Driftless Days
Come spend some time at White Oak Savanna in the beautiful driftless region of Wisconsin. Driftless Days is a chance to take a break from screens and experience the benefits of nature. Our grounds will be open for hiking and camping so you can take the weekend to slow down and greet Spring. Several driftless-inspired programs (Music, Art, Astronomy, Natural Science and Wine) will run throughout the weekend so you can learn a little and deepen your enjoyment.
Creativity Retreat with Sons of the Never Wrong & Jonas Friddle
The Sons of the Never Wrong Weekend Retreat returns! This time they are joined by Honorary Son, Jonas Friddle. Come spend a weekend with the Midwest’s beloved folk and friends. Indulge in workshops ranging from songwriting and harmony to recording and creativity inspiration, all in the natural beauty of the White Oak Savanna. There will be performance opportunities, concerts and a chance to scratch your artistic itches in a supportive and restorative environment. Open to both seasoned musicians, newbies and even non musicians who simply want to explore and demystify the creative process. Camp on-sight or find a local B&B or hotel. Dinner will be provided on Friday night, lunch and dinner on Saturday and a Sunday brunch.
Price: $375
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Please note this is subject to change.
MEALS;
Friday Dinner - Spaghetti Dinner with Side SaladSaturday Continental Breakfast
Saturday Lunch - Soup and Salad with Grilled Cheese
Saturday Dinner - Grilled Chicken/Tofu, Kimchi Collard Greens, Bread, Rice and Peas
Sunday Continental Breakfast
Sunday Brunch - Bacon, Eggs, Fruit, Pancakes, Breakfast Potatoes
(This is our working schedule, there may be a few edits before the retreat starts).
FRIDAY MAY 30
4- 6pm Dinner meet ‘n greet
Get to know your new songwriting tribe.
6-7:30pm Star Talk
Dr. Luke Leisman helps us starts the weekend with inspiration from the stars. Bring your notebooks to gather ideas for the work ahead.
7:45-9:30pm Starting Songs with Art & Science w/Deb & Sue
Work with Deb to create a artwork inspired by Luke’s talk. These pieces will then be tied to Sue’s writing prompts from her class “LIGHTNESS” using science writings & Luke’s talk, to create a 4 line verse for a new song.
9:30-11pm Feedback Open Mic
Sons start off the night with 1 song, then Jonas shares a song, then Sons invite you to play the main stage: sign up, tune up, bring a song to stage for loving feedback.
SATURDAY May 31
7am - Continental Breakfast
7:30am-9am (Early Bird Session) Improvisation for Singer Songwriters with Sue.
Free up your lyric, melody, performing options, & writing with simple in-class exercises. Using Sue’s wildly popular 11 point improv checklist, you dive into vocalise, jump writing, and expansive performing in this interactive class.
9-11am Intro to Banjo for Guitar Players
Add a new instrument to your arsenal! Jonas will take you through the basics of transferring your guitar skills to the banjo. 4, 30 min sessions will be offered during this time. Each session will accommodate 4 students. Sign up for a time slot by the coffee station.
10 – 11:30am Idea Book Making with Deb
Deb will guide folks through the process of building their own mini song-zine from a single sheet of paper. Participants can personalize and decorate their “books” with beautiful cover papers and upcycled collage materials that can then inspire written ideas, poems and songs. All materials will be provided, but feel free to bring along your own special photos or other flat, glue-able imagery to include.
11:30 – 12:30 Lunch
12:30 – 1:45 Songwriting Through the Backdoor
A Sons songwriting workshop, and an intriguing peek into 3 different songwriting constructs. Starting out the class with a mini-live performance of 3 songs, each writer steps to the fore to offer up specifics, insight, and notes for their own craft. Stories are shared, song outlines are revealed. A mini in-class writing prompt to close.
2:00 - 3:15pm Three Notebooks
Jonas Friddle breaks down his method for generating consistent content from any source. In addition to breaking down the Three Notebooks method, we will apply it to lessons learned from Friday night’s astronomy lesson.
3:30 – 4:15pm Home Recording & Sound Q&A with Bruce
Have a fun discussion with Bruce about home vs. studio recording. Bring questions about your work and how to proceed with a new album. Talk tech, equipment, editing and performance techniques
3:30 – 4:15pm One on One Spots
Sign up with any staff member for a 15 minute one-on-one consultation. Bruce, Deb, Sue, or Jonas will sit with you and address your personal, creative queries.
4:15 – 5:30pm Everything is Music
Sue’s new listening, creating, workshop turning Cage’s 4’3” into a mini, performance-art experience.
6-7 Dinner time
7-8:15pm Harmony Through the Backdoor
Known for their soaring, original harmonies, Sons offer this unique harmony workshop. They start out by sharing a song, breaking it down, and teaching the class their tips & tricks. Sons demystify the harmony building process and invite students to try the ideas on for size. Some principles discussed in-class will be song-building, breaking tradition, common-notes, and arranging. Q & A to follow.
