NEWS & UPDATES

At Blue Ox, the music doesn’t stop at the stage! We’re proud to present our instrument and music workshops taught by past & present festival artists.

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

*Workshops will provide a beginner/intermediate level instruction but instructors of flexible to cater to participants. 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. Throughout the weekend this area also serves as a gathering place for casual music jams, giving a direct venue for workshop participants to exercise new skills and continue learning with the shared spirit of this music festival.  

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 25

1:00 PM – Blue Ox Sing-along  (Scotty “Swander” Anderson of Potluck String Band)

Join the jam at the Potluck Pickin’ Place with pre-selected songs. All experience levels are 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 26

10:00 AM – Acoustic Guitar with Ilan Blanch (Sprig of That)

Ilan Blanck is a progressive guitarist currently based in Fort Collins, Colorado. He has toured across the country playing in odd time signatures. As a composer, songwriter, and arranger, he has written notes and words for pop stars, podcasts, high school choirs, orchestras, and a LOT of bands. These days, he can most often be seen performing with tabla-fiddle-guitar-cello quartet Sprig of That. Active in making music on stage as well as helping others behind the scenes, he is the associate manager of artist development at the Music District in Fort Collins. 

 

11:00 AM – Fiddle with Isabel Dammann (Sprig of That)

Isabel Dammann is a multi-style violinist, fiddler, vocalist, and tenor guitarist who likes to weave between genres, exploring everything from classical to free improvisation, traditional fiddle styles, rock, and singer-songwriter. As an educator, Isabel has led workshops and performances at K-12 schools and universities across the country through organizations including Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, Minnesota Public Radio and the Mile of Music Education Team. She has a decade of experience teaching private and group violin, fiddle, viola, and voice lessons to all ages, and is currently teaching a full studio with the Community Music Center in Portland.

 

12:00 PM – Mandolin with Bruce B. King (Art Stevenson & High Water)

Bruce King has been playing mandolin with Wisconsin bands for over forty years, “Alive’N’pickin’, The Bluegrass Rounders, The New Pioneers, and the Highwater Band for the last twenty five years. Bruce joined High Water in 2001, bringing hard-driving mandolin chops and solos to the High Water bluegrass sound. Bruce specializes in Bill Monroe compositions for the mandolin, and he has dozens of them in his repertoire. Bruce is a versatile singer on lead, baritone, and tenor vocals. Art describes Bruce’s tenor singing as “rust-belt industrial,” keeping the high, lonesome sound alive in bluegrass music.

Bruce B. King will be joined at this workshop by his son Bruce Royal to perform a handful of mandolin duets (something they’ve enjoyed together since his son was a teenager). The duets will be followed by a mandolin family question and answer session.

 

Saturday, June 27

10:00 AM – Washboard / Percussion with Danny Savage (Mooncats) & Mikkel Bee (Corpse Reviver)

Washboard is a unique folk instrument. Traditionally used in zydeco and jug bands, it has crossed over into the wider world of roots music. Joins these two artists as they demonstrate their approaches to incorporating this instrument.

Danny Savage blends old-time tradition with a fresh, high-energy approach. He brings a driving pulse and unmistakable charm to every stage he steps on, turning a simple instrument into something dynamic, expressive, carrying forward the spirit of American folk in a way that feels both timeless and new.

Mikkel Bee has been playing the washboard live on stage for over 28 years. His washboard sounds have appeared on over 50 albums. He currently performs around 200 shows per year with a diverse range of Minnesota musicians.

 

11:00 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 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.

Web: https://anthonyihrig.com/

 

12:00 PM – Collectiva: A Women’s/Non-binary Jam with Maura Dunst (Foxgloves/Triple Fiddle)

Are you tired of being the only lady at the jam? Come to Collectiva! 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.