Inspired by Nature

Westben, Sounds in Nature

6698 County Rd 30 N, Campbellford
877-883-5777
westben.ca

Immerse yourself in a musical experience inspired by nature, and emerge refreshed and rejuvenated. This is a small-audience experience, mindfully performed amongst a myriad of wildlife at the Mary West Nature Reserve in Campbellford, two hours east of Toronto.

The founders of Westben – a world-class musical performance barn theatre – created this one-of-a-kind offering. Internationally acclaimed soprano Donna Bennett, together with leading pianist/composer and Artistic and Managing director, Brian Finley developed this experience to focus on how nature and music can intermingle to help us rejuvenate.

Ground yourself in the forest as musical improvisers converse with the birds and the breezes. Blend in as part of nature and experience live music as a conversation between nature, its many inhabitants, and some very creative musicians. Let a naturalist and a team of dancers lead you along the forest paths as the musicians of Desert Quill supply a lovingly improvised soundtrack and series of sonic meditations. There may even be a few surprises along the way.

Wind and the Willow

County Rd 2, Grafton 
905-376-2321
windandthewillow.com

Make something sustainable that meshes with your inner creativity. Experience weaving in the same spot where the material for your creation has been harvested.

Weaving in a Willow Field

Spend a day in nature learning how to make something useful and beautiful. Slow down and focus on a creative pursuit on this farm in Grafton – a rustic haven where you’ll get to appreciate the diversity and glorious colours of willow whips. You may even be able to hear the actual wind in the willows. The Wind and The Willow offers a relaxing creative retreat where you will be inspired by both art and nature. Willowsmith Sian Pritchard will guide you to weave your own creation from willow rods, something sustainable you can use or display at home. You’ll also learn about the therapeutic benefits of willow. Enjoy a picnic lunch and a walk in the willow field to see, first hand, the growth of this natural and versatile material.

Sustainable Growth

The willow cuttings here are planted in the spring, and harvested after one to two years. They are then selected, graded and sorted, and left to dry. Once the rods have completely dried, they are soaked. They must be soaked and mellowed before they are able to be woven. After harvest, the willow overwinters in the field. In spring the base plant puts out more shoots. From one small cutting, over a few years, one plant can sustain many weavers. 

The Bee Works & Dancing Bee Equipment

5029 County Rd 2, Port Hope
905-753-0070
beeworks.com

Visit this large warehouse and bottling facility (measuring 55,000 sq. ft or 5110 sq. m). It's located just off the 401 in Port Hope. Schedule an interactive tour here to get up close to bees – and learn about these important pollinators. Shop from a huge section of honey bee products and remedies.

Honey Workshops & Products

Entering through The Bee Works, you’ll immediately see the huge array of honey products available, from honey-infused vitamins, to beeswax candles, to the latest fashions with honey bee flourishes. If you’ve pre-booked a 90 minute tour here, you’ll meet a beekeeper on-site, see the location of the hives, and discover how both honey and beeswax candles are made. This is a kid-friendly experience. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 

Canada’s Top Beekeeping Spot

A look inside this massive warehouse will tell you why Dancing Bee Equipment is Canada's leading beekeeping equipment supplier. Row upon row of well-catalogued beekeeping, honey-making, and beeswax candle-making inventory is housed here. Founder Todd Kalisz started Dancing Bee as a small apiary with only 16 hives. His passion for beekeeping and building his own solid pine wooden-ware flourished. Today as the flagship store, Dancing Bee Equipment in Port Hope continues to produce excellent honey. It supplies commercial beekeepers with equipment and honey bees, and distributes to over 60 stores across North America.