White Oak Roots Weekend

Friday, July 18, 2025 4:00 PM - Sunday, July 20, 2025 12:30 PM (CDT)

Description

Come spread your roots! Grow on your core instrument while also exploring the many influences of American Roots Music. The rich tapestry of styles now called “American Roots Music” reflects the remarkable diversity of people who have contributed to our music. From integrated string bands in Appalachia, to border-blurring dance styles in the Southwest, and indigenous honky-tonk in the western plains, music has long provided spaces for poor and working class people to connect across racial and cultural barriers. This weekend of workshops and performances celebrates that legacy by providing a deeply inclusive place for making music in a beautiful rural setting. Participants can expect workshops from expert instructors in the following areas. Banjo, African Drumming, Fiddle, Guitar, Kora, African Dance and Steel Pan. We are also proud to offer the unique opportunity to participate in both gourd planting and the building of gourd instruments! This is a chance for attendees to grow on their core instrument while also trying something new. Experimenting with other Roots Music influences will only serve to strengthen your core instrument and broaden your appreciation for the genre as a whole! As part of The Savanna Sanctuary commitment to conservation awareness and nature immersion at White Oak Savanna, this is a camping event. Attendees will have access to campsites on the beautifully restored savanna prairie, with easy access to bathroom, shower and kitchen facilities. For those who prefer not to camp, there are many hotel options within a short distance from the grounds. Food service from the White Oak kitchen is included in the price. Attendees with special dietary needs will have available kitchen space to store groceries. Because of our commitment to youth education, college age students may attend at half price. Attendees under 18 are also half price when attending with a registered adult. Price: $150
White Oak Savanna - Events Farm & Sanctuary
4352 State Highway 23
Dodgeville, WI 53533
Friday, July 18, 2025 4:00 PM - Sunday, July 20, 2025 12:30 PM (CDT)
July 18th 4:00- 5:30pm Grounds open for campsite load-in 5:30 - 6:45pm Dinner with Instructor introductions and short performances 7:00 - 8:00pm Full Group Intro to African Drum and Dance 8:30 - 10:30pm Late Night Jams July 19th 7:30 - 9:00am Continental Breakfast and Jam Stations Open 9:00 - 10:15 Workshop session 1 (choose one) Taylor Ackley: Improvising and Melodic Ornamentation for String Instruments Anna Jacobson: Fiddle - Irish Repertoire and Technique Jonas Friddle: Guitar - Early Blues Repertoire and Technique Evan Jacobson: Intro to Steel Pan 10:30 - 11:30 Full Group Gourd Planting Session 11:45 - 12:45 Lunch 1:00 - 2:00 Workshop Session 2 (Full Group) Kabillo Music: Kora: The Storytelling Harp. Exploring the history, playing techniques, and role of the kora in griot tradition. 2:15 - 3:15pm Full Group Gourd Percussion Instrument Building 4:00- 5:20 Workshop Session 3 (choose one) Kabillo Music: West African Drumming. Introduction to traditional rhythms, technique, and cultural significance. Taylor, Anna, Jonas Old-Time Repertoire and Technique For Fiddle, Guitar, Banjo and Mandolin 5:30 - 6:30 Dinner Break 6:45 - 7:45pm Instructor Led Jam Sessions 8:00 - 9:15pm Short Lecture on the History of the Banjo and Instructor Performances 9:30 - 11pm Late Night Campfire and S’more Jams Sessions July 20th 7:30 - 9:00am Continental Breakfast and Jam Stations Open 9:30 -10:30am Workshop Session 3 Getting it together: In this final full group workshop we explore ways to bring our various styles together. 11:00am -12:30pm Campsite Breakdown and Lunch
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