Even as other area public events, from Natick Days to various parades have been nixed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it seemed like maybe, just maybe Natick Porchfest could be held on Sept. 26. The event would have allowed music fans to listen to bands and singers who would perform at a social distance from their porches or other venues.

But alas, organizers this weekend announced the event scheduled for next weekend would not be happening.

“We knew it was risky to try to plan an event and unfortunately with the rising numbers of COVID around us we feel that it is our responsibility to help flatten the coronavirus curve and keep you safe. In order to do this, we have decided to cancel Porchfest. Thank you for your understanding and we hope we can try again next year!”

The May edition of Natick Center PorchFest turned into a virtual at-home event in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

One consolation this time around: A live performance  on Sept. 26th at 5:00 pm on the Natick Center Cultural Districts Facebook page with Chris Wagner from the Modern Day Idols.

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TCAN in Natick Center is hosting a virtual town meeting on Wednesday,  Sept. 16th at 7:30pm to give updates on how the venue is prepping to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic in the near term.

The live streamed event will be led by Executive Director David Lavalley, who will discuss plans with TCAN’s programming director and cinema program director. Special guests will include Steph Paynes, founding member and lead guitarist of the rock group Lez Zepplin and Stephen Chilton, vice president of the National Independent Venue Association and owner of The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix.

Patrons can submit questions before Sept 16 by emailing valerie@natickarts.org.

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Organizers of the Natick Center Porchfest, a free event where singers and bands perform on porches, lawns and other such casual venues, is boldly looking to hold its fall version in-person on Sept. 26 from 2-6pm despite the pandemic. There’s got to be a way to do this safely, with musicians separated from listeners, and listeners agreeing to mask up and not crowd.  Sound does travel.

I’ve been to pre-COVID porchfests in Arlington and Brookline and they were a ton of fun. Great vibes and discoveries while sampling a variety of music you might not otherwise be exposed to if left to your own tastes.

The May edition of Natick Center PorchFest turned into a virtual at-home event in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. So let’s see if this in-person edition will fly.

If interested in performing at Natick Center Porchfest message natickporchfest@gmail.com

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We haven’t seen HBO’s new Lovecraft Country series based on a novel that draws from the writings of H.P. Lovecraft and whose characters struggle against a racist society as well as monsters.

But reader Christine Roberts, whose Dad grew up in Natick, shared this screenshot from the show indicating that Natick and South Natick are right on the edge of Ardham, the epicenter of evil on the show. “In the Lovecraft stories, Arkham [Ardham in the show] is an approximation of Salem,” she says.

Whether Natick will rate a mention, well, we guess you’ll need to tune in.

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