Salon treatment

Fields holds degrees in harp, education and music education, all from Michigan State University. She achieves her unique playing style by mixing classical and non-classical elements into her performances, playing a range of genres from Celtic to popular.

“Most people have a one-track mind about what should be played on the harp,” Fields said. “I love to play classical, but I also love to surprise people by playing something unexpected. It’s a joy to watch their faces when they recognize a nonclassical piece played in a classical manner.”

Music at the Mansion which began in February is on the second Thursday of each month. Michael Beebe, president of the Friends of Turner-Dodge House, describes the event as an intimate experience in the vein of Victorian-era salon performances.

“It is easy to imagine the Turner family hosting a salon, as the house was built during the height of the salon’s popularity and they were quite a musical family,” Beebe said.

According to Liz Homer, author of “Pioneers, Reformers, and Millionaires,” musical performances began at the house in the early 1900s. The music room was an addition to the home that allowed Abby Turner, daughter of Marian and James Turner, to perform for friends and family. Abby was a talented pianist and her sister Eva was skilled in singing.

As children, the two entertained the family during Christmas, playing piano and singing carols. The house’s third floor ballroom was home to an organ that Abby would play, sometimes accompanied by another person playing the piano on the first floor. The music would waft between the two floors, creating a sound that would fill the whole house.

Abby went on to study piano in Germany as a part of her college education. After she returned, Abby and Eva, along with 10 other women, founded the Matinee Musical Society, later named Matinee Musicale. The group’s mission was to “advance music performance by offering concerts and strengthening both individual talent and music appreciation in Lansing.”

“As you can see, we are trying to bring that idea back to the music scene in Lansing,” said Michelle Reurink, a Friends of Turner-Dodge board member.

Pianist Frederick Isaac, performer for last month’s installation of “Music at the Mansion,” described the Turner-Dodge House as a perfect venue for his style of performance.

“The salon-style performance is ideal if you are looking to build a relationship between the music, the audience and the performer,” Isaac said. “In such an intimate setting, all three come together to create a unique connection.”

The music series will continue throughout the year, ending in December. A special holiday concert will cap the year off during the Festival of Trees, when the house will be filled with decorated trees and beautiful music that would surely make the Turner family proud.

Music at the Mansion

Featuring harpist Dorthea Fields 7 p.m. Thursday, May 14. $10 Turner-Dodge House 100 E. North St., Lansing lansingmi.gov/tdodge

THURSDAY, MAY 14 >> S.I.N. STUDIOS OPEN HOUSE

Lansing can now count video games on its list of locally produced products with the opening of Strength in Numbers Studios. Located in the lower level of the Lyman & Sheets Insurance Agency, the fledgling outfit is looking to cut its teeth making mobile and PC games. Strength in Numbers will open its doors to the public on Thursday to show off its facilities, including a tour of their offices and a demonstration of its motion capture technology. The open house will also include light snacks and photo opportunities with some local cosplay groups. 5:30-8:30 p.m. FREE. S.I.N. Studios, 2213 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing. facebook.com/SINStudios.

FRIDAY, MAY 15 >> THE ART OF LEBANESE CUISINE

Break out the lemon juice and garlic sauce as the Broad Museum continues its “Art of” series with The Art of Lebanese Cuisine. The presentation features cookbook author and food blogger Maureen Abood. Abood will demonstrate some of the staples of Lebanese cuisine and talk about her journey from at-home cook to published cookbook author. Price of admission will not only get you in to the presentation, but also includes light hors d’oeuvres and a copy of Abood’s recently –released cookbook, “Rose Water and Orange Blossoms.” 6-8 p.m. $45/$35 members. Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, 547 E. Circle Dr., East Lansing. (517) 884-4800, broadmuseum.msu.edu.

FRIDAY, MAY 15 >> THE BAROQUE MANDOLIN

Local musician and MSU Community Music School instructor Ben Fuhrman presents an evening of classical works performed on the mandolin with his event, the Baroque Mandolin. Fuhrman is a graduate of the doctoral program in music composition at Michigan State University and also holds a master’s degree in music composition and a bachelor’s degree in violin performance. The selections of classical Baroque pieces performed will include works by Bach, Ceccherini, Teleman, and Westhoff. 8 p.m. FREE. MSU Community Music School, 4930 S. Hagadorn Road, East Lansing. (517) 355-7661, ow.ly/MQXnR.

SATURDAY, MAY 15 >> WOOFER WALK

The Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter is holding its sixth annual Woofer Walk and 5K Saturday. This year’s event promises to be bigger than ever, featuring a new option: Those who are feeling competitive can have their run timed. The event will also feature refreshments, a dog agility demonstration, silent auction, vendors and a doggie diva fashion show contest for the best dressed dog. Dogs are welcome to participate in the 5K with you. Proceeds from the Woofer Walk benefit the group’s Animal Cruelty Fund. 10 a.m. $30/$35 timed run. MSU Auditorium, 542 Auditorium Road, MSU Campus, East Lansing. (517) 643-7865, tinyurl.com/wooferwalk2015.

SATURDAY MAY 16-17 >> MSU ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW

The 51st annual Spring Arts & Crafts Show, hosted by MSU’s University Events Board, promises to be the biggest yet. The show, which always just happens to fall on the same weekend as the East Lansing Art Festival, will feature more than 300 vendors offering a broad range of items for sale. Guests can expect returning favorites as well as a number of new vendors selling pottery, candles, jewelry and much more. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. FREE. MSU Union, 49 Abbot Road, East Lansing. uabevents.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 17 >> NEW IN STUDENT PERFORMANCE: STEFANIE HAAPALA

The Broad Art Museum at MSU holds a monthly show in its education wing, New in Student Performance, that lets MSU students exhibit and develop their creative endeavors. May’s installment will feature an acoustic performance by MSU creative writing student and singer/songwriter Stefanie Haapala. Haapala released an EP earlier this year entitled “Here in the Small” featuring her stripped-down style of folk. Haapala recently opened for New York-based singer/songwriter Ben Kaplan and will open for New York folk rocker Laura Stevenson at Mac’s Bar in June. Sunday’s performance will feature a variety of new and old songs by Haapala. 2 p.m. FREE. Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, 547 E. Circle Drive, East Lansing. (517) 884-4800, broadmuseum.msu.edu.