PorchFest returns for another year of live music
PorchFest is back for its second year on Saturday, Aug. 27, with 15 porches and 15 different local artists.
Last year nearly 3,000 people in the community took part with only 12 porches so it is hoped there will be an even bigger turnout this year.
Many of the same porches will be utilized this year along with a few new ones. Organizer Rob Pape commented, “as far as I’m concerned this will always live on the SE Hill.”
“It’s the central part of the city so it just makes sense. It is also one area where we can find a great deal of front porches. The premise behind this is to keep it public facing and keep it open to everybody.”
There has been lots of interest in putting them in backyards, but organizers don’t want to create unsafe spaces or barriers for people with mobility issues.
“Everything about PorchFest is designed to be as inclusive with the community as we can possibly be,” explained Pape. “They can sit as close or as far apart as they are comfortable. We had no issues last year; the community was really amazing at stepping up and supporting the artists and the initiative itself.”
PorchFest Medicine Hat is part of a larger initiative called Play Music on the Porch Day (playmusicontheporchday.com), with more than 70 countries and over 1,000 cities participating in 2021.
Pape loves watching how these are popping up in smaller communities, such as Vulcan.
“I think this is something that should happen in every community, to celebrate their local artists,” he said.
Pape started PorchFest after observing how artists and the community often missed each other at local festivals. “These bands are playing at one venue or another, and a lot of the community doesn’t happen to go to that venue. (PorchFest) allows the community to be themselves without someone telling them what to do and how to do it,” added Pape.
“I like creating these opportunities where we can still come together as a community to celebrate music and culture but not be stuffed into a little box somewhere.”
A full schedule will be coming out some time this week. Watch the PorchFest Medicine Hat Facebook page for more information.