18th Annual Colorado Dulcimer Festival
This page provides answers to most frequently asked questions and provides an overview of Festival logistics and content, with links to detailed information.
FESTIVAL DATES AND TIMES – Registration is now open
Pre-Festival Classes are held on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
Workshops and Activities
Friday May 5 and Saturday May 6, 2023, 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m
Registration opens at 8:00 a.m. The First workshop begins at 9:45 on Friday and 9:15 on
Saturday.
Concerts
Festival days conclude with evening Concerts on both days from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
WHAT IS THE FESTIVAL STYLE AND WHAT IS PROVIDED TO ATTENDEES?
The festival is designed to be instructional as well a entertaining with ample opportunities to interact with local instructors as well as guest artists.
Instructional workshops are provided on both days for all levels of players, from Absolute Beginners through Advanced. There is no pre-selection for workshops. You can review the schedule and decide what interests you. Just show up and attend the class of your choice!
This years workshops cover Hammered Dulcimer, Mountain Dulcimer, Guitar, and Bodhran.
Entertainment includes an evening concert on both festival days as well as jam sessions. This year we are also featuring a Song Circle and there are several opportunities for individuals or groups to perform.
FESTIVAL LOCATION
Saint James Presbyterian Church
3601 West Belleview Avenue
Littleton, CO 80123
Littleton is part of the Denver Greater Metro area, located close to major highways and the airport so it’s easily accessible. It’s also located close to many excellent hotels.
For more information, see Venue.
2023 GUEST ARTISTS/INSTRUCTORS
Karen Alley (Hammered Dulcimer)
Sam Edelston (Mountain Dulcimer and Guitar)
Bob Elieson (Mountain Dulcimer)
Steve Eulberg (Mountain Dulcimer, Guitar)
Bing Futch (Mountain Dulcimer)
Tina Gugeler (Hammered Dulcimer and Bodhran)
Erin Mae (Mountain Dulcimer)
Joshua Messick (Hammered Dulcimer)
Kendra Tunnicliff (Hammered Dulcimer)
Randy Zombola (Hammered Dulcimer)
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration opens on February 1, 2023.
The registration fee depends on when you register and when/what you will be attending:
Early Bird : $110 for both days (closes March 31)
Advance $130 for both days
At the door: $140 for both days
1 day only (either day): $70
1 Festival workshop only: $40
Single-day registrations are available if you can’t attend both days. Each full-day
registration fee includes an evening concert ticket. Registering for the full 2-day
festival provides one ticket for each evening concert. Tickets are included in your
festival packet.
NOTE: Online registration closes 2 weeks before the festival. For the 2023 Festival,
online registration will end Thursday, April 20, 2023 at midnight. After that, you can
still register at the door on either day of the festival.
When you register, you may rent a hammered dulcimer or mountain dulcimer, reserve
on-site meals for one or both days, and purchase additional evening concert tickets.
These items are all paid for as part of the registration process—either through PayPal or check.
NOTE: Additional evening concert tickets will also be available at the door. Festival logo items (e.g. T-shirts, mugs – items/sizes may vary) will be for sale on-site at the Festival on a first-come, first-served basis. Festival merchandise will have our colorful “mountain” logo on it:
DISCOUNTED LODGING AVAILABLE
Comfort Suites in Lakewood is providing a discounted rate to attendees.
Lodging – Colorado Dulcimer Festival
ON-SITE MEALS
On-site lunch and dinner (meat or vegetarian) will be served both days for an additional fee. The meals (including beverages and desserts) are specially catered for us and are delicious!
Please reserve you meals as part of your online early-bird/advanced registration. A very limited number of meals will be available for on-site registrants. Otherwise, there are many restaurants in the surrounding area if you choose to go off-site.
Meals – Colorado Dulcimer Festival.
EVENING CONCERTS
The fun doesn’t stop with workshops! Our Friday and Saturday evening concerts feature
the festival instructors and guest artists. Your festival registration includes one ticket for
each concert. Please invite family members and friends as additional tickets can be
purchased as part of the registration process or at the door each night.
OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES
Bring your voice for the Song Circle; then on Saturday there is a fun Dance with the
opportunity to play with the dance band. Check out all the details: Additional Activities
COLORADO DULCIMER ORCHESTRA
This is another fun performance activity. If you are an intermediate player, have 3+
years of experience and can spend time in group practice sessions, we are looking
for players. The Colorado Dulcimer Orchestra – Colorado Dulcimer Festival
JAMS FOR EVERYONE
Absolutely! There will be a variety of jams for all level players, from Beginner to
Advanced. And if you’ve never participated in a jam, there will be a “Jams for
Beginner” workshop so you can learn the basics. Sheet music for commonly-played
jam tunes is provided here as downloads (in pdf file format) so you can practice in
advance. Other music specifically chosen for this year’s Festival will be posted when
available. For more information, see Jam Sessions and Jam Tunes & Resources.
ACTIVITIES IN THE DENVER AREA
If you are bringing a guest who will not be attending the Festival, or if you will be
spending some extra time in the area, there are lots of activities in the Denver area.
For information, see Denver,org.
WHO HOSTS THE FESTIVAL?
The Festival is hosted by Colorado Dulcimer Festival (a non-profit corporation), and is
organized and staffed by volunteers. Read more in Past, Present, and Future.
HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
For more detailed information, take a close look at our website. If you don’t find what
you need, feel free to Contact us by email. Or, follow us on Facebook.
USING THE FESTIVAL LOGO
Thank you for helping us get the word out! Please feel free to download and print the
logo for the Colorado Dulcimer Festival, LLC. Right click on the image, select “save
image as . . .” and select the directory on you computer in which you want to save the
image.
BECOMING A SPONSOR
To become a Festival sponsor and have your advertisement on our program and
website, please Contact us for more information. We also provide several display
tables in the lobby area.