Upcoming Events
Past events.
Hide Tanning Workshop
— Buckskin Leather Workshop —
a.k.a. hide tanning
Learn to craft handmade leather
—from deer hide to soft buckskin—
during this incredible 4-day workshop.
Go home with the buckskin that you process in class.
DETAILS
Join us for this 4-day workshop lead by Ryan MacLeod at Benzai Bloomstead.
Thursday, April 25 —
Sunday, April 28
Price includes all meals, 4 days of childcare, overnight accommodations, materials and tools.
WORKSHOP OVERVIEW
In this 4-day workshop, students will move through an age old process to turn raw deer hides into wonderfully soft buckskin (aka suede leather). We will use a process called combo tanning to preserve the hides, which includes elements of bark tanning and brain tanning. Students will learn the physical process while developing an understanding of what is happening inside the most sustainable fabric on earth as you facilitate one of the most amazing transformations of an organic material to something you will have forever.
You can keep these whole as a sacred item, or use it to make bags, shoes, clothing, and more. All materials and tools are provided for this class. Please note this will be a physically demanding class, can be quite messy, and we will be working long days. But the reward is well worth it!
Special Feature:
A local chef and co-owner of Left Bank Butchery will be cooking for us during this workshop!
Expect hyper-local, grass-fed/pasture-raised beef and pork cooked over the fire, plus ample fresh vegetable options from our incredible local CSA. Plus, one evening during the workshop, our resident tiny-home builder & river stewardess—Anita Lorraine Moore—will sling pizzas at our wood-fired cob oven, made from the clay dirt of this land.
If you’d like to bring your own food, the workshop location has a full indoor kitchen that you are welcome to use. You may store things in the fridge, and use the stove, microwave, air fryer, slow cooker, pots, pans, etc.
For local dining, we highly recommend the Saxapahaw General Store, less than 10 minutes away.
About Ryan MacLeod
Ryan “Possum” MacLeod is an endless explorer of just about anything he’s curious about. Ryan is a couples therapist, a performing musician, and an avid earth skills enthusiast, weaving ancestral practices into his life and work. Be it hide tanning, friction fire, plant medicine, or bow building, he considers all of these practices as both a way to forge a forever connection to the earth and as a doorway to healing our relationships with self and others.
As a student of Luke McLaughlin’s Deep Remembering Wilderness Immersion program, Ryan made his first contact with tanning animal hides. Describing it as “participating in genuine alchemy,” he has since deepened his study of the practice with Matt Richards of Traditional Tanners and author of Deerskins Into Buckskins. Ryan takes pride in being the “neighborhood weirdo” who is processing animal skins in the backyard next to his kids’ playset, but the biggest joy is passing the these gifts to others as a way to build community.
Ryan lives in Winston-Salem with his wife, two children, and their cat.
FAQs
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Can kids/teens participate? This workshop is for ages 18+. We are happy to consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Just send us a message.
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We welcome folks to spend the night on-site. We have four options for that:
Camping: We have lots of space available for camping—this is a 32-acre property with two creeks, open pasture and healthy forest. We also have an outdoor kitchen, cobb pizza oven, outhouse, water stations and an outdoor shower.
Bell Tent: We have one bell tent available for campers. It's quite large - with a 14.5ft diameter. We also have sleeping pads and/or a Queen-size air mattress that participants are welcome to.
Guest Room: We have 1 private bedroom with a queen-size bed. Full bathroom and full kitchen shared with the workshop attendees.
Fold-out couches: The indoor studio space has three sleeping couches in the main area that people are welcome to use as long as they’re willing to tuck their sleeping gear away during the day so that other workshop participants can easily come and go through the space.
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Meals for the workshop are being provided by Jason Powers, a local chef and co-owner of Left Bank Butchery. And, one evening during the workshop, our resident tiny-home builder—Anita Lorraine Moore—will sling pizzas at our wood-fired cob oven, made from the clay dirt of this land.
If you’d like to bring your own food, the workshop location has a full indoor kitchen that you are welcome to use. You may store things in the fridge, and use the stove, microwave, air fryer, slow cooker, pots, pans, etc.
For local dining, we highly recommend the Saxapahaw General Store, less than 10 minutes away.
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Yes! We will provide all the necessary tools and materials, including a deer hide for you to work with and take home.
The deer we’ll work with all lived on this land or nearby. They were hunted with respect and processed with dignity. Their meat feeds local families, and our tanning workshop ensures that their beautiful hides do not go to waste. It’s all part of honoring their lives.
