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“I will say I’m very surprised the way people talk about it,” organizer Peter Benkendorf said. “And I mean that in a good way because people are talking about Porchfest like it’s a thing. And considering we had a small one the first year and last year was only the second year, it has just caught people’s imagination.
“I feel good about that,” he continued. “I’m not complaining but it has been interesting people are talking about it like it’s the sixth or seventh year and you’ve got to do it. Clearly something about it is working for folks.”
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Porchfest 2019 features such diverse performers as Dayton Blues Society’s 2019 Road to Memphis Blues Challenge winner Jimmy D. Rogers, acoustic duo Biscuits & Gravy, jazz combo the Berg Trio, Celtic group FinTan, blues singer Khrys Blank, reggae-funk act G-Thang and roots rockers Neo-American Pioneers.
“I’m not part of the Dayton music scene, but I’m all about collaboration and bringing people together,” Benkendorf said. “I am involved in the arts in some ways and I thought Porchfest was a cool concept and, obviously, with the diversity and the depth of the music scene here in town, Dayton really lends itself to an event like this.”
See the schedule here to see which bands and playing where, and when.
Credit: Thomas Gnau
Credit: Thomas Gnau
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Benkendorf didn’t invent Porchfest, which is held in more than 130 cities. However, he did spearhead the music festival with a team that includes Libby Ballengee and Jennifer Taylor. When it came time to select a location, Benkendorf simply looked out the window of his own home.
“Living in St. Anne’s Hill, I couldn’t think of a better venue for this to take place,” he said. “People in the neighborhood quickly embraced the idea but we’re also trying to be respectful. We haven’t had any issues and we make sure it’s over at 6:45 because we don’t want neighbors complaining.
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“It’s really all come together,” Benkendorf added. “It’s family friendly and pet friendly. It’s free and during the day. It’s musically diverse and it’s really good for the neighborhood too so everything about it works.”
Want to go?
WHAT: The Collaboratory presents the annual Porchfest featuring Jimmy D. Rogers, Biscuits & Gravy, Berg Trio, FinTan, Khrys and others
WHEN: 1:30 to 6:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24
WHERE: Homes in St. Anne Hill's Historic District, off of East Fifth Street, Dayton
COST: Free
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