Happenings

Photos by: Emma Wozniak, Willa Stein, Rich Levine, Mike Shepherd, Todd E. Gaul, David Clark

OPENING CEREMONY

Help us begin our Shakori Hills celebration with Africa Unplugged, the electrifying ensemble led by djembe master, guitarist, and songwriter Atiba Rorie. Their blend of West African percussion, global rhythms, and funky, soulful grooves sets the perfect tone for the festival weekend. They bring stories, movement, and irresistible energy, pulling everyone to their feet and opening the festival with a burst of joy and connection. Meadow Stage, Thursday 4:30pm

WILD AUTUMN WALKABOUT

Come explore the abundance and beauty of Fall on a guided hike through Shakori Hills. We will make our way to neighbor Laif Diamant’s farm and homestead. Fall is full of roots and tubers ready for harvest, trees dropping nuts and acorns, and ripe persimmons! Hannah and Dani assist Leif on this popular walk where we get to meet the goats, sample wild foods and tea, and learn about dozens of native plants. Meet at the Bridge by Healing Arts, Friday 11am, and return by 1pm

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

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

SONGWRITERS CIRCLE

Curated by Ashley Virginia, this session features King M Dot, Sam Thorn, Laura Jane Vincent and a mix of other stand out artists from the weekend as they share and play on stage. Cabaret Tent, Sunday 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

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. Congratulations to the Spring 2026 Contest Winners: 1st Place - Ben Rauscher; 2nd Place – Lora Morgan; 3rd Place - Kyle Rickards  Carson’s 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. 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 11am; Sign-Up 10:30am. Catch the Spring 2026 winner, Silver Rein, in The Cabaret Tent, Thursday 9pm

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. SEVEN chances to Win! 1st, 2nd or 3rd place; Most Original, Celebrates Peace, Celebrates Shakori, Robbed by the Judges. Contact Liz at elizabethmoorefield@gmail.com for opportunities to get involved. Cabaret Tent, Saturday 4pm 

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

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)

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

LIVING ARTS DANCEWAVE

An inclusive, lightly guided free-form dance and movement experience for all ages and abilities. Come as you are—dance, move, or simply be present. No dance experience is necessary. Music unfolds in shared conversation through the Living Arts Ensemble, bringing together Will Ridenour and Gabriel Pelli of Grand Shores, Austin McCall, Daniel Chambo, Aubrey Roze, Brü Roze, along with more collaborators from Living Arts Collective. Dance Tent, Saturday at 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

BRIGHTSKY AERIAL

BrightSky is a self-taught aerialist from the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina. From one apparatus to the other she spins through time and space, flowing freely to the music. Her unchoreographed movement allows her to physically interpret the music in real time, inspiring all people to move their bodies lovingly and unrestrictedly. Carson’s Grove, Friday 8:45pm (Mono Means One); Saturday 2:30pm (Sugar Snap Peas)

INTRODUCTORY MEN’S CIRCLE

Join Journeymen Triangle again this season for their facilitated men’s circle. We invite male-identifying individuals (18+) to share from the heart, get support and call each other higher. Drawing on years of experience, we are excited to bring this structured practice to Shakori Hills for the second time. No prior experience needed. Stop by the booth at Advocacy Row to learn more and sign up! Fire Circle beside the bridge near Healing Arts, Saturday 10:30am-12pm

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 Liz Roberts and Garth Robertson (songofthesoul.com), Presentations by Kim Jordan, Gary Phillips and Leif Diamant. 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!

LIVE PAINTERS

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

Samuel Bordley – A classical painter born and raised in Durham with degrees in art history and trained in the US and Italy. Friday & Saturday 3-5:30pm, Cabaret Tent

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

Bryan Stacy –  Talented Muralist, Tattooer, Painter, Airbrush Artist and Digital Artist from Wilmington, with a BFA from Guilford College in Drawing and Printmaking. Bryan’s art can be seen on walls all across the country, catch him live at the festival! Bryanstacy.art Dance Tent, Friday & Saturday 5-8pm