One day in 2011, Dominic "Dom" Nozzi was scrolling a listserv when he came across a discussion about porchfests. A former town planner, Dom had taken an interest in an urban design mailing list when this unexpected gem fell into his lap. He wanted to start a porchfest in Boulder.
Porchfest is a community event where bands and musical acts play on neighborhood porches for local audiences to enjoy. It promotes connection and encourages everyone to slow down, enjoy each other’s company, and a wide range of live music. Boulder’s version is free, emphasizing a come-one, come-all attitude.
The first porchfest is believed to have started in Ithaca, New York in 2007. Today, there are over 250 porchfests held annually across America and Canada.
When Dom got the idea to start a porchfest in Boulder, the place he called home was Mapleton Hill. Knowing how special this historic neighborhood was, he saw an opportunity to make this hill a home for porchfest too.
Dom reached out to neighbors and friends to see if they would want to help bring the Mapleton Hill PorchFest to life. One of the people he contacted was Pat Lehman.
A resident of Mapleton Hill since 1987, Pat held the first committee meeting for Mapleton Hill PorchFest at her house. Almost a year later in the fall of 2012, PorchFest officially launched, music reverberating through the district’s streets. “It is always a thrill to walk around the neighborhood to see the many bands of different kinds of music,” says Pat. “To mix with hundreds of people enjoying the music and ambiance!”
One of the things that makes the Mapleton Hill PorchFest possible is the people who volunteer their porches, like local resident Natasia Smith. She has had a variety of musical acts grace her home’s makeshift stage, but Bluegrass holds a special place in her heart thanks to her Kentucky roots. “Our home has a history of being connected to community events, and we felt it was important to continue this legacy,” says Natasia.
Kathy Spear, who helps with communications and publicity for Mapleton Hill PorchFest, also found out about the event through a listserv in 2011. At the time, she and her husband Brian Spear, who is also involved in the local PorchFest, were living between Boulder and Chicago. This community event was a window into a new town, a chance to meet new people. Kathy references a local musician’s aphorism when describing Mapleton Hill PorchFest as “‘what building community is all about.’”
Dom left Boulder in 2020 but continues to be a champion for porchfests and the inclusivity they represent. “Socializing is the new fitness center,” says Dom. “I think that humans are hardwired to enjoy socializing and serendipitously encountering old friends they haven’t seen in a long time and meeting new friends.”
Mapleton Hill PorchFest sits at the intersection of music and community. Head towards the foothills on September 20, and you too might find your own slice of serendipity.
Learn more by visiting their website MapletonHillPorchfest.com.