8:30-10pm Feedback Open Mic
Sons start with 1 song, then Jonas does 1 song and & then ALL are invites to play the main stage where you will; sign up, tune up, bring a song to stage for loving feedback.
10 -11pm Night Sky Walk and Talk with Luke
Wrap the day looking at the stars.
SUNDAY JUNE 1
7 am Continental Breakfast
7:30-8:30am (Early Bird Session) Dynamics for your Singing & Writing Voice w/Sue
Schooled in jazz & mentored by Corky Siegel, Sue will share ideas & expand your dynamic choices as a performer & a writer through a series of in class prompts using your own work or covers! Each attendee will perform anew using one of the dynamic principles to close the class.
8:30-10am The Art of the Jam
Jonas leads an example jam to demonstrate the core elements that make any social music gathering a success.
10 - 10:45am One on One Spots
Sign up with any staff member for a 15min one on one consultation
10 – 11:00 Guitar Maintenance
Bruce shows us how to care for our instrument.
11:30 – 1pm Lunch & Feedback Open Mic
Time to share what you wrote for feedback. We all eat lunch while listening & performing at open mic.
1:30 – 2:45pm Staff Concert - gather in the barn and enjoy a concert from Jonas & Sons.
Old Time Weekend
Looking to get your old-time tunes in shape? Fiddlers, Banjo, Guitar -Players and music lovers converge at White Oak Savanna for Old Time Weekend! Please check back here for details.
White Oak Festival 2025
The White Oak Festival is a celebration of the beautiful driftless landscape and a year of great programs at White Oak Savanna. Our vision is to grow into a diverse and self-sustaining festival that reflects the very land on which we gather. Festival attendees will be treated to amazing music, beautiful views and great company. In addition to a full lineup of performances, there will be guided jams session, workshops, parades, yoga, a fun run, an art showing, an open mic, guided stargazing and s’mores! Join us won’t you?
A full lineup of performers and activities will be posted up in February, but you can get your tickets now!
Fall Fun Day!
Join us for Fall Fun Day 2024!
Celebrate autumn with pumpkin carving, an apple cider making demonstration, wagon rides, line dancing and yard games. Drinks available for purchase.
$10 at the door.
12 and under free.
Open Old Timey Jam
We will be sponsoring several Old Time open music jams this summer. They will be held on the first Sunday of the Month from 1-4 PM throughout the summer months. They will all be held rain or shine as they will be in a shelter. Most of them will be in the beautifully renovated barn. All Old Time musicians are welcome to come join in. This is a jam for Old Timey fiddle tunes.
Open Old Timey Jam
We will be sponsoring several Old Time open music jams this summer. They will be held on the first Sunday of the Month from 1-4 PM throughout the summer months. They will all be held rain or shine as they will be in a shelter. Most of them will be in the beautifully renovated barn. All Old Time musicians are welcome to come join in. This is a jam for Old Timey fiddle tunes.
5th Annual White Oak Festival
The White Oak Festival is growing … Thanks to the support of our festival community, we are able to take some exciting steps forward this year. We are adding a new stage, expanding musical genres, a fun run and getting ready for a parade! Our vision is to grow into a diverse and self-sustaining festival that reflects the very land on which we gather. To those who have been with us from the beginning, thank you for supporting us as we grow. For you first timers, welcome to the party.
Open Old Timey Jam
We will be sponsoring several Old Time open music jams this summer. They will be held on the first Sunday of the Month from 1-4 PM throughout the summer months. They will all be held rain or shine as they will be in a shelter. Most of them will be in the beautifully renovated barn. All Old Time musicians are welcome to come join in. This is a jam for Old Timey fiddle tunes.
July Jamboree & Beer Garden
Join us Noon to 4pm every Sunday in July at White Oak Savanna for a Jamboree and Beer Garden
The White Oak Savanna grounds will be available for hiking, fishing and lawn games. Dance music will be playing in the barn and the lawn will be transformed into a beer garden for relaxing and taking in the sun. Designated jam areas will be available for people looking to play Old-Time Music with their friends. Food will be available from the White Oak Savanna Kitchen and our bar will be open for beverage purchases. (Please note no outside alcohol permitted)
$5 entry fee at the door goes straight to the band
Trail Jamboree -- Last Person Standing
This last person standing pop-up event will take place on a two mile looped course and will follow the traditional format of a last person standing race. All participants will start a lap at the same time and must be back to the corral before the next lap starts or they are eliminated. But here is the twist.....the further you go the faster you have to run to beat the clock. You will have 30 minutes to complete the first lap. We will then decrease the time limit by 1 minute every lap until only 1 person successfully completes all laps under the time limit.
July Jamboree & Beer Garden
We are pleased to have Line Dancing with instruction by Adam’s Dance Connection this Sunday!
