2026 Activities & Workshops
We are actively building our festival community by providing activities and workshops on site & in the town of French Lick. These activities are designed to engage, 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 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.
Tickets for Activities are a “Pay What You Can Afford” style, with most activities starting at $1. The pay what you can afford structure ensures affordability and helps when space is limited. In addition, by registering it helps us understand which activities are popular.
Bluegrass Breaks - Jam Classes
Join Our Artist at Large: Chris Zink as he teaches bluegrass jam workshops!
Friday: 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM - Bourbon Barn
Saturday: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM - Bourbon Barn
All skill levels…All Instruments! Hands-on learning in a small group of festival friends!
I will be conducting bluegrass jam workshops by creating an inclusive, hands-on environment where participants of ALL SKILL LEVELS can learn and play together. Simple chord charts and lyrics will be provided for beginners, along with tablature for fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and dobro for those ready to take a break, but not ready to improvise one. More advanced pickers will focus on active listening, building creative breaks while staying true to the melody, tone, and timing. Participants will be able to take home all charts and tablature so they can continue practicing and retain the material. The goal is to build confidence, improve musicianship, and give attendees practical tools to participate in real bluegrass jams.
Space is limited so purchase your “Pay What You Can Ticket” (minimum $5 per class). 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.
Chris Zink
Tickets for Activities are a “Pay What You Can Afford” style, with most activities starting at $1. The pay what you can afford structure ensures affordability and helps when space is limited. In addition, by registering it helps us understand which activities are popular.
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 return again this year to attend Sustain Fest ‘26 and put on the light show that her and Woody love so dearly! Friday and Saturday night at Dusk!
Tickets for Activities are a “Pay What You Can Afford” style, with most activities starting at $1. The pay what you can afford structure ensures affordability and helps when space is limited. In addition, by registering it helps us understand which activities are popular.
Gentle Yoga with Todd Williams
Start your morning off with a relaxing session of Gentle Yoga!
Friday: 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM - Session 1 - Meet at Main Lodge - Upstairs Deck - May Go Outside
Saturday: 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM - Session 2 - Meet at Main Lodge - Upstairs Deck - May Go Outside
Todd began his yoga practice in 2012, mostly at PAI Yoga and Fitness in Dublin, OH and Be Moved Power Yoga (BMPY) in Lafayette, IN before relocating back to Indianapolis and calling Cityoga School of Yoga home. Todd’s wife Karen calls him a “completely different man” since he began regular yoga practice. Not because of any physical transformation but rather just walking through the world better equipped to just breath through it, whatever “it” happens to be.
Todd took the next steps in his practice in 2023-24, completing his 200hr Yoga Teacher Training with Anita Trent and Be Moved Power Yoga. His training is in Baptiste-style power yoga and, to date, that’s what he teaches. Todd often incorporates his joy for music and a conversational focus relevant to yoga practice and life in general and into the classes he leads. Todd taught a regular Sunday morning power class at BMPY before relocating and still subs there occasionally. Now recently retired, Todd is exploring his best fit for teaching opportunities in the Indianapolis area.
Todd and his wife Karen have two adult boys, one living in Denver and one with his family – including two precious granddaughters - just a few miles away in Indy. Todd is volunteering his time to conduct these classes to support our nonprofits mission! Bring your mat but if you forgot it, we will have some extras.
Tai Chi Moving Meditation
Sustain Your Life Energy
Led by Greg Sergi, certified Tai Chi Instructor by Master Waysun Liao
All experience levels welcome. No experience necessary.
Friday: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Location TBD - Ages: Teen & Up Saturday: 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM Location TBD - Ages: Teen & Up
Tai Chi means supreme-boundless or infinity, and is a state of being that we aim to enter into through Moving Meditation. By coordinating our body, mind, and energy in a relaxed yet concentrated manner via Tai Chi, our vital energy grows stronger and more harmonious.
