Nikolai Morse '24
Editor-in-Chief
This past weekend, Charlottesville hosted the Eleventh Annual Tom Tom Festival. Those law students who prioritize their mental health enough to get away from North Grounds and go to the Downtown Mall would have encountered thousands of people milling in and out of stores, pop-up stalls, food trucks, musical performances, speaker series, art exhibitions, and dancing. According to the Tom Tom Foundation’s website, Tom Tom is a festival dedicated to “bringing together diverse communities to build a brighter tomorrow.”[1] The first festival, held in 2012, “celebrated the creativity and entrepreneurship of Charlottesville”[2] and has now grown into a festival spanning four days across all of Charlottesville, including everything from conferences on social justice issues, to mixers designed to connect inventors and entrepreneurs, to dance parties featuring hip hop, Afro house, and bachata.
Pictured: Jalei Celik enjoying Porchella at Quality Pie.
Photo Credit: Niko Morse '24.
Tom Tom is an incredible experience, and it would be hard for any unbiased observer to pick a favorite—I am not such an observer. In my humble opinion, the shining gem of Tom Tom is the musical festival that comes at its very end: Porchella.
Porchella is a series of small concerts ranging from thirty minutes to an hour, held throughout the Belmont neighborhood of Charlottesville. In addition to being the neighborhood that this editor calls home, Belmont is a unique and special place. The neighborhood sits just south of the railroad tracks running through downtown Charlottesville. While the area was originally part of the Belmont Estate, dating back to the 1830s,[3] the town’s population grew with the construction of the Old Belmont Bridge[4] and the increase in families who lived in the area and engaged in work related to the nearby railroad.
Pictured: The 5pm show on Goodman Street.
Photo Credit: Niko Morse '24.
The neighborhood has a certain feel of closeness and uniqueness. Populated by a mix of families, old-timers, and younger residents,[5] it is a relatively tight-knit neighborhood, with many points of connection and friendship among the residents and local small businesses. The comity and affection was on full display at Porchella this past Sunday, when two local businesses and several private residences hosted acoustic performances on their front porches.[6]
Beginning at 5 p.m., the streets were filled with people, families with kids and dogs, and a fair number of former hippies. As the crowds milled from one performance to another, friends called out to each other, neighborhood children sold shaved ice, and cars were generally waved off as the people claimed the streets. Featuring local performers, as well as some from as far away as Philadelphia, musicians performed on stoops, in front yards, and on patios.
Amongst our classes, journals, organizations, and whatever else, it is easy to forget what a vibrant, beautiful community we live in. Experiences like Porchella provide a window into the universe of relationships, culture, and history that make up the community of this wonderful town we all call home. I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to join in the local community in whatever way they want—but I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that Porchella should be right at the top of your list next year.
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