Happenings
spring 2024 happenings
Opening Ceremony with Oxente
Excitement, rhythm and dance will echo through the hills as we welcome in the festival with the dazzling community-based drumming group Oxente. The samba-reggae rhythms of this Afro-Brazilian band will kick off the celebration with a rhythmic spectacle to resonate throughout the weekend. Meadow Stage, Thursday 4:30pm
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 this Spring! Parade starts at the Kids Area, Saturday 2pm and commences in the Dance Tent. Parade Prep, Kids Area, Saturday 12:30pm
Living Arts Dancewave & Grand Shores
An inclusive dance experience for ALL AGES and ABILITIES that encourages free-form movement and creative expression. Immerse yourself in a lightly guided and captivating dance experience to live music woven in a wave format which begins slow, builds to peak and returns to tranquility. Be inspired by Grand Shores’ meticulously crafted instrumental melodies, pulsating with captivating rhythm and musical finesse featuring Will Ridenour, Gabriel Pelli and Austin McCall. Guided by Aubrey Roze, Brü Roze, and Friends of the Living Arts Collective. Dance Tent, Saturday 12pm
Songwriters Circle
Songwriters Circle is the blending aspects of storytelling, contextualizing the songs/songwriting process, and conversation around each performer's tunes. Join us with Kym Register of Meltown Rodeo, Alex Krug, King M Dot and more. Carson’s Grove, Sunday 10:30am
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 & Sunday afternoons
Wild Spring Walkabout
Enjoy the beauty and wildness of Nature with Shakori Hills’ neighbor and organic farmer, Leif Diamant, as we explore and experience some of the wild and cultivated bounty of Spring. We’ll wander from Shakori Hills to Leif’s homestead, meet some asses and wild animals, sample edible and medicinal wild plants, and taste the bounty of Leif’s organic garden. Come along on this popular walk to experience greater knowledge and deeper intimacy with Nature. Meet at the Bridge by Healing Arts, Friday 12pm, and return by 2pm.
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
Plant A Tree!
Celebrating the inaugural year of Trees for the Triangle as an advocacy partner at Shakori Hills 20th anniversary, all shall come together to plant a small grove of elm trees on the festival grounds. Join us in leaving a lasting legacy at Shakori Hills, contributing to the preservation of green spaces and the enhancement of the local ecosystem. Trees, tools and gloves will be provided. We’ll meet at the Sustainability Pavillion and |walk to the sorting field, where the workshop leader will go over all necessary instructions to plant your tree. Meet at the Sustainability Pavillion, Saturday 10am and return at 12pm.
Guided Drum Circle
At the bridge between the kids area and Healing Arts, there is a well-known fire ring. It has evolved over the years and we are keeping the magic alive! Join us after the music for some late night drumming with the guidance of a professional drum circle leader. Please be respectful of the drum leader, fire tender and the instruments to safely share this space. Fire pit by the bridge, Friday & Saturday, midnight-2am
Live Painters
Check out our local artists demonstrating their skills near the music this spring!
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, beside the Cabaret Tent
Mindful Movements with Imari
Join Maestra Imari for an hour of mindful and meditative movement TWO times this spring. She will teaching Kung Fu at The Outpost – 1pm Saturday; TaiChi & Qigong in the Cabaret Tent, Sunday 10am
Sunday Morning at Shakori Hills
Join us Sunday morning 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. With Gary Phillips and Leif Diamant. Meadow Stage, Sunday 10am
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
Make Your Own Didgeridoo
Join Earth Skills instructor, Fuz Sanderson, to learn about this primal musical instrument. Design and make your own didgeridoo! After your creation, he will show you how to play it! Class is limited to 15 students. There is a $20 material fee, then you will be heading home with 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! Piedmontearthskillsgathering.com Beside the Meeting Oak towards The Outpost, Friday and Saturday 12pm
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
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.
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
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
You can sign up shortly before the contest starts, the host will be at the Carson's Grove stage around 10am on Saturday to meet participants. Prizes announced and awarded immediately after the contest! Bands do not have the ability to sign up for the contest prior to 10am, Saturday May 4th.
Poetry Slam
Try out your best performance on stage at the Cabaret Tent. 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
Congratulations to the Fall 2023 Poetry Slam Winners!
First place: Olen Watson
Second place: Fernando Perez
Third place: Annika Tracy
Most Original: Khalilah Inayak
Celebrates Peace: Iammichael
Celebrates Shakori: Chris Powell
Robbed by Judges: Sarah Gorban