Join us Noon to 4pm every Sunday in July at White Oak Savanna for a Jamboree and Beer Garden. The White Oak Savanna grounds will be available for hiking, fishing and lawn games. Dance music will be playing in the barn and the lawn will be transformed into a beer garden for relaxing and taking in the sun. Designated jam areas will be available for people looking to play Old-Time Music with their friends. Food will be available from the White Oak Savanna Kitchen and our bar will be open for beverage purchases. (Please note no outside alcohol permitted)
$5 entry fee at the door goes straight to the band
Open Old Timey Jam
We will be sponsoring several Old Time open music jams this summer. They will be held on the first Sunday of the Month from 1-4 PM throughout the summer months. They will all be held rain or shine as they will be in a shelter. Most of them will be in the beautifully renovated barn. All Old Time musicians are welcome to come join in. This is a jam for Old Timey fiddle tunes. *Please note this will be happening simultaneously with the Beer Garden on this particular Sunday.
July Jamboree & Beer Garden
We are pleased to welcome The Firesides this Sunday!
Join us Noon to 4pm every Sunday in July at White Oak Savanna for a Jamboree and Beer Garden. The White Oak Savanna grounds will be available for hiking, fishing and lawn games. Dance music will be playing in the barn and the lawn will be transformed into a beer garden for relaxing and taking in the sun. Designated jam areas will be available for people looking to play Old-Time Music with their friends. Food will be available from the White Oak Savanna Kitchen and our bar will be open for beverage purchases. (Please note no outside alcohol permitted)
$5 entry fee at the door goes straight to the band
Old Time Boot Camp
Looking to get your old-time tunes in shape? Fiddlers, Banjo-Players and music lovers converge at White Oak Savanna for Old Time Boot Camp! On July 13th White Oak will host Old-Time instructors Chirps Smith, Meghan Dudle and Dan Levenson as they lead a day-long series of workshops and performances.
Open Old Timey Jam
We will be sponsoring several Old Time open music jams this summer. They will be held on the first Sunday of the Month from 1-4 PM throughout the summer months. They will all be held rain or shine as they will be in a shelter. Most of them will be in the beautifully renovated barn. All Old Time musicians are welcome to come join in. This is a jam for Old Timey fiddle tunes. *Please note this will be happening simultaneously with the Beer Garden on this particular Sunday.
July Jamboree & Beer Garden
Join us 1pm to 4pm every Sunday in July at White Oak Savanna for a Jamboree and Beer Garden
The White Oak Savanna grounds will be available for hiking, fishing and lawn games. Dance music will be playing in the barn and the lawn will be transformed into a beer garden for relaxing and taking in the sun. Designated jam areas will be available for people looking to play Old-Time Music with their friends. Food will be available from the White Oak Savanna Kitchen and our bar will be open for beverage purchases. (Please note no outside alcohol permitted)
$5 entry fee at the door goes straight to the band
Open Old Timey Jam
We will be sponsoring several Old Time open music jams this summer. They will be held on the first Sunday of the Month from 1-4 PM throughout the summer months. They will all be held rain or shine as they will be in a shelter. Most of them will be in the beautifully renovated barn. All Old Time musicians are welcome to come join in. For clarity sake this is not a Bluegrass jam, its is not an Irish jam, it is not a Cajun jam, it is not a sing along or a hootenanny. This is a jam for Old Timey fiddle tunes.
Sons of the Never Wrong Songwriting & Performing Retreat Weekend
You’ve heard them and wondered, “how do they do that”? Come spend a weekend with the Midwest’s beloved folk group Sons of The Never Wrong.
Open Old Timey Jam
We will be sponsoring several Old Time open music jams this summer. They will be held on the first Sunday of the Month from 1-4 PM throughout the summer months. They will all be held rain or shine as they will be in a shelter. Most of them will be in the beautifully renovated barn. All Old Time musicians are welcome to come join in. For clarity sake this is not a Bluegrass jam, its is not an Irish jam, it is not a Cajun jam, it is not a sing along or a hootenanny. This is a jam for Old Timey fiddle tunes.
Trail Running Film Festival
Join us at the beautiful Lloyd Jones Barn Pavilion at White Oak Savanna for a fun evening celebrating all things trail ruining. Enjoy the inspiration of the Trail Running Film Festival, the beauty of the Driftless Area and the community of trail running in South Central Wisconsin as we watch, run, eat, and play!
White Oak Fall Day
Pumpkin Carving: In the barn. Bring your own or use one of ours (suggested donations $5)
Hay Rides: Yes
Apple Picking: Yes
Press Your Own Cider: Yes
Food: Kathryn’s Market
Live Music: Enjoy an old-time music jam. Bring an instrument to play along or just sit back and listen.
Old Timey Jamboree
White Oak welcomes Greg Jones and friends for a jam in the big red barn. Bring your instrument!
