CHICAGO — Chicago’s front porch concert series is returning to eight North Side neighborhoods this summer.

Now in its fifth year, the festival invites local musicians to perform on front porches while neighbors enjoy the outdoors, similar to the experience at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, but much closer to home.

Carisa Marconet launched the series five years ago after she graduated from DePaul University with a degree in communications and media.



“I love local music and love going to local shows,” Marconet said last year, referring to why she started the series. “So I wanted to feature local artists since there are so many in Chicago. And as a front porch show, you get to meet your neighbors. People bring blankets and snacks to turn it into a little Ravinia.”

Since last summer, the series has exploded in popularity.

“This year we’re doing more concerts,” Marconet said, pointing to the June 2 PorchFest series in Lakeview that will be followed by another wave of concerts. This year, the festival alo partnered with Do312 to give free cozies to folks who RSVP for shows.

Revolution Brewing is donating beer for every concert except for three, which will instead have donated beer from Begyle Brewing Company.

The concerts kick off with PorchFest on June 2, with musicians performing on residential porches around Southport, Lincoln and Wellington in Lakeview.

Here’s the full lineup:

• June 2, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. — PorchFest Lakeview, 2936 N. Southport Ave.

To RSVP visit the event’s Facebook page.

• June 26, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Front Porch Concert North Center, 4200 N. Oakley Ave.

For more information visit the event’s Facebook page.

Musical Acts:

Atticus Lazenby Group

Bonzo Squad

• June 23, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Front Porch Concert Irving Park, 3815 N. Monticello Ave.

For more information visit the event’s Facebook page.

Musical Acts:

Space Wagon

Myna MacArthur

• June 30, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Front Porch Concert Mayfair, 4631 N. Kenton Ave.

For more information visit the event’s Facebook page.

Musical Acts:

Patrick Sundlof

Furious Frank

• July 14, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Front Porch Concert Lakeview, 3538 N. Bosworth Ave.

For more information visit the event’s Facebook page.

Musical Acts:

Van Isaacson

Joslyn-Marie

• July 21, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Front Porch Concert Albany Park, 3333 W. Cullom Ave.

For more information visit the event’s Facebook page.

Musical Acts:

Huckleberry Funk

Starving in the Belly of the Whale

• July 28, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Front Porch Concert Ravenswood Manor, 2947 W. Wilson Ave.

For more information visit the event’s Facebook page.

Musical Acts:

Pat McKillen Music

Brian McGrath

• Aug. 4, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Front Porch Concert Edgewater, 1310 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

For more information visit the event’s Facebook page.

Musical Acts:

Nathan Graham Music

Michelle & Corbin Ferry Road

• Aug. 11, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Front Porch Concert Lincoln Square, 2156 W. Leland Ave.

For more information visit the event’s Facebook page.

Musical Acts:

Wilem Hurricane Simmons

The bellow + the whale

And for more information about the concert series or about hosting or performing at a future concert visit www.fpconcerts.com.

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Front Porch Concerts Are Turning Ordinary Blocks Into ‘Little’ Ravinias

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