Acclaimed mountain dulcimer performer and educator Sam Edelston will make his Florida debut with a two-day series of performances and workshops Aug. 19-20 at the Melrose Center.
Hosted by Melrose Dulcimers on Wednesday, Aug. 19, and co-presented Thursday, Aug. 20, by Common Thread and Shake Rag Productions, the event will feature interactive workshops, live performances and opportunities for musicians of all experience levels to learn from one of the instrument’s most innovative performers.
Both events will be held at the Melrose Center (307 State Road 26, Melrose). Click here to get ticket information.
The event begins Wednesday with “A Day with Sam Edelston,” starting at 8 a.m. The program includes breakfast, open jamming and two hands-on workshops: “Chords: The Basics and Beyond” and “Rock & Roll Basics.” Following a lunch break, Edelston will present a solo concert highlighting the music that has earned him a growing national following.
The residency concludes Thursday with a donation-based concert from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as part of the Shake Rag Concert Series. The performance will feature a blend of classic favorites, energetic rock-inspired arrangements and Edelston’s original compositions, many infused with humor.
After touring 14 states and attracting more than 1.2 million views on YouTube from audiences in more than 190 countries, Edelston has gained recognition for redefining the role of the mountain dulcimer in contemporary music.
His mission, he says, is “to make the fretted dulcimer as badass as the guitar.”
That vision came to life with his 2024 debut album, “Making Waves,” the first classic rock album to feature the fretted mountain dulcimer as the lead instrument in a full-band setting. The album combines original material with reinterpretations of songs by artists including The Rolling Stones, Queen, The Beatles, Paul Simon and Brandi Carlile, demonstrating the versatility of an instrument traditionally associated with Appalachian folk music.
Organizers say the two-day event is designed for experienced musicians, aspiring dulcimer players and anyone interested in discovering a fresh approach to live acoustic music.
Event Schedule
Wednesday, Aug. 19
- 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
- A Day with Sam Edelston
- Breakfast, open jam session, interactive workshops and solo performance
- Hosted by Melrose Dulcimers
Thursday, Aug. 20
- 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Donation-based concert
- Part of the Shake Rag Concert Series
- Co-presented by Common Thread and Shake Rag Productions