Porchfest 2012 Brings Proud 'Villens Together
When my wife and I bought our Union Square area home in 2002, we figured we'd fix the place up and be here maybe five years. Now it's difficult for us to imagine leaving at all, despite the usual factors that cause many growing families to migrate to the burbs, like young children and, you know, that whole white picket fence thing.
What we're curling our roots around is a sense of community that we couldn't have anticipated, and a feeling that we're not just fitting into a place that's wholly unique and perhaps – dare I say it – forward thinking; we're actually helping to define it.
For me, as a homeowner, a dad, and a lifelong rock and roller, Porchfest 2012 was a defining moment in my Somerville experience. I could hardly believe it when I saw the Somerville Art Council's Facebook post. All I had to do was register online and I'd get a free pass to cut loose on my own property with my superawesome band! And this was a surefire way to lure everyone out of their homes, away from TV's, X-Boxes, and iPads, and out into the common spaces we share every day, but rarely pause to appreciate.
I moved to Boston in 1989 to attend Berklee College of Music. I've been playing in all kinds of bands ever since, and yet the majority of people I socialize with in my neighborhood had never seen me play so much as a note. Unfortunately, guitars don't grow on the trees at Walnut Street Park, and that's where we mostly hang out. I'm gonna be honest here. I was pretty excited to blow some minds.
And we rocked it. My band, Hot Knives, played in my driveway from about 2:00 to 3:30, and yes, we were a bit loud. A good sized crowd ebbed and flowed throughout the performance; lots of families with kids, people on bikes, strangers from nearby streets, even my elderly neighbors. It was probably the most diverse crowd I've ever played for, and I've played some weird places, believe me.
At one point, feeling like David Lee Roth at the 1983 US Festival, the sun beaming down on my face and the amps humming in the spot where I normally park the family Honda, I yelled into the microphone, "We are all so lucky to live in Somerville!" The hooting, hollering, cheering, clapping crowd before me agreed, everyone smiling ear-to-ear.
So when I read Chris Orchard's recent column, I was disappointed – but not surprised – to discover that many Somerville residents had voiced complaints, and that these objections could actually jeopardize the future of Porchfest.
For crying out loud.
Porchfest is a unique event, and only in its second season. It combines the innate social nature of live music with the basic, human act of welcoming one's neighbors to hang out in the front yard. It is nothing short of brilliant.
Still, the complaints. Too loud. Too long. Poorly planned. Blocked traffic.
Yep, traffic on my street was marginally slowed, but none of the people dancing and clapping in front of my house were oblivious or obnoxious. And let me tell you, people were jamming – especially the collection of 3-to-6 year olds who were thrilled with the whole thing. I have the photos and video to prove it.
From where I'm sitting, this is an important idea to consider:
Somerville kids - including mine - observing and participating in music as a community experience. That's elemental stuff regardless of personal taste or whether or not you had to sit in a (likely) air-conditioned car for a few extra minutes on your way to Target, scowling at the people having genuine fun in the streets on a gorgeous Saturday.
Now, I grew up in the 70's and 80's. My father was schoolteacher and a musician. Just before The Dawn of The All Consuming Comcast, and quite a bit prior to The Great Internet Zombie Timesuck, music was kind of a big deal. Rather than regulating our favorite anthems to tiny, isolating earbuds, people played it through large, heavy speakers and enjoyed it together. Sometimes, as a result, things got a little messy, a little inconvenient. We all survived.
The key here is patience, and the recognition that Somerville is a special place. Its residents include a growing population of innovative folks who aren't afraid to challenge mainstream concepts for the betterment of our cultural well-being – for our families, and for our city's future.
Innovation always comes with risk and sacrifice. But did anyone really suffer any major sacrifices last Saturday? Really? C'mon – we tolerate way more craziness of a disorderly nature around here on St. Patricks Day, July 4th, and whenever the Red Sox screw up a big game. Now who's gonna complain until we cancel those?
