11th Annual Watkins Glen Hammered Dulcimer Retreat!! Three full days (Thursday noon thru Sunday noon) of workshops, food, fun, jamming and community with Ken Kolodner & assistant Mary Lynn Michal
We are back!! I am pleased to announce that we will be holding another hammered dulcimer weekend retreat in Watkins Glen, NY. We were wiped out the last two years by Covid.
Thursday, May 4, 2023 - Sunday, May 7, 2023 plus a concert on Saturday May 6, 2023. For the last 18 years in Sandbridge, VA, I have run intensive weeklong workshops (five weeks -- see www.sandbridgedulcimer.com). This weekend workshop is proposed to be a mini-Sandbridge. Kate LaMoreaux, a Watkins Glen resident, has attended one of the Sandbridge weeks for many years, and had the idea to do this workshop and will be helping me coordinate everything. Here are the workshop details: Level: The majority of players are intermediate with some advanced level players and some advanced beginners. We hit all levels but gear the workshop to the intermediate level. If you are unsure whether this will be appropriate for you, please contact me. Typically, I offer plenty for those who might be below or above the level of most in the class. For me, it is mostly about attitude. As long as you OK NOT getting something immediately, you should be fine!! Alternately, as long as you are patient waiting for others to get something (and even help out), we are in good shape! Meals: All meals are included in the cost. Our chef prepares dinners for us on Thursday, Friday (Maryland crab cakes) and Saturday night. For breakfast and lunch, we will be on our own to prepare. However, the workshop supplies ALL food so that folks don’t have to run out and buy meals. Commuters are welcome to join us. A few weeks before the workshop, we will send out a brief “food survey” to cover preferences and special dietary needs. Student "showcase": On Saturday night, participants of the workshop may elect to perform 1-2 pieces for the group. You may team up with other participants or with Mary Lynn or I. This is meant to be a positive performing experience from which you can learn. Share what you have been working on with the group! There is no obligation or pressure to do so but it is a lot of fun to hear everyone play!! Jamming: We will jam each night. I typically run a few "guided" jams as well where I help everyone find chords and help you find something to do to participate when you do not know the tune. Topics: The topics to be covered include a wide variety of arrangement techniques/ideas, application of chord theory, backup/accompaniment skills, ear training, pattern recognition of chords and arpeggios and much more. Location: The workshop will be held at the lovely Seneca Lodge Lake House in Watkins Glen, NY. We have a variety of lodging options including staying at the lodge in shared rooms (one private room), “home stay” (shared or private rooms in several private homes very close to the workshop), and commuting for those who are local. Teaching assistant: Mary Lynn Michal (van Deventer) will be joining me as my teaching assistant. Mary Lynn ("ML") will work the room helping folks as needed. ML assists me at three of my Sandbridge weeks and can significantly help us move faster by working with those who need a bit more time or clarification. ML currently teaches 40+ of my Sandbridge regular attendees via FaceTime and in person. She has been instrumental in raising the level of the weeks through her great understanding of my approach and her undying patience and determination. From her home base in Middletown, Maryland, ML maintains 100+ students. Trained at the prestigious Eastman School of Music, ML was for many years the principal French Horn player in the Durham Symphony Orchestra. ML has joined Ken Kolodner on stage in concerts in Chicago, Watkins Glen, NY, Common Ground (MD) and at The Black Mountain Festival (NC), and has performed at The National Cathedral in DC as a soloist and