Alabama Folk School
Upcoming Workshops & Events
From Scratch 2025
February 28, 2025 - March 2, 2025
From Scratch weekend is a workshop designed for true beginners. If you’re interested in learning a new instrument or craft, this is the weekend for you! This year’s offerings include classes with expert musicians, artists, and the return of beginner ceramics. With more than 1,140 acres of forest consisting of breathtaking canyons, waterfalls, miles of hiking trails, and glistening streams, there’s plenty of exploring to do during your free time. Take a hike, go canoeing, or pick a porch and rocking chair to relax.
Classes: $220.00 - $255.00
moreBluegrass & Gee's Bend 2025
April 10, 2025 - April 13, 2025
One of our most popular events is back with great workshops in bluegrass music, traditional crafts, and a Gee's Bend quilting retreat. This four-day workshop series provides a truly immersive experience with a fun and enthusiastic community of musicians and artists.
More Instructors & Details Coming Soon!
- Guitar II: Jim Hurst
- Fiddle II: Fred Carpenter
- Mando I: Jason Bailey
- Gee's Bend Quilting: Mary Ann Pettway & China Pettway
- Bark Basket Weaving: Sarah Bell
- Natural Dyes: Aaron Head
- Blacksmithing Hand-Forged Heads: Quinn McKay
- Foraged First Aid: Cameron Strouss
Youth Folk Camp 2025
July 25, 2025 - July 28, 2025
Join us for Youth Folk Camp – our only Alabama Folk School workshop series designed for rising 5th-12th graders. YFC is a unique combination of summer overnight camp and folk school instruction in music, farming, craft skills, and more! Campers choose one major and minor class for the workshop, all taught by experienced farmers, musicians, and artists. Some experience with violin, guitar, or banjo is recommended for music majors. Campers who choose farming for their major should select a different subject for their minor.
Ages: rising 5th - 12th graders
Cost: $425 (need based scholarships are available)
Registration closes July 7th, 2025 at 5:00 pm
September Sampler 2025
September 6, 2025 9am
Old-Time & Gee's Bend 2025
October 9, 2025 - October 12, 2025
Creative Retreat 2025
November 6, 2025 - November 9, 2025
Old-Time & Gee's Bend 2024
October 10, 2024 4pm - October 13, 2024 1pm
Quilters, writers, and blacksmiths pursue their work in an encouraging atmosphere while music students fully immerse themselves in old-time study, their days and nights filled with instruction from expert musicians, jam sessions, and an instructor concert. Participants will choose one workshop for the entire event. Afternoon mini classes give participants a chance to take part in learning something totally new. With more than 1,140 acres of forest consisting of breathtaking canyons, waterfalls, miles of hiking trails, and glistening streams, there’s plenty of exploring to do during your free time. Take a hike, go canoeing, or pick a porch and rocking chair to relax.
Read About Classes & Instructors:
more"I've been to the Folk School Old Time week for 2 or three years. Wonderful experience in a beautiful setting. I'll come again as soon as my shoulders allow me to fiddle. Great instruction." - Mary Brugh