All aboard for an open swim – but there’s no swimming allowed!
Confused? Don’t be – Open Swim is the name of a special river-themed gig coming to York’s floating venue.
The Arts Barge will be flowing with music and words, in a water-themed gig that aims to highlight wild spaces and to imagine a time where York’s rivers could be a clean place to swim.
Open Swim is at Foss Basin venue The Arts Barge on Friday 28 June.
The event is described as ‘a joyous celebration of all things water’ – but don’t bring your cozzie, as there’s no actual swimming involved.
The line-up will feature alt-folk duo Adderstone, multi-instrumental rhythms from the White Sail Band, aquatic tales from Lara McClure and Hannah Davies, poetry from Richard Kitchen, and more.
All participating artists have agreed to not take a fee for the event, so all proceeds will go to the charity Right To Roam and the Arts Barge itself.
Hannah West, Arts Barge coordinator, said, “The Arts Barge is totally reliant on volunteers and donations, and this summer is aiming to build the long-awaited deckhouse to create a covered area on the deck to finally stop the rain getting in!
“This will be a big step forwards towards becoming the fully accessible community arts space York has imagined and come to love.”
Ticket sales will go to Right To Roam, a charity that campaigns for better access to wild spaces.
Amy-Jane Beer, nature writer and Right To Roam campaigner, said, “Rivers should be safe and accessible for swimmers, paddlers and other water users, both human and wild. But only 3% of the UK’s rivers have an uncontested right of access, and as we know, sewage and agricultural pollution mean that most of those are in poor health.”
Amy-Jane Beer will also be at the Open Swim event, telling her stories as a paddler along Britain’s rivers from Right To Roam’s new book Wild Service – with the opportunity to buy a signed copy.
Advance tickets are £8.50 from Eventbrite or £10 on the door.