Dumplin's & Dancin'

SCHEDULE

Additional session information, including class descriptions, is available below the schedule. Scroll to learn more!

CONCURRENT SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

APPALACHIAN PLAY PARTY GAMES (SARAH KATE MORGAN)
The tradition of singing games runs deep in Appalachia. Play party games are childrens games that involve clapping, skipping and friendly competition that accompany a song. These games were often a way for young people in the mountains to socialize with the opposite sex without the judgment from the certain religious folk who frowned upon dancing–even square dancing–even though play party games share many of the same movements.

CURDS, WHEY, & A PINCH OF MOUNTAIN MAGIC: LEARNING TO MAKE FARMER’S CHEESE (ACRES OF GRACE FARM)
Join Acres of Grace Farm for a hands-on journey into the timeless art of cheesemaking. Participants will learn how to transform simple, wholesome ingredients into fresh farmer’s cheese while exploring the tradition and heritage behind this mountain staple. From separating curds and whey to seasoning and shaping, you’ll discover just how easy—and delicious—it is to make your own cheese at home.

IRISH DANCE: INTRO TO SEAN NÓS AND SET DANCING (ALLISON DUVALL)
Join instructor Allison Duvall for an Introduction to Sean Nós and Set Dancing. Sean Nós, or old-style Irish dancing, is a rhythmic, improvisational, close-to-the-ground form of percussive dance that is both an ancestor of Appalachian flatfooting and American clogging as well as a vibrant living practice today. Set dancing borrows from other European folk dancing traditions, and uses lively Irish tunes and battering footwork from the sean nós tradition to make the dances uniquely Irish. A “set” is four couples in a square; a “half set” is two couples facing.

In this workshop, you will learn basic Sean Nós steps in reel and/or jig rhythms and a figure or two from an Irish set. We may even dance our set later in the evening at the Square Dance!

KNEAD TO KNOW: DAILY BREAD MAKING 101 (JONATHAN PIERCY)
Description coming soon!

MASTER CLASS IN SEED SAVING WITH THE LEGEND (BILL BEST)
Join Renowned heirloom seed expert Bill Best for a workshop celebrating the rich agriculture heritage of Appalachia. This session invites participants to bring their own saved seeds, whether its beans, tomatoes, or other heirlooms to share, discuss, and learn how to preserve them for future generations. Bill will guide attendees through the art of seed saving and participants will leave with the practical knowledge and a deeper appreciation for the seeds that sustain our heritage.

PAWPAW PATCH KITCHEN (JENNY WILLIAMS)
Pawpaws are having a moment! Ale-8’s seasonal pawpaw-flavored soda has introduced the fruit to a whole new audience, many of whom have never tasted pawpaws before—and if that Ale-8 is the only pawpaw they’ve encountered, they STILL haven’t tasted Appalachia’s most iconic fruit.

Beyond Ale-8, pawpaws have mostly been consigned to eating out of hand, sweet breads, ice creams, puddings, and the like. But with their creamy texture and tropical flavors, pawpaws lend themselves to a range of savory dishes as well. In this session, we’ll learn about the biology and history of pawpaws and create three savory pawpaw-based dishes: Pawpaw Barbeque Sauce, a Pawpaw Gastrique, and an Ale-8 Pawpaw-Glazed Pork Loin.

PRESERVE LIKE A PRO: PRESERVATION SECRETS OF THE GARDEN (ALEX GREEN)
Discover the time-honored skills of putting up the harvest with Chef Alex Green. This session will explore practical and creative ways to preserve your garden’s bounty—from canning and pickling to freezing and drying—so you can enjoy fresh flavors year-round. Whether you’re new to food preservation or looking to sharpen your skills, you’ll leave inspired and equipped to make the most of every season.

SIP THE SEASON: CRAFTING COCKTAILS (JOHN MEDLOCK)
Celebrate the flavors of fall with The Wrigley’s own John Medlock as he guides you through the art of seasonal mixology. Learn how to blend autumn’s best ingredients into cocktails that are as cozy as they are creative. From classic inspirations to fresh twists, you’ll leave with recipes and techniques to savor—and share—all season long.

TOMATO DUMPLINGS (SHERI CASTLE)
Fluffy, biscuit-like dumplings are the feather beds of Southern comfort food. Chicken dumplings are the most famous, but Southerners are also skilled at adding dumplings to pots of bubbling fruit or vegetable stews. I adore old-fashioned tomato dumplings made by topping savory stewed tomatoes with dollops of tender, buttery biscuit dough. This once common recipe deserves a revival. The dish is filling enough to serve as a meatless entrée, but it also makes a nice side to a roast.