Sound Advice

The fair is over. Summer is winding down. The kids are back in school. Now’s the time to bring on the free time — with music to keep the beat going.

PorchFest DSM is one event to look forward to. In its third year, PorchFest is a roaming porch music festival winding through the Union Park neighborhood on Sept. 8. With 24 musicians performing on residents’ front porches, you can catch as many acts as possible, from Americana, folk, rock, reggae, bluegrass and more. Catch Dan Trilk, David Zollo, Jason Walsmith and Leradee and the Positives and more. The event is free; however, bring cash to tip the musicians. For a map and a complete lineup of musicians, visit www.porchfestdsm.org.

Valley Junction’s Music in the Junction continues on Thursday evenings. Sept. 5, The Sons of Gladys Kravitz; Sept. 12, Get Off My Lawn; Sept. 19, Jana West & Retrospect and Sept. 26, The Punching Pandas.

Oktoberfest is celebrated Sept. 27-28 at Water Works Park’s Lauridsen Amphitheater. Drink beer, munch on German food and dance the polka with the Polka Police, Malek’s Fishermen, Rathbones and others. Tickets cost $20 for the two-day event, which includes free parking and a pint glass. Info: www.oktoberfestdsm.net. n