Porch Swing Melodies - West Virginia Premiere

Description

Porch Swing Melodies tells stories of growing up in West Virginia – of the picnics on the rock in the middle of the river, toes dipped in the cool water as it drifts by; of the fireflies dancing together as they twinkle in the night sky; of the magic of swaying on the porch swing, listening to the sounds you only hear when you’re truly still.

It tells stories of childhood with playful siblings, of a mother growing up on a 200-acre farm, of a great-grandfather immigrating from Italy to work in the coal mines of West Virginia.

The work is a story of home. It is authentic, honest, and familiar.

COVID-19 Update:

Due to the spread of COVID-19 in WV - and Mon County in particular - and due to the gathering-size limits, Tinkered Dance is not going to be having the full WV Premiere of Porch Swing Melodies on August 1. While we are disappointed, it is always our top priority to keep individuals safe, and that is what is driving our decision.
 
However, we still want to provide our community with art during this time, as I believe we all can benefit from the power of art to connect and uplift us. Therefore, we're going to be sharing a virtual "sneak peek" of Porch Swing Melodies on August 1 at 6pm. Individuals can still tune in via Facebook Live (@Valerie Guido Bailey) or Instagram Live (@Tinkered_Dance). 
 
The full WV Premiere of Porch Swing Melodies will take place once it is safe. Please do tune in this Saturday for a sneak peek of this special work.


Tinkered Dance, based in Morgantown, West Virginia, was established in 2016 to serve as a storytelling vessel with the goal to make art that feels relatable and accessible. Founded in New York City by West Virginia native Valerie Bailey, Tinkered Dance works to build bridges between seemingly different worlds and break down the barriers some may feel between themselves and a particular community, topic, or art form. "Porch Swing Melodies," which premiered in New York City in 2018, is an example of such a work. It was created as an artistic means to strip away the stereotypes of West Virginia by using personal and true stories from one West Virginia family’s history of immigration, childhood play, and life on a 200-acre farm. Its purpose is to shine a positive light on the state, highlight and uplift a larger sense of community, and welcome all to storytelling through art.