Knight Foundation supports Art in the Square + PorchRokr to create a vibrant, distinctive setting for community interaction. Below, Jonathan Morschl, one of the organizers, writes about the event, which was held Oct. 12. Porches aren’t just for rocking; sometimes they’re for rocking-and-rolling. That spirit filled the neighborhood of Highland Square in Akron this past weekend when more than 130 musical acts lined the streets to treat thousands of visitors to an eclectic mix of music. A chamber orchestra here. Balkan folk musicians there. Jazz, rock, indie, reggae, blues, country and punk bands were scattered among brick paved streets and dedicated stages. PorchRokr wasn’t just a musical event, though. It was a new dimension to Art in the Square, an annual festival that showcases local talent. We created a hybrid to broaden the appeal of what was already a popular event. The planning began last year when the Highland Square Neighborhood Association came up with this wild notion of a fundraiser for its annual summer art and music festival, which is typically held in late August. A local resident who had attended a porch festival in Cleveland introduced the concept to us.
