SHELBURNE FALLS — Although the first Porch Festival last summer was intended to bring the community together safely in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in keeping the event going even now that the pandemic wanes has led organizers to plan a second event on Saturday afternoon.
Fourteen-year-old Dorothy Strano-Bennett, who organized the inaugural Porch Festival with her father, Paul Bennett, recalled the collective sense of joy the community experienced by finally getting out of their houses and seeing live performances.
“It’s really fun. I felt so proud last year just walking around and seeing everything,” Strano-Bennett said. “It felt like such a success.”
And last year’s success, she hopes, will lead to this year’s — which could possibly lead to the Porch Festival becoming an annual event.
“We’d like to make an it annual thing and make it better and better,” Bennett said. He noted that part of the challenge is trying to bring more people in to help put it together, which organizers have made one of their priorities this year.
According to Bennett, the Buckland-based Mary Lyon Foundation has also agreed to be the festival’s fiscal sponsor this year, so organizers are able to accept donations.
Having moved from New York City to Shelburne Falls, Bennett said the festival is “a great way for us to keep learning about and connecting with people from the community.” Since Bennett’s partner’s family lives in the area, they’ve spent a lot of time in Shelburne Falls, and Strano-Bennett will be there for most of the summer.
Visitors can expect seven porches of musicians and other acts, as any and all art forms are welcome to take part. This year, organizers put together a website, shelburnefallsporchfestival.com, where interested parties could volunteer their porches, talents or time to help make the festival go smoothly.
Planned for Saturday between 1 and 5 p.m. are folk music covers and originals on guitar, a chorus and a Celtic group, among others. Festival-goers will also hear solo jazz piano by Morgan Kelsey, who will play his own grand piano from inside his home on High Street with his doors and windows open. Bennett, a part-time comedian, will also perform one of his family-friendly comedy routines.
The main porch on Saturday will be at Bridge Street Bazaar. Owner Crystal Rose said the business is using the Porch Festival to launch its newly transformed patio and picnic tables where individuals can bring food and gather.
“This will be the launch of it as a community space” instead of a parking lot, Rose explained.
After the Porch Festival, guests can join the Bridge Street Bazaar for a reggae dance party at 5 p.m. Shanti Starr and the Afro Reggae All Stars will accept donations.
There is no registration required for audience members. For a map and schedule of performances, visit shelburnefallsporchfestival.com.