As Matt Whyte of Earl Greyhound proclaimed how much he and his band  “mother-effin’ love Danbury” on Saturday, July 26th, a guy lay facedown in the grass with a gallon of water in his hand while a friend snapped his picture.  A few yards away a father praised his daughter as she completed a backbend.  Attendees of the first annual Safe to Swim Weekend ranged from babies to Brazilians to Dorothy Day regulars to professional musicians, underlining the fact that music has no eyes, just a pair of ears and a big, loud heart.

From Tractor Flip to Kiss Kiss, the Green witnessed an electrifying musical bracket on STSW’s opening night, Friday July 25th.  The Flip’s notorious rock kicked off the festivities and Kiss Kiss sent Swimmers out into the night more than a little hypnotized after their closing set.  Kiss Kiss was enthusiastic enough to venture out of the studio for STSW; the quintet is currently recording their second album and preparing for a tour.

“I’ve only been in Danbury a few times, and this is the most fun I’ve ever had,” said Kiss Kiss bassist, Sam Oatts.  “I hope to come back next year; this is a great gig.”  

The intention of returning for another Safe to Swim was shared by festival-goers and bands alike.  On Saturday afternoon, one of Willpilot’s songs morphed into a tale about the rivaling north and south sides of the Green uniting because of STSW.  
“I almost  feel emancipated today,” Dave Ohliger, Willpilot’s frontman, told the crowd.

The Way Up, also performing on Saturday, were joined by a diaper-clad American flag-wielding superhero when they opened their set with “America”, the theme from Team America: World Police, and the Mathmeticians’ drummer did a few leaping laps around the Green as a steady electronic beat beckoned Swimmers closer to the stage.  Danbury natives were treated to a surprise performance by local guitarist Jon Chapman as he added another layer to the smooth sounds of Roger Edel’s HotBox.

Cousin Larry’s and the City Alehouse hosted after parties on both nights, featuring the likes of Tabula Rasa, Charades, Nice New Outfit and Rahlo.  Joe Roberto and Poverty Hash had to leave the audience hanging on Saturday night when the police showed up to call the hour, but everyone’s spirits were insurmountable after soaking up 22 hours of live music.  

Hash’s newest addition is John Kasiewicz on guitar, formerly of Raisinhill, adding a whole new dimension to a favorite Danbury band.  As the band packed up a beaming Kasiewicz remarked, “this is only the beginning”.    

Although Kasiewicz was speaking of the band, the same could be said for Danbury itself, which is well on its way to becoming a mecca for the arts.  STSW was a huge success, and the city’s respective hat goes off to Tony Yacobellis, the architect of Safe to Swim, one of many who is helping to replace that hat with a hi-hat cymbal.  Congratulations to all the bands, sponsors and concertgoers; we will surely see you again next summer.