Road to the Redwoods (from Chicago!)

Spring ‘26: Grace “Wild Voltage” Ludwig dances to Beat Kitty at the Sound Garden Meadow stage at Everywhen in the Woods

Everywhen in the Woods is a participatory arts, music, and community festival that feels like stepping into a real-life fairytale.

From waking to the sound of a stream flowing in the distance, to stumbling into fun and unexpected workshops, dancing to music that seemed perfectly placed for each moment, sharing meals with new friends, and gathering around the fire at night, the whole weekend felt like a true retreat. Nothing felt rushed. There was room to wander, rest, laugh, dance, and simply be.

I found myself slowing down in ways I didn’t realize I needed. One afternoon, I sat and counted the rings of an old tree—it was 103 years old. I watched the pure joy on children’s faces as they experienced art that seemed to completely blow their minds. It was the kind of weekend where the little moments stayed with you.

My partner and I traveled from Chicago without knowing anyone. Somehow, by the time we left, it felt like we had found our people. We made new friends, shared stories, laughed until our stomachs hurt, and left with connections that have continued beyond the weekend.

Grace arrives in the Santa Cruz Mountains with rolling luggage, fresh off the plane from Chicago

Grace leads a Movement Workshop by Chow Town

A sunrise morning workshop at the front Gate

Streeeeeetch!

There was something special about the way nature, music, art, movement, and community all came together. It reminded me that sometimes healing doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it looks like being outside, dancing barefoot, sitting around a fire, meeting someone new, or remembering how good it feels to be fully present.

This fall, Everywhen returns to the redwoods with Creatures Come Out at Night, a new weekend inspired by the forest after dark. The days will be filled with music, art, movement, workshops, and time to explore. As night falls, the woods will come alive with glowing installations, dancing, costumed creatures, and a parade through the trees.

I’m excited to return as a workshop lead, and I’m already developing a couple of playful ways to get people moving. One is Shuffle 101, an introduction to Melbourne Shuffling for anyone who wants to learn the basics and take a few new moves onto the dance floor. The other is Booty Shaking Magic, a joyful, beginner-friendly space to loosen up, let go, and dance with a little more confidence. No experience is needed—just a willingness to move, laugh, and have fun.

If you’re looking for an uplifting, joyful, and community-focused fall experience, I cannot recommend Everywhen in the Woods enough. I look forward to being back on the dance floor, sharing big belly laughs around the fire, and following the lights back home at the end of the night.

Maybe that’s what I loved most about Everywhen: the feeling that we weren’t just finding our way back to our campsites, but helping each other find our way back to ourselves.

With love and gratitude always,
Grace

Grace and others sit for a tea ceremony within the Redwoods