Labor Day Porch Play!
Over the Labor Day Weekend, College Park Arts Exchange encouraged citizens and performing artists to get together and celebrate the holiday with fun and safe neighborhood concerts.
Concerts occurred in College Park Woods, College Park Estates, Hollywood, Berwyn, and Calvert Hills. Acts included Kristen Arant and the Bele Bele Rhythm Collective, Rowan Corbett, Dominic Elliott, Professor Goldstein and the Adjuncts, ilyAIMY, Laundry World, Eric Maring and sons, Julia May, Security Council, Melissa Sites, Taiko Drumming, and Transatlantic Crossing.
Julia May, 14, of College Park Estates, “had a great time playing her first solo concert and sharing some of the songs she’d written during the lockdown,” her mother reported.
Anne Gardner, fiddle player for Transatlantic Crossing, played at a friend’s house in Hollywood. “Several people expressed their appreciation, saying they were glad of a chance to get out and hear some live music. We were also happy to play to a live audience and get some feedback. We even had some dancing in the street – people were happy to dance to live music for the first time in months!
Cici English, who hosted in Hollywood, said, “We had a great time with Professor Goldstein and the Adjuncts. We had about 20-30 people throughout the set. Everyone had masks on and there was plenty of space on our corner lot. The final couple of songs had everyone dancing!” Aeryn Goldstein, who led the punk-inflected band, responded, “It was wonderful to play with a live audience in front of us and to get them—safely! —moving.”
Bonnie McClellan, who hosted Melissa Sites in College Park Woods, said she “received many enthusiastic notes of appreciation. Loved the music, loved the event, loved the performer. Many wishing to do it again – soon. A great neighborhood gathering. Our first good reason to join together in a very long time. Encore! Encore!”
Allison Hughes, whose group Laundry World played in Calvert Hills, agreed that the concerts were both relaxed and safe. “We had more than 50 in attendance… including the mayor! Everyone was well spaced along the street and Trolley Trail and it didn’t feel crowded at all. It was fun for the performers and I think the audience really enjoyed it.”
Eric Maring, also in Calvert Hills, stated, “Our family singalong event was a wonderful success, with many kids and parents jumping up and down, dancing, singing along, all spaced appropriately. We had a young ukulele student of mine join me, my sons Leo and Julian and banjo player Rocky Korr. It was such a healing, cathartic experience to be together in song.”
Peggy Hool, who hosted guitarist Dominic Elliott in College Park Estates said, “Sitting outside with friends and neighbors, listening to music on a beautiful afternoon, it doesn’t get much better (at least in this age of the pandemic). Great way to hear live music, great way for the musicians to showcase their talents. Count my yard in for future performances. Celebrating Fall/Halloween would be fun.”
College Park Arts Exchange is planning to organize another city-wide set of concerts, probably on Halloween weekend. Stay tuned to learn more!
Here are some photos from the event:
