A Stratford couple is offering up their porch to a stranger, all in the name of community.
Earlier this month, musician Scotty James posted on the Stratford Connect community Facebook page, asking for someone to lend their porch for an impromptu concert, as part of a larger tour across the province.
The idea came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, when everyone was isolated and craving any kind of community interaction.
James is an acoustic performer, playing a mix of country, and folk. As part of this tour, he is performing from Burlington to Windsor, and in between.
“I had this idea to do a pop-up concert outside of my house,” James said. “And the neighbourhood just started showing up. Huge crowds every week … So I thought I’d do it again, kind of on a bigger scale and tour around Ontario.”
James got an overwhelming response – not just in Stratford but across the province, too.
James posted in a litany of community Facebook groups. In three days, he booked about 40 shows – all through the power of social media.
Two of the respondents were Debra and George Mackie, who saw the post and jumped at the chance. After organizing with James, they announced a porch concert scheduled for tonight (Monday).
They told StratfordToday that although they were not aware of James’ music, they offered their porch because it is about community.
“We see all kinds of people walking,” George said. “Whether they're walking on Sunday morning to church, whether they're walking their dogs, whether they're up for a Sunday afternoon stroll, husband and wife, kids learning how to ride a bicycle. We know all of our neighbours for blocks all around. And so we thought this would be an opportunity to bring everyone together.”
The Hughson Hall porch concert starts at 6:30 pm. tonight. There is no fee, though James clarified that people can contribute and support him, should they wish to.
Describing themselves as “front-porch-sitters,” the two of them know how important community is for themselves and their neighbourhood and noticed a shift during the pandemic. They thought this was a great opportunity to get the community out again.
Hughson Hall, a bed and breakfast, is located on the corner of Hibernia and Avondale. It was recently renovated by the Mackies, who cleaned up the front and back yards, completely reinvigorating the surrounding property.
They both thought that wherever James decides to play, whether its on the porch or in the front garden, it will make for a good show.
Unsure of what to expect exactly, they are hoping for a turnout of about a hundred people. They are also hoping that the music will attract neighbours who may not know the pop-up concert is occurring.
Ultimately, they just want the community to have fun together again.
Debra and George, likewise, are hoping that this event is not the last for them.
“If there’s anybody else out there that’s interested in introducing themselves for a neighbourhood porch party, we would probably be open to that,” Debra shared.