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Yes! During this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to learn both brain tan AND bark tan. This video shows some of the key differences between brain tan, bark tan, grain-on leather and buckskin.
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Our group will have full access to the 32-acre property, including the indoor studio space with a full kitchen and bathroom. While we work with the hides, we will be outdoors.
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Great question! It’s right here. Your presence on the property indicates your agreement with this waiver.
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Yes. The reality is that the same amount of money feels vastly different to different folks. We don’t want people to miss this opportunity because of cost. So, we are happy to offer discounts and pay-what-you-can pricing in the hopes that folks will pay what feels generous for their means so that this offering is possible and that the instructors, hosts, chef and land all earn enough to feel valued and supported. Please message Morgan via email to discuss pricing options beyond what’s listed here.
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My first buckskin. Pure joy.
Credit and gratitude to Luke McLaughlin and the Holistic Survival School. I treasure this experience.
A Note from Morgan
Friends, I am thrilled to invite you to learn hide tanning this Spring at Benzai Bloomstead. This is a sacred practice to me—one that connects me to the land around me, to the practices of ancient humans, to the realities of life and death, to alchemy, to community, to my own physicality, and to the tactile pleasure of completed buckskin. This is a four-day workshop, taught by my dear and trusted friend Ryan MacLeod. This workshop is an opportunity to dive into an immersive experience for four days—working the deer hide, sourcing bark tannins, tending fires, cooking in the open air, sleeping under the stars, tasting the wild foods of this land, sharing stories, sitting by the creek, and whatever magic arises with this group.
With Love & Enthusiasm,
Morgan
Bliss Boogie
A Note from Morgan:
This event does not take place at Benzai Bloomstead, but rather 13 minutes away on the land of Shakori Hills. Bliss Boogie is an event that I am happy to sponsor and promote to the wonderful people connected to this land.
I am deeply grateful to my dear, trusted & long-time friend Kai Baylis for creating this festival and centering it here in the Piedmont of North Carolina. Kai’s work has been part of my spiritual journey for over a decade, and I can easily say that I wouldn’t be who I am now without the influence and inspiration she has been for me.
My hope for everyone is to experience life in the kinds of ways that Kai is designing into Bliss Boogie — a life that is joyful, deep, free, embodied, present, authentic, brave, pleasurable, weird, funky, edgy and blissful.
I am so looking forward to this event, and hope to see you there.
With Love & Enthusiasm,
Morgan
— Bliss Boogie —
3 days of bliss, love, dance, joy, learning and exploration
Bliss Boogie is here to change your life during an educational festival of joy that embodies creativity, community, the human interconnected experience, sexuality, and the celebration of living life at the highest vibration.
We are excited to bring together hundreds of creatives for a 3-day experience of live music, interactive creative installations, educational workshops, and unforgettable unbridled experiences.
Taking place on 75-acres in the beautiful woodlands of Central North Carolina, This unique festival will be equipped with large community spaces featuring unique themes that have been curated to create the perfect space for you to learn, love and celebrate bliss.
Moccasin Workshop
— Moccasin Workshop —
Make your own buckskin leather moccasins during this two-day workshop at Benzai Bloomstead.
DETAILS
Join us for this 2-day workshop lead by Jeff Gottlieb at Benzai Bloomstead.
Saturday, March 16, 9-5
& Sunday, March 17, 9-3:30
ABOUT JEFF GOTTLIEB
Jeff is a beloved Earthskills instructor, often known for his “cordage college” — an incredibly impressive array of ropes, nets, knots and more, all hand crafted from natural fibers. Want to learn knots? Talk to Jeff. Want to identify a snake you saw? Ask Jeff. Want to learn how to build a wigwam? Jeff’s your guy. Basket making? Jeff. Besides all that, I highly recommend you challenge him to a friendly pun duel. You can learn more about Jeff here.
FAQs
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Yes, we will provide you with a gorgeous buckskin to use, as well as all the tools you’ll need in order to make your own moccasins.
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We welcome folks to spend the night on-site. We have three options for that:
Camping: We have lots of space available for camping—this is a 32-acre property with two creeks, open pasture and healthy forest. We also have an outdoor kitchen, cobb pizza oven, outhouse, water stations and an outdoor shower. -Free
Bell Tent: We have one bell tent available for campers. It's quite large - with a 14.5ft diameter. If you'd like to reserve the bell tent, we'd be happy to get it set up for you before you arrive and outfit it with sleeping pads and/or a Queen-size air mattress. -$50
Guest Room: Queen-size bed in private room. Full bathroom and full kitchen shared with the workshop attendees. -$100
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This workshop is for ages 12+, if the young person is an experienced crafter.
