Patio season has arrived with the most appropriate kickoff – Buffalo Porchfest. The Elmwood Village tradition is happening this Saturday from 1PM to 6PM (immediately following the first Elmwood Village Farmer’s Market of the season). Nearly 40 porches will be taken over by 75 (yes, 75) local musicians and it’s all for free.
Modeled after Porch festivities around the country, this will be the 6th Porchfest put on by the Elmwood Village Association. Not only is it an awesome way to spend a Saturday afternoon, but musicians really look forward to the opportunity. They get to play in a totally different venue than usual – a stranger’s (or friend’s) porch.
“Right when I stepped onto this couple’s porch, I was handed a hot cider with Jameson in it,”said local guitarist and singer Nick Stroczkowski. “The homeowners welcomed me like an old friend. I feel like the Buffalo community is based around so much music and art – I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“The event does a great job showcasing the vast talent that Buffalo has to offer while highlighting everything that makes the Elmwood Village such a cool hub of creativity,” explained Andrew Meyer, guitarist for local cover band, The Plagiarists.
“Porch Fest signifies a lot to be happy about. The coming of summer, celebrating local music, and just coming together as a community,” said drummer for The Plagiarists Bryan Sibbitts
Musicians bring the music, but the big, beautiful wrap-around porches are needed to set the stage. Sure, it’s a day to highlight local music, but it’s also a time where neighbors actually act like they live in the ‘city of good neighbors.’ People sit on random people’s lawns, listen to music, eat, drink and overall have a good time.
Washington D.C. transplant Matt Pitarresi read about Porchfest at a local coffee shop and was sold on the idea. “Being new to Buffalo, and a live music enthusiast, I thought it was the perfect way to get myself and some of my friends who were also new to Buffalo involved in a cool community event,” he said. Pitarresi plans to continue offering up his porch at Bird and Elmwood Ave for Porchfest.
Ithaca native Ellen Murphy has also been a Porchfest host for the past few years. She was familiar with the tradition from her hometown, which is the birthplace of Porchfest.
“My first May hosting I had a yard full off strangers listening to music. We threw a huge tarp down for sitting on the damp grass and it was filled with crawling babies and dancing toddlers,” said Murphy. “I met neighbors who I had only seen in passing – At one time I had 6 dogs in my backyard, it was like an impromptu dog park.”
Dogs, babies, dancing toddlers, beautiful houses, some day drinking and live music? What else could you want on a Saturday?
If you’re mapping out your route, you can pick up a map at Hunt Real Estate (720 Elmwood Ave.) or at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday.
