Porch Stomp is truly a one of a kind festival.  Artists perform on the historic porches and greens of Nolan Park, the Parade Grounds, and Colonel’s Row without amplification and within eyesight of anywhere from 10 to 20 other performances. 

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Day of Event: 

Q: How do I get to Governors Island? 

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A: Governors Island is serviced by the Governors Island Ferry and NYC Ferry. 

 

Governors Island Ferry: 

 

The Governors Island Ferry runs on regular intervals from:

• Lower Manhattan: Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street)

• Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 

• Red Hook Atlantic Basin

 

Ferry tickets may be reserved in advance. In 2023, reservations are not required, but are encouraged as the ferries will fill up (note: if you are a Porch Stomp 2023 Artist, we STRONGLY encourage you to make a ferry reservation, so as not to miss your set time!). Visitors to the Island no longer need to choose a return time when booking ferry tickets – you may leave the Island on any ferry you choose. 

 

For more information about the Governors Island ferry and to make a reservation click HERE. 

 

NYC Ferry: 

 

NYC Ferry runs a shuttle from Wall Street Pier 11 to Yankee Pier on summer weekends. Riders may transfer to this route for free from any other NYC Ferry route. For information and schedule for NYC Ferry, click HERE. 

 

Q: How much does the ferry cost? 

 

A: On weekends, including Saturday, June 17th, the Governors Island ferry is FREE before 12pm. After 12pm, it is $4. 

 

The Governors Island ferry is ALWAYS free for seniors (65 and over), residents of NYCHA housing, IDNYC holders, military servicemembers (former and active), and Governors Island members. 

 

For information and pricing for NYC Ferry, click HERE. 

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Q: Can I leave my stuff at HQ? 

 

Unfortunately we cannot supervise anyone's belongings at artist headquarters. Please check in with your stage host for info about instrument storage.

 

Q : What if it rains? 

 

A : Porch Stomp takes place rain or shine. We will make location changes as necessary to accommodate for rain on the day of the event.
 

Q: Wait a second, I thought it was called “Porch Stomp”! How come performances aren’t taking place on porches? 

 

A: When we started Porch Stomp in 2014, Governors Island was not the bustling attraction that it is today, and the houses of Nolan Park and Colonel’s Row were unoccupied by tenants. As the Island has grown and blossomed, it has become a hub for arts organizations and mission-oriented nonprofits, who make use of the space, and particularly the houses (and porches) of Nolan Park for residencies and regular programming. Organizations in residency in the houses of Nolan Park produce their own programming on the weekends, and thus cannot accommodate additional musical programming. So, we’ve had to make adjustments and move the vast majority of the performances directly onto the lawn. The upside? Easier access to the music! 

 

Q: What do I get for playing Porch Stomp? 

 

A: All Porch Stomp 2023 artists get a special edition Porch Stomp "10 Years of Folk" t-shirt! 

 

Q : Where does donation money go?  How can I or someone I know donate?

 

A: Porch Stomp is entirely volunteer run and operated, and funds raised go support: 

• Operations: Governors Island permit fee, security deposit, and insurance 

• Marketing and Promotion: design costs, printed postcards, flyers, business cards, social media advertising, merchandise, website support

• Day of event materials: physical signage, tents

• Day of event personnel: photographers, videographers, support staff 

• Artist support: artist giveaways and amenities

 

We pride ourselves in being run by community for the community, so every dime you donate will be coming right back at you!  To donate:

 

Venmo @porch-stomp

PayPal: mmnyporchstomp@gmail.com

 

You can make a tax-deductible donation via our umbrella organization, Make Music New York at this link! Be sure to message that the donation is for Porch Stomp. 

  

Q : Should I plan to leave right after my set? 

 

A : What an odd question!  Naw, man!  Porch Stomp is a community and has served as a support system for any number of up and coming folk arts.  Stick around, make friends, and get ready for the magical finale jam that happens every year.  Some of the best Porch Stomp moments happen when you least expect them! We also encourage you to come early and enjoy performances that take place before your set. 

 

Q: What’s the deal with the Porch Stomp 2023 finale? 

 

A: The Porch Stomp 2023 finale will take place shortly after 5pm, right near HQ! More info HERE. 

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Q: Where is the Porch Stomp Afterparty? 

 

A: The Porch Stomp 2023 Afterparty will take place at the Brooklyn Ice House, located at 318 Van Brunt Street in Red Hook! Swing by starting around 6pm for free beer and snacks for artists. Once you've refueled and re-boozed, head to Sunny's Bar (253 Conover Street) with music by Catahoula Cajun from 8-10pm! 

 

Pre-Stomp: 

 

Q: How is the booking process for Porch Stomp 2023 different from years past? 

 

Because of the wonderfully overwhelming volume of artists who reach out wanting to be part of Porch Stomp, combined with limited administrative capacity on Porch Stomp’s end, all Porch Stomp 2023 stages are be booked through our excellent stage curators. Artists who filled out the Artist Expression of Interest Form will be notified by June 5th if they were booked for a stage. For ​a list all 2023 stage curators, click HERE.

 

Q: What happens if I don’t get booked for Porch Stomp 2023? 

 

There are still plenty of opportunities to participate in Porch Stomp! Porch Stomp 2023 features several participatory events, including two bluegrass jams, an old time jam, an Irish dance workshop, a Contradance Workshop, and a Square Dance. All participatory events can be found on the Porch Stomp 2023 line-up (COMING SOON!) highlighted in red. 

 

Q: What is the backline situation for Porch Stomp? 

 

A: Porch Stomp is an all acoustic festival! Because of the proximity of stage locations as well as lack of power access on Governors Island, there is no amplified sound at Porch Stomp. We occasionally work with stage hosts for whom amplification is critical to the nature of their stage — feel free to address mmnyporchstomp@gmail.com with questions or concerns regarding a request to utilize amplification. 

 

Q: What if my band uses an electric keyboard, electric bass or another instrument that must be amplified?

 

A: Come up with an alternative version of your instrument for the festival.  Keyboards can be exchanged for melodicas, electric basses can be exchanged for upright bass.  Because of the proximity of the performances, amplification can be incredibly disruptive to nearby performers, and can negatively affect the overall vibe of the festival. 

 

Q: Is there anything that isn’t allowed?

 

A: Because of the proximity of stage locations in our festival, we do not allow tambourines, triangles, and drum kits for stages located in Nolan Park, because they cause too much sound bleed. If you are planning to have one of these instruments as part of your act, we request that notice must be given directly to Porch Stomp at least a month in advance of the festival date to ensure performance locations can be placed at an appropriate distance to guarantee a quality festival experience for all participants. 

  

Q : How soon will I know the exact time of my performance?

 

A : You will know the exact time of your performance a week before Porch Stomp. If you are confused about your set time, please reach out directly to your stage curator. 

 

Q: How soon will I know the exact location of my performance? 

 

A: You will know the exact location of your performance by Weds, June 14th. 

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Note: Porch Stomp is not liable for your actions and decisions on Governors Island.  Please be respectful to the grounds and courteous to all Governors Island and Porch Stomp staff and officials.

 

Thanks!

 

The Porch Stomp Team

 

Theo Boguszewski, Producer

Nicholas Horner, Producer