Meet the hustlers who make it happen

Apart from being Hockley Hustle and Poetry Festival photographer, nobody really knows what he’s doing. This year alone, he’s built a noise box out of junk, dropped out of his PhD, and started organising gigs out of boredom. Please don’t let him get bored. Some believe he was raised by bears, which would explain a lot, but actually, he’s just French. Older than he looks but still can’t grow a full beard. Drinks too much coffee. Could bite.

Hustling since: 2018

Biggest daddy in the playground. Ben first attended Hustle as a teen and has been hooked ever since. Loves community vibes, wild parties, and mad worlds colliding in a batshit and beautiful way. He also runs theatre company Sheep Soup and prances around stages worldwide in high-heeled boots and a glitter beard, looking rather gorgeous. Proud dad to 3-year-old Winnie and nearly 1-year-old Woodie.

Hustling since: 2010

Loves a boogie, being in nature, building communities, and witnessing a good before-and-after. When she isn’t Hustling, she makes Nice Smelly Things in her Sneinton studio, The Nice Place. Alice first popped her Hustle cherry in 2022 as a punter, then had her first proper Hustle in ’23 working with decor, distribution, and good deeds on the day. The Hustle is her utopia, wrapped in beautiful bustle, dancing around and shouting its good word everywhere. Often described as a slice of joy.

Hustling since: 2022

Hustle Collective & Notts Poetry Fest director once made a structure out of loose leaf tea, it was ok. Previously ran a record label and promoted over 6000 shows before realising festivals were somehow less damaging. As well as festivals, he now runs creative projects, is a Poet Off The Endz, promotes occasional shows, eats things, cycles places, drinks upsetting amounts of soda water.

Hustling since: 2006

Someone had to start the whole blasted festival, it was Adam. Along the way, he forged much-relied-upon friendships and earned heaps of community love. It takes a village… more like a medium-sized city. When not birthing festivals or re-planting Sherwood Forest, Adam dwelled in the LeftLion printing cave, grimly hand-scribing magazines letter by letter on fresh animal hide with an old arrowhead. He has now left LeftLion and is doing a PHD in absolutely no idea. Hobbies: pizza making, history podcasts, and deliberative democracy.

Hustling since: 2006–life

From Uruguay: teacher by day, DJ by night, poet somewhere in between. Runs events and collectives across music and poetry scenes, always triple-booked. Summoned by the English tea-pie maker to join the Hustle team. A community builder at heart, Caetano found his place among the team’s characters. First experienced Hockley Hustle in 2023 as a performer; now helps the magic happen. Loves all things electronic and dance, you’ll find him skanking at all hours. The Hustle is a dream project where his eclectic energy serves a brilliant cause.

Hustling since: 2024

Great at hugging, Laurie is a tall man often found climbing trees under full moons, screaming about injustice and milk varieties, and writing songs in unknown languages. Loves chisels. Has lots of chisels.

Hustling since: 2019

Hailing from Disneyland and brandishing a whip, Carys scares, and occasionally caresses, the HH team into submission. She rides a chariot made from the sad whispers of those who disobey her. Also doing a PHD in absolutely no idea.

Hustling since: 2019

Queen of bossing but gets the job done. Excel is her life. Also enjoys hugs* (but not when stressed, busy, hungry, or rushing so we suggest you avoid her most of the time).

Hustling since: 2014

Lewis eats everything, especially pineapple skins. Develops nightmares in an underground lab beneath Nottingham Castle, then delivers them through straws out of bus windows. Runs a double glazing business called SmashItUp.

Hustling since: 2016

Queen of the Hustle office. Known for a voice like a scrapyard brawl backed by drum and bass, Danny fights for access, advocacy, and community, from Hockley streets to Parliament seats. When he’s not training venues or championing equity, he’s bringing people together to make Nottingham a city where everyone can thrive: no matter their abilities, background, or dance moves.

Hustling since: Before he was born

After starring as Princess Jasmine in the 1992 Disney film Aladdin, Carolina decided to become a poet and filmmaker. She’s made 215 feature films including critics’ favourites The Godfather and the Home Alone movies, and writes poems about dogs eating their own faces. Winner of 3 Pulitzer Prizes and the Nobel Prize for Literature for her poem DOG ATE ITS OWN FACE.

Hustling since: 2024

A powerhouse working across all hustles, she could be a festival unto herself. Lights, noise, dancing, and a dose of madness. Now trying journalism, seriously suspected of cloning herself.

Hustling since: 2017

Runs crafty workshops. Hoarder of seemingly useless things, hater of waste, and general lovely space cadet. Shop wench by day, illustrator of people, pets, and places by night at ljdillustrations. Wants to make the world a brighter, more accepting, vibrant place. Often chatting nonsense around Notts and randomly singing Soulwax.

Hustling since: 2019... she thinks. Her memory is the worst!

Known for being the first human to climb to the moon using a ladder, Saziso Phiri is a veteran explorer and breeder of aquatic horses. Curator, cultural programmer, and artist advocate working in Nottingham and beyond. Founder of The Anti Gallery (2015), engaging art in informal spaces. Former Associate Artistic Director at New Art Exchange. Driven by art’s power to inspire change, challenge perspectives, and unite communities. sazisophiri.com

Hustling since: 2021

Middle-earth born dwarf who knows what’s what. Usually seen doing unexplainable stuff down the embankment, axe-laden and violent. She’ll take photos of you and then use them as leverage to conquer more Dwarven territories and steal your Piccolos.

Hustling since: Middle-earth has a different calendar, we have no reference point.

Since leaving school in 1981, Cherelle has travelled the world laying tarmac and shaping metal. Favourite creation: Clifton Bridge in Bristol, completed in 1864. Instrumental in selecting aluminium for fizzy pop cans. Bangin’.

Hustling since: 1860

Moved to Canada. Grace’s care and respect for nature, people, and creativity influence her genius. HH & GH Assistant Producer, Fashion Manager for GH (incl. Model Scout and Brand Liaison), Assistant Workshop Facilitator for HH Festival Decor, social media witchery, content creation, upcycling workshops, HH Venue Liaison, and Music Programmer for HH. STOP SHOWING OFF GRACE. Grace has moved to Canada.

Hustling since: April 2023

Megan is a photo that lives in the office. Doer of many things, tap-tap-tapping on laptops writing bids, planning, sending emails, planting trees, driving vans, and generally mucking in where needed. Great at arm wrestling.

Hustling: Timeless