TrailOff Story Walk on the Delaware South Trail: Appear to Me

Local theater and game-making company Swim Pony will lead a FREE guided community walk of their TrailOff immersive audio story Appear to Me by author Eppchez Yo-Sí Yes. TrailOff is a groundbreaking app created by Swim Pony in partnership with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and the Circuit Trails Network that transforms nature trails into stories that one can walk into, through the visions of incredible local BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors. It uses the magic of GPS-triggered audio technology to create an experience that is personalized to the user. TrailOff is completely free to download and available on iPhone and Android. With stories located on trails across the greater Philadelphia region, TrailOff is a new way to get connected to the outdoors. Featured in Best of Philly!

Eppchez Yo-Sí Yes brings the fullness of their musicianship, movement training, and designer’s mind to the urgent themes that imperil humanity. The story takes you on a journey that mashes together the past and present itinerant denizens of the Delaware River’s piers. Filled with a dreamy troubadour spirit, rough songs and honest conversation swirl through these untold tales of the waterfront, narrated by feral cats channeling the hobo poet W. H. Davies, radical dock workers, Lenape boaters, cruisers, fishing teens, even talking litter, each simply seeking a moment of respite.

Swim Pony staff will meet audience members at the trail’s start at Pier 70 Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148 by Pier 68 near the South Philly Walmart and help everyone download the app onto their phones. The group will walk the trail, listening to the story and traveling at their own pace. With location-specific audio technology, the app syncs to their movement along the trail. They will regather at the trail’s end on the Washington Avenue Pier (aka Pier 53) to reflect on the experience, discuss the story and hear about making-of details with Swim Pony staff and author Eppchez Yo-Sí Yes.

TrailOff’s mission is to increase the diversity of nature trail users by featuring stories that are wide-ranging in genre – from coming-of-age to Afrofuturism, poetry and horror – and bring the perspectives of extraordinary local BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors to the Circuit Trails, a network of free nature trails in the greater Philadelphia region. Even if you can’t attend the event, TrailOff is free 24/7, with 10 amazing stories available year round.

Learn more about TrailOff at: https://trailoffquicklook.com/2024/03/04/appear-to-me-delaware-river-trail-south/