2025 Activities & Workshops
We are actively to building our festival community by providing on site activities and workshops designed to restore and rejuvenate the Artisans, Musicians, Volunteers and Fans that make our event happen. In short we want to SUSTAIN the festival community.
We are intentional about keeping the Sustain Art & Music Festival small to facilitate more intimate conversations and relationships. We also want to provide on site and off site experiences that make the event more restorative. We realize many folks like to sleep in on the weekends however, we are hopeful many will be willing to get up and engage with our growing Sustain Community. Please consider registering for at least one activity or workshop experience while your at the ranch. Maybe learn a new skill or if you’re experienced, help our facilitators teach others, either way your energy will add to everyone’s festival experience.
Almost all activities require a “Pay What You Can” ticket. Most tickets are a minimum of $1. Space is limited so purchase your “Pay What You Can Afford Ticket” online before the event is scheduled to start. Your ticket purchase makes sure we don’t oversell the experience but it also helps us decide what workshops we should offer in the future.
Baking up Beats - w/ The Baker’s Basement
Interactive Drum Circle & Spontaneous Song Writing Session - Bourbon Barn
All Ages - All Experience Levels - Beginners Welcome! - Saturday 9:15am to 10:15am
Do you need more rhythm in your life? Are your limbs feeling idle and curious for direction? Do you have the urge to spontaneously create something but don’t know where to begin? No worries! The Baker’s Basement may have some simple remedies for your ailments. Join the duo for an interactive experience wherein the art of song craft and drum circle unite. All are encouraged to participate, regardless of musical experience or age. Are you a beginner? Let’s do it!!
The Baker’s Basement is a 2-piece indie folk bucket band from Cleveland, Ohio with over a thousand performances under their belts. They believe that nearly any object can be used to create music, with a soft spot in their hearts for the 5-gallon paint bucket (a signature element of their on stage drum kit).
Percussive objects will be available for use, but all are encouraged to bring a drum… or a bongo.. or a tambourine.. or a bucket.. or generally anything that emits sound when struck or shaken. Come with an open mind and ready to have some fun.
Space is limited so purchase your “Pay What You Can Ticket” (minimum $1). Your ticket purchase makes sure we don’t oversell this experience but it also helps us decide what workshops we should offer in the future.
Family Painting with Jon Griffin
Open to all Ages & Skill Levels - 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
No supplies…not sure where to start? Just show up at Jon’s booth with an open heart!
Space is limited so purchase your “Pay What You Can Ticket” (minimum $3). Your ticket purchase makes sure we don’t oversell this experience but it also helps us decide what workshops we should offer in the future.
Bluegrass Breaks - Jam Class
Join Dave Bagdade as he teaches real bluegrass jamming! Sat 10:30 AM Bourbon Barn
All skill levels…All Instruments! Hands-on learning in a small group of festival friends!!
Are you sitting on the sidelines at your local bluegrass jam, wanting to play a solo but not sure how? Dave Bagdade will take a popular bluegrass song and deconstruct it down to its elements and then help you build it back up into a solo, using techniques that will allow you to develop your own breaks going forward. All bluegrass instruments and skill levels are welcome, though the workshop is primarily targeted to intermediate players.
Dave is a performer, composer and teacher, with forty years of experience in the Chicago, Indianapolis and Atlantic Canada bluegrass scenes. He has played with The Cousin Brothers, New Trad Ramblers, Diamond Hill Station and Whistle Pig and has released three solo albums.
Space is limited so purchase your “Pay What You Can Ticket” (minimum $5). Your ticket purchase makes sure we don’t oversell this experience but it also helps us decide what workshops we should offer in the future.
Dave Bagdade
Gentle Yoga
Start your morning off Saturday with a relaxing session of Gentle Yoga!
The class will be led by Sherry Schmidt, MSN, FNP
Center for Integrative Health Care, LLC, Paoli, IN
Session 1 is from 9:30 AM till 10:15 AM and Session 2 is from 10:30 AM till 11:15 AM - Meet at the upstairs covered deck off of the Main Lodge and class will be conducted in the gym inside the silo.
Space is limited so purchase your “Pay What You Can Ticket” (minimum $3). Your ticket purchase makes sure we don’t oversell this experience but it also helps us decide what workshops we should offer in the future.
Psychedelic Liquid Oil Light Show
There's fun to be had after dark. Come and experience the Psychedelic Liquid Oil Light Show! We will show you how it's done, using Old School equipment and Hippie Magic. You are encouraged to have Fun and Shadow Dance behind the screen.
