Happenings

SPRING 2026 HAPPENINGS

OPENING CEREMONY with Cypress Society Singers and Dancers
Shakori Hills proudly welcomes The Cypress Society Singers and Dancers back to the stage for The Spring 2026 Opening Ceremony. Led by Kat Littleturtle (Snipe Clan), they represent the Lumbee and Tuscarora peoples of North Carolina and share the traditional stories of the Eastern Woodlands Native Nations. Through songs and dances passed down across generations, they offer a powerful glimpse into the resilience, culture and living traditions of the original peoples of Turtle Island. Meadow Stage, Thursday 4:30pm 

WILD SPRING WALKABOUT
Enjoy the beauty, freshness and wildness of Nature with Shakori Hills’ neighbor—organic farmer, naturalist and licensed psychotherapist—Leif Diamant, as we explore some of the wild and cultivated explosions of Spring. Assisted by Hannah and Dani, we’ll wander from Shakori Hills to Leif’s homestead, visit the African Dwarf goat herd, maybe meet some wild animals, and eat or drink some edible, medicinal wild plants and beverages. Come along on this popular walk to experience greater knowledge and deeper intimacy with Nature. Meet at the Bridge by Healing Arts, Friday 11am, and return by 1pm

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. Between Food Vendors and Bridge near Healing Arts, Saturday & Sunday afternoons

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. A $20 materials fee will have you heading home with your newly crafted didgeridoo. 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 toward The Outpost: Friday & Saturday 12pm

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

INTRODUCTORY MEN’S CIRCLE WITH JOURNEYMEN
Join Journeymen Triangle for a facilitated men’s circle this Shakori! This container is for male-identifying individuals (18+) offering a structured environment to share from the heart, feel supported, and call each other higher. Drawing on years of experience, we are excited to bring this practice to the festival for the first time. Stop by the Journeymen booth on Advocacy Row to learn more and sign up! Fire Circle near bridge by Healing Arts, Saturday 10:30am - 12:30pm

PLANT A TREE!
Celebrating Trees for the Triangle as an advocacy partner of Shakori Hills, volunteers and attendees will be back to plant some 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 Pavilion, Saturday 4pm, and return by 6pm

WHEEL THROWING
Sarah Howe returns to Shakori Hills with her pottery wheels and wares to share. Try your hand on the wheel or play Stump the Potter, when you design a pot and she tries to make it! Across from the Dance Tent, throughout the festival

BARRE
Hailing from Mosaic in Pittsboro, Barre3 brings that feel-good energy you want in your festival weekend! Experience the full-body workout blending strength, mindfulness and cardio which will leave you balanced, recharged and empowered. Cabaret Tent, Saturday 10am

HAPPINESS PARADE
Bring your noisemakers, wear your jazziest festival attire and prance along in the parade with us. Led by PaperHand Puppet Intervention and the Bulltown Strutters, we journey through Shakori Hills celebrating life, love, beauty and PEACE! Parade starts at the Kids Area, Saturday 2pm (Parade Prep and mask-making with WINGs, Kids Area 1pm)

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 3:45pm

Congratulations to the Fall 2025 Winners: 1st Place – Mike Myers; 2nd Place – Marstar Bubbles; 3rd Place – Sam Blu; 
Most Original – Sheel; Celebrates Peace – BC; Celebrates Shakori – Tiff Green; Robbed by the Judges – Stephanie

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. The winner gets the chance to perform Sunday in the Cabaret Tent AND the opportunity to perform at the next Shakori Hills festival! Carson’s Grove, Saturday 11:30am; Sign-Up 11am

Catch the Fall 2025 winner, Fescue, at Carson’s Grove, Thursday 8:30pm

GRASSROOTS INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS CONTEST
Whether you’re an instrumentalist, vocalist or songwriter—this competition celebrates artists in all forms. Judging based on Technicality, Execution, Creativity and Crowd Response, every performer has the freedom to express their musical talents. Carson’s Grove, Friday 11am; Sign-Up 10:30am

Congratulations to the Spring 2025 Instrument Contest Winners: 1st Place – Angela Autumn; 2nd Place – Old Sap; 3rd Place – Eliana Planer

SONGWRITERS CIRCLE
The SongWriters Circle presentation blends the aspects of storytelling, contextualizing songs, the songwriting process, and conversation around each performer’s tunes. Join Greylan Hall, Chris Kammerer of Old Sap, Haley Ellis and other talented artists from the weekend as they share and play on stage. Cabaret Tent, Sunday 2pm

RAVING ROWAN
Rowan Ellis, a Virginia Beach-based entertainer, will be stilt-walking in the parade and throughout the festival. Catch her with her assistant juggling or teaching their poi skills. You won’t wanna miss it! Build & Flow workshops for teens at The Outpost Friday 5pm, Saturday 12pm; Stilt Walking & Performances near Meadow Stage and Carson’s Grove throughout the weekend

LIVING ARTS DANCEWAVE with Høly River
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. Dance Tent, Saturday at 12pm

MINDFUL MOVEMENT with Imari
Maestra Imari Colón will teach mindful and meditative movement twice this Fall. Qigong: Cabaret Tent, Sunday 10am; Kung Fu for teens: The Outpost, Sunday 11:15am

SUNDAY MORNING AT SHAKORI HILLS
Join us to celebrate and bless Shakori Hills, the Earth, all beings and cultures 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). Presentations by Ilana Dubester and Kim Jordan. Led by Leif Diamant and Gary Phillips. Meadow Stage, Sunday 10am

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 toward a better world!

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

GUIDED DRUM CIRCLE
At the bridge between the Kids Tent and Healing Arts, there is a well-known fire ring. Ever evolving, we are keeping the magic alive! Join us after the day’s music for some late night drumming with the guidance of a professional drum circle facilitator. Please be respectful of the drum leader, fire tender and the instruments to safely share this space. 
Fire pit by the bridge, Friday & Saturday, after the stage music

LIVE PAINTERS
Check out our local artists demonstrating their skills near the music! 

Kyle Camu – Oil painter and illustrator from Raleigh. Kyle will be working to complete a single piece at Shakori Hills. KyleCamu.com Thursday, Friday & Saturday 5-8pm, Meadow field

Bryan Stacy –  Muralist, Tattooer, Painter, Airbrush Artist and Digital Artist from Wilmington. Bryan’s art can be seen on walls all across the country; catch him live 
during the festival! Bryanstacy.art  Dance Tent, Friday & Saturday 5-8pm