By Michelle Kinsey—
MUNCIE, IN – This summer, Muncie is turning front porches into front-row seats.
On Saturday, July 11, from 3 to 6 p.m., the Historic Old West End (OWE) will host the city’s first-ever Porch Parties, a free neighborhood music festival that transforms historic homes into one-of-a-kind concert venues and quiet streets into lively gathering places.
Created to celebrate local music, our great neighborhoods, and community vibes, Porch Parties invites residents and visitors alike to stroll the streets, enjoy live performances from talented Muncie musicians – several of whom call the OWE home – and experience one of the city’s historic neighborhoods in a whole new way.
“The Old West End is the perfect place to launch Porch Parties because it already has such a strong sense of history, creativity, and community,” said Sam McCollum, OWE resident and one of the Porch Parties planners. “Porches and sidewalks are part of the neighborhood’s character, with so much to offer with their rich history and uniqueness, so this feels like a natural way to bring people together!”
Musicians will be Dave Carter, Dan Wright, Steve Del Rey and Band, Oxford Baking Company, and Daughters and Doo-Dads. They will perform a variety of music from indie to jazz to rock to bluegrass.
Dan Wright will perform at the Porch Parties event. Photo provided.
There will also be food trucks to keep your Porch Parties energy up!
“Porch Parties is one more way I see Muncie encouraging art and performance,” said performer and OWE resident Dan Wright. “Hopefully, this grows enjoyable connections between Muncie musicians, residents, pedestrians, lawn chair enthusiasts and the public consumers of private beverages. I feel great about Muncie officially participating in this engaging community event. Long live live music!”
Guests are encouraged to bring:
- A folding chair or picnic blanket
- An appetite for local flavor
- Their best porch-sitting energy
The inaugural Porch Parties event is made possible through the generous support of City of Muncie and the Zeigler Foundation. A group of Party partners put it all together – Muncie Action Plan, Old West End Neighborhood Association, Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement, Building Better Neighborhoods, and Downtown Development Partnership.
Immediately after this event, grab that chair and/or blanket and head on over to Canan Commons (a few blocks away) for the first Muncie Three Trails concert of the season featuring Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper at 7 p.m.
Join us on July 11 and help launch what promises to become Muncie’s newest summer tradition! For more information, go to https://muncieneighborhoods.org/porchparties/
Performance and Porch Schedule
3:00 p.m. – Dave Carter
822 W. Charles Street
3:35 p.m. – Steve Del Ray and Band
825 W. Charles Street
4:10 p.m. – Oxford Baking Company
801 W. Charles Street (Porch Side)
4:45 p.m. – Daughters and Doo-Dads
801 W. Charles Street (Garage Side on Mound)
5:20 p.m. – Dan Wright
415 S. Mound Street
The post You Are Invited to the First Porch Parties Event July 11 in the Historic Old West End appeared first on Muncie Journal.
