A member of international percussion and performance group STOMP, a local breakdance group and a tower of instruments made from recycled junk, have been brought together by City of York Council in a first for the Festival of the Rivers on the banks of the River Ouse.

This exciting new ensemble, known as Junkestra, will have a rhythm rockers’ showdown on Sunday 22 July from 1-5pm at the riverside Tower Gardens, York, as part of the city’s seventh, annual celebration of its rivers.

Billy Hickling, international percussionist and member of performance group STOMP was commissioned by the council to used salvaged odds and ends from the council’s Hazel Court recycling centre to create a junk percussion tower for players to create beats and rhythms as part of the Junkestra performance. Working with York Breakdance, a local youth dance group, Billy has orchestrated Junkestra into a unique dance and rhythm act to debut as a highlight of the Festival.

The riverside event will include free workshops for anyone to join in. People are invited to bring along a tin can, plastic bottle or other junk that can make a noise, and join in with the informal workshops, or they can simply sit back and soak up Junkestra’s fabulous performance.

The Junkestra event is part of the City of York Council’s Festival of the Rivers which will be flowing through York from 7-22 July and will feature a wide range of cultural and leisure activities to celebrate the rivers Ouse and Foss, including the postponed Flotilla on Saturday 26 August.