May 29-June 1, 2025
Imagine 4 days and 3 nights in the Columbia River Gorge filled with bluegrass instruction and jamming for guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and bass. Bluegrass in the Gorge is for bluegrass players who want to improve their instrumental skills and enjoy making music with others. If you love bluegrass and want to take your skills and enjoyment to the next level, this is the long weekend for you!
Dave Keenan has gathered a staff composed of incredible musicians who are also great teachers: Darol Anger, Hailey Pexton, Ethan Lawton, and Forrest Marowitz.
Menucha is a magical spot in the Columbia River Gorge. Late May/Early June is a beautiful time to be here. We've got comfy beds, great rooms, porches and patios on which to gather and make music and this bluegrass camp has a capacity of 50.
Costs are per person and all-inclusive of meals, instruction, and lodging. Cost is dependent on the type of lodging chosen. You can choose to be in a single, double (you and 1 roommate), triple (you and two roommates) or quadruple (you and 3 roommates) occupancy room. You can tell us who you’d like to room with, or we’ll assign them. Commuters get lunches and dinners, and all activities, but no overnight lodging.
If your spouse/partner wants to come with you but doesn't want to take the classes, you'll register each of you separately. Choose double occupancy for the spouse who will participate, then when you see "add another registrant" click on that and choose "Non-participating Partner/Spouse" for them; then proceed to the payment.
Quadruple Occupancy $699
Triple Occupancy $760
Double Occupancy $850
Single Occupancy $975
Commuter $524
Non-participating spouse/partner $260
Thursday |
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3:00-5:00 pm | Arrival and Check-in | Wright Hall |
5:15 pm | Welcome and Orientation to Menucha | Wright Hall |
6:00 pm | Dinner | Dining Hall |
7:15 pm | Welcome by instructors/ice-breaker jamming with instructors | Wright Hall |
Friday |
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8:00 am | Breakfast | Dining Hall |
9:30-10:30 am | Classes | |
10:45 -11:45 am | Classes | |
12:00 pm | Lunch | Dining Hall |
1:30-2:45 pm | Classes | |
3:00-4:15 pm | Classes | |
6:00 pm | Dinner | Dining Hall |
8:15 pm | Jams |
Saturday, June 3, 2024 |
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8:00 am | Breakfast | Dining Hall |
9:30-10:30 am | Classes | |
10:45 -11:45 am | Classes | |
12:00 pm | Lunch | Dining Hall |
1:30-2:45 pm | Listening session with all instructors | Wright Hall |
3:00-4:15 pm | Free time | |
6:00 pm | Dinner | Dining Hall |
7:00 pm | Instructors Public Concert at the Columbia Grange Hall in Corbett |
Sunday, June 4, 2024 |
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8:00 am | Breakfast | |
9:30 am | Bluegrass Karaoke! | |
11:00 am | Depart for home |
Testmonials from past participants:
“Bluegrass in the Gorge was one of the best music camps I’ve ever attended. The setting is beautiful and the food is great but what I appreciated the most was the structure – the workshops were so well-designed for learning. Sometimes camps have a frenetic pace but here we weren’t rushed. I had time during the camp to revisit what I’d learned so far. I came back feeling like I’d been at a music retreat – refreshed and inspired, not exhausted.” - Linda Leavitt
“After many years of admiring Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum, I was so excited to have a chance to learn from them. I was not disappointed. They filled our days with wonderful music and vast knowledge of the bluegrass genre. I came away inspired and excited for the next opportunity to work with them!” - Anna Berry
“What I loved most about this weekend at Menucha was the personal touch everyone received from Laurie and her friends. In the rhythm guitar workshops, Laurie offered useful tips to each individual player tailored to their skill level. I know I came home with a few gems! I also loved that she stressed the importance of a rhythm guitar player, whether or not they had interest in learning to play leads. And the harmony workshop where we all learned to sing A Beautiful Life was such a great way to top off a wonderful few days of Bluegrass in the Gorge!” - Molly Westmoreland
“I went to Menucha to see Laurie and Tom and was happy to listen to stories and learn a few things. Both are warm, friendly, inclusive people who have made a study of bluegrass music for all of their adult lives. I try to see them when they come this way and am never disappointed. Their music, their detailed understanding of it and their ability to share with others are simply top notch. As someone who likes to sing, I was especially happy that I went.” - Elliott Picciotto
“I had been really looking forward to meeting and having classes with both Brandon Godman and Justin Hiltner, because I play both fiddle and banjo. Getting to meet and interact with them was my favorite experience at camp. I was very satisfied with their classes, as well.” - Donna Dunaif
"I came away from the experience with a better sense of serenity and community than I had when I got there. The picturesque setting and helpful, informative staff made Menucha a wonderful retreat from the bustle of daily life. The great musical instruction and enthusiastic students made Bluegrass in the Gorge a one-of-a-kind chance for hands-on learning with Laurie Lewis and her friends." - Nora Candey
Click this link to read Nora Candey's in-depth review published in the Oregon Bluegrass Association's Bluegrass Express newsletter: Bluegrass in the Gorge Review Article for OBA newsletter summer 2018