Heavy metal followed by poetry, and classical music interspersed with punk. Amy Mckay is a firm believer in keeping audiences on their toes.

The organiser of Oxford's first Arts Festival has one main aim: "I just want people to see and hear things they wouldn't normally get the chance to," she explains.

And if that means wooing gig-goers with the promise of massage therapy, then blasting them away with hardcore rock, then so be it.

Clearly, the Oxford Arts Festival, which takes place next Friday and Saturday, is not your usual festival.

But then again, Amy is not your typical promoter.

Aged just 22, and hailing from Kidlington, Amy has displayed an uncanny knack for turning her wild ambitions into reality - ever since organising her first event - a Battle of the Bands contest at the village's Gosford Hill School. Since then she has released a compilation of Oxford bands Distortion; set up her own label Akuba Records; launched her own music magazine Open View; and as a sound engineer, helped turn the Corner Room - the venue formerly known as The Point - back into a credible destination for bands and gig-goers.

But it is her enthusiasm in setting up next week's bash - fusing music with art, photography, drama, comedy and poetry - which has raised eyebrows across the city.

"I have such a wide taste in music that I wanted to share it with people," says Amy.

"The only criteria is that artists and performers have to be from Oxfordshire. I want this to be a showcase of the county, and what we've got."

All proceeds from the festival will go to two great Oxford causes - The Young Women's Band Project and The John Radcliffe Hospital Music Therapy Room.

Incredibly, Amy - and co-organisers Guy Henderson, a web designer, and Alec Richardson, a professional Thames riverboat skipper - have thrown the two-day cultural extravaganza together in just three months.

Principal venues are The Cellar, The Corner Room, The Bullingdon, The Wheatsheaf, The Market Tavern, The Exeter Hall, The Port Mahon, and The Jericho.

Recommended bands are too numerous to mention, but next Friday's highlights include sets by Sow, Xmas Lights and Blood Roses at The Wheatsheaf; Phyal, The Epstein and Harry Angel, at The Market Tavern; and The Walk Off at the Bullingdon.

Saturday's attractions include Jada Pearl and The Idea at The Exeter Hall; Nine Stone Cowboy at The Market Tavern; KTB at The Port Mahon; 100 Bullets Back at The Corner Room; The Scha la la's, Harlette and The Dirty Royals at The Wheatsheaf; and The Family Machine and The Quarter Finals at the Cellar.

Gig-goers at the Cellar will also have a chance to relive memories of past Oxford gigs, with an exhibition by Abingdon-based rock photographer Marc West which will be sold for charity.

Festival-goers will be able to pay for entry to individual venues, or buy one-day or two-day wristbands. The wristbands, funded by a grant from Oxford City Council, cost £10 for the weekend or £7 per day, from Polar Bear, in Cowley Road; The Oxford Music Shop, on St Aldate's, or www.oxfordartsfestival.com