Our motto is "Fun is Important!"
No Ticket Required: Tips Accepted and Appreciated
Sandy Austin and her late husband Woody were long time John Hartford Memorial Festival Attendees. We are honored to have Sandy attend Sustain Fest ‘25 and put on the light show that her and Woody love so dearly! Friday and Saturday night at Dusk!
Disc Golf 101 - All Ages - All Skill Levels
Joe Weber - Friday at 11:30 AM or Saturday at 10:30 AM - Front of the Pizza Barn
An informal workshop to learn some of the techniques commonly used in Disc Golf, learn the difference between discs and have some fun playing a few holes.
No experience needed. We will have some extra discs so bring a friend and lets learn some new skills while having fun! Meet at the Pizza Barn with your digital ticket.
Space is limited so purchase your “Pay What You Can Ticket” (minimum $1). Your ticket purchase makes sure we don’t oversell this experience but it also helps us decide what workshops we should offer in the future.
Nature Hike
Explore the birds, animals, plants and beautiful scenery home to Elk Ridge!
Meet at the Tee Pee and Ben Fleet will lead a guided nature walk to appreciate the birds, plants and overall grounds of the Elk Ridge Ranch. Bring Binoculars if you have them.
Session 1: Saturday at 9:15 to 10:15. Session 2 at 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Space is limited so purchase your “Pay What You Can Ticket” (minimum $1). Your ticket purchase makes sure we don’t oversell this experience but it also helps us decide what workshops we should offer in the future.
Plant a Pollinator & Bird Garden
Master Gardner Kara Dean - Fri at 12:30 PM & Sat at Noon - Greenhouse
Open to all ages & skill levels – No gardening experience required. No heavy lifting or strenuous activity.
Equipment: Just a willing body and a nurturing soul. All gardening tools and plants will be provided.
It’s the year of the Bee! There is no better way to celebrate and support the local bee than planting a Pollinator Garden. Did you know that 90% of our native insects require a native plant to support their life cycle? Join us as we introduce you to some Indiana native plants that will bring many seasons of beauty, as well as ecosystem restoration and support for Indiana Bees, Birds and other Pollinators. Bee-lieve in the world you want to see!
Space is limited so purchase your “Pay What You Can Ticket” (minimum $1). Your ticket purchase makes sure we don’t oversell this experience but it also helps us decide what workshops we should offer in the future.
Instrument Petting Zoo
Our Artist at Large Zach Cannon -
Displays, Discusses and Demonstrates
Sorry we are not petting the Elk BUT we can handle some pretty cool instruments! Stop by the tent in the festival bowl and meet Zach (when he isn’t jamming on stage) our artist at large. He will have many instruments for you to gently handle and play.
The hours are fluid just as Zach’s schedule is so don’t wait to come by! No petting if Zach is not present and the instruments will be put away before dark!
No Ticket Required! Tips accepted and appreciated! Venmo: @Zach-Cannon-20
On Site Silent Auction
Volunteers - Saturday - Noon to 5:45 PM Sharp!
Visit the silent auction tables to bid on donated items from our on site artisans as well as some of the organizations that support our mission! Have some fun…its for a good cause!
No Ticket Required.
Wellness Workshop
Becca Hobson hosts a workshop designed to help you Relax, Reflect, Recharge!
Meet at XYX and Ben Fleet xyz
Open to All Ages - Saturday at 3:30 PM to 4:30 -
Space is limited so purchase your “Pay What You Can Ticket” (minimum $1). Your ticket purchase makes sure we don’t oversell this experience but it also helps us decide what workshops we should offer in the future.
BYOB - Social Hour - Bourbon Barn
Community Building with Tastings, Campfire & Conversations!
Friday - 8:30pm to 9:30pm & Saturday 5:30pm to 6:30pm
A little bit like an adult “show and tell”! Bring a bottle of your favorite bourbon, wine or other spirit to the Bourbon Barn to share with fellow Sustainiacs. The historic log cabin was originally built in 1865 miles down the road before being moved to its current location. You can share tasting size pours as well as the history of the winery/distillery and what you love about their style, all while having great conversation. Those that enjoy cigars are invited to bring them to this informal event. Glasses, Ice and Water will be available at the barn. This is a 21+ event!
Space is limited so purchase your “Pay What You Can Ticket” (minimum $3). Your ticket purchase makes sure we don’t oversell this experience but it also helps us decide what workshops we should offer in the future.