June 28th, 2020:
Summerwhite is taking place! According to the Austrian Federal Ministry of Health, the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior, as well as the Austrian Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs, due to the consistent decline in the spread of the Coronavirus in Austria and the successful containment efforts of the Austrian government, the ban on small events has been lifted and this event can have up to 250 attendees, even though we cap it at 50. This is great news for us because that means that Summerwhite will be one of the only festivals this summer still allowed to take place, and one of the very first ones. We have been monitoring the situation very closely and after close correspondence with the U.S. Embassy in Vienna as well as our correspondence with Austrian authorities, we have decided that the event can go ahead as planned. Having said that, we are not postponing or cancelling Summerwhite and the festival is going to take place 7th through the 12th of July.  For questions and reservations, email [email protected]

Summerwhite 2020

Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 - Sunday, July 12th 2020
 What is Summerwhite?

In short, Summerwhite is Europe's smallest and most-exclusive annual music & arts festival which takes place in a 900 year-old Austrian (Styrian) castle. But don't let that confuse you; Summerwhite is not just some crazy party in a castle. It may seem like an innocuous mistake to assume that, but it's not the truth. Think of it as Burning Man meets SXSW meets Flipside while living in a 900 year-old castle in the Austrian alps for four days. 
So what is it?
Summerwhite—much like Burning Man—is not just another stereotypical festival. It is a curated experience where each attending individual is not just a guest merely there to consume and to be pampered, but rather a participant, bringing their unique individuality to co-create something extraordinary and magical together. Each individual is a “Baustein”—or a building block—of the collective, overarching phenomenon we’ve come to know and love as "Summerwhite." It is a non-profit event that celebrates creativity, imagination, composition, beauty, and the contrasts in life. Unlike Burning Man, we only have four principles known as the Quadrinity, which you will learn about at Summerwhite.

Why "exclusive?"
Summerwhite is first and foremost about the people who attend it. Burning Man has its “10 Principles,” and if you don’t adhere to them or embrace their philosophy, you are deterred from admitting. Similarly, we are very protective of the experience we have created (read: curated) over the years, and we understand that the most important aspect of this experience is its building blocks—the unique individuals that make up the experience and of whom the experience is comprised. In other words, one person can single-handedly ruin the experience for everyone, and we have a responsibility to everyone to keep the Summerwhite experience’s integrity unadulterated and pure. We want bold individuals who have a story to tell, people who can add value to the experience, not detract from it. We want open, like-minded, kind-hearted human beings who are on the same wavelength in life. That’s why we call Summerwhite exclusive, even though we radically foster inclusion.

More info?
Summerwhite is a beautiful experience few have experienced the likes of, and above all an experience that started spontaneously yet is now bigger than any single one of us. Our common home is a 900 year-old castle overlooking the Styrian-Carinthian border and surrounded by mesmerizing, breathtakingly beautiful nature. During the days we listen to some of the world’s loveliest acoustic music, while chilling in the sun, some of us playing games, doing yoga, attending drawing and art workshops, doing experiments on gratitude and happiness or simply lying lazily in the grass reading books, with the sun caressing our bodies and the music our souls. Summerwhite is a mecca for artists. There are workshops that make you think critically and question life, there is a certified masseur pampering you if you need a massage, morning yoga sessions, fitness workshop by certified trainers and weight lifters, conversations that will make you a better human being, bands playing music, world-renowned stand-up comedians making your eyes teary from laughter, delicious, organic food homemade in our castle kitchen, clean alpine air and water from the Austrian Alps, and unforgettable conversations around the bonfire in the castle courtyard. Summerwhite is an experience the likes of which you have never experienced.

The Location
The castle that we have the honor and the privilege of inhabiting for four days is 900 years old, in the beautiful Styrian Alps. It is majestic and magnificent; it demands desire and commands respect. It bestows the heavy burden of being the best version of yourself.
Bring your favorite bottle of scotch or wine, wear your most beautiful articles of clothing you possess, bring anything that you think would add to the experience. This is something magical, wholly inexplicable, too intricate and elusive to be described, too convoluted for words. A shared community with every single meal prepared by ourselves, deep connections to yourself and the rolling hills and mountains, and new discoveries both in the material life as well as in your respective journey as a human being.

