Akron's Highland Square neighborhood will once again transform into a vibrant epicenter of live music for PorchROKR on August 17.
More than 150 bands from Northeast Ohio perform on house porches and outside of local businesses throughout the neighborhood between West Market, Aqueduct and Hurlburt streets.
The eclectic lineup spans an array of genres, with music starting at 11 a.m.
Akron鈥檚 dynamic hip-hop duo Free Black! headlines the festival, performing at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage at 527 W. Market St.
The group, developed by Floco Torres and Holbrook Riles III (HR3), has made it on 厂丑耻蹿蹿濒别鈥檚 favorite local music lists and appeared on the podcast in 2021.
Torres said the group鈥檚 name represents the freedom of being a multi-dimensional Black artist, and it serves as a mantra for listeners to express themselves.
鈥淲hen we look out from the stage, there's a lot of different types of people at our shows,鈥� Torres said. 鈥淪o, for you, you take the 鈥楩ree鈥� part, and that's for the audience.鈥�
Coming together as Free Black! has empowered both musicians to craft songs around historical, artistic, literary and societal themes.
Last fall, Free Black! released the 20-track 鈥�, which captures the raw energy of their onstage performances.
Beyond the music
PorchROKR has a decade-long tradition of creating a community-focused venue for music, art, entertainment and activities for all ages.
This year鈥檚 festival features numerous volunteers, along with 100 vendors offering a variety of food, crafts and unique finds.
Families can look forward to the Kids Zone, packed with activities to keep the little ones entertained and engaged.
The RoadRokr 5k race, benefiting Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts, kicks off the event at 8 a.m. at 867 W. Market St.
Highland Square yoga studio Yoga Squared hosts a free, outdoor yoga class at 10 a.m. at 209 Merriman Rd.
The night before, the community can get into the spirit of the festival atmosphere with a free screening of Ahmir 鈥淨uestlove鈥� Thompson鈥檚 documentary 鈥淪ummer of Soul鈥� at House Three Thirty starting at 7 p.m.
Your guide to PorchROKR鈥檚 2023 performers
厂丑耻蹿蹿濒别鈥檚 Amanda Rabinowitz and Brittany Nader share their top PorchROKR artist selections for this year鈥檚 event.
Amanda鈥檚 picks:
1. 鈥� 11 a.m., Main Stage at 527 W. Market St.
2. 鈥� 3 p.m., 133 Merriman Rd.
3. 鈥� 5 p.m., 126 Charlotte St.
4. 鈥� 12 p.m., Ray鈥檚 Patio at 801 W. Market St.
5. 鈥� 2 p.m., The Merriman at 209 Merriman Rd.
6. 鈥� 4 p.m., House 330 Cabaret at 532 W. Market St.
7. 鈥� 6 p.m., 733 W Market St, Suite 106a
8. 鈥� 2 p.m., 644 Weber Ave.
9. 鈥� 6 p.m., 644 Weber Ave.
10. 鈥� 12 p.m., 633 W. Market St.
Brittany鈥檚 picks:
1. 鈥� 2 p.m., 733 W Market St, Suite 106a
2. 鈥� 1 p.m., American Legion at 783 W Market St.
3. 鈥� 6 p.m., 633 W. Market St.
4. 鈥� 1 p.m., 705 Weber Ave.
5. 鈥� 4 p.m., 611 Weber Ave.
6. 鈥� 12 p.m., 96 Hawthorne Ave.
7. 鈥� 5 p.m., 590 Weber Ave.
8. 鈥� 3 p.m., American Legion at 783 W Market St.
9. 鈥� 6 p.m., The Matinee at 812 Market St.
10. 鈥� 12 p.m., 102 Merriman Rd.
厂丑耻蹿蹿濒别鈥檚 playlist on Spotify includes a sampling of songs attendees will hear on August 17.
Shuffle at PorchROKR
Get to know some of the artists who will perform at this year鈥檚 festival through their prior Shuffle interviews.
Wreck Like Me 鈥� 6 p.m., 733 W Market St, Suite 106a
Mr. Jeff 鈥� 11 a.m., 45 Marshall Ave.
Glass Bones (formerly CityCop) 鈥� 6 p.m., 611 Weber Ave.
The Baker's Basement 鈥� 5 p.m., 126 Charlotte Ave.
Off-Leash (formerly Detention) 鈥� 2 p.m., 102 Merriman Rd.
Red Rose Panic 鈥� 6 p.m., 102 Merriman Rd.
Shelby Olive 鈥� 6 p.m., The Merriman
Soleo 鈥� 1 p.m., American Legion
Dave Rich and His Enablers 鈥� 6 p.m., 46 Kuder Ave.
DreamStates 鈥� 5 p.m., 705 Weber Ave.
Free Black! 鈥� 7:30 p.m., main stage