with Mark Grobner, Jim Plitt and Bob Hubbach on the main stage at "Evart". In addition to assisting Ken at three of the Sandbridge weeks, she has taught at Evart (3 years), The Black Mountain Music Festival, The Poconos Dulcimer Festival, "Unicoi," Kentucky Music Week (2020), the four Quarantune Dulcimer Festivals and private workshops. Proof of vaccinations required - Until Covid is firmly in-retreat, we need to be as safe as we can. We may also require PCR tests but we will wait and see how things are going. A lot can change! Housing options and costs (food included from Thursday dinner through Sunday breakfast): For all fees, there is a two-day option (subtract $125 from all fees) Lodging at the Seneca Lodge Lake House: $850 Lodging in private cabins at The Seneca Lake Cabins - $850 (4-8 rooms available); $900 for private cabin (we typically reserve the private cabins for couples) Commuters: $725 (also includes all meals) "Home stay" shared room: $725 (2 rooms) "Home stay" private room: $800 (6 rooms available) Five bedroom apartment - Madison Guest House: $850-$900 Guest/spouse fee: $250 (includes all meals) (1.) Lake House (sleeps 9 which includes Ken) -- sleeps 8 participants Bedroom 1: 2 queen beds ($850) - shared room Bedroom 2: 2 twin beds ($850) - shared room Bedroom 3: 1 king, 1 pullout (2 beds) (Ken's room) Bedroom 4: 1 double bed (ML's room) Loft: 2 pullouts (1 double sleeper) ($800) (2.) Private cabins very close to the gorge (sleeps 8 in separate rooms, two private rooms to a cabin) ($850); also single private cabins available ($900) (3.) "Home stay" – sleeps 10 participants (a.) Kate's house (5 minute drive) -- sleeps 2 ($800) Bedroom #1: Double Bedroom #2: Double (b.) Betsy's house (5 minute drive) -- sleeps 4 ($800) Bedroom #1: Queen (master bedroom) Bedroom #2: 2 Twins ($725 if shared) TV room: Pull out queen (c.) IF AVAILABLE Tony's house (12 minute drive) -- sleeps minimum of 4 ($800) Bedroom #1: Double bed Bedroom #2: Double bed Bedroom #3: Double bed Bedroom #4: Double bed (d.) Additional home stay options are sometimes available (e) Madison Guest House (5 minute drive) - 5 bedroom house ($900 for private room; $850 for shared room) Registration and payment: To reserve your spot, a $350 non-refundable deposit is due Nov 15. Full payment (non-refundable) is due Jan 15. As we have to secure housing and reserve your space, all fees are non-refundable. REGISTER HERE - Required to attend The following payment methods are acceptable:
All fees are non-refundable after Jan 15, 2022. Deposits are non-refundable after Nov 15, 2022 Early bird discount: SUBTRACT $25 from payment if paid in full by Dec 15, 2022. Kate can be reached at dlamoreaux@aol.com and 607-546-6477 Thanks so much for your interest in the workshop. This will be fun!! Any questions, contact Kate or me. Fri, May 13: Concert with Ken Kolodner, Mary Lynn Michal (formerly van Deventer) and Friends (fiddle, hammered dulcimer and mbira) Concert at 7:30 p.m. with Ken Kolodner and Friends, St. James Church, N Decatur & 6th St Watkins Glen, NY 14891. Contact: dlamoreaux@aol.com 607-275-7050; kenkolodner@aol.com 410-746-8387 Tickets: $15; $10 - children under 14; kids under 5 are free |
Schedule (approximate):
Thursday, May 4, 2023 12-2 Arrival, check-in, set-up, tune 2-5 p.m. Session #1 5:00 p.m. Happy Hour! 6:00 p.m. Dinner 7:30-8:30 p.m. Session #2 – this depends on everyone’s energy level! 8:30 Jam till we drop! Friday, May 13, 2022 9:30-12 Session #3 12-2 Lunch/hiking 2-5 p.m. Session #4 5:00 p.m. Happy Hour! 6:00 p.m. Dinner 7:30 p.m. Concert with Ken Kolodner and Friends (with Mary Lynn Michael) at The St. James Episcopal Church at 6th and Decatur, Watkins Glen, NY 14891 $15 general admission; $10 workshop participants 10:00 Jam till ? Saturday, May 14, 2022 9:30-12 Session #5 2-5 Session #6 6:00-7:00 Dinner 7:30-9:00 p.m. Student showcase! 9:00 Desert and jam till we drop! Sunday, May 15, 2022 9:00-11:30 Session #5 12:00 Lunch and depart |