See you in 2017!

Thank you for registering for the 5th Annual Florida Gulf Coast Dulcimer Retreat!  We're looking forward to seeing you back on the shores of the Homosassa River, February 23 - 26, 2017!

Day 4: That's a Wrap!

Thanks for a GREAT time, everybody!  We had a packed house for the Saturday evening concert; The 2016 Manatee Orchestra had a tremendous set and the instructor concert was out-of-this-world!  The jam ran into the wee hours and, still, workshops were filled on Sunday morning.

Thanks to all our volunteers, Folkcraft Instruments, The Homosassa River RV Resort and Campground, The Homosassa Riverside Resort and our incredible core of Guy George, Sharrie George, Richard Ash and Bing Futch and Jae Futch for all of their hard work, superb skills and boundless energy. We're doing it again February 23 - 26, 2017. Safe travels and increased musical magic to everyone!

Day 3: Having A Blast!

Tonight's the big night for The Manatee Orchestra and the instructor concert - looking forward to a great turnout from locals and others wanting to hear some fun music!  Just a few more workshops this afternoon and then we'll have one more rehearsal.  Folks are having a great time enjoying the scenic beauty of the Homosassa River area and, when they're not learning different instruments, they're out in kayaks, boating up and down the river, or just enjoying a meal on the banks.  The Homosassa Riverside Resort is such a big part of this event and many people come down just to be here in Old Florida; the music is a bonus.

Bing Futch demonstrating blues slide techniques on the Cigar Box Guitar that he won in Memphis at the
International Blues Challenge in January.

Pelicans in the Homosassa Riverside Resort Marina

Friday nights' Margarita/Mimosa Jam!

Day 2: It's STILL On!

Jamming at the Homosassa River RV Resort  

After a full day of workshops on Thursday, a number of folks went over to the Homosassa River RV Resort and participated in our annual jam in the main building.  The residents of the park thoroughly enjoyed the mixture of popular and traditional tunes and our students received both valuable public performance experience and applause.

Bing's beginning mountain dulcimer group.

There's a big group of mountain dulcimer players attending this year, which have made workshops with Bing Futch and Richard Ash quite sizable! 

Richard Ash teaches on Friday morning.

Tonight, there will be another Margarita/Mimosa Jam in the Manatee Ballroom at 7:30 pm.  Looking forward to another great musical time!

Day 1: It's ON!

Guy George teaches the beginner hammered dulcimer workshop bright and early!

After a rather lively pre-retreat set-up and Margarita Jam (yes, with actual margaritas!), we're off and running (in a laid-back way) with this year's Florida Gulf Coast Dulcimer Retreat!  They've come from all over the country to be with us here today in beautiful Homosassa, Florida, and the party is just getting started!

Besides a full slate of workshops today, we'll have rehearsals for The Manatee Orchestra, where our registrants can learn three fun tunes and then prepare to join the Saturday evening concert with the instructors!  We'll also have our annual jam at the Homosassa River RV Park and Resort at 7:30 pm.

We're already looking at next year's event - February 23 - 26, 2017!

But watch for more to come from this year's retreat right here!

This Week!

We're excited about this week as the 4th Annual Florida Gulf Coast Dulcimer Retreat takes place starting Thursday at the Homosassa Riverside Resort! It's not too late to register for four days of workshops with me, Guy George, Sharrie George and Richard Ash. Sponsored by Folkcraft Instruments, this is a laid-back retreat with plenty of time to relax, go kayaking, swimming with manatees and jam to your hearts' content. Lodging is near-capacity at the resort, but there are other places nearby to stay. See you in Old Florida soon!

Just TWO Weeks Away!

Guy George teaching hammered dulcimer

We're just two weeks away from our 4th Annual Florida Gulf Coast Dulcimer Retreat and we're excited for another great time at the Homosassa Riverside Resort!  The weather is forecast to be absolutely beautiful with days in the 70s and evenings in the 50s.

Richard Ash teaching mountain dulcimer

There are still a few registrations available and only a few rooms left at the resort, so don't miss out on your chance to experience one of the most fun, laid-back, educational and inspirational dulcimer retreats in the world!

Join the fun!

We have workshops in mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, ukulele, Native American flute, penny whistle and more!  Loaners are available for all instruments.  If you've ever wanted to try something new, our schedule is linear - so there are no competing classes which means no tough choices!

Sharrie George teaching ukulele

We'll have breakfast coffee and snacks, with fantastic meals available at the Riverside Crab House and a number of locations around the resort.  Buy fresh seafood from Shelly's, within walking distance, and bring it back to your room for world-famous grouper and blue crab dinners!

Manatee swim!

We're the only dulcimer event where you can swim with manatees! Swim tours depart several times daily from the marina.  You can also rent a kayak, go fishing, or just chill out by the water's edge and enjoy the peace and tranquility of Old Florida.

Beautiful Homosassa

There will be plenty of jamming and, of course, The Manatee Orchestra, where YOU become a part of the Saturday evening concert!  Find out why so many folks make it an annual tradition to join us in Old Homosassa for the Florida Gulf Coast Dulcimer Retreat!  Don't delay - we WILL sell out!  Use the links to the right for more information and book your accommodations today! 

See you soon!

Bing and Guy

Official 2016 T-Shirts!

T-shirts are now available to order for this years Retreat! Click on this link to order: http://www.islandguymusic.com/wearables.html (Retreat t-shirt is at the end of the page) Order by 2/10/16 to get yours at the Retreat!