PERFORMERS

How do I sign up to play?

Go to the PLAY page on our website. Even if we’ve already talked about you playing, please go through this official channel to streamline our process.

How do I know you got my sign-up?

Within a couple of weeks of signing up, you will receive an email acknowledging your sign-up. Don’t panic if you don’t get an email immediately – we register the sign-ups in our spreadsheet in batches during our free time. If you haven’t heard back within a month, then email us at porchfestmilton@gmail.com.

What information should I provide when I sign up?

You’ll be asked to provide band and contact info as well as any website/page you want featured when we push out our publicity a few weeks before the event. Also, if you have any special requests, like certain times you are available to play, hosts you know and request, or bands you share equipment or players with, please indicate this information in the final question’s text box.

How do I find out where and when I am playing?

We put together the schedule a few weeks before the event, so expect to hear back in late August/early September. We will email you with information about the host, time slot, and any other performer playing at that host, so you’ll have their contact email.

I know a host. Will you honor my request to play there?

Almost all of the time, this is a simple “Yes.” However, if there is a host that has too many performers asking to play there, then we will have to figure something else out. Another issue could be that there is another host in proximity to where you want to play, so we have to stagger acts – that is only an issue when there are a number of bands wanting to play at the same host. First priority is to keep bands that share equipment together, then we go from there.

Under what circumstances can performers change the order of playing?

If performers request a change due to timing or equipment, they must first contact the organizer to make sure there are no other conflicts (timing, sound, etc.) and then run it by all other performers at their host. (Ideally, this is done when signing up or as soon as the performer knows, but things happen and we get that.)

What happens if I sign up late?

Bands who sign up late (after the deadline, if accepted) may not be included on our website or in social media posts. They will be added to the map and schedule if time allows, but should understand that we make the website once signup ends, and our web-person spends a lot of time making changes to the site as-needed for bands who signed up on time.

Do you provide equipment?

No. Milton Porchfest just arranges the event. We don’t have PAs or keyboards or amps to lend out. Your host also is not expected to provide any equipment. You can reach out to other performers at that same host (after you get the email) to see if you can work together to share equipment, but nothing is guaranteed.

I share equipment/performers with another band. How do I make sure we are together?

This is the #1 request we will honor. Just make note of it in your sign-up.

If I have a problem the day of the event, who can I get in touch with?

First, you need to get in touch with your host. You’ll have their contact info in the email we send out and should have touched base with them before the event. You can email us as well (porchfestmilton@gmail.com), but we will likely be running around that morning, so might not be immediately available.

HOSTS

How do I sign up to host?

Go to the HOST page on our website. Even if we talked about how you were going to host, please go through this official channel to streamline our process.

How do I know you got my sign-up?

Within a couple of weeks of signing up, you will receive an email acknowledging your sign-up. Don’t panic if you don’t get an email immediately – we register the sign-ups in our spreadsheet in batches during our free time. If you haven’t heard back within a month, then email us at porchfestmilton@gmail.com.

What information should I provide when I sign up?

You’ll be asked to provide your address and contact info as well as what sort of hosting area you have and whether you have electricity. Also, if you have any special requests, like performers you know and request, please indicate this information in the final question’s text box. You can request a certain type of music, but we cannot guarantee we will fulfill that request, as scheduling depends on many factors.

How do I find out who is playing at my house and what times they’ll be there?

We put together the schedule a few weeks before the event, so expect to hear back in late August/early September. We will email you with information about the performers and time slots.

Should I get in touch with the performers?

Yes, you should reach out to them after getting the email about who will be there. If you don’t hear back from them after reaching out a couple of times, please email us immediately at porchfestmilton@gmail.com.

I know a performer. Will you honor my request to have them play at my house?

Almost all of the time, this is a simple “Yes.” However, if you have too many performers you want to have play there, then we will have to figure something else out. Another issue could be that there is a host in proximity to your home, so we have to stagger acts. First priority is to keep bands that share equipment together, then we go from there.

Can I pick who plays at my house?

If you know a band you want to host, put that information in the final question at sign-up. You can request a certain type of music, but we cannot guarantee we will fulfill that request, as scheduling depends on many factors.

Under what circumstances can the host arrange the schedule?

If the host has recruited all of the bands assigned to their house, then they can determine the order and give it to the organizer prior to the day that the acts are scheduled. Timing may need to be flexible if other hosts are nearby.

What do I have to provide, as a host?

The minimum you should provide is electricity for the band (if you have indicated that you have it), water, and use of your facilities if the performers need to use them. Often, hosts also provide food and other drinks for the performers as well. People also often set up chairs on their lawn if they have them. In terms of guests needing anything, you are not required to provide anything — feel free to direct guests to Shields Park to use the porta-potty and to our food vendors for food and drinks. They will be located at Shields, on the corner of Valley Road Ext/Eliot, and at Waldo Road/Eliot.

Some hosts on side streets choose to close off the street so that people cannot drive down it; if you want to do this, you can submit a block party request form to the town of Milton. (Cone rental is optional.) We think of Milton Porchfest as basically being a bunch of block parties or lawn parties.

If I have a problem the day of the event, who can I get in touch with?

First, you need to get in touch with your performers. You’ll have their contact info in the email we send out and should have touched base with them before the event. You can email us as well (porchfestmilton@gmail.com), but we will likely be running around that morning, so might not be immediately available. You can also text/call 617-501-8256.

GENERAL

What is Porchfest?

Basically, people sign up to host or play on porches, driveways, or yards. This is an event that occurs in many towns; nearby, Quincy, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, and Roslindale have Porchfests on days that don’t conflict with ours (this is by design on all of our parts). You can see the New England lineup here and read about the history of Porchfests here. Milton has had one since 2017, skipping 2020 because of, well, you know what.

