This week’s edition of the podcast was recorded live from the Town of Tonawanda Public Library (Kenmore Branch) on Wednesday, June 17 to celebrate Kenmore Porchfest. Founder Eric Nagel was there to talk about the incredible grassroots festival that transforms local front porches into vibrant community stages. Also joining in on the fun was special musical guest akloh.!
Kenmore Porchfest is a grassroots music festival that transforms the front porches of Kenmore, NY into community stages for one incredible day of local music and neighborhood connection.
The idea was born in 2019, inspired by the growing Porchfest movement across North America. While the COVID-19 pandemic delayed initial plans in 2020, Kenmore Porchfest officially kicked off in 2021, marking the start of something truly special in the village. Since then, the event has grown each year—welcoming more bands, more porches, and more neighbors coming together to celebrate live music and community spirit.
What started as a small, neighborly event has grown into a vibrant celebration of local music and arts. Today, Kenmore Porchfest operates as a registered 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to supporting the arts and building community through music. This nonprofit status allows the organization to apply for community grants, offer meaningful sponsorship opportunities to local businesses, and create a sustainable plan to keep Porchfest alive and thriving in Kenmore for years to come. The festival is led by a six-member Board of Directors, each committed to the idea that music brings people together, builds stronger neighborhoods, and makes Kenmore a more joyful place to live. Whether someone participates as a performer, a porch host, a sponsor, or a fan, they are part of a movement that is building something special, porch by porch.
After quitting a lucrative five-year career in December of 2023 to devote 100% of his time, energy, and self to bringing true Buffalo-bred rock ‘n’ roll into the limelight, akloh. has quickly made a name for himself by gigging relentlessly around the WNY area. His hard work was recognized when he earned Buffalo Spree’s 2025 “Best Original Music Artist” award. Armed with his acoustic guitar, akloh. creates a live performance atmosphere unlike most others through his unique brand of dynamic vocals, percussive strumming, electrifying delivery, and inclusive crowd engagement. In September of 2025, akloh. debuted his six-piece live band, akloh. & co., to a packed house in one of his hometown’s premier concert venues.