Larchmere Porchfest invites artists to perform at the 18th annual celebration 

CLEVELAND — Jazz and poetry are deeply rooted into Cleveland's culture. The two art forms trace back to the city's Black arts movements and the Great Migration. 

Larchmere Porchfest brings artist from all backgrounds together to share their love for the arts. Porchfest transforms a historic neighborhood into an expansive walkable stage, highlighting poetry and music from all genres.

Dawn Arrington is the president and organizer of Larchmere Porchfest.

“The way this community comes together is breathtaking,” she said. “To be a good neighbor means you deal in the currency of trust. Dealing in the currency of love and respect and care, and that is what we practice here.â€Â 

Vince Robinson is a poet and jazz musician. He has been a Clevelander since youth, and he takes pride in informing people about their history through his work. 

“To have the awareness of the past, it enables us to not repeat the mistakes in the past. We can use the mistakes of the past to build on so we can create a future that is more conducive to the reality we wish to create for ourselves,†said Robinson  

Robinson has traveled around the world, sharing his message. He started performing open mics in Cleveland in 1997. Today he is well rooted in the community and shares the stage with poets from all backgrounds, performing at the Larchmere Porchfest. 

“One of the critical things about this event is that it gives young people the opportunity to express themselves,” he said. “That’s why poetry is so valuable to our community because it's immediate.â€Â Â 

Artists from all over come together to share their love for music and poetry, creating a bond with the community who appreciates the culture. Inside the event, poets crowd into the Literary Cleveland for a poetry slam. 

“Come to the event and think in terms of supporting Literary Cleveland because it does vital work in our community,” Robinson said. “They provide great assistance to those who inspire to write or those who already writing and want to improve their craft.â€

They plan on hosting more events for the community, bringing exposure to local artists.