Tai Chi Moving Meditation Sessions will begin with a short period of gentle movements, loosening and relaxing the body to prepare for meditation. All participants will follow the instructor’s Tai Chi Forms as we practice moving meditation. There will be cues throughout the practice to facilitate concentration, promote relaxation, and guide coordinated body movement.
Participants are welcome to ask any questions after each session.
Tickets for Activities are a “Pay What You Can Afford” style, with most activities starting at $1. The pay what you can afford structure ensures affordability and helps when space is limited. In addition, by registering it helps us understand which activities are popular.
On Site Silent Auction
Volunteers - Saturday - Noon to 6:00 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.
Tickets for Activities are a “Pay What You Can Afford” style, with most activities starting at $1. The pay what you can afford structure ensures affordability and helps when space is limited. In addition, by registering it helps us understand which activities are popular.
Secret Songwriting Society
Hosted by The Baker’s Basement -
All Ages - All Experience Levels - Saturday - 10:30am to 11:30am - Bourbon Barn
Whether you’re an experienced songwriter or a curious soul brand new to the process, we invite you to witness the spontaneous emergence of a brand new song at the Secret Songwriting Society. It may be secret, but all are welcome!
Creative processes often begin in private places: bedrooms, basements, practice spaces, journals, sketchbooks, memo recorders. The Secret Songwriting Society has everything to do with simulating these secret spaces in a group environment. At this gathering, we place the spotlight on brand new creation in its simplest, rawest, and most raggedy form. Join Cleveland based musical duo ‘the Baker’s Basement’ in demystifying the act of throwing paint, making sounds, and combining mystery ingredients until some sort of simple song emerges: the result of a group effort.
While the exhibition of simple song-craft is the centerpiece of this gathering, at its core, the Secret Songwriting Society is about embracing the total spirit of creating anything, be it a song, dance, screenplay, recipe, painting, sculpture.… Together we will tackle the all-important step of simply beginning the process, enjoying the process and completing the process.
All ages and experience levels are welcome! Feel free to bring any sort of percussion instrument. No stringed instruments are necessary - we've got that part covered.
Family Painting with Jon Griffin
Friday: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Jon’s Booth - Open to all Ages & Skill Levels
Saturday: 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM at Jon’s Booth - Open to all Ages & Skill Levels
No supplies…not sure where to start? Get a ticket online or at the Merchandise tent and show up at Jon’s booth with an open heart!
Tickets for Activities are a “Pay What You Can Afford” style, with most activities starting at $1. The pay what you can afford structure ensures affordability and helps when space is limited. In addition, by registering it helps us understand which activities are popular.
Nature Hike with Ben Fleet
Explore the birds, animals, plants and beautiful scenery home to Elk Ridge! All Ages Welcome!
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 11:30 AM to 12:30PM.
Tickets for Activities are a “Pay What You Can Afford” style, with most activities starting at $1. The pay what you can afford structure ensures affordability and helps when space is limited. In addition, by registering it helps us understand which activities are popular.
Disc Golf 101 - All Ages - All Skill Levels
Joe Weber - Friday at 12:30 AM to 1:30 PM - The Pizza Barn Deck
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.
Coffee Workshop and Tasting: w/ Greg Sergi
The Fascinating Methods of Processing Coffee Cherry Prior to Roasting and How It Influences Your Cup of Coffee
Saturday: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Bourbon Barn
What are the factors that influence the flavor of your cup of coffee?
Most people know, of course, that the roast level plays a large role; many also understand that the location where it was grown and the altitude are important factors.
However, most people do not know that the methods used to process coffee beans, from the moment the fruits are harvested to when they are dried green coffee beans ready to be roasted, play an equally important role in the flavor of your coffee.
In this workshop we’ll go over the numerous coffee processing methods: washed coffee, natural process, honey process, anaerobic process, etcetera. We’ll discuss how these processes influence the flavor, and finally have a chance to sample some very interesting coffees that were processed using some of the aforementioned methods.
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!
Tickets for Activities are a “Pay What You Can Afford” style, with most activities starting at $1. The pay what you can afford structure ensures affordability and helps when space is limited. In addition, by registering it helps us understand which activities are popular.