This was the first Front Porch Music Festival I have been to. So natural, down to earth, a homegrown community and friends get together with local musicians. Such a cool event that I am sad that I have not been to the prior festivals. It was that cool. Now I need to go visit Front Porch Music and get someone to play Alices Restaurant for me (inside joke).
The weather was great. Attitudes were mellowed. Togetherness all around. It is like one can only dream this stuff up. Like "Field Of Dreams", put the show together and they will come.
I missed the first band. If anyone has photos posted somewhere so I can link them, or even a video, I would like to do that. The lineup for the evening:
Compass
The Steepwater Band
The Crawpuppies
Eccenya
Rito
Mami Matsuda
Valparaiso Blues Project
All that I saw and heard was superb. Saw many superb friends there too. Got some dancing in, and my ankle froze up but I got it back to finish the event out. (Fell off the ladder three years ago and messed up my outer ankle tendon.) I could not stop enjoying myself dancing. I always do my own thing. If someone joins, cool. This evening I was just in tune with my surroundings, mother nature with the trees around me, a Zen experience in the now with the music being played. I would go back in a heart beat. All of these moments should redefine us, guide us, make us whole. This festival did all of that for me.
Thank you Chad for being you, for without you we would be different. Who we are now is because of you (joyful, full of spirit, full of song). Hats off to you!
Enjoy the photographs . . .
Vivid Art by Regina had her creations on display for sale. I have not been out for several years and therefore have not seen her for several years. It was very nice to see her at the festival. Please check her creations out at Vivid Art by Regina.
The "Blues Project Students" hit it hard out of the gate. Such cool play and very much into the vibe for me. Keep it up guys!
Out of all these people at the festival, I have known The Steepwater band the longest. First met them at Kenwood Tap, and then photographed them a the Chicago House of Blues. It has been over ten years now. I love these guys, their music, their essence as human beings, and they don't mind striking a pose for me when I photograph them.
Once and a while I get asked to photograph someone, like in this next photo.
Chris Grove is a cool cat on keyboards. He loves music. An all around great guy.
This was cool, Chad joining in on vocals with The Steepwater Band!!!
More guests . . . Dave Curtis on harmonica!
Weird that it was dark out, yet the video from the same camera balanced everything. I think I need to shoot video more often . . .
Thanks again to Front Porch Music, and Chad!!!
Festival XI Sponsors
White Claw Hard Zeltzer
Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer
Lori K Bath
Sandberg's Towing & Recovery
Valpo Car Co.
Thorgren Tool & Molding Co., Inc.
Sure-Lock Homes Storage
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Executive Realty
Sounds Cool! Live Audio
The Entertainer
X-Rock 103.9
BoyConn Pringting
Affordable Remodelers
Tudor Cleaning & Restoration
CornerSun Wellness
Brightside
Region Music
Front Port Music
A Picker's Paradise
505 E. Lincolnway
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Front Porch Music Festival XI
Central Park Plaza
69 W. Lincolnway
Valparaiso, Indiana
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