“Participate and immerse, don't spectate or observe.”​
The focus is predominantly on interaction, art installations, performances, workshops, and participation while constantly being caressed by music. Furthermore, we are very protective of our mother earth and therefore leave no trace of our existence behind. We are (sadly) one of the only festivals in the world that actually recycle paper, glass, plastic, and metal separately. We only serve a few meals that are not entirely vegan, and there is always a vegan option available for those who are strict vegans. All the food is organic and freshly prepared by the individuals who attend the festival.

The very premise of Summerwhite is not simply locking yourself in a beautiful medieval castle and consuming copious amounts of alcohol. Rather, it’s about a notion far more elusive and intricate: it’s about redefining the very notion of being alive, and the ephemeral, fleeting experience of being young. It’s about indulging and spoiling yourself because you’re inherently valuable and invaluable, at the same time. It is an experience that you’ll never be able forget.
We look forward to seeing you at the Castle, our common home.
The castle is calling; will you need the call?​

line-up

Chris magerl

We're excited to announce that Chris Magerl will be performing again this year at Summerwhite. Chris Magerl used to be the singer and guitarist of the Austrian punk bands “Sick of Silence” and “Once Tasted Life.” With his bands he did several tours across Europe and Canada, played big festivals such as the Sziget Festival in Budapest and opened shows for bands like “the Bloodhound Gang,” “The Subways” or “Millencolin”— only to name a few.

In 2002 the British magazine “KERRANG!” wrote: “their brand of politically aware, animal rights-evangelising throat- shredding hardcore is possibly the most interesting thing in Austrian music right now.” Chris Magerl released his solo debut in 2008. After tours through Eastern Europe and the UK and shows with Scott Matthew, Kevin Devine and Frank Turner his album was sold out and Chris Magerl released a follow-up record entitled “Places”. His touring also included a concert at the forensic psychiatric hospital in Graz in summer of 2015. His 2016 EP “Sketches of the City” is a concept album about the singer’s hometown. Chris Magerl’s music can be described as a bridge between very slow and melancholic tunes and energetic, rocking songs that lay the foundation for very poetic and picturesque lyrics that tell stories about people’s everyday lives. 
In 2019 Chris Magerl also started playing with a full band again and named it “Chris Magerl and the burning flags”. Their new album will be released in 2020.
He will be performing his new singles as well as songs from his new album at the sixth annual Summerwhite festival on Friday, July 10th, 2020 at 22:00.

Headliner

Dan Hodd

Dan is a classically trained folk violinist from London, currently half way through a six year tour around six continents, fully funded by collaborations and street performances during his travels. Dan is trying to better understand the effect music can have on people, cross- culturally, as well as gaining an insight into the sheer diversity of music across the globe. This is all underpinned by insatiable wanderlust and an ambivalence towards modern society and the (classical) music establishment. Through his articles and social media, Dan is attempting to present an alternative and ethically informed lifestyle driven by the power of music, human connections, as well as "eco-travel" --by train, sailboat, hitchhiking, & bicycle (no commercial flights)! 
Dan will be performing as the headliner on Saturday, July 11th, 2020 at 22:00.

Love. God. chaos


The band introduced themselves in 2014 with their first album "Where the Sea Is Deepest". The press found the album "carefree, danceable, dreamy, playful, epic, experimental, and wild.”
LOVE GOD CHAOS has played concerts in Austria and Germany and released a total of six atmospheric black and white videos for the songs on the first album. 
"The Impossibility of Failure" is the powerful, witty and "seductive" successor in 2017, the "difficult" second album.
There are no genre boundaries for the duration of a song, the solidarity shoulder of the domestic band scene
is, and remains extremely unique.
Marcus Heider aka John Krempl is a composer and songwriter for LOVE GOD CHAOS songs. "Krempl" stands for things that you carry with you, love, and those things that you don't prefer to part with. Since 2007 John Krempl has been the virtual alter ego of Marcus Heider. He used to be a member of the Indie rock legends “The Trainleaders” and “Spook”. Since 2000 he has been an impro-musician in the Graz “Theater im Bahnhof."
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Love God Chaos will be performing at the Summerwhite 2020 festival on Thursday, July 9th, 2020 at 22:00.

