EASTHAMPTON — It’s not an everyday occurrence to mosey into a stranger’s backyard, stumbling into a live concert with neighbors and friends.
But that is exactly what will happen across the city on Saturday for Easthampton’s fourth annual Porchfest, starting at noon and lasting through the afternoon.
“Easthampton is called the ‘Little City With a Big Heart,’ and I think that’s a big reason why we’ve been able to grow in such an organic way,” said one of the organizers Felicia Jadczak, Easthampton’s Precinct 2 City Councilor.
Porchfest is something that Jadczak said many people have not heard of, but clearly it is catching on, having grown in both size and popularity since the first year. The idea behind Porchfest is to have multiple mini concerts at different homes and locations throughout the city, so residents and music lovers can get a taste of the various bands and music styles in the community.
It is also a way to meet neighbors and create connections across the community.
“For the most part the concerts are put on by and for the neighbors here in Easthampton and that’s always what we’re most jazzed about,” said Steven Collicelli, fellow Porchfest organizer and Jadczak’s husband.
There are going to be 25 locations with 66 performers in total, a jump from 20 locations and 48 performers last year.
There are four main neighborhoods where concerts will take place. Porchfest originated in the New City neighborhood, then quickly expanded to the Park Street area and the neighborhood around Maple and Cottage streets. A new neighborhood this year includes what organizers are calling the Mount Tom area, encompassing Cherry and Mutter streets.
“Once we did the first Porchfest, and when people saw and experienced it, it’s really been organic and grown quickly,” Jadczak said.
Collicelli and Jadczak were attending Cultural Chaos one year when they came across a band who spontaneously organized a concert at their house. It reminded them of Porchfest in Somerville, where they lived before moving to Easthampton after the COVID-19 pandemic. There are multiple porchfests held in the Greater Boston area, and Collicelli said he knows of ones in Shelburne Falls and Williamsburg, more locally.
Seeing the lively music scene in the area, the duo thought Easthampton would be perfect for its own Porchfest, especially as an outdoor event right after the pandemic.
“Now that I’ve dipped my toes into the music scene here, there is such a deep well of music here,” Collicelli said. “We literally just lit the match and the powder keg has always been all the musical talent here in Easthampton.”
Along with Jadczak and Collicelli, the third Porchfest organizer is Rusty Daniels, who has played in the fest each year with multiple bands. Daniels said he first met Jadczak walking down the street, when she told him about Porchfest.
“This is one of the only times of the year that you can really see what is happening locally, as far as music and art goes,” Daniels said. “Porchfest just brings people together.”
Proceeds raised get split between all the performers. Jadczak said organizers prioritize local performers when selecting the talent, but many bands outside New England have asked to participate, which she sees as a testament to its growth.
“It just has been such a wonderful community vibe because people want to connect,” Jadczak said. “We have such a wealth of performers here, and every year, we try to take in as many people as possible.”
New this year, Porchfest is providing a bike valet service to help people travel between locations, with help from Friends of the Manhan Rail Trail. The Council of Aging is also providing a van to help those 55 years and older get to different locations. The Community Emergency Response Team will help to increase pedestrian safety.
Porchfest relies on donations to be put on each year. This year, the group secured grants from both the Easthampton Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council and partnered with the Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity as a fiscal sponsor.
To find the locations, times of each band and more details visit the Easthampton Porchfest website. A map of the different locations can be found here.