In the article, a regretful Gregory Jenkins (Somerville Arts Council executive director) addresses the complaints. He's quoted as saying, "If it becomes a problem, we just won't hold the event [again]." While I recognize this as a not-very-subtle threat to the Bad Apples and No Goodnicks who allegedly Disturbed All That is Right and Proper, after all the excitement and emotion surrounding Porchfest, this comes off as a little cavalier. No way am I gonna let this go down. Something this cool can't simply be dismissed as a nice try. Uh uh. Not in my hood. I'll be in touch with the SAC offering ideas and time. Because thats what good neighbors do. It's a great alternative to complaining, in my book.
My own neighbors - including the elderly and the ones with small children – are still stopping me on the street to congratulate me on a job well done and a great time had by all. I totally blew some minds!
For me, my friends, and my family, Porchfest was truly a glorious day. A defining Somerville moment.
erich ludwig
11:00 am on Friday, May 25, 2012
Agreed. +1. Amazing event. This is totally part of why we want to be in Somerville, stay in Somerville, and what makes Somerville awesome. PorchFest MUST continue.
margaret ryan
12:47 pm on Friday, May 25, 2012
Great article. I shared with others who over the years have stayed in Somerville to set up the way for the great City we continue to become.
Jeff Miller
12:51 pm on Friday, May 25, 2012
Thank you Margaret, and thanks for sharing :)
Ron Newman
3:18 pm on Friday, May 25, 2012
Bravo! Porchfest should and must go on. I'd love to see it happen twice a year, but that's probably too much to ask of the seriously overstretched Arts Council folks ;-)
Jeff Miller
6:45 pm on Friday, May 25, 2012
Thanks Ron - I overheard a lot of people saying they wish there were more Porchfest dates coming. I think there's just a big appetite for community events of all types here.
D. Rizzuti
8:33 am on Saturday, May 26, 2012
Ron, as a fellow musician, studio engineer and live sound engineer I can simpathsize with the urge to play live music in public. Moreover I understand well that the rock ensemble requires a certain level of sound output in order to balance the singer and various instruments against a drum kit. However if enough neighbors complain portchfest will be mothballed. We do not want that so here are a few tried and true solutions that actually work
1. Play on a raised enclosed porch or construct a simple raised stage with a roof and sides hung with piano blankets. This will cut the angle of sound radiation by 75% in the midrange and high frequencies and decouple the low end thud from the ground. Nosy neighbors will still hear the bass notes but they won't feel them. Do not take the easy way out and play on the driveway, that's the worst position as your garage door acts as a reflector bouncing sound all over the place and the rest is omnidirectional.
2. Practice with the drummer using acoustic instruments and no PA system. This is a good challenge, improves dynamics, and stimulates the thought process. A small kit and brushes help.
3. Corral your amps and PA system. Play in a circle rather than facing out into the street, and use a monitor system facing up from the floor only, no main speakers. This cuts out primarily high frequencies, but will enable you to hear yourself fine. All amplifiers should be tilted directly into the ears of the person playing them.
Con't.
Jeff Miller
9:28 am on Saturday, May 26, 2012
Thanks for demonstrating the point D – informed advice an a little thoughtfulness will go a long way toward preserving Porchfest.
What makes this event special is that it isn't limited to people with lots of gear (or big porches). I like that P-Festers(TM) can be creative with whatever they've got. Unique performance environments at every stop are part of the charm. Sometimes you see a bluegrass circle, sometimes you see three middle aged guys caught in the throes of a Van Halen fantasy (ahem).
At the risk of sounding defensive, I didn't take the easy way out by setting up in my driveway. I spent a lot of time considering the implications. I thought and planned. I vacuumed the cat hair off of my speakers and everything. In the end, the setup we went with allowed us to do something special and – not to be overlooked – entertaining, which I'm pretty sure was every P-Fester's goal.
I do appreciate your directness when it comes to being smart with tactics.
Here's what we did:
We limited ourselves to a vocals-only PA treatment (see photos). A 50 watt combo amp for my guitar, and a 2x10 bass combo were more than enough to keep up with our drummer - and he hits HARD! We performed street-facing with no complaints. Reliable friends confirmed that the houses left and right helped to contain our massive rock energy. The recordings reveal a tight, focused sound.
