Porch Performances bring Unique Tradition to SomersPoint
By Steffen Klenk
In a yearly tradition that goes back twenty years, The Riddlesbrood Players put on an entertaining performance of the Charles Dickens classic The Christmas Carol in Somers Point’s Historic District. Each of the acts are produced at different porch fronts with the first scene taking place at a residential home along Somers Avenue. Crowds would then walk to another porch along Bay Avenue before making their way to Delaware Avenue, with the final scene taking place at Gregory’s.
Last Saturday, audiences young and old braved the bitter cold to watch this exhilarating production.
Nicholas Regine was the Director of Community Education and Recreation for the City of Somers Point and organized a number of events, including the Good Old Days Festival and Beach Concert Series. Nicholas recalls the first performance, which took place in the late 1990s. “We wanted to start a Christmas activity. We thought it would be a nice idea to put one act on one porch and one act on another.” The Porch Performances were born.
After going on hiatus in 2004, the Porch Performances were brought back to life two years ago, and is now an annual tradition.
Kathleen Arleth, a member of the Unique Experiences Club, owes the success of the annual production to the generosity of Somers Point locals who kindly lend their porches for the night. “Since its revival, the same three porches, including Gregory’s, have been consistently in on the whole action.”
The performance is organized by the Somers Point Unique Experiences Club, a group dedicated to bringing distinct events to the city. Several months ago, the club organized an event called the “We’re All Bozos on this Bus” Bar Tour. A group of twenty people dressed as clowns visiting all of the local bars. Historic facts and information about each bar and pub were presented throughout the tour. The group will soon be hosting a pop-up acepella event that will travel along various street corners in Somers Point.
These are the type of unique experiences that keep the history of Somers Point vibrant. You can keep up to date with the Somers Point Unique Experiences Club and learn more about their upcoming events by visiting their website at spunique.weebly.com.
Steffen Klenk is a multimedia journalist. He resides in Ocean City and enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life.
