When the Collaborator himself, Peter Bekendorf, first approached me about putting on Dayton Porchfest, I thought he was crazy. Cleveland does it, he explained, involving 30 some porches all simultaneously playing free music throughout neighborhoods. That sounded like a tremendous amount of effort and energy. “Peter, I love the idea, but you’re crazy,” I’d say to him. He grinned with a gleam in his eye. “We’re going to do this,” he replied determinedly.
That was a year or so ago, and more recently, while perusing the interwebs, I stumbled across an article about International Play on a Porch Day on August 26th. I had no idea there was an international day dedicated to playing on porches! The IPPD website explained “Music goes beyond words. It can transcend the most difficult barriers. It ties us together like a thread through our hearts. Our skin is many colors but music is in our blood, our bones and our soul.” Given the current climate in our country and even community, it sounded like just the remedy we needed. I forwarded the info on to Peter, who immediately ran with it.
That is how Dayton’s first Porchfest was born. In just a couple short weeks, home owners in St Anne’s Hill, came together to support this idea in the most amazing way! What seemed like overnight the porches were lined up, as were the musicians, and schedules were being made. An after party at Fifth Street Brew Pub was also arranged. Kudos to Peter, the musicians, homeowners, and the entire team of ad hoc group of volunteers who are making these free concerts happen!
Come on out and enjoy the show Saturday August 26th, which is the official “Play on a Porch” day. Meet the St Anne’s neighborhood and support local music at the first of what will be an annual festival celebrating the quality and diversity of the Dayton music scene. All ages welcome! No cost! Bring a chair or blanket, and the whole family, for some summer fun!
How to go?
When: Saturday August 26, 2017 from 3:30pm – 10pm
Where: St Anne’s neighborhood. Starts at 4th and Henry Streets.
Cost: Free!
Ages: All!
Schedule:
Kickoff 3:30 – 3:45 TRSS Drum Corps at Fourth and Henry
Music Block 1 4:00 – 4:45 Craig Jackson Jazz Band, Charlie Campbell and Steve Makofka Accordion Duo, Nick Kizirnis and Firecreek.
Music Block 2 5:00 – 5:45 Harmonica Neil, Aaron Maheu, Spill The Wine, Sonny B. Gould and Blue-Eyed Grass.
Music Block 3 6:00 – 6:45 Berachah Valley, Skyp Krantz, John Dubuc, Andy Rush, Jack Ballengee Morris and Tim Spoores.
AfterFest 7:00 – 9:30 Nothing But Treble at Fifth Street Brewpub
