PorchFest 2023 will be held this Saturday, June 3 (rain date June 4) from noon until 6 PM. Free live music by over 100 acts will be performed on approximately 70 porches in Auburndale, Lower Falls, and Waban, thanks to the efforts of the Newton PorchFest Committee, with support from the Newton Cultural Council and the Mass Cultural Council. Newton PorchFest was launched in 2018 when several Auburndale residents were inspired after attending the Porch Fest events in Jamaica Plain.
Joel Shames, President of the Auburndale Neighborhood Association and a PorchFest organizer said, “Several of us went to different porch fests before we worked on setting up Newton PorchFest. The event has grown with the help of “generous sponsors, donors, and bands playing for free,” he explained. And, the event depends on the many people who make their yards and porches available.
Since 2018, Newton has enjoyed a wide range of free live music from acapella to acoustic to folk. “It brings a lot of people out in Newton. It gives people a chance to connect and meet new people. There’s enough variety of music for everyone to find their interest,” Shames said.
Jan Schreiber and her husband are hosting performances for the third time. As Lower Falls is a tight knit community, the PorchFest plays a role as a “big community builder for music lovers and brings people together as they walk around,” says Schreiber.
Those interested in attending should check out the map of the locations and the schedule so they can plan accordingly.
