May Day - May Specials

Hello Dulcimer players,
It's about a week away from what would have been Dulcimer Day.  Every spring for 16 years I was in full mode to put on the festival.  This year as I mentioned already the festival is not happening.  Maybe I would find a grant for support or find another way, such as a dulcimer retreat, but in the format the costs were higher than what came in.

What have I been doing instead - I did go to Nepal for about a month and taught English plus did cultural touring, attending folk music performances, and met a variety of local people and people from around the world. I enjoyed so many experiences.  It was my first time to Asia.  I went on my own and volunteered with VSN- volunteer society Nepal.  I am on one of their videos - search for Wendy volunteer Nepal society.    I only heard about 15 minutes of American English the whole time I was away.  Space was limited but I wish I could have brought a dulcimer along.  I did bring back a sarangi - violin.  I don't know if I'll ever be able to play it but it looks cool with all the woodcarving on its back side.  I also visited my Dad in Phoenix for a week.  It was 100 degrees one day. We didn't go again to the big Music Instrument Museum there as we went years before right after it opened but we did a bunch of other fun things from taking a painting class, hiking, seeing wild horses, going to a bird riparian habitat area, walking through an arboretum, biking, and taking some Qi Gong classes.

Spring has finally arrived in Duluth and we had a few delightful warm days.  I know the Twin Cities area and parts of Wisconsin folks had quite a late snow storm.  We still have snow in our yard but not much. I did happen to slip on ice on a hike last weekend and have a badly bruised thumb and palm/heel of my hand.  It's been blue/purple and now it's more green/yellow and still hurts and it's on my left hand (I'm a lefty). 
I had a guest over today who plays many instruments with his main current one being button accordions.  We played old-time tunes, waltzes and Swedish tunes.  There are always more tunes to learn.  Duluth - right in Lakeside near where I live - is a midsommer festival held at a local church.  Folk music goes hand and hand with so many cultures.  In Nepal I heard many drums and listened to a harmonium player.  On May 6 I'll be going with guests through my newer project (3rd year though) and we are going May 6 to the Festival of Nations down in St. Paul.  I went to it years ago.  We will hear a lot of music combined with folk traditional dances from many countries.  I enjoy providing positive experiences for people through cultural activities.  The Up North Excursion day trips are another way I'm seeking to provide opportunities.  I have 5 spring day trips and will have 4 or so in the fall.  www.wendyupnorth.com/excursions.   Even if you're not from Duluth and are from northern WI or the Iron Range you can attend these.  Check out the list. 

I plan to add more dulcimer activity this summer and would love to play a couple times a month at a local coffee shop or as background music for events.  I know I'll spend time with my dulcimers - both mountain and hammered dulcimer.  They have been a part of my life for over 40 years. 
Enjoy playing your dulcimer.  If you are interested in lessons, send me an email. 
Again - I thank all the Dulcimer Day in Duluth participants over the years.  We changed locations 3 times and had our very filled day together with workshops, performances by some of the best players in the nation (world?), food, open mike and local shopping. 
My store is still in my living room with most of it tucked away more. 
I'll have a sale starting soon on books and CDs.  I have plenty! 

Enjoy the wonders of spring - new buds, first birds, first flowers, wet earth, warmth, sunshine, light rain, butterfly watching - and somewhere in there - music.
Wendy

Dulcimer Day in Duluth - not happening in May 2018

Thank you so much for attending a Dulcimer Day in Duluth festival or wanting to attend one!  I hope you are enjoying the dulcimer and playing your instrument.  I am very thankful to the helpers over the years, especially Terry Brown (my husband), Cherlyn, Bruce, Billie, and Phyllis and Gary. I am also thankful to the musicians that have made their way to Duluth (for many their first time in Minnesota), and to the local artists that have come over the years. 

