Jae Dani approaches songwriting in various ways. She often draws inspiration from her own personal experiences, other people's stories, or crafts entirely fictional yet relatable and engaging narratives. Her gift for empathy allows her to step into someone else's shoes and write from their perspective. Some of her songs are touching and heart-wrenching, while others are uplifting and cheerful, offering something for everyone’s experience.

Born 19 years ago in a Mahwah basement (thank you, Mary!), Mary's Basement is a Ramsey, NJ-based rock and pop cover band that brings the ultimate live music experience to every stage. We play the greatest hits and the unexpected, spanning the very best of popular music, dance songs, classic rock, blues, and hard rock from the past 70 years. Think of your favorite playlist—the songs that make you sing, dance, and rock out—and that's Mary's Basement. Whether we're blasting out iconic anthems or surprising you with deep cuts, we bring the energy, passion, and musicianship that keep the crowd moving all night long.

Tim Hayn

Based in Venice Beach, Tim Hayn has been sharing his upbeat music and California vibes for years. With a focus on rock ‘n roll, his music has elements of folk and blues with big vocals and guitar solos as well as acoustic “campfire” jams. Whether you catch him live with his band or solo acoustic, it’s a good time!

And…

Nameless, Tennessee

Slojam

Currently organized through TrestleStreet in Saranac Lake, SloJam is a community-based jam session that meets weekly, on Tuesday evenings, to play a variety of song- and rhythm-based music. Begun in 2013, the group, and its goals, has gone through a variety of iterations, depending on current members' interests and abilities. We continue to support making music in the community in the variety of music we play, ranging from traditional folk to the occasional Irish punk and in the speed and technical difficulty of the songs we choose. For the last several years, SloJam has offered beginner and intermediate musicians and singers in Saranac Lake and our surrounding communities the opportunity to improve their musicianship or to experience the joy of making music with others by providing a no-fault, supportive environment in which all instruments are welcomed. 

Carl Rubino

Carl Rubino is a singer-songwriter whose work draws a connecting line between contemporary folk, Americana, country and, more recently, includes a blend that combines aspects of contemporary folk and traditional jazz.

Carl is also an award winning, internationally published fine art photographer who currently has a 54-photograph solo exhibition of abstract, landscape and conceptual photography at Caldwell Banker Whitbeck, 5 Broadway, Saranac Lake until August 9th. Drop in and see his photography while you listen to his songs at that same location during PorchFest.

Carl’s next local performance is at The Garagery in Saranac Lake on August 4th as its Featured Artist, from 7:00 to 7:45pm.

Galen Halasz

Galen Halasz is a 20-year-old singer/songwriter/guitarist from Saranac Lake. He is going into his junior year at St. Lawrence University, where he is double-majoring in music and English. Galen's repertoire spans a variety of genres, but much of his recent music has been inspired by a mixture of R&B, jazz, pop, and experimental music.

Jazmin Miller & Gerardo Garcia

Jazmin Miller is an actor, singer, and stage manager. She is very grateful and ecstatic to be returning to Pendragon Theatre for her second season. She thanks PorchFest for allowing her to branch out musically and perform at their amazing event. To give a sneak peak of Pendragon’s production of Twelfth Night, Jazmin, along with her good friend and musician, Gerardo will showcase the smooth and jubilant songs originally written by Blessid Dirt from the show itself.

Gerardo Garcia is an actor, writer, and violinist. Twelfth Night is Gerardo's Pendragon debut! Gerardo has performed with the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, studied on scholarship with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and calls the Rio Grande Valley home. He looks forward to welcoming you to the Pendragon Porch!

“I was born on the banks of the Raritan Bay in New Jersey. I lived in quite a few places growing up but spent my summers in Saranac Lake. I've hitchhiked 5 times across the United States, lived for 9 years off the grid in Maine and Goldsmith NY. My wife Doreen and I have spent most of the past 51 years together. We have 6 children and 16 grandchildren and a dog named Brutus. My music probably best fits in the Americana genre. My songs are the diary of my life, with a few pages missing.”

Andy Walkow from Saranac Lake has been performing regionally since 2008 in restaurants, private events, and breweries playing pop, country, and oldies songs from the 1950’s to today.  Accompanied by his acoustic guitar, Andy shares his vast repertoire ranging from the Everly Brothers, Beatles, and Rolling Stones to Cyndi Lauper, Prince, and Tom Petty, connecting with audiences of all ages.

Karen Loffler has been playing and singing since childhood. She has played in a variety of places in the North Country and some small festivals in FL. For the past few years, she's been writing and playing original songs that touch your heart.

Karen and Chris play a delightful blend of original songs and traditional melodies with a rhythmic edge.

Singing with the Bills

Singing with the Bills, aka the Allens, are a local group from Saranac Lake that consists of Shamim Allen, guitar and vocals, Bill Chamberlain, mandola, and Billy Allen, guitar and vocals. Doing most original material with a very special guest fiddler from Montreal, Canada, Johno Moorman.

Ham Jam (aka Basement Ham) came together in 2023. Ham Jam is comprised of 3 local Saranac Lake families ranging in ages from 10 to 50 years old, playing classic rock covers as well as a few original tunes. 

Ham Jam