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The workshop location has a full indoor kitchen that you are welcome to use. You may store things in the fridge, and use the stove, microwave, air fryer, slow cooker, pots, pans, etc. We imagine folks might enjoy sharing mealtimes, so before the workshop, we’ll contact the group to find out if there’s interest in collaborating on 1 or several shared meal(s). One option — we can build a fire in the outdoor Cobb Oven and make pizzas together.
The workshop location is also less than 10 minutes from the Saxapahaw General Store, which we highly recommend.
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Our group will have full access to the 32-acre property, including the indoor studio space, which is climate-controlled and comfortable, with a full kitchen and bathroom. If the weather is beautiful, we’ll likely venture outside. Imagine stitching your own moccasins beside the creek <3
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Great question! It’s right here.
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You can enjoy the fresh, delicious well water of this land, or you can fill your cup from our Berkey water purifier.
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Nope. Beginners are welcome!
A Note from Morgan
Friends, I am SO excited to welcome Jeff Gottlieb to teach a buckskin moccasin workshop. I have a pair of his handmade moccasins, and they have completely changed my life. Really, though! I love being barefoot on the land, but my feet aren’t tough enough to traverse the thorns and sticks without pain. Now I wear my moccasins everywhere on the land, and it feels SO GOOD! I’m connected to the Earth when I wear them. It’s one of the true delights of my life to walk the wooded trails here wearing my moccasins. I can’t wait to share this treasure with you.
With Love & Enthusiasm, Morgan
Enjoy this brief video clip of Jeff
Musical Improv Night - River Room
Musical Improv Night
—A River Room Event—
Friends, this is an event that I’m incredibly excited about and that is dear to my heart. Gareth hosts improvisational music gatherings that have always moved and amazed me. AND he’s even able to get me singing, which I feel shy to do in most other settings. So… I hope you’ll join me for Gareth’s first musical improv night at the River Room (Cup22 in Saxapahaw). We’re hoping it will become a staple in our community.
—Morgan
Sign Up
Sign up is not required, but it is helpful and appreciated <3 Where
The River Room, aka Cup22, 1711 Saxapahaw Bethlehem Church Road, Saxapahaw, NC 27340
When
Friday, January 12, 6pm till 9 or 10pm
Who
Gareth Leslie will host this event. If you came to Soil & Sky Fest, you might recognize him as our Main Stage MC as well as the host of the late-night open mic & community jam.
And YOU. You are key to this event. Whether you’d like to jump into the jam, or soak it up while sitting back, we welcome you. And please follow the urge to dance!
All ages and all talent levels welcome. This is child and teen friendly.
Cost
This event is free. And, we encourage you to support the venue by purchasing drinks and support Gareth by brining cash for the “swan” (the beloved Saxapahaw donation jar) or by sending him some Venmo love here.
Quaker Night: Music with Friends
Details
Young Adult Friends is hosting a December gathering, and you are invited! Join us at Benzai Bloomstead on Dec 9 for a musical gathering, facilitated by Morgan's dear friend Gareth Dicker. Please RSVP as there are limited spaces for this event.
5pm gather
6pm dinner
7-9:30pm musical offering
Friends are invited to sleep over and enjoy time on the land the following morning.
Musical Offering:
Join us for an evening of group and spirit-led musical exploration/improvisation. We’ll begin in silence and allow rhythms, tones, chords, words... to arise from the silence. Gareth Dicker will facilitate, helping to draw out and orchestrate what's coming through.
We invite Friends to come with a song that they know that is easy to share and teach to a group—we may start with this to get warmed up before settling into silence. You are also invited to bring instruments. Do not worry if you are not musically inclined. All levels are welcome. And, silent listening is a strong and meaningful input for this experience, too.
Whether you are a seasoned musician or someone who simply appreciates the beauty of spontaneous artistry, this Quaker-style musical improvisation event is designed to help us tune in and sing out.
Who is Gareth Dicker?
Gareth is a classically trained and improvisatory violinist, who also plays guitar, piano, and percussion. He has a knack for bringing a group of people of varying musical skills to a meaningful experience and expansion of their sense of self and belonging through singing, harmonizing, improvising, and drawing out the authentic sharings of individual voices and heartfelt songs.
Gareth is also a teacher at Emerson Waldorf School, a leader in the Global Youth Section for Anthroposophy, and a student of esoteric Christianity led by the Sophia Foundation.
