Thursday, October 1, 2026
The community of Long Beach was alive with music this past weekend during the third annual PorchFest.
Held on May 17 from noon to 6 p.m., residents and visitors enjoyed a variety of performances right in their neighborhoods, bringing people together through the arts.
The festivities began with a pre-party at Bright Eye Beer Co. the day before, on May 16, featuring The Katie Mitchell Band and other special guests, and T-shirt and hat sales. Maps of the different times and locations of each band were also given out, adding to the anticipation.
PorchFest, organized by the Long Beach Arts Council in collaboration with the city government, the Long Island Reach and the Long Beach Public Library, built on the success of the first two years.
“Both Friday night and Saturday were a huge success.,” Katie Mitchell, secretary of the arts council, said. “Friday night, we had a great crowd, and a lot of people came and bought shirts and picked up their maps, and we were able to showcase some of the musicians that were going to play on Saturday. The crowd seemed really into it. Bright Eye was really pleased, and my band got to have a little fun.”
Musical acts included Ruby J. and the Jewel Tones, Rashaan Cruise Jr., Magnolia Jam, Jack Toad, Last Licks, Turn it Up!, Wrong Sister, Twisted Troubadours, Neutral Corners, Liz and The Marine Life, Weird Fiction, Reggaelar People, Maxine Vandate, Grand Vinyl Bans, The Mutineers, L.B. Ukelele Orchestra, Phil Kennelty and Phriends, Category 3, Cripple Creek, Off the Record and The Alright Guys.
With the success of this year’s PorchFest, Long Beach has strengthened its community spirit and celebration of the arts, ensuring that PorchFest will be a beloved tradition for years to come.
“Saturday was incredible,” Mitchell said. “The weather held up. I had been watching all week and was thinking, ‘is it going to rain a little in the morning? What’s it going to look like?’ It was just a beautiful day. People came out, the bands were all amazing. We had all of our volunteers working hard, and the Long Beach Auxiliary Police Department was working hard. It was great.”
For more information and updates on upcoming events, visit LBNY-Arts.org.
