PORCHFEST   RHINEBECK    NEW YORK              Rating:  EXCELLENT
SEPTEMBER 24 2017

By  Baron  Corso de Palenzuela  von Habsburg 

An Autumn Cornucopia of  Music, Food, People and Fun in Rhinebeck

There is no better way to celebrate fall in Rhinebeck, New York than by enjoying the free music of the live bands, as many as sixty, that set up and play in the many beautiful house porches on manicured lawns that dot  the pretty village. It is a splendid autumn cornucopia of  music, food, people and fun in Rhinebeck.

 The second annual event brought in more music bands and food vendors  than last year's inaugural event. The festival is held on three streets in the village: Livingston St. Chestnut St, and Mulberry St.   Porchfest is the brainchild of Liz Mazzarella.   The Mazzarella family, long time residents and pillars of the community are highly devoted  to embracing and enriching the ethnic diversity found in the village. They work tirelessly to help the Rhinebeck village community develop more cultural happenings. And are quite adept at creating a very pleasant stage with a big cultural bang for everyone coming to the Village for PorchFest. Liz Mazzarella said " Porchfest is about our village,. A true celebration of community"

 This year the selection of food trucks and food tents  that enticed the crowd with the wonderful aromas of their flavorful fare was a phenomenal site to behold. The service was fast and orderly and the food was good.      The police presence provided safety, were polite and traffic effective.

 But the music really was the stand out category of the Porchfest. It made  Porchfest a very happy and splendid little happening on a gorgeous autumn afternoon.  Among some of the finest performing music ensembles at Porchfest Rhinebeck were;  The U Guys, Steve Bartles and crew, Jeff Loeber and Greg VanDine, one of the most loved and hottest band in the Hudson Valley. They never fail to provide the big beautiful sound of some classic rock and roll songs, and some Johnny Cash country western ballads as well  --  favorites that always bring in many many fans.   Other notables bands performing for the second year of the Porchfest was  the famously talented  Vinny's Basement, with bass guitar player Barry Cohen.  And  the fantastic sounding vocalist and musicians producing a great vibe.

You can also enjoy klezmorim music performed by Caprice Rouge, Berl's Hotsie Tootsie Klesmer Orchestra and the more classical Eastern European group Madarka  founded by Harry Sweet that garnered much praise from the public.   I love Madarka band! Other fantastic groups are Harmony Grits, and Unsound Resistence.  Both of these giving a superb presentations.   The Benji Kaplan and Rita Figureido duo at the Luthuren Church was a very refreshing treat of interesting Brazilian sounds too.    Many other musical groups such as  Pete Santora, Aviation,  Alex Nolan and Friends,

The Wheelers, Bushwacked family and friends,  and the Rick Z and Carl" Kentucky" Frizzell  band greatly impressed  the many people that were listening and dancing to the beautiful melodic rhythms.  People were extremely happy to be saturated with song and food throughout the whole event---- with strong yearnings for more and more next year.

 The many Food Trucks lined up on  Mulberry Street were a very welcomed presence of international flavors.   Abba's Falafel stand headed by owner Roy  was a huge success selling tons of the flavorful homemade Israeli delicacy.

   C.J Pizza of Rhinebeck, celebrating thirty-six years of operation is  headed by chef -owner Mr, William Abela.  The C.J Pizza kiosk was  a great spot for delicious tasting pizza that many people enjoyed.  It had a many selections of different toppings and flavors on their large pies. The crowd watched a ten year employee, Griffin Peets of C.J flip high the masa, and work the dough, then add the sauce, toppings and then just oven cook it to perfection. According to Mr. Abela: " C.J Pizza  makes every day a good day."  The people just loved this pizza heaven on Mulberry St.    My next stop, the food truck, Rosco.s Barbecue, was also selling lots of real good food.   Frittes of New York, was also very popular, and lovable Carole's Hot Dogs. - selling great tasting hot dogs with  the works was a hit. And the Pastries Tents, and Cookie spots that were so abundant truly had some wonderful delights for all to enjoy with a spot of tea, lemonade or a soft drink.  The immense turnout of fine people, the exciting bands, and the food trucks on such a beautiful fall day surely marks an auspicious future for Rhinebeck  PorchFest.   Rating:  Excellent




Baron Corso de Palenzuela von Habsburg  is an international food and wine critic, Beer and Chocolate Connoisseur.  He has been published in the  New York  Times,  Edible. Bon Appetit, Gusto, Millionaire, and local and International newspapers, Country and Abroad and Hudson Valley News.  He resides in Virginia, Florida and New York.   He can be reached at Habsburgtrust@aol.com