Workshops & Activities
WORKSHOPS & ACTIVITIES
A 2025 Workshop highlight: Dave Bruzza joins Anders Beck (Greensky Bluegrass) to discuss the Dobro.
A 2024 Workshop highlight: Sam Bush told stories, took questions and played music for the attentive crowd.
A 2023 workshop with Yonder Mountain String Band saw the band discuss “Life On The Road” and perform several songs for the intimate crowd.
Under the Baygrass Workshop Pavilion, you could learn how to shuck oysters like a pro, or get some fiddle tips from one of the Baygrass performers. Or maybe you sit in on a Mental Health Workshop, and learn the proper way to administer Narcan in an emergency.
Perhaps the best parts of the Workshop Pavilion are the intimate interactions with the festival artists.
Yonder Mountain String Band’s “Life On The Road” talk in 2023, Sam Bush’s intimate workshop in 2024, and the Anders Beck 2025 dobro workshop show just how special these moments can be.
WORKSHOP & ACTIVITY DETAILS
SATURDAY
WORKSHOP PAVILION
Music Workshop: Benny “Burle” Galloway, Dave Johnston, Allie Kral, Cory Chubb, and more.
From Bay to Ballad: The Story, Songwriting, and Live Performance of “The Secrets That She Keeps”
1:00 – 1:45 PM
Hosted by Watershed Stewards Academy
Presented and performed by Benny “Burle” Galloway, Dave Johnston (of Yonder Mountain String Band), Allie Kral (Artist-at-Large), Cory Chubb (of Geraldine), and other amazing musicians.
Details: Written by Burle in honor and support of the Chesapeake Bay, the song—“The Secrets that She Keeps”—tells the story of this extraordinary body of water—from a single drop of glacial melt thousands of years ago to the vibrant estuary we know and cherish today.
In this special Talk & Tunes workshop, Burle and musicians from the festival lineup will take the audience behind the scenes of the songwriting process, beginning with the song’s “bare-bones” outline and arrangement. Then each artist contributes their own special skills and experience to bring all the pieces together… Breathe life into it and present the song for the first time… Right here on her shore.
Through Burle’s magical song, the Watershed Stewards Academy will help attendees discover how they can help grow the Watershed Movement and inspire others to become part of the solution.
Music Workshop: “Uncle Al” Lee and George “Beanmartian” Webster.
Sacred Steel: From the Church to the Stage
2:30 – 3:15 PM
Hosted by Alvin “Uncle Al” Lee and George “Beanmartian” Webster
Join Uncle Al Lee of The Lee Boys and Sacred Steel musician George “Beanmartian” Webster for a powerful 45-minute journey through the music, history, and spirit of Sacred Steel.
Blending live pedal steel performances, family stories, and firsthand history, Uncle Al traces this remarkable musical tradition from its roots in the Holiness Pentecostal church to festival and concert stages around the world.
Part concert, part oral history, and part testimony, this special presentation brings the story of Sacred Steel to life through two musicians carrying its sound and spirit forward.
“Shuck Like a Pro”
4:45 – 5:30 PM
HOSTED BY: Oyster Recovery Partnership, Featuring: Ashling Kitchen
This fan-favorite workshop is back, with delicious toppings provided by partner Ashling Kitchen. This hands-on class will teach attendees safe and effective oyster shucking techniques, with expert instruction from ORP. Plus, the entire audience will learn about the incredible impact oysters have on the health of the Chesapeake Bay and how guests can contribute to restoration efforts by recycling oyster shells. ORP has planted over 13 billion oysters in the Bay, and every recycled shell helps keep that number growing. Shuckers will learn a new skill, eat what they shuck, and help make a difference in saving our Bay!
Space is limited, so show up early to secure your spot!
BEER GARDEN
BEER GARDEN YARD GAMES
11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
HOSTED BY: PEAKE SOCIAL
Join Peake Social at the Baygrass Music Festival for a weekend of family fun and entertainment! Peake Social is bringing an exciting lineup of yard games that are perfect for all ages. Challenge your friends and family to games like bocce, cornhole, Putterball, ping pong, giant Jenga, ladder golf, KanJam and more. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just looking for some casual fun, our games are sure to keep you, your friends, and kids entertained throughout the festival. Come enjoy the music, grab some delicious food, and play games with your crew!
BEACH
BEACH YOGA
5:00 – 5:45
HOSTED BY: YOGA ROOTS
ACCOMPANIED BY MAIN STAGE MUSIC: Shadowgrass
Enjoy beach Yoga hosted by Yoga Roots, synchronized with the sounds of Shadowgrass playing on the adjacent “Baygrass Stage.” Get loose and limber, and ready to dance the night away!
The VA WAY SOBER SPACE
In the lively tapestry of today’s music and festival scene, the necessity for sober, safe spaces has never been clearer. At The VA Way, we are proud to sponsor these sanctuaries at events like the Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival, providing a supportive, judgment-free zone for all attendees.
Cultivating Inclusivity: Our Sober Safe Spaces underscore the inclusivity of the community. Here, enjoyment and entertainment flourish independently of substance use. These spaces assure that everyone, from those in recovery to those choosing sobriety for personal wellness, finds a haven where they can truly enjoy the festivities.
Promoting Mental Wellness: Sober Safe Spaces are pivotal in promoting mental health. They provide a secure environment that safeguards the well-being of all attendees, ensuring that everyone has a place where they feel respected and protected. By validating sobriety as a lifestyle choice, we honor individual paths to health and happiness.
