Newbie goes to Columbia River Gorge festival AKA Menucha

Hi Friends,

Barbara J has nudged me to "share all the deers!" about going to the Columbia River Gorge Mountain Dulcimer festival at the Menucha conference center in Corbett, OR. I am going to put in information about logistics and physical plant because I know that can make a difference to many contemplating attending next year.

Location : about 20 miles east of the Portland Airport. I spoke with one woman who had coordinated a ride with others through the Menucha office.

Getting around: I have a disability (walk with leg braces and a cane) and I was able to get around the facilities easily. The main building for instruction was at one end of a gravel parking lot and the meals were at the other end. One participant had a sore foot and used a vehicle to get from door to door - easy parking spot on both ends. There was one classroom that was down a flight a stairs.

Getting exercise: I am not aware of gym facilities but the grounds are beautiful and many people strolled the roads and paths. There is are a pair of loops with gentle slopes - one about .25 miles and the other about .5 miles. There's also a rose garden, a swimming pool that had just opened (brrr), a volleyball court and some more rigorous trails through the woods. I walked the loops every day and enjoyed the woodlands immensely. Very peaceful.

Meals: Wow. Incredible. Just awesome. The chef was unflappable. They had vegetarian,vegan, gluten free and lactose free alternatives and the alternatives were just as lovely as the general offerings. Attendees are asked to sign up to help with the serving -- which mostly comprised of bringing out the food dishes and refilling the water pitcher. One doesn't serve if physically limited.

Rooms: Nice. Modern. Fresh linens and towels. Handicap accessible shower (I requested an accessible room). I was with two other ladies and we had fun! No TV. There is Wi-fi, I think. I was glad to have a book for moments when I needed a break.

Music: I was continually impressed. A typical workshop was 90 minutes. I went to ten over three days. It was like drinking from a firehose but I definitely ambushed a few chords and strums correctly in each class. I came away with an increased understanding of what our instrument can do - and, (so very important!) some clear ideas on what I need to do to move to the next level. The workshops were offered so you always had three choices for the slot. I suspect the instructors were exhausted by the end of it all because it was tons of teaching. I came away with sheet music or music theory worksheets from each class. I definitely have enough material to work on for months to come.

The Spread: Attendees ranged from beginners to advanced players. The workshops assumed one knew where the frets were and how to tune the strings but things moved briskly up from there. There was plenty there for well seasoned players. There was a special Saturday set of classes for absolute brand new players. The classes usually started with some fairly easy pieces and then galloped on from there.

The Atmosphere : very charming. I felt like I could ask any question. I felt some anxiety at first and then realized that there was no expectation that a person was going to master anything in a 90 minute session. It's more a session to get your head turned to the right next steps to take. "OK, Girl. Next you are going to go this-a way" Given that I had no idea that I could play Italian Renaissance music on my dulcimer or write my own music, it was so cool to get a road map to just those destinations.

Next year: The 2015 festival will be May 27 to May 31. Janita Baker will return as Artistic director and she will be joined by Bing Futch and Aubrey Atwater. Sally Smith will return to teach the beginners introduction workshops.

I am planning to attend. I had a marvelous time and learned so much this year. Next year should be even more awesome because I am finally figuring out where some of my fingers go!