Shakori is Family

February 17, 2019 by David Dean 2 Comments

The Shakori Hills family lost one of our most beloved members on Saturday, February 16.

James Olin Oden has been a festival regular for the past ten years. He first came as a fan and quickly got involved as a performer and even as a staff member for a short time.

His uniquely uplifting musical sound, a blend of his Irish and American roots, wisdom of all manner of subjects, and love of the GrassRoots family will be missed dearly.

Details of a memorial being planned for the Spring 2019 festival will be announced once they have been finalized.

In the meantime, we felt James’ words and music were the best way to honor the man. Below, enjoy a piece he wrote for the Spring 2018 program followed by some clips we thought helped capture his spirit.

slán leat, James

Shakori is Family

Originally printed in the Spring 2018 Festival Program.

written by James Olin Oden

When I first came to Shakori 10 years ago, I really had no idea what I was getting into. I knew that I was going to a music festival and there would be campfires, with lots of musicians, music lovers and artists all over the grounds. Well, in between all the fun and camaraderie, what I found was family.

We’re a peculiar family to be sure. Made of all kinds of different camps, many with names like Camp Sparkle, No Hope (and Know Hope), Rivendale, Frabjous, and Wayward Way to just name a few. There’s no rule that this should be; it just happens in a Grassroots kind of way. Each camp has its own peculiarities and proclivities, and we intermingle quite a bit, cross pollinating ideas and moments of utter silliness. Also, the camp decorations are something to behold. In Fall one of my favorites is the Festivarians site, where they have I think a 100 or so jack-o-lanterns hung in a grove.

The fires at each camp have always been a very central thing. We gather round and conversations flow freely as does music. Sometimes in the wee hours of the morning we just sit and stare and breathe together. Not that we can’t do a Shakori without fire (we just did; it was hard, but we did it, together!), but they have always proven to be a central part of the event. Amongst the fires, rocks and trees of Shakori we live freely enjoying one another’s self-expression and our corporate expression as a group. We learn hard lessons about living with each other and allowing each other to breathe freely within the group. This is not to say there are no boundaries, we just work really hard to uphold the real boundaries and allow freedom wherever we possibly can. Because of this, we have all grown as one big Shakori family.

Every family has a vision, and at Shakori you see the music and dance flowing from the camps like many vibrant streams down to the stages forming a great river of music and dance. We gather at the stages forming a unity of both musicians and dancers flowing as one big pool of united humanity. It’s really amazing to observe. There are, also, workshops covering all kinds of things musical and cultural. Even these ultimately stem from the camps. Over the years I’ve seen many a person young and immature in their art (whether it be music, dance or those other media (-;) become strong leaders and find their way to stages and workshops. It’s a beautiful thing seeing your family grow.

None of this could happen without the staff, and they are a beautiful and integral part of this family we call Shakori. There is the board of directors that set the vision, the staff that handle the operations and booking, the rangers that look out for everyone’s safety, and the security that is there to ensure everyone has a good time. They all work in unison to make sure the festival keeps going. Add to that all the volunteers that put in so much hard work to make this thing come together (tents don’t raise themselves). It really is much like someone preparing a beautiful feast for all their friends. Great hospitality requires a great amount of work, and they do all this work selflessly for one big happy Shakori family.

So please do enjoy your time here. The land and the people of Shakori greet you with open arms.

Welcome to the family!

James Olin Oden Videos

James performs “Friend of the Devil” and “Uncle John’s Band” with his longtime playing partner Joey Arcuri on the Meadow Stage at the Fall 2013 festival.

Here James performs “Dance Right Out of My Grave”, a song he wrote about a performance by Driftwood, another Shakori Hills GrassRoots regular. This clip is from the DooDad Farm, our Greensboro friends down the road.

James would narrate a video of his arrival at Shakori Hills GrassRoots every year. His Spring 2016 video has the added bonus of his album “Deeper Dance” as the soundtrack and a glimpse into his horticulture knowledge.

Get With The Program! Last Call For Program Advertisers!

February 13, 2019 by David Dean Leave a Comment

The Spring Program Advertisement Deadline is this Friday, February 15th!

Want to get your name out to thousands of festival-goers before and during the 2019 Spring Shakori GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance? Well, our audience becomes your audience when you advertise in our festival’s program! Only a few spots remain available.

