"Porchfest" Concerts to Rock Sea Cliff

By Nolan Cleary

The first ever "Rock for Love Porchfest" is coming to the Village of Sea Cliff this weekend.

The concert, which will feature residents and local bands playing live music on their porches, will be held Saturday, May 21, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sean Llewellyn, a resident of Sea Cliff for 10 years, devised the idea in 2019, when he held a position on the village Youth Activities Board. Taking inspiration from a similar event in Ithaca in 2012, he felt the concept ought to be applied to Sea Cliff as well.

“What so fascinated me, was that Sea Cliff has all of these great porches, with these lovely Victorian houses and other interesting houses,” Llewellyn said. “And with all the super-talented musicians we have, it seemed like a great way to bring the community together.”

Initially scheduled for May of 2020, plans for the event were put on hold as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. At a local charity event, Llewellyn met Jaime Teich, “chief neighbor” of the Love Your Neighbor Project.

“When Sean brought the idea to me, I thought, ‘What a great way to celebrate Love Your Neighbor Project’s second year,’” Teich said. “We think the Porchfest is a lovely way to celebrate what Love Your Neighbor Project has become, as a community.”

The Sea Cliff Arts Council will also participate in the event. One Square Mile and the Roger Street Friedman Band are among the bands that will participate in the event.