'A feel-good time': Play Music on the Porch Day returns to Panama City and St. Andrews

PANAMA CITY — Music will fill the streets of downtown Panama City and historic St. Andrews for the return of one internationally celebrated event.

Play Music on the Porch Day is an annual worldwide event for musicians to play music outdoors on the porches of area businesses and restaurants.

Each year, on the last Saturday in August, musicians from across the globe find common ground through music, regardless of their differences.

Performers can be found at local venues in the downtown area Aug. 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. and in St. Andrews from 3 to 6 p.m.

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The event boasts an international day of peace through music, founded in 2013 by some friends of Brian Mallman, a Los Angeles-based artist. The idea spread fast, and by 2018 thousands of musicians from at least 70 countries and more than 700 cities participated.

Bay County picked up the idea in 2019 after Hurricane Michael’s devastation,  and community organizers hosted an uplifting event.

It's put together by Floriopolis volunteers, and visitors are encouraged to tip the musicians.

“It’s a feel-good time where everyone (can) reconnect with their neighbors and inspirations through music,” said Heather Parker, Floriopolis creative director and organizer of the St. Andrews event.

Downtown Panama City

The downtown lineup includes 25 individuals and groups performing along the sidewalks and front entrances of businesses on Harrison Avenue, from Sixth Street to Oak Avenue.

Visitors are encouraged to browse the shops, grab a drink, and enjoy the experience of downtown’s fourth year of participating in Play Music on the Porch Day.

“We want to celebrate music but also promote downtown businesses, and I think this is the perfect opportunity to see what talents we have locally,” said Rebecca Snow, organizer of the downtown event. “I’m hoping people will come to celebrate music while enjoying our downtown.”

This year’s event is sponsored by Destination Panama City and the Downtown Improvement Board.

Some of the musicians on Harrison Avenue include Ada King at Ocean Oriental, Lizzie Simmons at Maddie's La Casita and Shawn Underwood at Main Street Antiques. Several others are scheduled.

Historic St. Andrews

Nearly 50 musicians are expected to fill the porches in St. Andrews historic district, alternating through one-hour gigs, Parker said.

Some of the musiciams might join the patrons to stroll throughout the neighborhood to hear their friends play and be a part of the creative energy.

“Some musicians might be on front porches and others on the back porch, but we make it work to give a chance for musicians to perform and visitors to hear their music,” Parker said. “We just want local talents to be recognized and appreciated by the community.”

Performers will spread from 10th to 15th streets, with most performances on Beck Avenue.

Some of the musicians on Beck Avenue include Brass and Woodwind of the Panama City Symphony Orchestra at Florioplois, The Blues Dudes at Dan’s Pawn Shop and Them Jackson’s at Native Spirit Museum

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Play Music on the Porch Day returns to downtown Panama City