Learn more about the music you love!

Blue Ox is pleased to present its instrument and music workshops.

Location: Potluck Pickin Place, located within the campground near Eagle camp.

*Workshops will provide a beginner level instruction. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own instrument and chair.

Campfire Jams: When music workshops aren’t happening, enjoy campfire jams hosted by The Potluck String Band.

Potluck String Band creates the perfect setting for the Blue Ox community to gather around their campfire. A place where you can meet new and old friends and pick (or listen as spectators) to music during the day or until the sun comes up. So don’t forget to bring your instruments to join in campground jam sessions. And you never know who might show up unannounced.

Thursday, June 27

1:00 PM – Blue Ox Songbook Sing-along

Join the jam at the Potluck Pickin’ Place with pre-selected songs. All experience levels welcome. Lyrics and chords will be projected on a screen to easily follow along. Join in on the refrain, lead the verses of a song, lend a harmony, or play the chords on your instrument of choice. This will kick off the weekend of music and merriment just before the main stage begins.

Friday June 28

10:00 AM – Banjo with Anthony Ihrig (The High 48s)

As both the banjo player with the award-winning High 48s Bluegrass Band and a composer of original progressive banjo music, Anthony Ihrig is able to help students navigate the entire spectrum of banjo picking styles – from traditional Scruggs techniques to modern newgrass approaches. Anthony’s teaching style is both informative and entertaining with an emphasis on creating an inclusive and positive learning environment for students of all levels.

11:00 AM – Mandolin with David Robinson (Steam Machine, Said in Stone)

David Robinson, an in-demand multi-instrumentalist (Steam Machine, Said in Stone) focuses his musical creativity around the Mandolin which is also his first stringed instrument. His high-energy style fuses the traditional mandolin techniques with modern day music. He has taught private lessons and festival workshops for several years, including Blue Ox.

12:00 PM – Collectiva: A Women’s/Non-binary Acoustic Music Jam

Are you tired of being the only lady at the jam? Come to Collectiva, led by Maura Dunst! Get tips on how to jam, practice improvising a solo, work on singing harmony, and generally engage in magical musical sisterhood in a lady-led environment. Bring your instrument and gather ’round. All levels welcome!

Saturday, June 29

10:00 AM – Fiddle with Shauncey Ali (MadFiddle)

Shauncey Ali has toured, recorded and taught in the U.S., Italy, Spain and Scotland. He has won the RockyGrass fiddle contest, been featured in Fiddler Magazine and received Teacher of the Year by the Madison Area Music Association. Shauncey is the director of MadFiddle, a youth music development program, and creator of Strapsey case straps.

11:00 AM – Guitar with Brandon Johnson (Johnson Brothers band)

Brandon Johnson is a bluegrass guitarist who specializes in flatpicking, soloing, bluegrass standards and rhythm guitar in the style of legendary guitarists like Doc Watson, Tony Rice and Norman Blake. For 20 years he has honed this to precision while touring with Kind Country and now with the Johnson Brothers. His popular  Youtube instruction videos and online lessons have millions of views. Brandon has been fostering bluegrass guitar to the distant reaches and even a beginner will learn some valuable techniques.

12:00 PM – Swing Style Open Jam with Red Hot Django Peppers

The Red Hot Django Peppers (also performing Friday on the Backwoods Stage) will be leading a jam session that showcases the Manouche style of swing jazz as popularized by Django Reinbardt. This jam will surely exemplify the similarities and differences between bluegrass and its Hot Club cousin. Come as a spectator or bring an instrument to participate.