along for some or all of what promises to be a wonderful few hours at The Box filled with folklore and celebration! See our full schedule below for more details.
More info
All activities are free with no need to book, except our artist-led mask making workshop. See below for more details.
10am-1pm: Creative drop-in workshop
Simmons Learning Room, Lower Ground Floor
Make a simple tatters collar or baldric (a ceremonial belt worn diagonally over one shoulder) with your children from recycled materials. This fun, simple activity will ensure your little ones are dance-ready for our Morris performances which start at midday.
Free. No need to book.
10.30am-12.30pm: The Gansey Gathering knitters
North Hall, Ground Floor
Enjoy a rare chance to watch our knitters as they work on a traditional fishing jumper long forgotten.
Free. No need to book.
11–11.30am: Folk-inspired storytelling
North Hall, Ground Floor
Lisa Schneidau tells stories that inspire, provoke curiosity and build stronger connections between people and nature. She'll be entertaining the gansey knitters with three stories: Lutey and the Mermaid, Red Rags and Other Worlds. Join them in North Hall for this special event.
Free. No need to book.
11am-4pm: Libby Bove’s Museum of Roadside Magic
Tavistock Place
'The Museum of Roadside Magic' is a travelling archive, documenting the use of magical practice, folk custom and plant knowledge, in vehicle maintenance, repair and journey making. It's the only known archive of its kind and holds an extensive collection of objects, costumes and photographs. Bove is an artist and designer working across a range of media including ceramics, textiles, sculpture and photography. Her work is centred on repositioning folk customs and magical practices at the forefront of daily life.
Free. No need to book.
12-3pm: Morris Dancing
Tavistock Place
Local sides including Old Town Twelves, Plymouth Morris, Catseye and Lodestone Border Morris celebrate the arrival of Spring. If you want to shake off the winter blues there'll be a chance for you to participate too.
Free. No need to book.
2pm-4pm: Artist-Led workshop: Mask Making with Ashanti Hare
Simmons Learning Room, Lower Ground Floor
Make a carnival mask inspired by the Jab Jab costumes of Trinidad. This workshop honours artist John Lyons whose exhibition Carnivalesque closes on 5 May. This is your last chance to dive into the Caribbean carnival traditions and folklore that have shaped his practice over the last 60 years. Ashanti Hare is a Devon-based artist who explores their spiritual being through performances informed by traditional folk practices. Everyone welcome. All materials provided.
£20 per person. Booking essential.
3-5pm: Live music
Explore More area, Ground Floor
Enjoy an informal folk music session under the Royal Naval ship's figureheads to round off this amazing Super Sunday!
Free. No need to book.