Happenings
FALL 2024 happenings
Opening Ceremony with Cypress Society Singers and Dancers
Shakori Hills is thrilled to welcome back Cypress Society Singers and Dancers to present the Opening Ceremony and Dance for the 20th Annual Fall Festival. Representing the Lumbee and Tuscarora peoples of North Carolina, Kat Littleturtle (Snipe Clan) tells the old stories of the Eastern Woodlands Native Nations and demonstrates the old group dances and songs. Based on lifetimes of resiliency and generations worth of knowledge, they offer a glimpse of the culture and traditions of the original inhabitants of Turtle Island. Meadow Stage, Thursday 4:30pm
Haunted Trail: Evenings at Fall Shakori Hills are illuminated by The Hanging Pumpkins in Middle Earth campground. Starting at the back of the Meadow Field, The Woods Trail will be transformed once again into a Haunted Trail with jack-o’-lanterns and other ghouls. Follow the trail and look closely to find hidden gems and spooky sights! The Haunted Trail would not be possible without our community! Bring your carved pumpkins to The Woods Trail—place them anywhere along the trail you’d like, and we’ll do the rest! Also accepting donations of halloween decor to add in the haunted trail. Contact Zemo at: zemo@thealignedteam.com to pledge your donation.
Happiness Parade: Bring your noisemakers, wear your jazziest festival attire and prance along the parade with us. Led by The PaperHand Puppet Intervention and Bulltown Strutters, we journey through Shakori Hills celebrating life, love, beauty and PEACE! Parade starts at the Kids Area Saturday, 2pm (Parade Prep 12:30pm)
Spirit Masks: Come with a partner to make and decorate a plaster mold of each other’s faces. Create an alter-ego, an archetypal symbol or your personal totem. Be prepared for lots of fun and a little mess. Saturday and Sunday afternoons
Plant A Tree! Celebrating the inaugural year of Trees for the Triangle as an advocacy partner at Shakori Hills, and the festival’s 20th anniversary, volunteers and attendees will plant a small grove of elm trees. Join us in leaving a lasting legacy at Shakori Hills, contributing to the preservation of green spaces and the enhancement of the local ecosystem. We will walk to the sorting field, where A-Z instructions will be given to plant your tree. Trees, tools, and gloves will be provided. Meet at the Sustainability Pavillion, Saturday 4pm, and return by 6pm
Make Your Own Didgeridoo: Join Earth Skills instructor, Fuz Sanderson, to learn about this primal musical instrument, design and make your own didgeridoo, and then learn how to play it! Class is limited to 15 students. There is a $20 materials fee, then you get to keep your newly crafted instrument. To reserve a spot, email abby@grassrootsfest.org or show up early to attend on a first-come basis. Please be on time, the first 15 minutes of the workshop are instrumental instrument instruction! www.piedmontearthskillsgathering.com Beside the Meeting Oak near The Outpost, Friday & Saturday 12pm
Poetry Slam: Try out your best performance on stage! This is your chance to recite, compete and practice your own personal art in front of a live audience. Judges will vote on winners by voice, body language, understanding and overall performance. Cabaret Tent, Saturday 3:30pm
Spring 2024 Poetry Slam Winners— First: Alanna; Second: Chelsea; Third: Carly; Most Original: Velor; Celebrates Peace: Betty Jo; Celebrates Shakori: Frederick Barkley; Robbed by Judges: Joetta
Band Contest: Bring your band up to the Grove Stage for this opportunity to play and compete with other groups. All instruments and music genres are welcome. Winner gets the chance to perform Sunday in the Cabaret Tent AND the opportunity to perform at the next Shakori Hills festival! Carsons Grove, Saturday 10:30am; Sign-Up 10am
Spring 2024 Band Contest Winners— First: HapyValy; Second: Lake Chamberlain; Third: The Sun Pups
