Andy Niedermeier Social Distancing Concert. May 3, 2020. (Photo credit: Helena Grace)

Many people are finding life under social distancing isolating. However, my block has made homebound life into an opportunity to come together as a community. My name is Andy Niedermeier, and while I should have been away at college, I have come to cherish this time bonding with my neighbors.

It began when some of the younger kids on my block had birthdays. Parents of the birthday children asked if some of the neighbors could come out to their porches and sing ‘Happy Birthday’ together at an appointed time. These birthday celebrations turned out bigger than planned. The sidewalks were covered with chalked birthday wishes and people from almost every house on block came out onto their porches to sing. I was moved by this sweet gesture, which brightened what could have been a disappointing birthday for these kids. This is now custom – bringing the block together to give birthday wishes to neighbors young and old. 

I am a musician and my EP, “The Best Friend EP” had come out shortly after social distancing guidelines were put into place. Unable to play any live shows, it was difficult to promote the release and to scratch my itch to play my new material live. However, inspired by my neighbors willingness to safely participate in community events, I decided to put on a “social distancing concert.” Backed up by my dad and bass player, Keith Niedermeier, we played a short set on my front porch. Neighbors stood on their porches and passersbys stopped to watch.

A 4600 Larchwood Avenue COVID-19 dance party Saturday, April 25, 2020. (Photo credit: Mark Stehle Photography)

The following weekend, another neighbor, Christel Urmenyhazi, planned a block dance party. She asked for suggestions from everyone on the block and created a setlist of favorites, which featured my most danceable pop song “Best Friend.” Carl Ballinger, our incredible block captain, aided in setting up and making sure everybody could dance at a safe distance. People took to the streets while wearing masks and maintaining 6 feet (or more) between family groups. The neighbors had a memorable afternoon dancing to the community sourced playlist!

The next week, due to popular demand (and my own itch to play more) I played another set of originals and covers, again backed up by my Dad and also my brother, Brian, on drums. Even more people showed up, with neighbors and friends from surrounding blocks walking over to watch. There was even one magical moment where a couple of cars stopped their journeys, rolled down their windows, and listened and videoed the performance. The support from my community in my creative endeavors filled me with warmth, and I plan to play more shows soon.

While these sorts of events, more of which are being planned every week, are an important way to create a block’s sense of community, it is not all that is keeping us connected. I have had many impactful conversations over backyard fences, porch to porch, and through open windows. Not only is it helping keep us all sane in this isolating time, but it’s allowing us all to become closer.

Communities all over the world are going through similar adaptations. I hope that some people reading this can take away some inspiration for what they might do to help bring their own neighbors together.

– Andy Niedermeier, 4600 block of Larchwood Ave

(If you would like to check out my EP, “The Best Friend EP” it is out now on all platforms. It can be found by searching me up on Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you get your music, or by visiting my website at Andynimusic.com/music)

Photo credit: Mark Stehle Photography