Supporting Community Connection: These spaces foster a community atmosphere where music and joy are accessible to everyone, making every event a profound statement in support of wellness and inclusivity. The VA Way Sober Safe Space is a commitment to nurturing a safer, more welcoming environment for all—because at the heart of our mission is the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to celebrate life free from substances.
Join us as we celebrate life and music in our Sober Safe Spaces. Let’s enjoy the festival together, supporting each other in our journeys towards a healthier, happier life.
Together, we make music festivals a place for everyone.
SUNDAY
WORKSHOP PAVILION
Music Workshop: Special Guests TBA
From Tradition to Tomorrow: Bluegrass at 80
2:30 – 3:15 PM
Hosted by acclaimed author Tim Newby and Rolling Stone writer Garret K. Woodward, special musical guests TBA
Details: Since its debut on the Grand Ole Opry with Bill Monroe & The Bluegrass Boys in December 1945, bluegrass music has grown into one of the world’s most distinctive and beloved musical genres.
Eighty years later, the music continues to evolve, reaching new audiences and even filling arenas through artists like Billy Strings.
This special panel brings together an all-star lineup of bluegrass musicians to reflect on the genre’s remarkable journey—from its traditional roots to its modern evolution, delving into Maryland’s influence on bluegrass and exploring what lies ahead for the “high, lonesome sound.”
Mental Health Matters: A Conversation with Cris Jacobs & Guest
3:30 – 4:15 PM
Hosted by John Way, Founder of The VA WAY
Because every conversation can change a life and Every Jam Helps a Mind!
Details: Join acclaimed singer-songwriter Cris Jacobs & Guest for an authentic conversation about overcoming adversity, finding purpose, and the healing power of music.
Following his own journey through depression and recovery, Cris has become a powerful voice for breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Together with John Way, the discussion will explore resilience, self-care, creativity, and why asking for help is a sign of strength—not weakness.
This isn’t just a workshop—it’s a conversation. Whether you’re a musician, veteran, caregiver, or someone navigating life’s challenges, everyone is welcome
Surf and Turf – A Chesapeake Bay Watershed Story
1:30 – 2:15 PM
HOSTED BY: The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Featuring: Bobby Whitescarver – Farmer, conservationist, educator, and award-winning writer
Details: From the Shenandoah Valley to the wide-open expanse of the Bay, learn how two different worlds can unite for a shared cause. Join the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia farmers Bobby Whitescarver and Jeanne Hoffman to discover how we can all sit at the same table, share our stories, and strive together for clean air, clean water, and a brighter future. Attendees will receive resources, including the recipe featured in their film Surf and Turf.
Watch the Surf & Turf trailer, Watch the Short Film
BEER GARDEN
BEER GARDEN YARD GAMES
11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
HOSTED BY: PEAKE SOCIAL
Join Peake Social at the Baygrass Music Festival for a weekend of family fun and entertainment! Peake Social is bringing an exciting lineup of yard games that are perfect for all ages. Challenge your friends and family to games like bocce, cornhole, Putterball, ping pong, giant Jenga, ladder golf, KanJam and more. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just looking for some casual fun, our games are sure to keep you, your friends, and kids entertained throughout the festival. Come enjoy the music, grab some delicious food, and play games with your crew!
BEACH
BEACH YOGA
5:00 – 5:45
HOSTED BY: YOGA ROOTS
ACCOMPANIED BY MAIN STAGE MUSIC: Mountain Grass Unit
Enjoy beach Yoga hosted by Yoga Roots, synchronized with the sounds of Mountain Grass Unit playing on the adjacent “Baygrass Stage.” Get loose and limber, and ready to dance the night away!
M8 BEER PAVILION (in Beer Garden)
Blue Cat & Brew: Food + Beer Pairing in the Beer Garden
1:00 – 1:30
HOSTED BY: Chesapeake Chef Services and M8 Brewing
DETAILS COMING SOON
The VA WAY SOBER SPACE
In the lively tapestry of today’s music and festival scene, the necessity for sober, safe spaces has never been clearer. At The VA Way, we are proud to sponsor these sanctuaries at events like the Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival, providing a supportive, judgment-free zone for all attendees.
Cultivating Inclusivity: Our Sober Safe Spaces underscore the inclusivity of the community. Here, enjoyment and entertainment flourish independently of substance use. These spaces assure that everyone, from those in recovery to those choosing sobriety for personal wellness, finds a haven where they can truly enjoy the festivities.
Promoting Mental Wellness: Sober Safe Spaces are pivotal in promoting mental health. They provide a secure environment that safeguards the well-being of all attendees, ensuring that everyone has a place where they feel respected and protected. By validating sobriety as a lifestyle choice, we honor individual paths to health and happiness.
Supporting Community Connection: These spaces foster a community atmosphere where music and joy are accessible to everyone, making every event a profound statement in support of wellness and inclusivity. The VA Way Sober Safe Space is a commitment to nurturing a safer, more welcoming environment for all—because at the heart of our mission is the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to celebrate life free from substances.
Join us as we celebrate life and music in our Sober Safe Spaces. Let’s enjoy the festival together, supporting each other in our journeys towards a healthier, happier life.
Together, we make music festivals a place for everyone.
KIDZONE
Details coming soon.
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The Baygrass Beacon
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