Six Acts, One Stage in January: Front Porch Music Presents
Lafayette, CA — Front Porch Music, a Lafayette-based nonprofit, returns to the Town Hall Theatre stage with an exciting showcase of local musicians on Friday, January 9th, 2026, as part of its quarterly folk and acoustic music series, Front Porch Music Presents. This special evening highlights six acts from the Front Porch Music community, spanning a wide musical range—from intimate singer-songwriter sets and expressive piano duets to Americana, and folk favorites—all richly layered performances featuring voice and acoustic instruments. “We’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary talent within our Front Porch Music community,” says Andree Hurst, Executive Director of Front Porch Music.
A pre-show lobby performance begins at 6:15 pm with the Dimond Dogs, with the main event starting at 7:00 pm.
Main Stage Featured Acts
Born out of spontaneous “parlor concerts” between longtime friends Laura Brandt and Mike Messner, The Bayshores blend tight harmony, acoustic warmth, and thoughtful songwriting. They bring their inviting, easygoing sound to the Town Hall stage for a community-favorite performance.
Formed in 2022, The E3 Trio features Eric Hughes, Ernesto “Jim” Larson, and Eileen Raphael. The group combines intricate guitar work, warm vocal harmonies, and a shared love of folk traditions. Their musical backgrounds span hymnals, Bakersfield gig circuits, folk icons, and decades of Bay Area performance.
Janel Wagner delivers a dynamic fusion of Motown, spirituals, and classical influences. A compelling vocalist and competitive fingerstyle guitarist, she recently moved to Orinda after two decades producing for Los Angeles artists. She will be accompanied by Bay Area legend Jef Labes, and a Front Porch favorite, John Rafferty. They will be performing a Harold Arlen medley.
A new and exciting duo, Miller & Chang, Mike Miller and Jowen Chang first connected after crossing paths at local open mics and began collaborating over the summer. Their very first official date was a Front Porch Presents performance. Along with performing selections from their symphonic folk-opera Love’s Renaissance, they will debut their co-written Christmas hymn True Christmas. This marks Mike’s second appearance on the Town Hall stage.
The beloved acoustic ensemble Redwood Grove performs as a duo, trio, or foursome, united by a passion for bluegrass, Americana, and folk. Members include Steve Andrews (dobro, rhythm guitar, vocals), Kathleen Brennan-Andrews (mandolin, vocals), and John Vukelich (rhythm/lead guitar, vocals). Redwood Grove can be found throughout the region performing at parks, farmers markets, senior communities, and local venues.
Sara Glaser crafts inventive and imagery-rich songs, often with a good dose of humor. The subjects of her character-driven material run the gamut—from a world-weary Nashville songsmith, to a besotted firebug, a near-death experiencer, and an itinerant banjo player. She released her album of original songs, Cinders in the Wind, in 2022 and is currently working on a follow-up recording.
Front Porch Music is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Lafayette, CA, dedicated to supporting adult and emerging musical artists for personal artistic growth and the enrichment of the community. Learn more at frontporchmusic.org.
Town Hall Theatre is an 80-year-old cultural institution committed to inspiring and entertaining audiences through high-quality performances. The theatre serves as a welcoming artistic home for the Lamorinda community.
CALENDAR INFORMATION:
WHO: Town Hall Theatre Company & Front Porch Music
WHAT: Six Acts, One Stage: “Front Porch Music Presents Celebrates Talented Local Musicians at Town Hall Theatre
DATE: Friday, January 9th, 2026
WHERE: Town Hall Theatre Co., 3535 School Street, Lafayette, CA 94549
TICKETS: $20 in advance: townhalltheatre.com/front-porch ($25 at door)
INFO: Visit frontporchmusic.org
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