Nine-year-old Melody is growing up in Detroit in the mid-1960s, a time of great energy, optimism, and change for the African American community. She is a singer and loves to perform in church, with her family, and in her community. Her stories are set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights movement... and the music scene, including the success and popularity of Motown Records and its artists.
Melody Ellison is American Girl’s new BeForever character, whose story reflects the changing face and history of the nation during the Civil Rights Era... [From the American Girl website, Introducing Melody]
While others eagerly wait to purchase the third, 18-inch African American doll in American Girl's BeForever collection (formerly known as the Historical collection), American Girl Rewards members, who chose to preorder the special Melody Ellison package, have been first to receive their dolls. Public sales for Melody launch online at the American Girl website and in American Girl stores on August 25, 2016.
 |
| Mini Melody Ellison is 6-1/2 inches tall |
Others have taken advantage of ordering the mini version of Melody Ellison, which includes the mini doll and her mini abridged book, No Ordinary Sound. My mini Melody was purchased from Walmart.com for $10.09 (a savings of $14.90 off retail).
Beginning today, Saturday, August 20, 2016, at 8 p.m., Melody will go on sale in the museum store of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan. The sale will extend through September 4, 2016, while quantities last.
As announced in a Charles H. Wright Museum Facebook post, Melody was given a personal tour of her hometown museum by Mama Jatu in the museum's rotunda on the Ring of Genealogy. The tour was captured on video, which may take a few seconds to load, depending on your device. Yesterday at the Wright, Melody visited the museum's exhibit, In the Paint: Art, Athletics & the Spirit of the Games. What a lucky girl!
Encouraging people to visit Detroit, Terry Crawford, President of Motor City Doll Club (MCDC) made the following comments regarding Melody's availability at the museum and other upcoming events in the "Motor City":
The museum shop will be offering Melody until the supply runs out so she may be available later. I don't know how many they have in supply! Perhaps a trip to the museum for the new exhibit, "I See ME: Reflections in Black Dolls" (September 20, 2016-April 30, 2017)? Come the weekend of November 12th and you could also attend the Detroit Doll Show put on by MCDC member Sandy Epps, ALSO at the museum!!
Oh.....and since Melody is an aspiring singer, why not visit The Motown Museum. It's the actual location where Motown had its first offices and recorded its early stars like The Temptations, Supremes, Smokey Robinson, etc!
The following adorable photo is from American Girl on Instagram:
Additional details about Melody's availability at the Wright are outlined here.
dbg
Check out my eBay listings here.
