Nearly 250 bands return town to Porchfest: See ACMi video

See the ACMi video about Porchfest on June 18:

UPDATED June 24: Arlington Center for the Arts presented the return of Arlington Porchfest on Saturday, June 18, from noon to 6 p.m. -- the fourth such event and the first since 2019.

Since 2016, the event has been uniting live music with community participation in a daylong celebration of the arts in Arlington. Porchfest is a grass-roots music festival where bands play on front porches across town and people walk, bike or drive around to enjoy tons of free outdoor music, dancing and art.

This year’s event will present almost 250 porches, bands and exhibits for the community to visit across Arlington.

Tom Formicola, ACA’s executive director, said in a June 10 news release: “All of us at ACA are so excited to celebrate the return of Arlington Porchfest. And given the enthusiastic response we've gotten from the community -- it seems the feeling is mutual. From one end of town to the other, we are anticipating a joyful day of music and art. Everyone's invited to join the fun!”

Hours, zones

The event runs from noon to 6, with the “west zone” activated from noon to 4, and the “east zone” activated from 2 to 6. Download a full event map and schedule of events from arlington-porchfest >>

This year’s event in made possible in part by a festivals grant from the Mass. Cultural Council, a state agency.

The Arlington Center for the Arts is a community arts center devoted to the mission of "transforming lives and building community through the arts." For the last 30 years, ACA has opened its doors to a community of artists, learners, and supporters of the arts and has committed to engagement, access, and inclusion of all art forms.

In 2018, thanks to the support of many generous individuals in the community, the ACA finished renovations and moved into their new facility at 20 Academy St., Arlington. To learn more, visit the website at www.acarts.org.

PersistenceOwn a piece of public-art history: 'Persistence' exhibit, sale at Porchfest

Join us during Porchfest (June 18, 1 to 4 p.m.) to get a close look at Michelle Lougee's whimsical creations for the Minuteman Bikeway during an exhibition and sale of the sculptural pieces that make up PERSISTENCE.

Thanks to our friends at Arlington Center for the Arts, we're joining the Chamber of Commerce's Porchfest Stage at Whittemore Park; enjoy live music there from 2 to 6 p.m.

Thirty-eight sculptures have been hanging high up in trees along the Minuteman Bikeway for almost two years; this is a final opportunity to appreciate the meticulous craftsmanship, hold a work in your hands, and take a piece home.

This collaborative public art installation was crocheted from thousands of plastic bags by Michelle and a wonderful team of volunteer craftivists to send a message about the environmental dangers of single-use plastic. The shapes are based on microorganisms found in a healthy water system; plastic breaks down into microplastic and mimics these tiny creatures. Microplastics, as well as larger pieces from packaging and other consumer items, enter the food chain because animals cannot distinguish it from organic matter. Arlington took a big step to reduce dangerous plastic pollution by banning most single-use water bottles this year.

Garage Band returns

Get your motor running at Garage Band – The Arlington Porchfest “after party” featuring The Squeezebox Stompers playing zydeco, Cajun and more that is sure to get you up and dancing! Free and family friendly!

Saturday June 18th, 6 - 8 p.m. rain date June 19) at Arlington Service Station, 334 Mass. Ave. (next to Walgreen's just past Arlington Center).

Garage Band is a pop-up dance party featuring bands and performers, and it's a great space to celebrate community and music, and wind down your PorchFest experience. You can read about past Garage Band success here on Arts Arlington. Garage Band is made possible through the ACAC Live Arts Arlington program with special thanks to Arlington Service Station!

This news announcement was published Tuesday, March 15, 2022, and updated June 24, to add ACMi video.