When is Milton’s Porchfest?

Every year, we aim to have our event on the 3rd Saturday of September. We also reach out to other local porchfests to make sure the towns bordering us or very close don’t conflict with our event. For 2023, our event is September 9th.

Who runs this event?

We have a committee of Milton residents running this. Chuck Rogers and Emily Mulla started Milton Porchfest in 2017; Kate Middleton has been the organizer for the past few years. Our Facebook page will post a full list of volunteers after the event. Molly Sherman is our indefatigable webpage administrator and Hillary DuFrane (realtor at Coldwell Banker) makes the website possible by donating to pay for its cost.

Where can I find Milton Porchfest online?

Well, aside from here, you can check out (and like!) our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram

How do you decide who plays where at what time?

We have a very sophisticated computer that does this with some magical calculations. Or we just make a stack of index cards with band info (requests, noise level, etc.) and a map of the neighborhood on a big piece of paper and plot the whole thing out. Whichever version you prefer, that is what we do.

Who pays for this event?

There are no sponsors for Milton Porchfest; we don’t have a part of the town budget; we don’t have many sources of money, actually, since we prefer to keep this a grass-roots type of event, so we use money from t-shirt sales and donors to cover incidentals.

Who makes money off of this event?

No one except the companies that make our shirts, copies, and signs and host our website. If anyone could make money off of this, we’d want it to be the performers, so please feel free to buy their merch or throw them some dough as you circulate.

How can I buy a t-shirt?

We will sell t-shirts around town before the event (at the Farmer’s Market, in front of Shields Park, on the sidewalk near Coffee Break or Craft and Cru). You also can email us at porchfestmilton@gmail.com to arrange a purchase. Finally, we will have a table set up at Porchfest. If you want a certain size, make sure you get in early! We don’t have tons of shirts and just a handful of each size on the bottom and top ends of the ranges.

What shirts are available and how much do they cost?

Shirts are $20 each, cash only. We are keeping this as simple as possible, so we don’t have a bank account. Thus, cash is what you’ll need to buy shirts. We have children’s shirts, ladies’ scoop-necks, and unisex tees.

What does the t-shirt sales money go toward?

We use that money to plan the next year’s event – it pays for copies, signs, and the next batch of t-shirts. When we have money left over, we buy something we need to have (like sandwich boards and extra yard stakes). We hope someday to have enough left over to be able to procure more expensive things, like food trucks and porta-potties.

Is there food available at this event?

For the first time, 2023 Milton Porchfest will offer a few food vendors! Please support them, as finding them was no small feat. Hosts might offer snacks or water, but are not required to. (It’s always worth introducing yourself and asking - this is a community event meant to encourage connecting with people!) Also, our neighborhood is very close to a few places you can get food; head to the part of Eliot Street that intersects with Central Ave and you’ll find a few options.

Are there bathrooms available?

There is a porta-potty at Shields Park, which is along Eliot Street between Allen Circle and Capen Street. Hosts are not expected to allow guests to use their bathrooms. (But again, you can always ask – some people are comfortable with this and others understandably are not.)

Is there a rain date?

Nope.

So, what happens if it is raining on the day of Porchfest?

It will have to be a game-day decision; some hosts and bands might be fine with putting up a tent. Any changes will be posted on our Facebook page. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen!

Why will you only place performers at porches within the parameters you choose?

This is for a few reasons.

1) We want to guarantee the biggest crowd possible for our performers. Having a small area means more concentrated crowds at each host.

2) We like the fact that there is easy public access (the trolley and the bike path) to our event. We want to welcome people in.

3) We are a group of people who mostly live in the area we have marked as the borders. We have families, jobs, hobbies, other obligations, and as usual, a bunch of us also volunteer for other things. Keeping it as simple as possible works for us, both in terms of planning who goes where when and distributing things like yard signs.

4) We look at other porchfest models and what successes and challenges they have. So far, this has worked for us.

5) Until 2022, we had 50 or fewer performers, so we are still a small event. We are growing, though, and open to the possibility of growing the borders as well if we need to. However, this would mean having point-people to take responsibility for other neighborhoods. Stay tuned.

Why don’t you do things the way I think you should?

There are a few reasons, but one is because you’re not part of the planning committee! If you want something, join us and make it clear that you want that thing. Then show up and work with us. We get lots of feedback, but it is important to remember that this is something we are all doing in our free time because we love music and we love our neighborhood. If you want a change that costs money (food trucks, porta potties, etc.), make sure you buy a t-shirt or two.

How can I make Porchfest run the way I think it should be run?

See the above. Join us, volunteer to organize something, or take over one aspect of planning (we have someone who just makes our maps each year, for instance). If you want to criticize the event or process, please just consider joining or supporting us instead.

I want to support Milton Porchfest. How can I do so?

Easy list:

1) Volunteer to join us

2) Donate $ or but a t-shirt

3) Volunteer to take on one task (we had a person who decided to be the t-shirt point person this year – made all the decisions and communications easier)

4) Offer to buy something we need, like a sandwich board, paint, or signs

5) Share our event information on your own social media

Rule #1:

Be nice. Be nice to the musicians volunteering to play for free - even if you aren’t a big fan of their type of music or their performance. Be nice to the hosts who are opening up their homes to you and giving whatever they can offer. Be nice to the organizers - if something is wrong with the website or your band name or your address, please be courteous and understand that we have a lot of information we’re managing, a lot of people we are communicating with, and jobs and families to tend to, just like you do. This is not any of our job - we don’t get paid a dime for this and don’t work for you. So be nice. Thank you!