It’s made from a trapezoidal piece of rosewood, its name means sweet song and playing it is like opening up a piano and banging on the strings.
Matthew Abelson will be entertaining crowds with a blend of Irish and American traditional music, jazz and original compositions played on the hammered dulcimer at The Ohio State Fair. Abelson’s performance highlights the variety of music fairgoers will be able to experience this year.
“I like bouncing off the walls when I play,” Abelson said. “I like having a good time.”
One of the most notable characteristics of his performance is the high energy, he said.
“I have a reputation for playing very fast,” Abelson said.
Abelson, a resident of Cleveland, often performs in coffee shops, but is no stranger to the outdoor concert atmosphere the fair provides. Catching the attention of curious crowds is something he has experienced during time spent as a street performer in New Orleans.
“I’ll be playing in The Gazebo,” he said. “So this time I’ll actually have a stage.”
The Gazebo is one of five free stages that will be home to a number of musical acts performing daily throughout the duration of the fair.
Abelson will be playing three shows a day during the opening week. He said he plans to bring a variety of rhythm instruments to hand out among the crowds, so they can play along with him.
“There’s definitely audience interaction,” he said. “It’s truly a family show. It’s something kids and the parents can both enjoy.”
This is Abelson’s second year at the Ohio State Fair, but the first time he will be giving multiple performances. Segments of story telling and humor in between songs will keep the audience interested and make every show a little different, he said.
“What started out as little anecdotes, have turned into bits,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
On the opposite end of the musical spectrum, national acts, including hip hop star and Columbus native Bow Wow, will be performing in the 10,200 capacity Celeste Center.
“Our main focus is on value and diversity,” said Christina Minier, spokeswoman for The Ohio State Fair.
From Joan Jett & The Blackhearts to The Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Dominion Home Concert aims to provide something to satisfy a variety of music fans.
All but three of the shows held in the Celeste Center will be free to fans who pay the admission to get into the fair. For those who purchase tickets for paid shows in advance, fair admission is free.
With the state of the economy, it was important to make entertainment affordable, Minier said.
“What we do is look at the number of people an act can bring in,” she said. “For those bringing in the most people there is a charge. Everything else is free.”
Minier said she anticipated that plenty of seats would be available for the free concerts and encouraged fairgoers to take advantage of the value.
“There really is something for everybody,” she said.
A full schedule of events can be found at www.ohiostatefair.com.
