Ohio Valley Gathering 2012
Every year the Louisville Dulcimer Society hosts a weekend festival in late winter or early spring for their old friends and anticipation of new friends. The Gathering is usually either in the Bluegrass State or in Hoosierland. The festival attracts over 500 lovers of acoustic music, to enjoy jamming, classes (we have over 50 instructors participating!), vendors, and the very best of Southern hospitality. March 30 to April 1, 2012 will be the 26th annual occurance of this great event.
Volunteer instructors and performers come from across the mid-western and eastern United States to share their talents and provide their books and recordings to assure that you have a wonderful experience!
Most returning festival attendees feel they’ve been to a “family reunion.” The only bad part of the festival is that it’s over after the hymn sing on Sunday morning. But the memories last a lifetime! Come join the brightest and best, the beginners and the pros, at the Ohio Valley Gathering! You can even bring your non-musical family members as we will have a game room and other activities (such as knitting and stitchery) for them.
The OVG is run by an all-volunteer staff of Louisville Dulcimer Society members and visitors. Last year’s Gathering was a tremendous success. We thank everyone who put the time and effort to make this possible. You can see a slide show of the 2009 Ohio Valley Gathering here.
Here is what some people are saying about the 2011 gathering:
Just a note to thank you for the terrific 2011 OVG event last weekend. My husband and I were able to attend Friday and Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It was our first time to a dulcimer gathering. (I just started playing dulcimer last year.)
I'm already using lessons learned from the workshops I attended. What a great variety you offered! So many talented players to teach, encourage and inspire. Listening to music coming from every corner, the lively chatter and easy comraderie was a delight. I hope you'll keep me on your mailing list so we'll be able to join you again.
Sweet music and thanks to you for all your hard work to make the event so special - Dawn and Mike
There were 14 of our group at OVG, gathering tips, music to share, and enjoying meeting many wonderful people. One of the sessions I attended was really about sharing our music with those confined to nursing facilities. ... Next year, OVG will be in Louisville the last weekend in March. Mark your calendars now -- it is such a treat. - Denise B.
I second or third the gratitude toward those who made the OVG a great time.
My sister in law has decided to take up the dulcimer due to the fun and really great instruction we enjoyed.
Tomorrow I fly back to Tucson with happy memories of time well spent! - Kristi K.
I congratulate and thank Russ Embry and all the wonderful volunteers who put together the Ohio Valley Gathering 2011 and made it work so successfully, once again.
I saw a lot of happy and exhausted people saying their good-byes Sunday morning.
Thanks again, Janey R.
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The fees for registration for 2012 are only $7 per person (spouses may attend the concerts for $5 if they do not attend any of the workshops). Louisville Dulcimer Society members have no fee (you can join here). Lodging costs at the Holiday Inn-Hurstbourne in Louisville, Kentucky are at your expense, but be sure to mention the "Ohio Valley Dulcimer Gathering" when you make reservations to receive a room discount [2 queen beds for $92+tax, including breakfast for all in the room ($82+tax without breakfast)]. We encourage you to stay at the host hotel.
Please reserve your room at the hotel as soon as you can, so that we can better plan things if the hotel gets full, as it did in 2011's OVG. Also, let us know if you got a room elsewhere because the Holiday Inn said they were full.
One reason why the rates are so reasonable is that we do not pay our speakers (although you do get a free t-shirt if you conduct a workshop). There is no charge for vendor space, but items for sale must be dulcimer related.
The registration form for the 2012 Ohio Valley Gathering is available here.
Pictures from the 2011 event are here.
