THE BARGE…We’re raising money to insulate the barge so we all don’t fry in summer and freeze in winter - we’ve been busy busy cleaning and mopping and shufting and sorting so we’re good and ready to get the work done pronto once we’ve raised the cash by mid September - with your help WE CAN DO THIS lovely people ❤️

THE BOODLE…Our fundraiser starts on Tuesday August 9th. Right now we’re busy putting together as many rewards as we can to say thanks to anyone who can spare a bit of cash to help with the next bit of the barge renovation. It’s not just how much you can give, it’s how many of you can give it.  And if you’re low on boodle let us know if you can offer anything somebody might want - vouchers, goody bags, art work, tickets - you name it we need it as donation rewards. More info on how to help coming up soon

And as if it was all meant to be, the pluckin’ BANJO GENIUS Curtis Eller just happened to be dropping by on September 14th as part of his never ending world tour just in time to celebrate us hitting our target. This is going to be a very special show. If you haven't seen him before, do yourself a favour and buy a ticket If you have, then you’ll already have bought your ticket so get one for someone else!

Trevor 'The Fossil' Morris is next in our Extraordinary Barge People series. And before you think I'm being rude about his age, read on.
It's true indeed that at 197 years old this Welsh rarebit is probably our oldest supporter, but there's nothing cheesy about our Trev. In fact he has a distinctly dark side...
Number One Fan of David Attenborough, Trev is a master of the fine art of phosphorescent photography of fossils, having discovered their shiny qualities as a caver years ago. If you see him on the barge, ask him to show you one of the stunning photos he carries with him. Luckily for us Trev is also a barge-fan. Given how long it's taken us to get the barge here (and the current low-level lighting) we're fully expecting to be the next in his Fossils in the Dark series

Extraordinary Barge People...
Barges are ace obviously, but it’s all about the characters. ..

When Vikings sailed down the Ouse a thousand years ago, it’s entirely possible (from the sheer look of him) that Al Hamilton’s ancestors were onboard one of the longboats. At 9 foot 7, he’s big, our Al. And he needs to be, because there’s a lot of talent to fit in there. Part opera-singer, part bass-player, part artisan joiner and all-round Boss, this is the man you’d want if you needed to rig up a quick trebuchet to cull a few feisty Anglo Saxons on your way into Jorvik City Centre (something I’ve been tempted to do myself once or twice). Working 24,000 hours a day, Al has either made, designed or project-managed every single bit of joinery on the barge - basically if it’s made of wood he’s had a major hand in it. Without Al, we’d all be gazing into the hull through big holes in the deck thinking ‘if only there was a natty system of getting from up here, to down there’...And for those of you familiar with the wonder of visqueen (that oh-so-flexible super-substance essential to any damp-proofing job) Al is officially the Vis-king. He claims to be able to make anything from a bit of gaffer and black plaggy roll - which is great actually Al, because we need some toilets.

A word of warning; if you’re going to get an eco-warrior to do your recycling you’ll need to fundamentally rethink your attitude to bins. For most people, a bin is a one-directional repository for rubbish. Even for people like us at Arts Barge, who genuinely care about where all our waste ends up, the desired trajectory is always forwards (away from us) onto whatever alchemical processes turn our scrap into filthy lucre for someone else.
But ask an eco-warrior to sort out your crap and even when you’re sure you’ve stripped everything down to fully recyclable elements which you’ll never need to see again - paper, glass, cardboard and compostable plastic (AT GREAT EXPENSE) you’ll need to rethink, because there’s a whole other story to rubbish and its name is Mickey. ❤️
Yes, just when you think the nightmare of your own refuse is over, you’ll find Mickey Storey back, fresh from a thorough-going rummage of your skip, with news that no! Far from being obsolete, that pile of wasp-ridden, stinking detritus you ditched after last night’s gig is ready for new life!
Because Mickey’s waste-goal is Absolute Zero. As you start your next sixteen hour shift thinking that the mucky remnants of yesterday are behind you, Mickey turns up on his trike, grinning, with fourteen bags of what you ignorantly believed you had rid yourself of forever the day before. Compostable cups? Fab! But rather than composting Marce, how about this for a great idea (says Mickey) let’s gradually wash them up over the next twelve months, store them in bin-bags in your living room and ‘RE-USE ‘EM ALL MAN!!’ It’s hard to argue with his logic and I find myself nodding in knackered agreement to an idea that I don’t have the emotional strength to argue with. But inside I’m weeping, thinking, WHY?! WHY can’t we just bury them Mickey?! They make COMPOST for christ’s sake! Don’t hippies even like compost now???! I thought they revelled in that shit!
Seriously though, it’s been a joy to have Mickey on board. I challenge anyone to conjure up a mental image of him without seeing that smile - he could sell snow to Inuits with it. He’s also a bona fide York legend with a magical trailer that can carry anything from a disused sofa to a couple of pissed kids in need of a lift into town at midnight. Nothing is too much trouble. Nothing is beyond him.
And he’s a wit, our Mickey, so nothing gets past him either.
Not a single, sodding, solitary thing.😍

There are many contradictions inherent in Selby Tony.
A barge which now lives in York but which was christened with a name redolent of its previous life carrying grain between Hull, Goole, Selby and York too. How many of those names (three for most Yorkshire people) conjure up images of neglect and decline?
And yet here is Tony, vividly recovered, well-loved and fully inhabited.
A dumb barge, noisy with the bustle of creative life.
A male who, by tradition, is all woman.
A static thing which feels so dynamic. A hulk of metal which feels so...personal.

