Rain or shine, there will be music in the air this weekend said Kenwick resident and festival organizer Hannah Allen.
"We have 22 houses around the neighborhood that have offered their front porch or their front yard for different musicians of all different genres to come and play music at."
This is the second year of Kenwick Porch Fest, a local celebration of Play Music on the Porch Day. Allen says the performers this year include old-time string bands, jazz and funk groups, acoustic singer-songwriters, and a classical oboist. Which house has what act? A Google map on the Kenwick Porch Fest’s Facebook page shows the lineup.
“[It has] every porch and the band that’s playing there, what genre they play, and what time they’ll be playing," said Allen. "Every porch will also have a yard sign in front of it that has the porch number on it, so that you can refer back to the map. Throughout the day, we’ll be distributing paper maps as well."
With the growing possibility of rainy weather, Julian Dupuis said he’s happy that his band, Gilbert and the Strummy Fingers, will be on a covered porch.
“We could potentially still keep playing music throughout a little bit of rain," said Dupuis, "But everybody would have to bring umbrellas."
Dupuis plays mandolin and harmonica for his band, which offers a mix of rock, folk rock, and Americana; or, as he likes to call it, "Seventies dad-rock."
Dupuis is also an entomologist. He and his bandmates all work at the University of Kentucky.
“For myself and the guys I play with, we’ve always had music in our lives, [while] focusing on a very different thing - on science - for our careers," said Dupuis. "Having that rich art and creativity and creative-expressive output is always really important to have a balanced life.”
Performers and audiences aren’t limited to Kenwick residents. All are welcome to attend the festival, which Allen says will carry on regardless of what the weather brings.
“Last year we had a little bit of rain, a little misty rain at the end of the day," said Allen, "And it was actually such a wonderful moment for the event. Musicians kept playing because they were covered under people’s front porches. People were dancing in the rain in front of the porch. It was just a magical ending to the event. So, worst case scenario, we have a magical moment."
So, bring an umbrella, pack a poncho, and prepare to make friends with good neighbors. Allen said it'll be "Sunny or special, one of the two."
Kenwick isn’t the only neighborhood hosting artists. You can visit Play Music on the Porch Day's website to view an interactive map of thousands of participating locations and musicians worldwide. Or, just step outside wherever you are, grab your guitar, and play along.