Songs will fill the air in downtown Lambertville on Oct. 3, as performers of all kinds play free shows on over 15 porches and stoops.
Lambertville Porchfest, a do-it-yourself music festival created by and for local residents, hopes to “build, deepen and celebrate connections within our community by creating a platform for sharing the joys of live music,” say organizers.
Twewnty-year Lambertville resident Shaun Ellis has received lots of support from the community, after initially floating the idea to Lambertville’s mayor and city council.
“The pandemic has been hard on our local restaurants and shops, and we have so many incredible musicians in the region who haven’t played to an audience in over seven months,” Ellis said. “We wanted to give them a chance to play before it gets too cold outside, and Porchfest is a covid-safe way to do that. Live music is exactly what we need to bring our community together, and help each other make it through right now — and nothing brings people together better than music and dancing.”
Anyone in downtown Lambertville can host a show and play. A map and schedule is available online, and printed versions can be picked up at downtown Lambertville shops and restaurants. Porch owners and artists can also register on the website.
Organizers ask attendees to social distance and wear masks covering both their nose and mouths.
“Since we are not closing many of the streets, it’s very important that attendees are respectful of others and distance themselves while watching from the sidewalks. If the performers see folks without masks they may stop the show and ask them to be more mindful or ask them to move along,” Ellis said.
Porchfest is new to Lambertville, but the concept goes back nearly 40 years to the Fête de la Musique, or Day of Music, founded by French composer Maurice Fleuret, who wanted “music everywhere and the concert nowhere.” It was not until the first Porchfest was held in Ithaca, N.Y., in 2007 that the United States started its own celebration of music in the streets.
Lambertville Porchfest takes place on Oct. 3 from noon to 6 p.m.
Maps and schedules will be available at:
Humble Plant-Based Cafe + Bakery
7 N. Main St.
Giuseppes Ristorante
40 Bridge St.
Savour Cheese & Gourmet Provisions
37 N. Union St.
Tomasello Winery
1 N. Union St.
A Mano Galleries
42 N. Union St.
Lovrinic Antiques LLC
15 N. Union St.
North of Normal CBD
13 N. Union St Lambertville, NJ 08530
Yes I am wondering where would be best to look for Parking? …First time coming to your town