Dulcimer Day in Duluth folk music festival has been held annually over the last 16 years.  It's been a day of learning opportunities with numerous classes and concerts with top performers showcasing a variety of styles to play dulcimers and introducing new tunes, having meals together, participating and listening to open mic., and a vendor area with local artisans and instrument/accessory booths. Besides dulcimer classes there have been a nice variety of other instrument classes offered, too. Unfortunately, due to decreased attendance over the past few years the festival will not be held this year.  Perhaps, if a funding sponsor or grant could be secured the fest may be held again but given the costs of the performers, traveling of the teacher/performers, venue rental, and other expenses it just isn't being covered by the lowered attendance.  Partly the poor Canadian money exchange rate, partly people being busy, it's at the point that the festival for 2018 won't be happening this May. I've thought and thought about it and even thought about just organizing a gathering but I think people really enjoyed the classes.

I know quite a few of the people relied on the mailing for the Dulcimer Day announcement.  I was mailing about 700 brochures but that won't be happening this year so really only the web and email folks will know - or at least know first.

It's been an honor to create a fun day and a day that encouraged learning more about folk instruments - most of which many people have never heard of!   I appreciate those who have traveled and made time for attending the festival and even supported it by buying a tshirt. It was fun to see smiles of people having a good time.  There are past group photos and photos from the festivals at DulcimersInDuluth.com. 

Keep on playing your instrument!

Wendy Grethen

www.DulcimersInDuluth.com

Dulcimer Day in Duluth coordinator for 16 years

It's a tie! NEW! Sweatshirts for sale at Dulcimer Day

So great to see registrations coming in from quite a few different towns.  It's been a nice mix of returning folks and several new people.  It's a tie now between Wisconsin signups and Minnesota signups.  A couple people from Canada, too - Thunder Bay and Winnepeg!

Tshirts $16 are available for pre-order as well as hooded pullover sweatshirts  $32.  The color is still being decided upon.  A few extras may be available at Dulcimer Day but it's recommended to pre-order to have one or two ready in the size you want.   Past years have had Jean shirts and tank tops - if you'd really want one of these let me know by April 10.

Quite cold temps still but spring promises to be ahead.  Time change is coming up and we are seeing some flocks of birds.  For some reason the Gales of November were happening in March.  We've had strong winds this week.

DDD registration is open - image of past logos

Thank you for visiting this dulcimer message and I'm pleased to announce that Dulcimer Day in Duluth is now open for registration.  You can register online or print the form and mail in a check.
Read through the DulcimersInDuluth.com website for information on the guest instructor/musicians and for workshop descriptions.
Mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, ukulele, autoharp and guitar classes will be offered.

For fun - hear is a collection of some of the past Dulcimer Day logo images.  Tshirts will available this year.   Please register in advance for meals, classes and tshirts.
It's always great to see returning folks come back year after year.  Thank you so much.
New people are very welcome.  Come be part of this fun, day of learning and traditional music!
Wendy

DDD Participants - Where From

Pretty cool that Dulcimer Day in Duluth is a gathering of people from many places.

The instructor/performers are coming from Illinois, North Carolina, Connecticut and the Twin Cities.

The participants are coming from:
Minnesota (Grand Rapids, Vermillion, Farmington, Lino Lakes, Cohasset, Aitkin, Bovey, Burnesville, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, Woodbury, Mankato, Walchom, Brooklyn Park, St. Louis Park, Bemidji, Cloquet, and Duluth)

Wisconsin (New Auburn, Iron River, Eau Claire, Webster, Chippewa Falls, Wayerhauser, Preque Isle)

Michigan (Channing)

 and Canada (Winnipeg).

I hope the Thunder Bay folks will be able to make it this year, too.  They have always been a big part of the event.

Registration is still open.
There are also spots for craft or instrument vendors.

Wendy

March into Dulcimer Day

Now that the calendar page is flipped to March, here's a reminder to sign up for Dulcimer Day. It's going to be a fun day in May and an opportunity to expand your skills.  Besides dulcimer classes, you might want to do the build a limberjack class, the two singing classes with Ross - one that focuses on songs that are good to sing with youth or young at heart folks, and there is a tin whistle class.

I'd love to see a few more youth at Dulcimer Day to keep the dulcimer player 'line' going.

It's great to have registrations coming in from returning festival folks and from several new people.

Don't forget to sign up for meals - even the lunch.

If you have any questions, shoot over an email.

There is space for area craft vendors.

Wendy