Philipp Gebhardt & Martin radner
​(formerly "no audience")


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Philipp & Martin used to play in a band named "No Audience" together. Ever since the band got disbanded the pair have remained friends, playing at social events for fun, and formally only at Summerwhite.

Martin had to forsake pursuing a career in music to become a doctor instead, receiving his Doctorate from the Medical University of Hanover. His artful rendition of "Candy Shop" is the song he is most known for. Martin has always performed at Summerwhite and his music is absolutely captivating.

Philipp is a capable musician as well, being more musically inclined than most people; he can learn most songs by listening to them a few times and playing them on the guitar flawlessly afterwards. Philipp had to give up what would've otherwise been a successful career in music to finish his Master's degree. Philipp is a mathematics and biology teacher in a high school in Graz, loves cycling around the world, and is an avid traveler. Philipp sings in English, his native German, as well as Spanish.

​Philipp & Martin will be performing at Summerwhite this year, leading the much-beloved "Castle Karaoke" as well as several songs they'll be performing as a duet, and a few in which Meredith Brown will be the lead singer. 
Time: Thursday, July 9th, 2020 @ 22:30 - 23:45
Artist profiles: Philipp Gebhardt (AUT) currently living and working in Graz, Austria. 
Martin Radner (AUT) currently living and working in Hanover, Germany.

Dj DROP-K.O.

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Jonas's passion for DJing and Electronic Music started at a young age. He discovered Dubstep and House when he was 12 years old and started playing around with mixing on DJing software and programs available online for free. From here on out, he worked tirelessly to make a name for himself. Over the years, his musical direction, taste, as well as spinning skills has constantly and consistently evolved. He currently performs regularly at the Merano Club & Pub in Graz. He also performed at several other big events, inlcuding in Krems an der Donau (Marquee), at the Oida-Fest in Vienna, and a ball in Grafenwörth, namely the Landjugendball der Region Wagram. His personal favorite genres are House, Drum and Bass, Hardstyle, Dubstep, and Psytrance which he jokingly summarizes as "party deluxe" with a chuckle. His crowds are always entertained and his nights last well into the morning.
​
Jonas will be DJing the last night of Summerwhite on Saturday, July 11th, 2020. His set will begin at 00:00 and will last until 03:00. DJ Drop-K.O. will keep you dancing the night away in a 900 year-old castle that you lucky few will be able to call "home" for the weekend. 
​Are you ready yet?

​artists

Performers & Stand-up comedians

Yoga with Beyondmorrow
​kerstin kaufmann
                        Kerstin's yoga company—beyondmorrow—is Summerwhite 2020's official yoga partner. Kerstin loves to move her body and show gratitude for the living on this beautiful planet we know as "Mother Earth." Kerstin sees herself as a global citizen, loves to travel, loves to explore new places and to embrace different cultures. When she was younger, Kerstin started to engage herself in meditation and other practices to experience holistic well-being, finally finding her passion in doing (and later teaching) yoga. Having been on the road for so long for the past several years, she has lived in many different countries and has studied with teachers from many different parts of the world. She completed her Teacher Training in Thailand in 2016, and has developed various techniques of meditation, body work, contact improvisation and yoga ever since. Her style is both traditional and contemporary, while also being fun, calming, challenging, and therapeutic; she clearly loves to keep her life in balance.

Kerstin teaches Yoga with an open heart and an attitude of patience and loving kindness. She makes sure people never forget to enjoy themselves during class. Keeping the balance between discipline and laughter, sweat and fun, strength and relaxation, her classes will encourage and inspire you to move your body and explore places within yourself you never knew existed.
The reason she founded her own business called beyondmorrow is to enhance awareness of both internal and external health as well as benevolence and sustainability.

The devoted vegan dedicated herself to leading a healthy, adventurous life of non-violence and love.
Kerstin will lead and help you embark on a journey to your innermost self at Summerwhite 2020.

