Leaping From Cherry to Cherry 

Blood red little cherry, your taste is a mystery.

Are you the innocence I popped at 16?

Another sweet thing my mother couldn’t afford? 

Look at you and see lost virginity.

Is it the pain you feel when bitten?

Is it the spray of juice dripping from full lips?

Cherry flavoured gum blown into bubbles,

clenched between a puckered mouth, 

exploding on the face of the one who chews 

on thoughts children should never devour. 

With and Without - A Self Portrait of 36

After Chen Chen

With green hexagonal tile. Without a tidy house. With an electric toothbrush. With the Canary. Without the wife. With a drivers license. Without the warmth of my mother's mother's mother. With an insatiable hunger for fantasy fiction. With pickled beetroots glossed across my smile.

You may be thinking, ‘Krystal, that’s ridiculous, in this economy you think you’re going to convince me to do work for free for some mega rich organisation?’. First, they’re mostly not mega rich and second, yes, that is my goal. Below are 10 reasons for you to become a trustee based on my nearly FOUR years as Trustee of National Dance Company Wales.

Dance has the remarkable ability to captivate our hearts and souls, moving us in ways words cannot express. For James Knott, dance has been a lifelong passion that has shaped his journey as a performer and artist. 

In the world of movement and expression, Hannah Darby emerges as a vibrant force, seamlessly blending her lifelong passion for dance with a great love for circus arts.

In the heart of the Wye Valley, amidst the picturesque landscapes of South Wales, resides Alys Davies—a freelance dance artist whose elegant movements and raw intricacy captivate audiences far and wide.

I guess this is for anyone who is worried they can’t be counted as one of the million Welsh speakers in 2050 because of one reason or another. 

I want to be counted. But I will not force myself into a way of learning that is unhealthy for me. I want this learning journey to be as beautiful as the language I desire to learn. 

So, where does that leave me? 

I’m a firm believer that every single choice we make is fuelled by either love or fear. Think through your choices - you’ll see. Even the choice to hate someone is fuelled by love or fear. How love and fear fuel these choices is complex and personal. 

I often have people asking me, ‘So, what are you up to?’ and each time I stare blankly and rattle off a few bits that I can remember off the top of my head. However, for anyone interested, here’s what I’m up to. 

We're seeking a Stage Manager for Krystal S. Lowe’s new dance theatre work, Remarkable Rhythm. Rehearsals will take place at the Riverfront Theatre in Newport.

 Tour dates: 27 May – 6 June 2023

I will revive me.

I will.

I’ll revive myself.

I’ll revive myself with hot soup and hot showers and cold walks through misty mornings.

I’ll revive myself with dancing and music and singing too loud.

With soft breads and chocolate;

With log fires and wool blankets;

With nudity and sex (not necessarily at the same time);

With the moon and stars;

With writing and long films;

With lemon cake and cups of tea (see above);

With love and bravery and hope – I will revive me.

I used to think power was an object

Held and pushed toward weak ones.

To ensure, they felt it and saw it fully.

Then, and only then, would power be in full effect.

The object could be passed on,

One to another,

but never held by more than one person in any one space.

The most valuable thing that people have given to me throughout my career has been support. Life as a creative can be lonely and trying to do things in the arts sector can be daunting, even when you have the answers, it’s even more difficult when you need support and don’t know where to turn. So, I want to say that you can turn to me.

I’m offering free (in every context) support to any one who needs it.

Over the past few months, I’ve been thinking a lot about the safe spaces in the world/sector and how I can not only be a safe person but commit to maintaining safe spaces for myself and others.