It’s time again to put on your walking shoes and stroll about beautiful Shelburne Falls, listening to some fine local musicians who will be performing on porches, patios, pavilions and lawns throughout the picturesque village.
The annual Shelburne Falls Porch Festival, now in its sixth year, will take place on Sunday, July 12, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The volunteer-run free event will feature 78 acts and more than 45 porches and venues across downtown Shelburne Falls — residential porches, storefronts and shared community spaces. Everything is within the Cultural District footprint, with just a couple of outliers still located in the village. That means you can easily walk to shows.
According to Cate Chadwick of the Shelburne Falls Alliance, some additions to the festival this year are a kids’ karaoke hour, a silent disco and an even wider spread of music genres.
And when it comes to genres, it’s fair to say you’ll hear a bit of everything at Porch Fest, including folk, jazz, rock, classical, pop, indie rock, bluegrass, Celtic, Brazilian Samba and about every other style you can think of — and some you’ve probably never heard of. Glam-a-billy anyone?
In addition to the music, there will be some comedy and poetry readings.
You will know some of the acts in the lineup as they regularly perform in the area, while others are relative newcomers. Some of the participating musicians include Little House Blues, Eric & the Wildfire, Trae Sheehan, Abdul Baki, Free Range Cats, Psychedelic Farm Girls, Frost Heaves & Hales, Couchboy and so many more.
Unagi, from Colrain, is looking forward to his first time at the festival and will be performing at 21 Main St. at 4 p.m. He is one of the artists expanding the festival’s genres, bringing hip-hop to the event. “I’m pretty sure I’m the only rapper — hopefully we get some people to come by and check it out,” said Unagi, who also mentioned that he is a former resident of Shelburne Falls and loves the town and its “nice people and good vibes.”
The Shelburne Falls Porch Festival has come a long way since Dorothy Strano-Bennett, then 13, organized the first fest in 2020. She saw the event as a way to keep live music alive during the COVID-19 pandemic and help people cope with the isolation they experienced at that time. There were only six venues participating back then, and the festival has grown each year.
Her father, Paul Bennett, took over the running of the festival after that first year. The festival is now organized by a small volunteer community group. “PorchFest has strengthened its community partnerships to be a collaborative effort between the Shelburne Falls PorchFest group, West County Arts & Culture (the fiscal sponsor), the Shelburne Falls Alliance, and the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce,” said Chadwick.
In June, the Boston Globe published an article on the popularity of Porch Festivals in Massachusetts, noting that the state now has more than 40 cities and towns hosting their own versions of the annual grassroots music festival. The article cited the sense of community-building that occurs at these events, combined with the enjoyment of discovering one’s neighbors’ musical talents, as a factor as to what has made these festivals so popular.
Celebrating community is certainly the case with the indie rock band Tandem Jump. The band’s guitarist and vocalist, Patrick Owens, pointed out that he, the group’s bassist, John Petrovato, and drummer, Michael Tocker, are residents of Shelburne Falls.
“So, we have a connection to the village and the community,” he said about Tandem Jump playing the festival for the third year in a row. The band will perform at 11 Main St. at 1 p.m.
Come and spend an afternoon in Shelburne Falls and discover some new music and revisit some of your old favorites. It’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
“It’s truly a day to wander the village — music everywhere, great food, ice cream, coffee, unique shops and of course, the Bridge of Flowers in full bloom,” said Chadwick. “It’s one of the best expressions of who Shelburne Falls is: community, creativity and connection.”
To view a detailed schedule and interactive map of the performance locations, visit shelburnefalls.com/porchfest.
Wendell Reggae Festival returns
The Shelburne Falls Porch Festival isn’t the only festival happening this weekend as the Wendell Reggae Festival returns to the Deja Brew Cafe & Pub in Wendell on Saturday, July 11, from 2 p.m. to midnight.
The festival, now in its eighth year, is hosted by Simon White, leader of the band Rhythm Inc., a hip-hop and reggae band based in Wendell. White started the festival in 2017 as a simple backyard party, and it has grown into an event that attracts hundreds of fans each year.
Like in previous years, the Wendell Reggae Festival offers a full day of top New England reggae bands, vendors, Caribbean food, indoor and outdoor bars, and even a bonfire. The event welcomes all ages.
The festival is a great chance to experience the local reggae scene and more.\
The music will be provided by the Wendell Warriors, Wheel Out, Soulkeys, Drummers of Passion, Rebelle, Amandla, Rhythm Inc. with Giles Stebbins, Nyjah Parker, Jah Rico and Chop City Rebelz. The latter, a Springfield-based band that mixes rap, reggae and dancehall with Caribbean sounds, will close out the night.
It is easy to understand the appeal of reggae music — it’s laid-back yet rhythmic, with an emphasis on the groove. The lyrics, which often focus on love, community, freedom, spirituality and social issues, aim to uplift the listener. Founded in Jamaica and popularized by Bob Marley, the genre has always had a home in Wendell, dating back to the early ’70s, when the band Loose Caboose formed there.
White chose to hold the festival in Wendell in part because of the area’s strong reggae history.
Some acts, like Rebelle and Wheel Out, who are crowd favorites, are returning this year. White also mentioned that two new groups will join the lineup, and he’s looking forward to their performances.
“We will be welcoming Amandla, a well-known reggae group out of Hartford,” White said. “For many years they have been showcasing their authentic, high-energy cultural performances throughout New England, spreading the message of love and unity! They have also backed many major touring reggae artists.”
Another highlight will be Jamemurrell Stanley & Drummers of Passion.
“Jamemurrell Stanley and his ensemble infuse traditional West African jembe rhythms with modern electronic instruments to create a high-energy, multi-cultural, hypnotizing experience,” said White. “His first performance with us was at our very first festival in 2017! He is also a co-founder and original member of Simon White & Rhythm Inc. and will be sitting in with the group later in the evening.”
White and his band will also perform at the festival. This year, they will debut a new single called “Self,” featuring the powerful vocals of local singer-songwriter Daisy Skelton. The song will be released on all major streaming platforms on the day of the festival, and Skelton will be on hand at the event to perform it with the band.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Children under 12 get in for free. Advance tickets can be purchased at the Wendell Country Store or via Venmo @Audrey-White-22.
Songwriters in the Round at Lake Pleasant
The Songwriters in the Round series, part of the Pond Lily Project, will host a show on Saturday, July 11, at 5 p.m. at the National Spiritual Alliance, Thompson Temple Sanctuary (2nd Floor), across from the Lake Pleasant Post Office.
This show is the third and final of this summer series, before the project hosts a grand finale at the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls on Sept. 26.
This show will welcome Pamela Means, Wylder Ayres and Kim Chin-Gibbons. The three singer-songwriters provide more than a performance, they will sing their songs and share the stories and inspiration behind their writing.
Please note that the show takes place on the second floor and is not fully accessible.
A donation of $20-$30 is suggested, but everyone is welcome, regardless of ability to pay.
Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at Soundslocal@yahoo.com.