Wool Tree Grove wraps up Snow Day retreat

The Snow Day arts retreat is a new event designed to give creative people the chance to have an inspiring time in nature. The first retreat was held February 4 at Deer Park Golf Course, with a day of creative work, food and a concert.

The band Wool Tree Grove provided the music for the event. The family group is lead by Aaron and Jacquie Walbaum. Aaron Walbaum  describes their two-set show as a “mixed-up arrangement” of originals, fiddle tunes and covers, combined with a bit of humour.

“It’s a good, quiet family experience.”

That family experience extends to the band, which is a family band. The band usually consists of the elder Walbuams and their oldest daughter, as it is easier to travel, but the entire family is part of the band.

“There’s usually not a day goes by that someone is not playing an instrument, doing some harmonies or vocals and stuff like that,” Walbaum explains.

The set list is varied, but Walbaum says that the thing that connects them is they’re all songs that the band members find a connection with.

“The joke in our little group is that we struggle to find upbeat stuff to play because we’re all very emotional people. I live in a house with four girls, and I’m the biggest girl. We like songs that are emotionally moving.”

Tricia Reed, organizer of the festival through Wonderscape Retreat, says that the retreat was inspired by cross-country skiing at Deer Park.

“I’m a writer, and I get so many ideas when I’m outside. I just thought, ‘I wish I could go into the clubhouse and write everything down before it escapes me...’ I thought, why can’t we do this here, in Saskatchewan there are creative people right here.”

She wanted to have a retreat in nature, a way for creative people in the region to connect, and a way for people to create. While she admits it’s an experiment, she is hopeful that it can be something that they can start doing on a regular basis.

Reed met the Walbaums at the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party, and asked them to come to town because they’re her “favorite part of the show” each year, so it was natural that she would ask them to come to wrap up the retreat.

For his part, Walbaum is excited about what they are trying to accomplish with the retreat, and believes it’s a great way for people to slow down in a busy world.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for people to come, be themselves, relax and do something they enjoy.”