Instrument Competition: This contest involves acoustic instruments only—Fiddle, Banjo, Guitar and Mandolin. Bring your creative talent on stage for the grand moment of competing with other musicians in Old-Time and Bluegrass style. All places receive rosettes plus other prizes. Carsons Grove, Friday 11am; Sign-Up 10:30am
Spring 2024 Instrument Competition Winners— First: Alex Turner, Guitar; Second: Shane O'Brien, Guitar; Third: Jim Herrmann, Guitar
Wild Fall Walkabout: Organic farmer, naturalist and licensed psychotherapist Leif Diamant will guide you from Shakori Hills to his neighboring homestead. Visit the African Dwarf goat herd, meet some wild animals, consume edible and medicinal wild plants and beverages. Come along on this popular walk for greater knowledge and deeper intimacy with Nature. Meet at the Bridge by Healing Arts, Friday 12pm, and return by 2pm
Friends of Bill W.: Come join the fellowship with others that are clean and sober at the festival. AA,NA, everyone is welcome! Bring your own chair. Healing Arts area, Thursday 3pm, Friday & Saturday 10am
SongWriters Circle: Songwriters Circle will blend the aspects of storytelling, contextualizing the songs/songwriting process, and conversation around each performer’s tunes. Join Taylor Winchester, Ali Forrest, Lyle De Vitry and more. Carson’s Grove, Sunday 10:30am
LAC Dancewave & Grand Shores: An inclusive dance experience for all ages and abilities that encourages free-form movement and creative expression. Guided by Aubrey Roze, Brü Roze, and Friends of the Living Arts Collective, with live music by Grand Shores. (More info on Dance page.) Dance Tent, Saturday 12pm
Mindful Movements with Imari: Maestra Imari will teach mindful and meditative movement TWO times this Fall! All ages welcome. Kung Fu: The Outpost, 5pm Friday; Qigong: Cabaret Tent, 10am Sunday
Aerial Silks Performance: Stop by Grove Stage on Friday afternoon to see captivating performances by aerial artists from Imagine Circus. Grove Stage, Friday 4:45pm
Advocacy Booths: As you’re passing Carson’s Grove to the Meadow Stage, stop by and check out these local organizations. We are all working towards a better world!
Wheel Throwing: Sarah Howe returns with her wheel, clay, and a big smile. Watch pots spring from blobs of clay. Try your hand at it. She’ll bring a small selection of cups, mugs and bowls for sale, too. Demos most daylight hours, depending on the weather. Try it for yourself! Across from the Dance Tent, throughout the festival
Stationery Roots: Add your Shakori story to the scrapbook! Doodle some art and share what makes the festival special to you. Write or draw however you feel, or even send a postcard! Located along Advocacy Row throughout the festival
GrassRoots Vinyl Lounge: The GrassRoots Vinyl Lounge features some of the best vinyl DJs in North Carolina spinning rare 45s and deep album cuts. The dance party launches between acts and late-night. Come enjoy a cold beverage and get your groove on the dance floor with timeless selections of vintage soul, reggae, funk and more. Tent beside Meadow Stage
Sunday Morning at Shakori Hills: Join us to celebrate and bless Shakori Hills, the Earth, all beings and culture through music, spoken word and ceremony. Everyone is welcome, come as you are. Contact us if you would like to contribute. Performances by Bear Roots, Lolly Dunlap and Amy Durso with Michael Alvarez on didgeridoo. Led by Gary Phillips and Leif Diamant. Meadow Stage, Sunday 10am
Live Painters: Check out our local artists demonstrating their skills near the music!
Kyle Camu: Fine artist and illustrator from Raleigh who studied at the Academy of Classical Design. Kyle specializes in digital, illustrations and oil-based art. Thursday, Friday & Saturday 5-8pm, by the Meadow Field
Sam Borderly: Classical painter from Durham who studied at the Academy of Classical Design in Southern Pines, the Art’s Studio in Rome and the Charles Cecil Studios in Florence. Sam specializes in classical painting and illustrations. Friday & Saturday 5-8pm, by the Cabaret Tent