This year’s free Front Porch Concerts series held outside Morton Grove Public Library concluded Friday with The McNary Experience.
Karina Guico, marketing and engagement manager for the library, told Pioneer Press the performance drew around 85 people, who received caramel apples donated by Affy Tapple Factory Store in Niles.
“We did get a lot of phone calls about whether we were having it outside because it was a little chilly,” Guico said. “We decided it was worth having it outside.”
Guico said the audience response to The McNary Experience’s February 2020 concert, which featured an Aretha Franklin tribute, prompted the booking for Front Porch Concerts, which draws residents of Morton Grove and nearby suburbs such as Lincolnwood, Niles and Skokie.
“It was rhythm and blues, soul and jazz. Her voice was spectacular. The band was great,” Guico said about The McNary Experience, which features vocalist Qiana McNary.
The first Front Porch Concert was at the library’s 80th anniversary celebration in September 2018 and featured The Tinker Boys, a band billed as having a unique take on folk, bluegrass and country.
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“We love the look of our front porch,” Guico said. “Our building from the outside is charming. Just imagining a full band on our front steps and our patrons on the lawn enjoying it, it’s this look we enjoy thinking about and we made it happen.”
In June 2019 the library’s Summer Reading Program kickoff included the next Front Porch Concert, which featured Wood Street Bloodhounds that were described as having musical drive, hot picking and close harmonies.
The Front Porch Concert returned in 2022 and became part of the annual Summer Reading Program June kickoff with The Corner Boys, which Guico said plays acoustic covers, that year, and 2023’s show featuring Katie Kostner performing modern pop hits to standards/oldies.
“Part of the reason we decided to do the two extra – the August and September ones – was because the Front Porch Concerts for the kickoffs were always a hit,” Guico said. “There is something to seeing folks of all ages on our front lawn.”
Guido said the annual performance expanded to the Front Porch Concerts series in 2024 with Strata’s dance hits to rock hits in June at the Summer Reading Program kickoff, Judson Brown Band’s violin-driven classic rock in August and Hugo Colin’s Elvis Presley tribute in September.
One change for the series, which is booked by adult and teen services manager Melissa Mayberry, was making this year’s August and September concerts from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., which Guico said allows hosting the performances before nightfall.
“I’ve been excited to listen to the music and see everybody hang out,” Guico said. “It’s nice seeing the different age groups, families and everybody.”
The 2025 series started June 6 with Roger That – which performs California Surf, British Invasion and American Rockabilly – at the Summer Reading Block Party, which Guico said drew 375 people.
The second concert on Aug. 22 drew 150 attendees for Gritman & Moran, which Guico said is from Wauconda and features Heather Moran on vocals and Steve Gritman on guitar/vocals performing music from the 1960s to now.
Guico estimated the average cost to book a performer from the Chicagoland area is $500 to $600, which is covered by the library’s marketing budget and sponsorships when possible.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelancer.