It’s billed as “Vancouver’s annual COVID-safer festival”. Organizers have scheduled the immune-inclusive Clean Air Festival in Slocan Park (2750 East 29th Avenue) next Sunday (September 15). It will run from 1 to 6:30 p.m. and be available via livestream.
Several musicians will perform after a DIY air-purifying workshop, children’s games, and a magic performance. Required safety protocols include wearing respirators (i.e., N95s or K95s) and being tested for COVID-19 in advance. In addition, attendees must not wear fragrances, smoke, or vape. If symptomatic or recently exposed to COVID-19, they have to attend digitally.
Moreover, organizers will make respirators available on-site. There will also be accessible, all-gender restrooms as well as ASL interpretation for the workshop on request.
“The issue of clean air couldn’t be more timely, between high COVID spread, the newly-declared mpox emergency, and wildfire smoke related to the accelerating climate crisis,” organizer Dr. Karina Zeidler says in a news release. “One of the main goals of the festival is to bring together these diverse groups, artists, and activists who have been working hard on these issues. It’s a joyful celebration of solidarity, mutual aid and community care—as well as a way to align ourselves with those fighting against fascism, patriarchy, ableism, colonialism, and capitalism.”
The workshop, tabling, and children’s games take place starting at 1 p.m. Respirators, zines, and DIY-fit test kits will remain available as long as supplies last. One of the organizers, Clean Air in BC Schools, plans to donate some of the air purifiers made in the workshop to schools. Another organizer, Masks 4 East Van, will make other purifiers from the workshop available to vulnerable community members.
Clean Air Festival centres access
Magician Travis Bernhardt will perform at 3:45, followed by several musicians. They include non-binary singer-songwriter and author Rae Spoon, Jewish-Canadian accordion player and singer-songwriter Geoff Berner, singer-songwriter and producer DANI YOUR DARLING, and Long COVID research assistant and singer Kayli Jamieson.
“Removing barriers for access is so important for community health and participation in the arts,” Spoon says. “Accessible outdoor shows are a great way to lower COVID transmission rates and I’ve done them all over Canada. The Clean Air Festival represents the efforts of so many people to centre access and community building in Vancouver. I’m very excited to play and be at the event!”
The Clean Air Festival is free and by donation. Other organizers include Clean Air 604, DoNoHarm BC, Millions Missing BC, Protect Our Province BC, SolidAIRity GVRD, Safe Schools Coalition BC, Spring Vancouver, and Vancouver Still Cares.
The second annual Clean Air Festival will take place from 1 to 6:30 p.m. next Sunday (September 15) in Slocan Park and online via livestream. For more information, visit the festival website. There’s also an online social from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday (September 8) a week in advance of the festival. Follow Pancouver on X (formerly Twitter) @PancouverMedia and on Instagram @PancouverMedia.
