ATHENS, Ohio — The third annual Athens Porchfest will take place across Athens this weekend, as the festival for the first time features performances Uptown and on the West Side.
Porchfest will feature more than 100 live musical performances at Athens homes and businesses starting Friday, May 15, through Sunday, May 17.
The premise is simple: Porchfest is a free neighborhood-based music festival, hosted by individuals and businesses.
“There’s really three things we’re trying to do at this event,” Rob Delach, a Porchfest organizer, told the Independent. “Our mission is to support local musicians and showcase their talents and give them an opportunity to do that. The second thing is to build community, and so we’re trying to build an event that gets people together. … And the third thing is, we’re trying to help support local businesses.”
Nearly 40 businesses are involved in this year’s festival, Delach said. Athens Porchfest was inspired by Ithaca, New York’s Porchfest, which began in 2007, Delach previously told the Independent.
The trend of the event doubling in scope each year continues. Last year, over 40 bands performed at 30 houses; the year prior — Porchfest’s debut — around 20 bands performed at over a dozen venues.
Those first two Porchfests took place in only Athens’ Near East Side. This year, Porchfest is taking place throughout the city.
“We’re trying to make it an Athens event now, and not just about the [Near East Side] neighborhood,” Delach said. “I think we’re getting there now. … We’re really making it an Athens event.”
This year’s Porchfest will also feature several acts making their Porchfest debuts, including frequent Athens performers Dune, the D-Rays, Rylee Bapst, the Wild Honeybees and more, Delach said.
“There’s so much great local talent in Athens,” Delach said. “There’s just maybe seven or eight of those 109 performances that are not local [acts], which is just astounding to me — that we have that much local talent.”
Porchfest is mainly organized by a group of five individuals, Delach said. It’s an all-volunteer effort, including the musicians.
“The only time musicians are getting paid directly is when they’re playing at a business, and that business makes an arrangement with them to pay them. … Almost all the bands are just getting tips,” Delach said.
Porchfest organizers are still looking for volunteers for day-of support, Delach said. Specifically, organizers need help with chalking sidewalks to help attendees navigate the event, circulating tip jars during performances, and supporting kids activities.
For more information on Porchfest and volunteering, visit the event’s website.
Friday, May 15: Uptown
Porchfest officially begins at 6 p.m. at the Athena Cinema, 20 S. Court St., with live musical performances starting outside on the sidewalk. Attendees can also venture into the theater to watch the concert film “You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine.”
“There’s a lot of people here that love John Prine’s music and his songs, and so I think it’ll be the right kick off for the event,” Delach said.
There is an admission cost for the film screening — one of only two ticketed Porchfest events, Delach said.
Saturday, May 16: West Side and Uptown
Porchfest day two starts at noon with performances on the West Side, at Stewart-Macdonald and on Central Avenue. More acts will follow throughout the neighborhood.
Delach said he’s looking forward to performances by local high school bands Halberd and Sub-Zero on Saturday, as well as Jone and the Hissyfits.
Jone and the Hissyfits will close out the West Side Porchfest at 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Arts West, 132 W. State St. In case of rain, the performance will be moved inside.
“They’re [Jone and the Hissyfits] one of the bands I’ve seen two or three times play now, and I love them, and I think they’re so fun, eclectic, funky, and they’re are the right vibe for the sort of closing act for the West Side,” Delach said.
At 7 p.m. music begins Uptown as part of the annual Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area kickoff event, which will feature stage performances by O’Brien & the Spoodoo Cadillacs and Paula & the Reefer Dogs.
Then, attendees may head indoors for Porchfest After Hours at Casa Nueva, 6 W. State St., and The Side Bar, 24 E. State St.; buy one wrist band to attend both events.
“There’s six performers between the two venues,” Delach said. “That’s the only other time you have to pay for music directly throughout the event.”
Sunday, May 17: Near East Side
On Sunday, Porchfest returns to the Near East Side for day three, beginning at 11 a.m. at Athens Impact Socially Responsible Investments and Village Bakery, around 268 E. State St.
A second performance at the Village Bakery, at 3 p.m. with the New Athens County Plowboys, will include goodies from Della Zona — the first time the shop has been open in over a decade.
“They’re gonna serve wood-fired pizza by the slice and homemade ice cream during the event,” Delach said.
Porchfest will wrap up with performances at Jackie O’s Taproom, starting with Mdou Moctar at 7 p.m. “He’s an absolutely phenomenal guitar player, even the best guitar work I’ve ever seen in my life,” Delach said. “I’m looking forward to that for sure.”
The Wild Honeybees will play at 8:30 p.m. at the taproom to conclude the event.
