Live music is the perfect excuse for neighbors to turn off their tvs and get out of the house and into the neighborhood… KEVIN WATKINS – Solo Act – Guitar Bio: Kevin’s songs defy categorization, authority, social norms, or sometimes even common sense. Kevin works hard to craft songs that are palatable and worthy of a listen (or two). His deserted island jukebox would include “I’d Love to Change…
I’m referring to Travis as the Poet Wrangler because he’s been in charge of choosing, motivating and directing all of PorchFest’s poets (no small task!). Thanks Travis! TRAVIS LAURENCE NAUGHT – Poet Bio: Travis is a poet who happens to be a quadriplegic wheelchair user. Collections of his written works have been published in paperback, The Virgin Journals, and in e-book format, Still Journaling. His spoken word poetry has…
It was fun profiling some of the poets… back to the musicians… NAOMI HARRIS – Solo Act – Accordion Bio: Naomi Harris is a 14 year old accordionist who has been competing internationally representing the United States since she was 12. She started taking lessons at age nine at Able to Play Studio in Spokane, under Patricia Bartell. She has won many competitions since then including 1st place in…
Kahlan’s a fun guy. Now you get to meet him… – KAHLAN – (pronounced kaylan) -Talk to us a bit about community, about yourself, and about PorchFest, please… 1 -What got you interested in PorchFest? What do you think about it? A few months after moving into Kendall Yards, James Evans of Greenstone asked me if my porch could be made available for performers to use at the…
Before we head back into profiling the musicians, here’s another poet for you… EMILY GWINN – Poet – Bio: Emily recently fulfilled her goal of returning to Spokane. She taught high school English and journalism in Yakima, Washington for seven years and is the former recipient of the Tom Pier Prize in poetry. In August, she represented Spokane at the 2014 National Poetry Slam in Oakland, California. Talk to us a bit about community, about yourself as an artist, and about PorchFest, please… PorchFest will be the first event I get to be actively involved with in my new neighborhood. Being a recent addition to West Central, my family has had an incredible experience exploring and learning about this unique part of Spokane. We love it. The new…
SURPRISE!!! Another poet! TERI KOSKI – Poet – Bio: Teri is a spoken word poet who has a secret identity as a social worker. Much of her poetry speaks to the clients she works with and her advocacy work for mental illness. She hopes that her poetry starts conversations about mental illness and suicide awareness, breaking down stigmas. Talk to us a bit about community, about yourself as an artist, and about PorchFest, please… 1 -What got you interested in PorchFest? What do you think about it? I heard about Porch Fest from my friend Travis. Community events like this are important, especially in a neighborhood in transition like West Central. Events like this bridge gaps between neighbors, bring people out of their homes and get them talking.…
So now some of the fun starts – SURPRISE!!! A poet! THOM CARAWAY – Poet – Bio:I write poems about where I am. The West Central neighborhood in Spokane is where I have been since 2008, and where I will probably always be. I teach creative writing, editing, and book design classes at Whitworth University. I also serve on the board of directors for Project Hope Spokane, an urban farm job-training program for West Central and Emerson-Garfield youth. In October 2013, I was appointed Spokane’s first Poet Laureate. So I do that. I also serve as editor-in-chief of Rock & Sling, a literary journal, and I’m the publisher of Sage Hill Press. Talk to us a bit about community, about yourself as an artist, and about PorchFest, please……
These guys LOVE hosting… – KATHY & DENNIS – Talk to us a bit about community, about yourselves, and about PorchFest, please… 1 -What got you interested in PorchFest? What do you think about it? The name instantly appealed to us as we have formed many relationships, friendships, and a sense of community because of our PORCH! And it is AWESOME! 2- What is “community”? How do we build it? Does it happen automatically or does it need catalysts? Sense of community does not happen automatically and must be built and nurtured through relationships and friendships involving all those around you with events such as PorchFest West Central or groups like our Kendall Yards Kennel Club – we get together at 8am every weekend to walk…
I just realized that many people hadn’t yet seen the poster, so here it is! Tiffany Patterson has done an amazing job! It works as a poster, but it feel more like a work of art. I keep having to go back to the printer because I soon as I get a couple dozen of these in my hands, they’re gone. People keep asking me for extra copies and I can understand why. I keep hearing, “I’m framing this as soon as the PorchFest finishes!”
I’ve had a great time meeting these wonderful porch hosts – now you get to. Meet Angela & Jeff! – ANGELA & JEFF – -Talk to us a bit about community, about yourselves, and about PorchFest, please… “We love community-building events, music, and West Central! We think PorchFest is a great way for people in West Central to get to know their neighbors and for Spokane to get to know West Central as a whole community. We love that it is going to be an annual event! Community is people coming together with the intention of sharing life in ways that require sacrifice, work, and commitment – building relationship centered around a common interest. It simply needs people willing to come together rather than go at it…