By Jerry Ryan, Elephant Talk Indie
As the world rushes by, this homegrown event invites us to pause, gather and connect through art in its most heartfelt form.
That’s the heartbeat of Tuckerton Porchfest, returning on Saturday, May 31, for a full day of free, live performances celebrating local talent, creativity, and authentic human connection. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., porches, businesses and neighborhood corners across town will transform into intimate stages, hosting more than 30 musicians, poets and performers across seven unique locations.
I had the privilege of attending Porchfest in 2024, and the experience was a breath of fresh air—genuine, grounded, and deeply inspiring. So when Amy Elizabeth, the visionary founder of Porchfest, invited Elephant Talk Indie to curate a stage this year, I was truly honored.
Amy’s passion for both the arts and her local community is nothing short of inspiring. We were proud to name her Community Musician of the Year at Elephant Talk Indie in 2024—a well-deserved recognition.
“Porchfest was started as a way to bring people in the community together with an inclusive and diverse event—to include people who feel like they do not have space to be creative, and to help the music and arts scene as well as local businesses in this area grow,” Amy said.
And that’s exactly what it’s become. Porchfest isn’t just a festival—it’s a living testament to what happens when art and inclusion meet. Thanks to the vision of Amy Elizabeth and co-founder Chris Rockwell, this grassroots celebration continues to grow into a dynamic platform for creativity, connection and community pride. From Cape May to Asbury Park, artists are gathering in this small town to raise their voices, share their stories and build something bigger than themselves.
The performances this year echo that same spirit of creativity, connection, and community.
From the rhythmic verses of the Chris Rockwell Collective at The Union Market to the heartfelt melodies of the Tuckerton Elementary chorus at the Seaport stage curated by Shanti Revolution, Tuckerton’s porches transform into intimate stages celebrating diversity and unity. Elliot’s Barbershop pulses with rock energy from the Amy Elizabeth Band, Ill Rendition and Dogbeach, while The Lizzie Rose Music Room invites listeners to “stop and smell the roses” with performances by Jimmy Brogan and Burnt Tavern. Private residences on Main Street host the soulful sounds of Telegraph Hill Records, and Elephant Talk Indie presents genre-blending acts like Lackadaisical Lemon and four-time Singer-Songwriter of the Year, Khalid Quesada. As the sun sets, The Grapevine’s “Deck Party” After Jam offers a cozy gathering with Allison Stella and surprise guests, encapsulating the inclusive spirit that defines Tuckerton Porchfest.
“I realized that the best way to bring people together in hard times is through music and the arts. So I’ve done everything in my power to make this festival happen—not just for me and my own music, not just for my daughter and students performing with their school chorus—but for the community as a whole to come together, heal, and enjoy the diversity that this festival brings to our town during a time in the world where we need it the most,” Amy said.
