Porchfest delights as music rings out all afternoon

Onlookers enjoy a performance at the Jason Russell House at Porchfest. / Molly Weinrib photosThe streets of Arlington on Saturday, June 15, were filled with music, laughter and friendly chatter from residents enjoying the 2024 Porchfest, organized annually by the Arlington Center for the Arts (ACA). 

“I am overwhelmed by the amazing smiles I’ve seen all day long,” said Tom Formicola, ACA’s executive director. “This signature ACA event is a celebration of the arts that flows directly from our nonprofit’s mission to inspire joy and build community.” The ACA information booth at Whittemore Park.

According to Boston.com, the first porch festival took place in Ithaca, N.Y., in 2007; it wasn’t long before the idea of hosting free live performances throughout a town took off nationwide. Arlington first took part in 2016.

This year’s celebration was the biggest to date — the ACA estimates that more than 8,000 people attended that afternoon. 

“It grows and grows each year,” said Aneleise Ruggles, ACA communications director. 

This was the eighth Porchfest in Arlington; the town did not host the festival in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, the music started at noon and performances were scheduled until 6 p.m., immediately followed by a community “Garage Band” party at Abe’s Global Service Station, sponsored by a different group, the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture.

Matching musicians to locations

The exterior of Town Hall — one of 300-plus temporary stages.More than 300 acts signed up to perform, and roughly 136 residents volunteered their property as temporary stages. Ruggles described the registration process as similar to setting up a “dating profile,” wherein those who wish to play are “matched” with residents looking to host.

Each year ahead of the festivities, musicians can advertise their work by uploading a bio, links to videos or their streaming services to the Porchfest website. Ruggles said the site also features a list of Arlington homeowners or businesses trying to fill their stoops with music.Trombone players from School of HONK perform in Whittemore Park outside the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum.

“It was great. It was really easy,” said Arlington resident Shanker Sahai, who hosted two performances on his porch this year. “I went on the website, said I was a host — and the bands contacted me.”

Sahai said he has been to multiple Porchfests in Arlington and surrounding towns and loved the community-strengthening aspect the event brings to neighbors. He and the bands that reached out to him worked together to schedule their performance slots on Sahai’s porch. Originally, Sahai said he had matched with three bands, but the third act had to cancel. So, “I just let the second band play as long as they want,” he said. 

Ruggles said much of the planning is organized by the residents, however, ACA does have staff support should anyone need assistance matching with a band or porch. 

“It’s about the residents of Arlington plus local artists and musicians coming together and finding ways to make this event happen,” she said. 

Relaxation reigns

Several well-known local businesses and organizations joined in on the fun, including the Jason Russell House, the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum, 13Forest Gallery, the Regent Theatre and Kickstand Cafe. among others. 

Around 2 p.m., the band “The Fake Ones” performed as a group for the first time outside of the Kickstand Cafe. The nine-member band said they were employees at Bose and that their sound equipment came from work. A group plays tenor melodicas at Whittemore Park.

The group agreed that the relaxed nature of the afternoon was their favorite part of the experience. Member Owen Ackerman said he liked watching people “doing their own thing while enjoying the music,” whether that be sitting down to grab a bite from the cafe and listening, or even just stopping momentarily as they walked by.  Grace Ferguson sings an Adele cover on a porch along Bartlett Avenue.

In addition to the homes and businesses, residents could hear music on the steps of Town Hall or in Whittemore Park. At one point, a large brass band performed in front of the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum, playing instrumental hits like “Groove is in the Heart,” complete with dancers and hand-painted instruments. Families sat on picnic blankets in the lawn; the museum had a table where kids could work on crafts. 

“It’s great music and great community… I just ran into somebody I haven’t seen in 10 years,” said resident Kate Hannapel, who was enjoying a performance at the Jason Russell beer garden with her husband and dog. Menotomy Grill & Tavern had a tent set up in the garden at which residents could purchase food and drink.

Original music; new bands formed

Arlington’s Porchfest featured a diverse range of genres, from folk, pop, soul to kids’ performances. Those interested in viewing the complete list of acts could do so here >> 

Several of the day’s musicians were local songwriters and composers.

“Writing and performing originals has been something I wanted to do forever. It’s really cool to bring originals to life,” said a rising Arlington High School senior, Hart Kowert.

Kowert, a composer and guitarist, formed the alternative rock band, “Catharsis,” three months ago with fellow AHS student Miles Weiner, vocalist and bassist, and Medford High School student Owen Davis, who plays the drums.Cartharsis trio, formed three months ago, is made up of, from left, Miles Weiner, Owen Davis and Hart Kowert.     

Davis motioned to his set on the porch behind him and said he was grateful for having so much space. 

Residents of Bartlett Avenue made personal maps for their neighborhood.Catharsis was one of many acts to play on Bartlett Avenue. Ruggles wrote in an email to YourArlington that more than 10 porches along that street hosted shows — some of the houses even displayed work  from local artists. 

“We launched the option for visual artists to participate [in Porchfest] a few years ago as a way to connect even more artists with neighbors,” Ruggles wrote. “They match up with porches the same way bands do each year.”

For a list of porches in town that displayed art on their property, click here >>

Sahai said that members of his neighborhood who were also hosting creatives had all convened before the festival to coordinate with one another. 

“People figure out what’s best for their neighborhood or their particular porch,” Ruggles said as she recalled some of the considerations of residents who have hosted shows. She said someone when deciding to host might recognize, “‘I have a quieter community — maybe a folk musician or an acoustic set’ would be most appropriate — whereas a larger area like Whittemore Park knows, ‘We can really handle a large brass band.’”

Some residents went so far as to make their own maps and hang them along their respective streets for the guests passing through. 

Porchfest provided audiences for local musicians, connected residents to one another and supported Arlington’s businesses and organizations. “It’s a day to connect with neighbors and to make new friends through music that can be heard in every corner of our wonderful town — literally,” wrote Formicola in an email to YourArlington.