The River House Hammered Dulcimer Retreat - “An inspired Musical Experience”
Get away for a relaxing musical retreat! Please consider joining us for the 3rd Annual River House Hammered Dulcimer Retreat in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina - a relaxing, engaging, and instructional weekend retreat with great friends, exquisite food, wonderful music, and personal, encouraging instruction all in the gorgeous setting of secluded Ashe County along the famed New River.
Hosted by Ruth Smith
Ruth's many years of classical training give her a special touch, and she is recognized for her delicate, expressive style. Ruth is known for bringing the softer side of the hammered dulcimer to life. Dirty Linen Folk & World Music Magazine says “Ruth Smith's touch on the hammered dulcimer is absolutely magical, with exquisite phrasing, highlighting the range of the instrument, especially on her own pieces.” Her Scots-Irish heritage has given her a special love for and expressive style in the Celtic music that is well-suited for the hammered dulcimer, and living for over 20 years in northwestern North Carolina (the heartland of traditional Appalachian Folk Music) has schooled Ruth in the traditions of Appalachian mountain music, fiber arts and pottery. Ruth’s former students always comment on how much they learn and accomplish studying with her, and how comfortable they feel in her workshops.
Workshops
All workshop topics will be geared to the Advanced Beginner and Intermediate student, with an emphasis placed on learning to play expressively. Ruth will contact participants in advance to collect requests for subjects and tunes to study, and then will determine the final workshop topics. We will create a supportive and encouraging environment so students can have fun and feel free to try new techniques. Music will be taught by ear, with printed music also handed out for all music and exercises studied. Use of a recording device is strongly encouraged.
Steve Smith Workshops, too!
Ruth’s musical partner and husband, Steve, will be available to spouses or accompanying friends for a la carte fingerstyle guitar and/or clawhammer banjo lessons.
Venue
Spend a relaxing weekend at the lovely 1870 River House Country Inn and Restaurant in the mountains of NC. There's a mile of riverfront for strolling, wading, tubing, canoeing and fishing. Walking trails wind through 170 acres. The luxurious and uniquely decorated guestrooms, each with a fireplace and hot tub, are converted farm buildings. Elegant, but comfortable, this could be the only five-star chicken coop with a hot tub you’ll ever stay in! ( http://www.riverhousenc.com/ )
Meals
Delicious gourmet meals are served at the River House. The food, like the River House, is sophisticated without being pretentious. We honestly think this is the finest food in the High Country of NC – bar none!
Recreational Activities – Free time provided each day for kayaking, fishing, hiking, or just “porch settin’ in rocking chairs” overlooking the New River. Steve and Ruth will guide a kayak trip Saturday afternoon which will be an easy float down the New River ending up at the River House’s front lawn. Wander on trails through the 170 acre property, or relax with a good book on a lawn chair by the river. Area attractions and recreational activities abound in this amazing part of the mountains, including driving and hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking the Appalachian Trail, enjoying local history and craft demonstrations, viewing wild ponies on nearby Grayson Highlands, biking on the Virginia Creeper or in nearby Todd on an historic railroad grade road, and so much more! ( http://www.riverhousenc.com/attractions.htm )
Tentative Schedule
Friday Afternoon:
1:00 – 1:30 pm Meet and Greet with light refreshments
1:30 – 2:45 pm Workshop 1
3:00 – 4:15 pm Workshop 2
4:15 – 6:00 pm Free Time
6:00 pm Dinner, followed by an evening concert by Steve & Ruth
Saturday:
9:00 – 10:30 am Workshop 1
10:45 am – Noon Workshop 2
12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 – 6:00 pm Free Time (2 hour guided kayak / canoe trip during this time)
6:00 pm Dinner, followed by informal evening session after dinner, which may include jamming, sharing tunes with each other, or time to ask questions. (These activities will be based on our collective energy levels and wishes. In other words – we’ll just do what we feel like doing!)
Sunday Morning:
9:00- 10:30 am Workshop 1
10:45 am – Noon Workshop 2
12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch
The Retreat officially ends after lunch.
NOTE: This year's Retreat is now open for registration!
FEES
Costs for the entire weekend will vary based on room choice, number of roommates, and options chosen. Several of the rooms can comfortably house 3 people. ($50.00 charge for 3rd person.)
A example of a typical participant's costs for the weekend - approximately $435.00:
Instruction - $120.00
Meals and refreshments - $150.00
1/2 of double occupancy room for 2 nights - will be approximately $165.00, give or take a little depending on room choice. (This would include tax, and assumes a Retreat discount on the rooms offered by the River House.)
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TOTAL: $435.00
This breaks down as follows:
Instruction fees
Ruth: $120.00 includes all sessions
Steve’s “a la carte” sessions: $25.00 each
Housing fees
Retreat discounted room costs range between $70.50 and $106.00 per night, per person (based on double occupancy) and includes breakfast and tax. Register early for your choice of accommodations. Additional nights are available, should you wish to come early or extend your stay to include the Sunday Salon and dinner.
Meal fees
Breakfast each morning is included in the room price.
4 gourmet meals, including all taxes and gratuities: $150.00
(This includes Friday dinner, lunch and dinner on Saturday, and lunch on Sunday.)
Day students are encouraged to purchase meals at the Retreat rate to join in the comraderie.
OPTIONS
Add:
Sunday dinner for $45.00 – Includes concert, hors d'oeuvre, and fabulous 4 course Chef’s choice gourmet dinner.
Paddling Fees
Discounted rates for Dulcimer Retreat participants which include transportation to put-in site:
$25.00 Kayak (one person per boat)
$40.00 Canoe (two persons per boat)
$5.00 Transportation only (if you bring your own boat)
Note: This is a fun, easy 2 hour float!
Workshop Registration and Deposit:
Note: Call The River House for your room to get our Retreat discount and make your reservations. Do this as early as possible to get your choice of accommodations.
Call or email Ruth for instructions on how to register:
828-297-1918
info@steveandruth.com
A non-refundable deposit of $120.00 is required with registration.
Space is very limited, so register early!
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