Her yoga classes will be held at the grass courtyard of the castle, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Thursday, July 9th, 2020, 11:00-12:00
Friday, July 10th, 2020, 11:00-12:00
Saturday, July 11th, 2020, 11:00-12:00
Duration: 1 hour
Maximum participants: strictly limited to 17
Materials: Bring a yoga mat. ​

Jack holmes

​After performing in nearly 20 countries, two hugely successful performances at the 2018 Sziget Festival Comedy Stage, opening for some of the biggest acts in the U.K. and a debut headlining tour that had sold-out shows across the continent, Jack Holmes has proven himself as one of the fastest rising comedians in Europe.

Embittered and armed with his quick wit and sharp tongue, Jack has developed a comedic style that's guaranteed to entertain. Equal parts honest, vicious, and playful, his act mixes brutal self-deprecation with bewilderment and frustration at the world around him, creating a show every bit as heartwarming and endearing as it is gut-wrenchingly hilarious.

Jack Holmes will be making you pee your pants from laughter at Summerwhite. His set will begin on Saturday, July 11th, 2020 @ 18:30 - 19:15

tamas vamos

Tamas Vamos is a half Hungarian, half South African from Budapest now living in Austria.
He moved to Vienna five years ago after having lived most of his life in Hungary (Europe's "Voldemort"), Tamas shares his experiences in working, studying, dating and other challenges a so called "F@#$&N Immigrant" would face while trying to build a new life in Austria.
Tamas first tried doing stand up comedy in 2014 in Vienna as a "laugh" but having years of experience in improv as well as acting in theaters and small movies, he quickly got addicted and fell in love with the stage light (once again). Since then he has become not only a creator but  one of the main pillars of the Vienna English comedy scene, he is the in-house comedian of the Europe-wide  famous Austrian Wein & Co franchise where he runs his twice-a- month-show aptly named "Wein & COmedy - Thirsty for a laugh?" making him the only paid regular. He is the founder of  the stand up comedy/theater play the "Jewslim Show--when a  Jew and a Muslim join forces to make you laugh." Tamas has performed at BOOM theater in Chicago as well as in location in Amsterdam.
His storytelling style comedy is balanced perfectly with unexpected hard hitting punch lines, (very) dark humor and political incorrectness, which will provide abdominal-muscle training through sheer laughter at Summerwhite. His set will begin on Friday, July 10th, 2019 @ 18:45 to 19:30.

Fitness Training led by Florian zwittnigg

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Florian has over 11 years of experience in weight lifting and has been professionally bodybuilding the last four years, competing in competitions which included going on stage. For the past two years he also been doing mobility training to avoid injuries. Beside his workouts, he loves to do outdoor activities and lives a very active lifestyle. He is studying Electronic & Computer Engineering at the FH Joanneum (Graz University of Applied Sciences). He worked over four years for the world’s market leader in producing high quality semiconductors. Florian enjoys cooking and has a passion for baking, whenever he does find the time to bask in those small pleasures next to his busy workout schedule and rigorous training program. 
Florian will be leading a morning fitness workshop on Friday and Saturday mornings of Summerwhite. 
Friday to Sunday: 10:00 - 10:45

An experiment in gratitude and happiness 
led by aryo winterblack

            Aryo Winterblack is the founder of Young Americans Club, as well as the Summerwhite festival. He is from Berkeley, California and moved to Graz, Austria in 2014. He speaks four languages fluently, has traveled all over the world and has lived in several countries. Aryo came up with the idea for Summerwhite in 2015, and the festival quickly grew out of infancy and took on a life of its own. In his free time he likes to practice the violin, act in theater, cook, dance, learn new languages, write poetry and read.
He is also an entrepreneur, having founded Royal Cup LLC which successfully Kickstarted the social party games Icebreaker & Firemaker the very first time in July of 2018. Aryo is passionate about writing and mountain sports (all year long, no matter the weather). Unlike Florian, Aryo gets injured seriously and often. If he doesn't die before Summerwhite, he'll be leading an experiment in gratitude and happiness at Summerwhite. Aryo has worked as a teacher for over five years and has done this experiment with hundreds of his former students.
Time: Saturday, July 11th, 2020 @ 13:40 - 14:45
Duration: 1 hour (approximately)
Maximum participants: strictly limited to 25
Materials: Bring a pen and something to write on. 
Artist profile: Aryo Winterblack (USA), living and working in Graz, Austria.
Instagram: @aryowinter

