Shelburne Falls is always a great place to visit in the summer, but even more so this weekend, as the town hosts its fifth annual Porch Music Festival on Sunday, July 14. This free event will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and feature over 40 musical acts performing on the beautiful porches of local residents and other locations throughout the village, such as the Mill, Floodwater Brewing Company, and Trinity Church.

It’s not only music that attendees can enjoy; there will also be comedy and poetry.

The Porch Festival has also teamed up with the local Arts Walk, so throughout the day, there will be open studios and gallery receptions showcasing the work of local artists. The partnership with the Arts Walk will allow festival-goers to enjoy a full day of art to go along with all the music.

“This is our biggest year yet and our second year teaming with the Arts Walk,” said Paul Bennett, the organizer of the Porch Festival. “This year I have more musicians than we have porches,” he laughed.

The Shelburne Falls Porch Festival has indeed gotten bigger and better each year.

The first Porch Festival occurred during the pandemic and was the idea of Bennett’s daughter, Dorothy Strano-Bennett, who was 14 years old at the time. She felt it was the perfect way for everyone to deal with the isolation they were experiencing due to the COVID lockdown.

After the first year, she decided she didn’t want to do it anymore, so Bennett stepped in and took over. “This festival is kind of like our family dog; you know the kid doesn’t want to deal with the dog anymore, and the parent takes over,” he said. “And I love this family dog.”

Get ready for a diverse musical experience at the festival. There’s something for everyone, from folk singer-songwriters to jazz and experimental music. Most acts are local, but a few are from Boston. The majority of musicians will only perform one set, and a few, like singer-songwriter Dave Dersham, will play multiple shows.

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You’ll hear everything from Abdul Baki’s reggae to Wild Thyme’s Celtic music, Overeasy Jazz’s New Orleans-styled jazz, and Sunny D & the Tangy Originals’ art pop.

Banjo/guitarist Michael Nix, Americana musicians Orlen, Gabriel and Avery, and alt-rockers Frost Heaves and Hales will also be on hand. The Brookside Project, 133 Skeel, The Farley String Band, Chris Goudreau, and Tandem Jump will also be present.

Hilltown Renaissance Vocal Quartet will sing a cappella, Survey Says will offer some experimental sounds, and The Popsicles will serve fun tunes for the kids.

And yes, there will be plenty of singer-songwriters, including Dave Dersham, Lily Soleil, Harry Remer, and many more. This is just a brief listing of all you’ll hear.

A handful of artists have played all five porch fests, including Sarah Pirtle of Shelburne Falls.

“I started the first year offering hammered dulcimer right here in my yard on Main Street, then I performed twice under a big tree in the back yard of a neighbor and that was for children and families in particular,” said Pirtle in an email.

Last year she performed with Sisters of the Circle at the Water Street Barn, where the band will return this year.

“We are a new trio including Hana Zara, who is doing her own set at 5 p.m., and Christy Grecsek. We are all songwriters of different generations,” explained Pirtle of the project. “I’m the oldest at 74, and I’ve been performing folk music since I was 14. I have nine recordings, 10 national awards, and put 75 of my songs for free at [sarahpirtle.com].”

National Book Award-winner and Shelburne Falls resident Martín Espada will be one of the participating poets providing readings of his work.

There will also be all kinds of art on display, including painting, sculptures, handmade toys, and so much more. Amherst Plein Air Society will spend the morning creating beautiful landscape paintings inspired by the scenic village. These paintings will be critiqued at the end of the Bridge of Flowers from 12 to 1 p.m.

In addition to organizing the event, Bennett will perform two sets of stand-up comedy, one geared toward kids and one later in the afternoon for adults.

And remember, this is all free, although some acts might put out tip jars.

Many performances are within walking distance, but shuttles will run from Trinity Church, the Mill, and Buckland Shelburne Elementary School.

The full schedule of the music festival and the Arts Walk is available on shelburnefallsporchfestival.com

Do it Now, the trio of percussionist Tony Vacca, guitarist John Sheldon, and poet Paul Richmond, return to Peskeomput Park in Turners Falls for a free show on Sunday, July 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. The trio blends beat poetry with improvised music and political commentary to create a sonic experience like nothing you have heard before. Their exciting, innovative world-fusion music conveys a message of hope for the planet. The trio of veteran performers has been working together since 2017 and this is the third year they have played at Peskeomput Park.

Prior to the show, there will be a book sale of regional publishers and authors.

Donations are appreciated. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. The rain date for this event is Sunday, July 21.

The event is sponsored by RiverCulture, with financial support from Greenfield Coop Bank and the Mass Cultural Council.

Beehive queen Christine Ohlman and her band Rebel Montez are heading back to the 1794 Meetinghouse in New Salem on Saturday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m. Ohlman, a longtime favorite at the meetinghouse, promises to “set souls afire” with her soulful brand of roots rock music. Her shows are always a high point of the season for the meetinghouse, so they keep having her back year after year. The Saturday Night Live band vocalist’s most recent project is that she appeared on the new album by Dion, singing two duets with the legendary rocker.

Working with Dion makes perfect sense, as Ohlman’s look and sound is a throwback to the ‘60s.

So come and hear them raise the roof on the 1794 Meetinghouse once again!

Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for ages 13 to 17, and free for kids 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased online at 1794meetinghouse.org or at the door.

Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at Soundslocal@yahoo.com.