He adds: "I have attended one Quaker meeting this past year to connect with the prison outreach programs. I am very much aligned with the practice of finding the spirit in deepening silence. I've led long-form improvisation sessions in this way: beginning and ending songs in silence. I look forward to the opportunity to engage with well-seasoned Quakers in facilitating an event that marries spiritual and musical impulses in an intentional way!"
Soil & Sky Music Festival
Soil & Sky Music Festival
Saturday, September 23
Presented by: The Collection
I’m so excited to invite you to save the date for this event that I am thrilled to be part of. I am collaborating with David Wimbish to bring you The Collection’s first-ever Soil & Sky Fest, September 23 on this beautiful land.
This year we're keeping it intimate. We want to prioritize moments that allow folks to breathe deeply and settle in.
The land itself is at the heart of the festival, showcasing intimate performances in the woods, community sessions, bonfires, creek trails, and a late night open mic—all surrounding a festival-size main stage with some of our favorite national and local bands.
We do expect tickets to go fast. To make sure you stay in-the-loop as we announce bands and open up ticket sales, I invite you to save the date by adding your name to the Soil & Sky Fest mailing list today.
I hope to see you here to experience the magic of launching a new yearly tradition together.
Community Grief Ritual
We invite you to join us for a 3-day community grief ritual.
Facilitating this sacred work are: Reetah Bell and Jon Rousseau, both trusted, skillful and compassionate practitioners of ritual healing.
Storytelling + Meet & Greet Event
Come by on Sunday, March 19 for a storytelling event and a meet & greet with Reetah and Jon, the facilitators of the upcoming Grief Ritual.
Nervous System Restorative Yoga
Come join us at Benzai Bloomstead (Morgan's place) for some guided restorative practice. We'll be gathering for 4 consecutive Wednesdays. Feb 8, 15, 22 & March 1.
This class is designed to offer a gentle and nourishing experience for the mind and body. We will focus on techniques that support the nervous system, including gentle strengthening and stretching exercises and periods of deep rest.
Through a combination of physical postures, breath work, and relaxation techniques, this class aims to promote nervous system regulation and overall well-being. Participants can expect to leave feeling more grounded, relaxed, and energized.
This class is suitable for all levels and modifications will be offered to accommodate different bodies and abilities. Please bring a mat and any other props you may need for comfort (such as blankets or blocks). We look forward to supporting your nervous system and overall well-being through this nourishing practice.
This class will be capped at 9 individuals.
*Dress in layers, suggested loose fitting so that your body is free to move without compression or restriction.
About Anna
Nervous System Restorative Yoga
Come join us at Benzai Bloomstead (Morgan's place) for some guided restorative practice. We'll be gathering for 4 consecutive Wednesdays. Feb 8, 15, 22 & March 1.
This class is designed to offer a gentle and nourishing experience for the mind and body. We will focus on techniques that support the nervous system, including gentle strengthening and stretching exercises and periods of deep rest.
Through a combination of physical postures, breath work, and relaxation techniques, this class aims to promote nervous system regulation and overall well-being. Participants can expect to leave feeling more grounded, relaxed, and energized.
This class is suitable for all levels and modifications will be offered to accommodate different bodies and abilities. Please bring a mat and any other props you may need for comfort (such as blankets or blocks). We look forward to supporting your nervous system and overall well-being through this nourishing practice.
This class will be capped at 9 individuals.
*Dress in layers, suggested loose fitting so that your body is free to move without compression or restriction.
About Anna
Nervous System Restorative Yoga
This class is designed to offer a gentle and nourishing experience for the mind and body. We will focus on techniques that support the nervous system.
Nervous System Restorative Yoga
Come join us at Benzai Bloomstead (Morgan's place) for some guided restorative practice. We'll be gathering for 4 consecutive Wednesdays. Feb 8, 15, 22 & March 1.
This class is designed to offer a gentle and nourishing experience for the mind and body. We will focus on techniques that support the nervous system, including gentle strengthening and stretching exercises and periods of deep rest.
Through a combination of physical postures, breath work, and relaxation techniques, this class aims to promote nervous system regulation and overall well-being. Participants can expect to leave feeling more grounded, relaxed, and energized.
This class is suitable for all levels and modifications will be offered to accommodate different bodies and abilities. Please bring a mat and any other props you may need for comfort (such as blankets or blocks). We look forward to supporting your nervous system and overall well-being through this nourishing practice.
This class will be capped at 9 individuals.
*Dress in layers, suggested loose fitting so that your body is free to move without compression or restriction.
About Anna