I first encountered Tony on the ‘critical list’ - one of a number of barges aimed for the scrap heap - destined to be carved up into sections of lucrative steel, its timber-deck ragged with rot and decay, its paintwork still faintly visible but fading into the muted tones of a forgotten pride.

It was Hannah West, who, with that unerring eye for potential, first saw Tony and decided he was The One. The rest is, so to speak, history.

Don’t ask me why but I was desperate to sleep in the barge. At first sight it’s not an appealing prospect. But, honestly, we should sell tickets for the experience. You’re at once in something massive but encompassing. Grand but simple. Powerful but peaceful. I had the best night’s sleep of years.

And then, in the daytime, Tony welcomes.
All kinds come to find the barge. It’s a magnet for the unusual.
People I’ve seen for years in York and never actually spoken to who have been to see things I’d never have imagined they’d even register.
Long-term supporters who didn’t lose faith in the idea of what the space could offer.
And travellers who find some sense of connection with a thing which was built to move but which revels in the calm of belonging.
Tony is the most benign of retirees. A Grandparent loving the energy of its grandkids.

The Fates were at play in this barge. Surely Christian Topman's name can’t be coincidence? Alastair Hamilton's love for craft and authenticity will be written all over the final build. And in the all-doing, all-seeing Hannah Hutchinson Tony has found the perfect maitre-de.

I have dreamed about this barge. And, strangely enough, it’s all come true.

Marcia Mackey

Art Newell’s Arts Barge Jazz Festival!

Arthur Newell returns with London jazz scene friends in tow to deliver an exciting programme of Jazz on the barge. With Alex Hitchcock presented by Ouroborus as Friday night headline. Can’t wait!!

Friday 19th
(All events PWYW unless stated)

12pm – 2pm: Acoustic Jazz Sessions

Enjoy a variety of different jazz ensembles, from solo performances, through duos and trios, all acoustic. Weather permitting the performances will take place either on the barge or (hopefully) outside next to the river.

2pm – 5pm: Open Rehearsals

Can’t make it to the evening gigs? No problem! Come along to the barge to preview some of the bands as the barge becomes an open rehearsal space for all the acts performing during the jazz festival.

8pm – 11pm: Alex Hitchcock Quintet

With support from Jamie Beardmore Quartet

A powerhouse quintet from London that combines a compelling, adventurous ear for melody with virtuosic improvising. The band's increasingly burgeoning reputation on the international jazz stage was confirmed by first place at the Conad Jazz Contest at the 2018 Umbria Jazz Festival. £7 adv. £10 OTD.

Saturday 20th
(All events PWYW unless stated)

12pm – 2pm: Acoustic Jazz Sessions.

Enjoy a variety of different jazz ensembles, from solo performances, through duos and trios, all acoustic. Weather permitting the performances will take place either on the barge or (hopefully) outside next to the river.

2pm – 4pm: Open Jazz Workshop

A community jazz workshop led by the Arts Barge House Band. Open to all, at any level you are likely to learn something from this! Focusing on the fundamental elements of improvisation, as well as group playing, and groove. £10pp

5pm – 6pm: Soden Brothers Band

Come along to enjoy a performance by trombonist Tom and sousaphone/accordion player Adam Soden with their band. Playing a selection of old standards and contemporary jazz repertoire.

6pm – 7pm: Arthur Newell’s Organism

A collaboration between three like-minded musicians from London. Led by Arts Barge homegrown Arthur Newell, the band explores the musical capabilities of the humble organ trio. Influenced by the music of John Schofield, Larry Young, and Larry Goldings, Organism aims to mix together funk, soul, and jazz into their very own concoction. With Christian Prior on Organ and Benedict Wood on Guitar.

7pm – 8pm: North/South Band

A coming together of many of the musicians who have performed during the festival. With special guest – Arts Barges very own Christian Topman on bass!

8pm – 9pm: Arts Barge Rendez Manouche

Led by Christian Topman, the Arts Barge Randez Manouche is a coming together of old friends. The ensemble was formed in the early years of the Arts Barge collective and will see the return of many familiar faces from all over the country to celebrate the opening of the barge. Bound to be a really special night – not one to miss!

9pm – 11pm: Gyspy Jazz Jam

A gypsy jazz jam to take us to the end of the jazz festival. Come along for jazz in its rawest, raunchiest, most rambunctious form! Of course, bring your plucking things, scrapey things, and squeaky things to join in!

The Great Yorkshire Fringe Festival and the very first performances on The Arts Barge begin!! RUST was a wonderful and very fitting first show and we’re looking forward to all the rest!

York Nurturing Community will be serving food every day between 4pm and 8pm.

Come and see!!

Sunday 21st is a day of Hardcore Americana with Tim Eriksen - with a free Shapenote workshop in the afternoon and support from Cath & Phil Tyler - Tickets here.

Iona Lane blesses us with Food & Folk on Aug 8th - our closing day - it’s a drop in - come down for yer tea. £PWYF

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