We strategically distribute 15,000 programs throughout Central NC (and beyond) during the weeks leading up to the festival – and our programs are readily available and widely read during the festival as well. Advertise your business, reach new customers, and support your local music & arts festival!

The Spring Program Advertisement Deadline is this Friday! Get with the program and reserve your space today by emailing: shakorihillsprogram@gmail.com.

’Twas the Night Before Shakori

October 3, 2018 by Sarah Cullen

’Twas the night before Shakori, when all through the ‘ground
Not a performer was playing, not even a sound;
The Ticket Booth was stocked by volunteers with care,
In hopes that all our Shakori friends soon would be there;
The Early Campers were snuggled all warm in their tent;
While dreaming of music and a weekend well spent.

The stages were set, the Dance Tent was ready;
How is it here? Shakori Season already?
And up in Middle Earth and down in Creekside;
Both children and adults all sit starry-eyed;
And all through the festival and all through the air;
You could feel GrassRoots coming, we’re practically there!

The moonlight was shining on all of Peace Park;
The night before it shares it’s magic in the dark;
And the banners are dancing, and the trees they are shining;
Leave all complaints on the road – It’s Shakori! No whining!
So pack up the campers, fill the coolers with beer;
We finally made it, Shakori is here!

The Grove Stage will be rocking, the Meadow enchanting;
After all the building and painting and planting;
All of us here at Shakori, we have waited since last fall;
We welcome you back – oldies, newbies, and all;
Take it all in, all the sound, smell, and sight;
‘Happy Shakori to all, and to all a good night!’

by: Sarah Cullen, Spring 2018

Shakori Hills on the Radio

October 1, 2018 by David Dean Leave a Comment

Mark your calendars and, if you are in the Triangle, put WCHL 97.9 FM and That Station 95.7 FM on your preferred radio stations, because several Fall 2018 Shakori Hills bands will be on-air this week! If you are outside the listening area then you can stream each of these live online.

Read on to get all the details and necessary links.

A Different Thread Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 6:00 p.m. on WCHL 97.9 FM.

Urban Soil performs on Studio J Sessions on That Station 95.7 FM on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, That Station 95.7 FM will feature an interview with Ryan Montbleau at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3.

That Station 95.7 FM will air a Shakori Hills Curtain Call Thursday, Oct. 4 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

What to Bring and Not to Bring

September 30, 2018 by David Dean 3 Comments

Whether you are a first-timer or an experienced Shakorian we ask that you review what to bring and what not to bring to Shakori Hills. Make sure to pick up a program at the Ticket Booth for more information that will help you enjoy your time visiting.

Please “Leave No Trace” and haul out what you bring in especially couches, blankets, and camping chairs.

WHAT TO BRING

– Sunscreen
– Bug spray
– A hat
– Sunglasses
– Rain boots (we have been known to get some rain)
– Camping supplies, including a tent, mat, sleeping bag, and tarp
– A flashlight and extra batteries
– Trash bags
– Toothpaste & toothbrush
– Reusable water bottle (deep-well water is available for free)
– Snacks
– Blanket or camping chair
– A towel, soap, and shampoo (outdoor hot water showers are available)
– A smile!
– If you forget anything the Country Store carries most everything you need and is open throughout the festival. (located across the road from the Coffee Barn)

WHAT NOT TO BRING

– Firearms
– Weapons of any kind, including axes, machetes, and hatchets
– Drugs
– Cell service is spotty (at best) on the farm. Don’t bring any expectation to make phone calls. Take a picture or shoot video, but don’t worry about uploading it to social media until you get home as you will only become frustrated. Just unplug!
– Couches
– A bad attitude
– Outside firewood (plenty on the grounds and you can buy more at the Country Store)
– Amplified radios or music
– Generators (only RVs)
– Pets (service dogs allowed only if they are for the service of the human they are with)
– No motorized scooters or golf carts. Persons with mobility needs should email shakorihillsaccess@gmail.com in advance.
– Bikes must have lights on the front and back and be on at night.
– No fire spinning, except in the performers’ safety circle
– No driving around after dark
– No unapproved vending

CAMPERS

Place camping sticker on your tent pole. Tent Camping Stickers are good for tents, canopies, and tarps up to 10×10. Every tent, canopy, and tarp must have a tent sticker for each 10×10 space. Tarps covering tents for rain protection do not need a separate sticker. Tents, canopies, and tarps larger than 10×10 must have two stickers.

