Katie's back with a new series of Just The Tonic, the podcast that shines a light on the positive power of the arts.

In series one, we looked at how music can help mental and physical well-being and in this series, we'll explore the benefits of getting involved in other arts forms too.

For this episode, Katie's stepping back into the fabulous world of dance - she was in the Strictly final with Anton du Beke! Last year, Eastenders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis was the first deaf contestant to take part and, with her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice, she waltzed her way from Walford to the Strictly crown. Rose did so much to break down the stereotype that deaf people can't dance and can't enjoy music and that's exactly what dancers Billy Read and Sarah from Critical Mass want to do.

We hear from Billy about his Forbidden Identity performance at Birmingham's International Dance Festival which explores growing up as a Deaf child in a hearing world. Sarah talks about the huge benefits she gets from dancing with Critical Mass, an inclusive dance participation project bringing together young people from across the West Midlands with and without disabilities.

And Katie chats to Cuban dance legend Carlos Acosta about his extraordinary life and his plans for the future as Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet. Plus we get a sneak peak of their fantastic show at the Birmingham International Dance Festival!

We'll be following The People's Orchestra as they prepare for their performances at the Birmingham 2022 festival in the run-up to the Commonwealth Game and Chief Executive Sarah Marshall tells Katie what they have in store.

https://thepeoplesorchestra.com/

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