In summary: be smart. Use appropriate gear. Rock on.
D. Rizzuti
8:36 am on Saturday, May 26, 2012
I will pass this along to Gregory Jenkins for use as a suggested guideline.
Yours, David Rizzuti
Somerville, MA
D. Rizzuti
9:58 am on Saturday, May 26, 2012
The ingredients needed to construct the above mentioned stage are as follows:
4ea. sheets 3/4" plywood.
14ea. 2" x 4" studs.
16ea. hockey pucks, or other stiff rubber for "feet".
1 box drywall screws.
10ea. Piano blankets.
1 roll picture hanging wire or light rope.
Drill fitted with Phillips head bit
Carpet for the stage floor.
Arrange the 2 x 4's in rectangles on the ground with the 2" dimension facing down, and place hockey pucks underneath them to float the frame. Screw the plywood to the 2 x 4's. Attach 2 x 4 uprights in the corners and one upright along the rear. Tie picture wire or rope around the top perimeter and in a large x pattern to the corners. Drape piano blankets from the wire and overhead. If the center overhead droops, add a 1 x 2 upright directly to the center of the x. Place carpet on the stage floor.
Construction takes two hours if you are motivated.
DR
Donal Waide
10:54 am on Saturday, May 26, 2012
Jeff,
Avon St rocked, and we still rock. Glad to see you putting your 2 cents into this one. Everything will always have detractors...I mean, would as many people buy the S'ville Journal if it wasn't to read the idiotic rants on Speak Out. These complainers will be annoyed about the Bus Schedule this week, then parking next week, then walking the following week. It seems they use the very mode of transportation that is disrupted the most that week. It was nice to see my son could actually cross our street safely last Saturday as the music SLOWED people down, not stopped them
Jeff Miller
3:08 pm on Saturday, May 26, 2012
Thanks Donal! Hopefully the spirit of the many will outweigh the annoyance of a few. I'm confident that smart people working together can straighten out the kinks :)
Joel
8:48 am on Monday, May 28, 2012
It's nice to know that it was as easy as applying online to disrupt entire neighborhoods, and yet you refer to this event as getting everyone out of their homes and away from computers. You speak a lot about community. Can I tell you what I think community is? In my neighborhood it consists of helping your neighbors shovel their driveway, bringing a casserole over to a family in need, knowing not only your neighbors but their parents as well, checking in on a neighbor who's elderly or ill, watching your neighbors' kids when they have a family emergency. It shouldn't be about you, it should be about them. You loved this event because you got to do what you love. Yet you belittle people who have voiced legitimate concerns. Did you ever stop to think that maybe they didn't get to do what they love because of your band? You state that Somerville includes '.... a growing population of innovative folks who aren't afraid to challenge mainstream concepts for the betterment of our cultural well-being.' Really? Whatever did we do before they came here to help us? And July 4th is 'craziness' which should be cancelled if Porchfest is? First of all, unlike Porchfest, I know when the 4th of July celebration will take place, and the public celebration doesn't take place next door. How arrogant that if someone doesn't agree with you they are a 'bad apple'. This is about the wants of a few trumping the rights of the many.
D. Rizzuti
8:28 am on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
There you have it, one mans parade is another mans traffic jam. Porchfest like all urban outdoor events will be met with applause and ire. The key to finding the middle ground is giving something of value to the community at large, a charitable donation, while at the same time sticking to some agreed upon guidelines. So for example a nominal tax deductable entry fee to the Somerville 'xyz' coalition, and no sound exceeding 130 dB A for a sustained period of time from the performers. That would do a lot to calm the waters, and ameliorate the sentiment that the performing arts is a disrespectful form of self service. In truth the performer wields considerable power for positive action in the community.
Janet DiIulio
1:25 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Thank you for writing this piece, Jeff, and for enriching our community through music. We live across the street from a Porchfest performance on Electric Ave, and though we had no idea what it was at first, thoroughly enjoyed the music, seeing neighbors, and even dancing! I hope it continues. It's the type of thing that makes Somerville so much fun!