PORTLAND — Neighbors, musicians and fans descended on Deering Center on Sunday for its annual Porchfest event and celebrated a decade of community-centered music. Organized by the Deering Center Neighborhood Association, the walkable concert literally brings music into peoples’ front yards. In its 10th year, Porchfest 2024 had 67 acts assigned to 54 “hosts” – residents who opened up their porches, decks, lawns and driveways as temporary stages.
“I’ve just been floored by the music and the outpouring of involvement and love,” said Amy Thompson, one of Deering Center Porchfest’s original organizers. Thompson brought the event to Portland 10 years ago after moving from Ithaca, New York, where she was inspired by a similar event. The event kicked off with a parade procession down Brentwood Street, led by the booming brass of the Ideal Maine Social Aid and Sanctuary Band.
At 1 p.m., 17 bands – stationed in a loop from Brentwood Street to Pleasant Avenue – started their one-hour-long sets.
A new slate of bands took over on the hour, every hour from 1 p.m. to 5 p.
m. to play concurrently in front of houses around the neighborhood. People dance to the K-58s at the 10th annual Deering Center Porchfest on Sunday.
Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer Like the house belonging to Amber and Scott Bloomberg, who hosted Elise and Anthony, a ukulele duo, on Alba Street. “We tell our friends, ‘hey, this is a cool thing our neighborhood does, come check it out,'” Scott B.