Modesto Porchfest off due to coronavirus; musicians to take virtual stage
Plans for the Modesto community to gather around neighborhood porches to hear and support local musicians fell through this year.
But while the annual Modesto Porchfest, originally set for May 17, has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the music will play on – inside homes instead of outside.
Couchfest is set for Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, a weekend of live-streaming music from local musicians who would have performed at Porchfest.
“Making the decision to cancel Porchfest was so hard,” co-organizer Kate Trompetter said in a press release. “We know how much joy this event brings people – joy we could really use right now.
“Once we decided to cancel, we felt compelled to offer an alternative to the community – something we could manage even during such complicated times. We’ve been really inspired by all the local musicians offering their music through live streaming. We’ve also been inspired by all the other organizations and people supporting them. We just want to amplify that.”
Help for Modesto area musicians
They also want to amplify donations to the artists. “Organizers invite you to listen, but especially encourage you to tip,” the release said.
Performers will provide information to connect listeners to their payment platforms such as Venmo, Paypal or others for virtual tipping, Trompetter said.
“All of our gigging musicians are among those whose professional lives have been profoundly disrupted by this virus,” she said in the release.
Nearly 40 local musicians will live stream 30-minute sets throughout the weekend. Information on the event can be found at modestoporchfest.com.
Another way to help Couchfest artists
Organizers also are selling a block print Couchfest postcard, designed by local artist Erin Black, for a $5 donation.
Longtime Porchfest sponsor Collins Electric was going to be joined this year by American Chevrolet, Trompetter said. “They, along with ModestoView, have all generously agreed to let us use some of their funds to match what we raise selling postcards up to $500.” All money raised will go to tipping musicians.
“We continue to be amazed at the generosity and creativity of our community,” Trompetter said. “There’s nowhere else we’d rather be during all of this than right here in Modesto.”
