Newtown's 'Porchstock' Brings People, Music To The Streets

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA ? The first-ever Porchstock filled the streets of Newtown Borough with music and people Saturday afternoon.

Presented by the Newtown Experience, residents and visitors spent the afternoon strolling through town and listening to bands and musicians set up on front porches, in yards and in open garages.

Taking its name and inspiration from Woodstock - the legendary 1969 music festival held in New York State - Porchstock brought more than 15 bands and musicians for a concert that stretched from Chancellor Street to State Street.

Musicians performed everything from jazz and acoustic Americana to classic rock and everything in between.

At 101 South Chancellor Street, Nilan and Mythri Prabhakar were wowing the crowd with their youthful sound and musical talents.

Nilan and Mythri Prabhakar performing pop, classical and jazz on a South Chancellor Street porch.

The Blue Cosmic Riders performing in front of a garage off of Washington Avenue.

The Blue Cosmic Riders performing in front of a garage off of Washington Avenue. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Pianist Jennie Lehman performs tunes on her electric keyboard on Washington Avenue.

North Elm performing the Grateful Dead's "Fire On The Mountain." (Jeff Werner/Patch)

North Elm performing the Grateful Dead's "Fire On The Mountain." (Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

A few blocks away, at 220 Washington Avenue, classic rock band, the Blue Cosmic Riders, was transporting a large crowd back to the original Woodstock with its guitar rifts and drum sets.

Just around the corner, pianist Jennie Lehman was performing tunes on her electric keyboard to a crowd gathered on both sides of Washington Avenue. Her rendition of Cyndi Lauper?s ?Girls Just Wanna Have Fun? drew an enthusiastic response.

Meanwhile over on Liberty Street, the sounds of the Grateful Dead filled the air as the band North Elm belted out ?Fire On The Mountain.?

And on North State Street just a few doors down from the Newtown Ice House, Newtown?s own singer/songwriter Meg Russell was performing Chris Stapleton?s ?Starting Over.?

The mission of the non-profit Newtown Experience is to to celebrate Newtown?s rich history, create and promote local events, build community, and further the town?s collective culture. For information, visit theNewtownexperience.org.