The 7th Annual Sandbridge Old-Time Fiddle Retreat!! In-person and zooming Spring, 2026
The 2025 Fiddle Retreat was so much fun!! With 15 players in person from GA, SC, NC, VA, MD, WI, and FL! If you are interested in attending, please register (do not send deposit). Contact Ken with other questions.
A group of 10 of us also got together to jam at Clifftop 2025. We played through all of our tunes since our first year (see our tune list HERE).
Tuesday, April 7 through Saturday, April 11, 2026 Monday arrival is available. The 6th Annual Sandbridge Old-time Fiddle Retreat - The Sandfiddlers of Sandbridge! In-Person and Zooming WHEN: Tuesday April 7, 2026 - Saturday April 11, 2026. Early arrival for a small extra fee: Monday after 2:00 p.m. Otherwise arrive Tuesday any time after 11:00 a.m. First session is Tuesday mid-afternoon (3:00-5:00 p.m.); Wed - Thu from 9:30-12, 2-4:30; jamming and optional review sessions in the evening. Fri 9:30-12 class; jamming Friday afternoon plus we always do a bonus session. Check out on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. We do a lot of jamming! Pickleball, spike ball, ping pong, cards, visiting the wildlife preserve, birdwatching and more!
WHAT: A 4 day retreat for intermediate old-time fiddle! Bowing patterns; left-hand techniques; adding chords; applying chord theory to learn and process tunes; simple backup ideas; repertoire; altered tunings; lots of jamming and much more!
WHERE: Sandbridge VA – just south of Virginia Beach.
LODGING: We stay in a 12-bedroom oceanfront house and a 9-bedroom (7 master suites) oceanfront house nearby (Queen O'Sea). Most participants will stay in private rooms but there are some shared rooms available.
CHEF: Our chef prepares meals for Tuesday through Thursday dinner. All food is covered by the workshop except for Friday night. We usually either go out or do carryout.
FEE: $910 for sharing a room; $1130 private room. Spouse/guest may attend for additional $450. This covers lodging, food and the workshop. Friday night dinner is not covered by the workshop. Rooming will be a mix of mostly private with some sharing (if desired) with no more than two to a room. Zoom fee: $550 NOTE: Our fees are the same as last year and the year before, despite rising costs.
Deposit due:Nov 15
Payment Full payment by Jan 15.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Available for anyone needing help. Contact Ken directly.
5 ways to pay: Payment may be made by check, echeck, Venmo, Zelle, Paypal or credit card. The "Paypal to a friend" option works great!! But be sure to fund your account FIRST to avoid fees.
Venmo: @ken-kolodner
Zelle: 410-746-8387
Check - mail a payment to: Ken Kolodner 3806 Fenchurch Rd. Baltimore, MD 21218
Call Ken to pay by credit card (a $35 service fee will be added)
PayPal: [email protected] (not [email protected]). Please choose "friends and family." You are responsible for covering all PayPal fees.
Cancellation Policy:All payments are non-refundable. Workshop fee may be partially refunded only if your spot can be filled. I encourage the purchase of travel insurance to protect your investment. PLEASE get travel insurance. It is not expensive and protects your investment.
Ken evaluates all applicants for acceptance into the workshop.
SOME OF THE TUNES FROM PREVIOUS FIDDLE RETREATS Key of D Belle of Lexington Green Willis Half Irish (D mix) Kiowa Special Lost Indian (ADAE) Martha Campbell Oyster Girl Porter's Reel Rabbit in the Pea Patch (D) Rachel Railroading through the Rocky Mountains (D) Rush and the Pepper Rye Straw Sally in the Turnip Patch Shuckin the Brush (ADAE) Key of A (AEAE) Black Eyed Suzie Buffalo Gals Calico Billy in the Lowground (AEAC#) Chips and Sauce Elzic's Farewell Five Miles of Ellen Wood Happy Hollow (AEAC#) Indian on a Stump (AEAC#) Laughing Boy (AEAC#) Money in Both Pockets Old Horse and Buggy Sweet Nell Who's Gonna Talk to Dinah? Key of G Cluck Old Hen Going Down to Cairo Golden Ticket Hell Broke Loose in Georgia Henry King's Reel Hollow Poplar Home Town Band Jeff City Jenny Lynn Moon Behind the Hill No Corn on Tygart Sam Hill Shippingport Smoke Above the Clouds Stambaugh's Waltz Key of C The Fun's All Over