Lots of communities have some version of PorchFest.
PORCHFEST
What: Musicians performing on front porches
When: 1-5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 14
Where: Traverse City's Central Neighborhood
More info
The idea is simple: Homeowners let musicians set up on their front porches as the public strolls the streets listening to open-air concerts.
It happens in Des Moines, Minneapolis, Dayton and even a town called Black Rock, Connecticut. It's popular.
But the organizers of Traverse City's PorchFest — taking place Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. — say even if the idea isn't unique to northern Michigan, their approach is special.
"It's not a requirement, but so far it's been this way — everybody has a tie to Traverse City," said festival organizer Marilyn Vlach. "We're not bringing bands from downstate just to play here. Either they have relatives in town, or friends or they're from the area."
This year's event features a variety of musicians. Both Vlach, who lives on Sixth Street, and Zak Allen — who lives around the block on Fifth — are among those opening up their porches as stages this year, as they have in years past.
Vlach's porch will include performances by her son, Kevin Vlach, and friend Weston Buchan.
People wander down the street and stop to listen. Some bring lawn chairs and set up shop for a while. The neighborhood, Allen said, transforms.
"It's a magical place, it's a magical area," he said. "When the streets are filled with music, it's that much more magical."
Allen's porch will include a performance by local mainstay Jack Senff, among many others.
PorchFest runs from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14, in Traverse City's Central Neighborhood — from Fifth Street to Thirteenth Street, between Division and Oak.
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