Porch Fest map lineup
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Porch Fest to offer distributed summer concert

In a summer bereft of the usual festivals and other opportunities for live music, Porch Fest is coming to the rescue. 

The event on Saturday, Aug. 8, will provide nine performances on six residential porches in Homewood located between 183rd Street on the south to Cedar Road on the north. 

Click on image for a larger version. (Provided image)

Porch Fest is not sponsored by the village but was the brainchild of Susan Tyksinski, brought to life by organizers Anne Bailey and Annie Lawrence. The duo got support from Homewood Events Manager Allisa

Opyd, Bailey’s daughter Raina Bailey, the musicians who offered to perform and the residents who offered their porches.

Anne Bailey said Tyksinski brought up the idea after learning about porch fests being held elsewhere, and she thought it sounded like a great thing for Homewood.

“My whole mentality: If other places have nice things, I want the nice things they have,” she said. “If you want nice things it’s sometimes on you to make them happen.”

Musical acts are scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. and will include Jack Bodie, TiMELeSS BandM.G. BaileyMike Owens and the Homemade Cherry BombsCraig Frank, Tai Taylor and Keith Austin, ARP!  Kirk Lindstrom and Schmidt’s Creek.

The event was in the planning stages months before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, and Bailey said she thought the event might have to be canceled, but Opyd encouraged organizers to forge ahead. 

Now the restrictions on large gatherings make a distributed music festival seem to fit the times.

Everyone who attends will be expected to observe physical distancing recommendations and wear face coverings. Bailey said she’s aware there are differing views about the need for following virus mitigation tactics, but the event will be a time for everyone to show respect for others.

“This is about a community coming together at a really weird time,” she said. “Just be cool about it, and respect one another.”

People who attend should bring lawn chairs or blankets. The lawns vary in size and capacity, so Bailey is urging everyone to use good judgment about where they choose to listen and to leave the area as clean as they found it. 

With Raina’s help, Bailey produced a video with guidelines for members of the audience to follow. 

There is no rain date, so people should consult the event page on Facebook for updates in case the weather does not cooperate.

The layout of the porches was in a limited area by design, she said. The event is intended to be walkable, and that meant keeping the locations within range for better access and avoiding crossing the busiest streets.

“I wanted to make sure nobody had to cross 183rd Street. That’s scary,” Bailey said.  

The event is being dedicated to Bailey’s late father, Robert Bailey, who loved live, local music, she said.

The organizers plan to make Porch Fest an annual event and hope to host it in different areas of town every year. 
 

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