BAPA’s Porch Concert series is an amazing way to connect with neighbors far and wide for a night listening to great local bands.
This year, BAPA took a different approach to choosing where to host the concerts while ensuring each section of Beverly/Morgan Park had its own concert within walking distance. Porch Concert blocks are being chosen based on the number of people on the block who are BAPA members.
Joe and Erin Goldrick of West Beverly’s block at 106th and Fairfield, were really excited to earn a Porch Concert for their block, so they rallied their neighbors to become BAPA members. In the end, every household on their block joined! BAPA was thrilled to give back to this block that came together to help the organization fund events and initiatives in the future.
“The whole block came together to support a great organization,” Joe Goldrick said. “We read about the contest in The Villager and Erin asked a few others on the block if they wanted to try to get the concert. The first few people Erin talked to were supportive, and it just kind of spread from there.”
“While we’ve known about BAPA for years, we’ve just recently joined in solidarity with our Fairfield neighbors,” said Maridell Rabbitt, and her husband Jim. “We found the Porch Concert series is a wonderful way of strengthening the sense of community throughout Beverly/Morgan Park, as well as highlighting various individual blocks in the neighborhood. BAPA continues to do an admirable job of bringing neighbors or all ages together for fun and entertainment.”
Fairfield neighbors jumped at the chance to host the performance by Rocks Off, a Rolling Stones cover band, in August, and turned it into an impromptu block party.
“It was a really fun event, and it was great to see so many people out enjoying a nice night of entertainment in the neighborhood,” Joe said. “BAPA is such a great and important organization that we have long supported, and we thought this was an easy, fun way to get others to either renew their BAPA memberships or learn more about it and support it for the first time.”
The residents of 106th and Fairfield are proud to support BAPA’s efforts, especially Porch Concerts, Ridge Run, Home Tour, Garden Walk, Clean & Green, 12 Weeks of Christmas, and Margarita Mile, among others. “BAPA does so much to keep our community a fun, vibrant, and unique place to live,” Joe said.
Come out and hear Railway Gamblers on Fri., Sept. 9, 6 to 9 p.m., on 112th Place between Western and Oakley avenues, a block shared with Smith Village. BAPA Porch Concerts are open to all Beverly/Morgan Park neighbors. Bring chairs and a cooler, and plan to purchase a meal or treat from the featured food truck.
The final BAPA Porch Concert for this year will be held in central Beverly on Fri., Oct. 14 featuring the band, Beverly Country Club. Sept. 30 is the deadline for residents on blocks from 95th Street to 107th Street, Western Avenue to the Rock Island Metra tracks to become BAPA members and win the concert for their block. Membership donations at all levels are appreciated and help BAPA to support Beverly/Morgan Park neighbors with programs that enhance local businesses and schools, safety, beautification, and our historic community. Become a BAPA member or renew your membership online at bapa.org/support.
