Ceramicist Roberto Lugo performed several spoken word pieces as a special guest at the Story & Verse Open Mic in the Princeton Public Library’s Community Room.
Porchfest 2025 brings the University and community together for a walkable feast of music
The fourth annual Princeton Porchfest united the University and residents from the local community in a walkable feast of music on April 26. Presented by the Arts Council of Princeton, the free festival served as an all-day showcase of local talent across 15 porches in town and at Maclean House on campus.
New offerings this year included a Porchfest edition of the Arts Council’s Story & Verse Open Mic series, which featured a spoken word performance by ceramic artist Roberto Lugo, as well as an official afterparty on Palmer Square Green.
“Porchfest brings our community together through a shared love of music, offering students an exciting opportunity to celebrate and showcase local talent alongside their neighbors,” said Melissa Mercuro, associate director for community relations in the Office of Community and Regional Affairs. She called the event “a true example of community collaboration.”
The Maclean House stage, organized by the Princeton Undergraduate Student Government, hosted a range of student musicians in genres spanning jazz, bluegrass, alternative, rock and acoustic. With a lively cover of “Mr. Brightside,” the Princeton University Band brought the sun out briefly for the first time that rainy morning, and as sets rotated throughout the day, the stage served as a bright spot for attendees despite the weather.
The Princeton University Band poses outside Maclean House after kicking off performances at the campus stage.
Rosemary Newsome, a second-year graduate student in the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA), said Porchfest was “worth standing in the rain” to experience. Toward the late afternoon and evening, members of the audience filled the Maclean House lawn and danced to crowd-favorite rock bands Strawberry Milk and Casual Riot.
Porchfest attendee Emily Yang, an electrical and computer engineering major in Princeton’s Class of 2026, said she appreciated seeing how Porchfest engages the entire Princeton community, especially with residents "coming to see the undergrad students, as well as undergrad students being encouraged to go out into the town and see what is happening at the other porches.”
“It's just a very fun afternoon of music and community, which is all you can ask for," she added.
At the Arts Council of Princeton, attendees enjoyed entertainment in the parking lot and bought merchandise supporting the local arts and cultural scene.
The Story & Verse Open Mic in the Princeton Public Library Community Room welcomed poets and storytellers of all experience levels to the podium.
Lugo, who performed several pieces to a standing-room-only audience, earned spirited snaps and laughter throughout. His Porchfest appearance was presented in a partnership among the Library, the Arts Council and the Princeton University Art Museum (PUAM). Lugo's work is on view in the PUAM exhibit, "Roberto Lugo / Orange and Black," at Art@Bainbridge through July 6.
The sun came out in full force for the official afterparty on Palmer Square Green, where three acts — including closing band The Shaxe, whose performance marked their 25th anniversary of playing for the Arts Council — drew the biggest crowd of the day.
“It's just a great excuse to get out and hear some live music,” said Princeton resident Marshall McKnight, a Porchfest regular, who attended with Natalie Shelpuk and their dog, Gracie. “Princeton’s a great place to just walk around at any time, but to be able to go around and hear a wide variety of live music is so much fun. We wouldn’t miss it.”
Shelpuk added that they are “always finding a new favorite band” and especially loved seeing parents playing lawn games with their children and enjoying the festival together. "It's truly a family event."
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