Activities, Workshops & Timeline

FULL LINE-UP WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR--SUMMER SOLSTICE/MIDSOMMAR 2020 ON JUNE 21ST.

nuad Thai Massage with Kerstin Kaufmann

A Thai Massage, also called Nuad Thai, Thai Bodywork or Passive Yoga is a delicious full body treatment that is an ancient form of massage developed by Buddhist monks in Thailand 2,500 years ago. It uses passive stretching and gentle pressure along the body’s energy lines to increase flexibility, relieve muscle and joint tension, and balance the body’s energy systems. A Thai Massage is performed fully clothed on a spacious futon or mat on the ground, with the therapist using her body weight to move your body into various positions to achieve passive stretching. She will also be using her fingers, palms and – if you wish – her elbows, knees and feet to massage your body with rhythmic pressing movements directed into the muscle tissues.
According to your preferences, a Thai massage can be soft or intense, (or both at the same time) but is always going to be soothing, refreshing, and therapeutic for your body and mind holistically. Try it out, at Summerwhite we offer 30 min, 50 min. and 70 min. treatments.
Which one to choose?
While not a full body massage, a 30 min. Thai treatment gives you a glimpse of what a Thai massage is like and will soften, stretch, and relieve the body parts the therapist has worked on. If you want to dive deeper into the practice and experience the vibrance and ease of your whole body (AND mind!) after the massage, I’d go for the 50 or even the 70 minutes (A traditional Thai Massage lasts for up to 2 hours).
What to bring:
Wear loose, comfy clothes like sportswear or yoga gear
Wash your feet before the treatment (or wear socks, we are moving from feet to head )

Thai Massage “Tasting” 30 min: 25€
Thai Massage “Immersion” 50 min: 40€
Thai Masssage “Holistic Full Body Experience” 70 min: 50€

Kerstin will be providing these relaxing massages at Summerwhite from Thursday to Saturday. 

Acting workshop with aryo winterblack

There will be an acting workshop led by Aryo Winterblack for those who are interested in acting. 

Norwegian/Swedish Kubb with julia Posch

Kubb/Køb (pronounced [kɵbː] in Swedish or [kubː] in Gutnish) is a lawn game where the objective is to knock over wooden blocks (kubbs) by throwing wooden batons (kastpinnar) at them. Kubb can be described as a combination of bowling and horseshoes.

Midsommar Summer Solstice Flower Crown Workshop

We are going to learn how to make midsummer/summer solstice flower wreaths and flower crowns and make several of them. 

Summerwhite 2020

This July 7th, we're back! The beloved, long-awaited festival is here, for the sixth and final time! It's Tuesday-Sunday and it will be the greatest, coolest private party of the summer in a 900 year-old Austrian castle called Burg Dürnstein. There will be no more than exactly 50 spots for 50 people from all over this beautiful Earth.
The castle is calling; will you heed the call?
Membership & Prices

Prices

Summerwhite FullPass  (6-Day)   €140
Summerwhite HalfPass (3-Day)   €120
Summerwhite Performer Pass       €70
Summerwhite Artist Pass                €65
Deposit/Kaution per person           €15
NOTE/ACHTUNG:
​All passes include four delicious meals a day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and midnight snack, as well as access to all activities, workshops, and concerts.
​To apply for membership, please fill-out and submit the following form. We will assess and evaluate each individual application thoroughly. Please elaborate on why you should be approved for membership.

Membership

Annual membership dues for residents of Austria and bordering countries                                            €20
Annual membership dues for residents of other countries             €5
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Contact us

If you need to get in touch with us, please visit our "CONTACT" tab or drop us a line by clicking below and we will get back to you as soon as we can. 

Young Americans Club


​MONDAY - SATURDAY
8 am - 5 pm

​SUNDAY
Closed