Folly Porch Fest Returns with a dozen musicians, four porches, and tons of fun
Porch Fest is a simple concept inspired by a simpler time. Musicians from within a given community getting together and playing music on each others porches. However, in today’s busy, over-stimulated, digital world, this age-old mode of entertainment is all too often forgotten. But the Porch Fest movement is catching on around the country and communities, like Folly Beach, are getting back to what community is all about. What started out in Ithaca, N.Y. in 2007 now has stretched to 15 cities, including Folly Beach as of last year.
Local musician Eddie “Eddy Boston” Sullivan brought the idea of Porch Fest to Folly last year and made it a reality. This year Sullivan is involved as performer, but passed the organizing torch over to local singer/songwriter Teresa “Sweet T” Parrish.
According to Parrish the interest in Porch Fest continues to grow. She says volunteers for this year’s event were nearly double that of last year. She also says many of the musicians from 2014’s Porch Fest wanted to return to participate again, along with some new faces.
This year’s Porch Fest will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 on various porches around Folly Beach. “The main goal is simply to create an atmosphere that is family-friendly and offers local Folly musicians a chance to be on a stage for their neighborhood, says Parrish. “It’s really to get to know your neighbors on Folly!”
“Porch Fest has been well received and wouldn’t be possible without the locals. A huge Thank You to our sponsors and all the hosts and musicians,” says Parrish. Porch Fest sponsors include : RM Buck Builders – General Contractors, The Folly Buzz, Bert’s Market, Fairweather Studio, Chico Feo, and Chase Barker Creative.
This year’s musical acts include Gaslight Street, Jim Crow, Charlie Stonecypher, Jess Strickland, Riddle & Bartlett, Podunk, Slaton Glover, A Martini & The Olivettes, Noelle Brown & the Troublemakers, Danielle Howle, Sweet T, and Eddy Boston. The porches where they will be playing are 122 E. Ashley Ave., 204 E. Ashley Ave., 306 E. Arctic Ave., and 120 W. Arctic Ave.
So, you obviously can’t be at every porch at the same time, so what’s the best way to enjoy Porchfest? “Porch fest’s four locations are located within three blocks of each other. Most people like to take their golf carts, bikes, or just walk to the porches,” says Parrish. “There are three sets at every porch. Although, you won’t be able to be everywhere at once, we encourage you to pick up a map at the host location and find a musical act/name you haven’t had an opportunity to listen to. Porch fest is about letting the local musicians shine throughout the community.”
2015 Folly Beach Porch Fest will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, from 2-5 p.m. For a full lineup and schedule of performances, visit www.follyporchfest.com.
