MUSCATINE, Iowa  — A new music store that recently opened for business in downtown Muscatine will hold its grand opening next weekend.

Round the Bend Music/ Acoustic Folk Shop has scheduled the event for Friday and Saturday, March 9-10. The store is located at 217 W. Second St.                                                                                                   Owners Chris and Melanie Foss are still operating a store in Hannibal, Mo., but say they plan to sell out so they can expand hours at their Muscatine location.

The Fosses’ inventory will feature acoustic instruments such as the hammered dulcimer,  a stringed musical instrument with the strings stretched over a trapezoidal sounding board. The dulcimer has enjoyed increasing popularity among American folk music enthusiasts in recent years. 

Acoustic instruments do not use electronics to produce sound.

Round the Bend, the only music supply shop in town, also stocks supplies for non-acoustic instruments.

At the grand opening, a hammered dulcimer professional will teach classes on the instrument. Kendra Ward also will team with Bob Bence for a concert on Saturday evening in Pearl Plaza, at Green’s Tea and Coffee.

Ward and Bence have been entertaining audiences around the world for more than 20 years. Their family-friendly performances feature traditional tunes and songs along with their own material.

“We play energetic and exciting acoustic music that is not a trend, or a fad, but an expression of everyday life in the hills,”  with a connection to the Appalachian Mountains traditions they cherish, according to their news release.

The duo also has produced eight albums.

Ward has been described by some of her peers as the “Chet Atkins of the hammered dulcimer.”

Bence is a former comedian and guitar player who decided to make music fulltime after meeting and hearing Ward perform.

The grand opening also will include drawings for prizes, including a dulcimer.

Details

What: Round the Bend Music/

Acoustic Folk Shop

Where: 217 W. Second St., Muscatine

Phone: 563-288-4122

Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m-5 p.m. Saturday (expanded hours expected later this year)

Grand opening events

* Friday, March 9, classes

7-8 p.m. —  Free introductory class on hammered dulcimers with professional Kendra Ward, Pearl Plaza, 208 W. Second St.

8:30-11 p.m. —- Jam session, Pearl Plaza, public welcome

* Saturday, March 10, classes

9 a.m.-noon — Beginners class on hammered dulcimers, Pearl Plaza, $30 fee

1-4 p.m. — Intermediate class on hammered dulcimers, Pearl Plaza, $30 fee

* Saturday, March 10, concert

7-9 p.m. — Concert by Kendra Ward and Bob Bence, hammered dulcimers professionals; they’ll perform at Green’s Tea and Coffee, Pearl Plaza; $6 admission

More information: Contact Chris Foss at 563-288-4122 or 573-822-2077 or songbirdhd@sbcglobal.net