Vehicle / RV Campers must have a 4-Day Festival Pass PLUS a Vehicle or RV Camping Pass displayed on the windshield of the vehicle that is camping.

Vehicle, RV, and Tent Camping are in designated areas only and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Camping tickets can be purchased at the Ticket Booth or in advance here.

LOST & FOUND

Located at the Ticket Booth.

Coffee Barn Damaged by Storm

August 10, 2018 by David Dean 5 Comments

The Shakori Hills Community Arts Center is saddened to announce that the Coffee Barn was severely damaged by storms on Wednesday, August 8, 2018. The 175-year-old willow oak that stood beside the Coffee Barn was toppled by high winds and the barn took a direct hit. No injuries occured and power to the property was restored by emergency crews from Duke Energy.

Even if you have only visited Shakori Hills once, you know this tree as a centerpiece of the property and a gathering place for generations. The tree weighs roughly 50 tons and we are still assessing the full extent of the damage.

“First and foremost, we are thankful no one was hurt. Our street team was holding a weekly meeting in the main house so we were able to address the issue promptly,” said Carol Woodell, President of the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center.

Woodell continued, “It is still too early to tell if the Coffee Barn is a total loss. We are assessing the damage with the proper authorities and will make a determination as to the future of the structure based on their feedback.”

In the meantime, the nonprofit organization is asking community members who would like to support in the cleanup effort to donate via the organization’s home page www.shakorihills.org.

The site will host four upcoming festivals expected to draw thousands, including: The Big What? Aug. 16 – 18; Hoppin’ John Old-Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention, Sept. 13 – 15; Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance, Oct. 4 – 7; REI’s Outessa Fest, Oct. 20.

“We do not expect this to interrupt our upcoming festivals and are working to remove debris and secure the barn for the safety of all our visitors,“ Woodell said.

She continued, “We are truly humbled by the outpouring of love and support by our Chatham County citizens and those beyond. Many of us consider Shakori Hills our home away from home and embrace the spirit of community our beautiful 72-acre site provides.”

The statuesque trees on the property remind us to slow down and look up for a moment in this busy world. Each old oak has its own twisted limbs and characteristics that project its elegance. We are saddened to see such a beautiful piece of Shakori Hills fall, but we hope to re-purpose much of it for others to enjoy for years to come.

We will release more details as they become available.

Road to Shakori Fall 2018

August 3, 2018 by David Dean Leave a Comment

As we near the start of school and cool weather days are on the horizon, it is time to hop on your favorite mode of transportation and set the controls to the heart of Shakori.

The Road to Shakori, a partnership with Foothills Brewing, is a series of shows at venues in North and South Carolina highlighting bands that carry the ethos of Shakori. Most of the featured acts are playing, or have played, the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance. The fall Shakori Hills festival is happening Oct. 4 – 7 in Pittsboro, NC and there are nine Road to Shakori shows in the months leading up to the event.

At each of the nine shows we will be registering to win a 4-Day festival pass and Foothills Brewing will have specials on tap. Other freebies will be available, too, so make sure to stop by our table at the venue and talk to our street team about how you can get involved.

The 2018 series will include the first Road to Shakori stops in Asheville, Wilmington, and Charleston, as well as a Bluegrass Showcase at The Pour House in Raleigh during the World of Bluegrass weekend.

Check out the full list of shows below and mark your calendars to join us! Visit shakorihillsgrassroots.org/roadtoshakori for more details.

Recycling and Compost Details for Spring 2018

May 3, 2018 by David Dean Leave a Comment

Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance is committed to producing events that are environmentally sound and Leave No Trace. Please remember that if you pack it in, you need to pack it out.

All food, paper and official food vendors’ utensils can be composted. Please take a moment to sort your waste and avoid contaminating the compost.

Free well water is available throughout the camp and you are encouraged to bring your own bottle.

For a chance to win a 4-Day Festival Pass and other prizes, bring your sorted garbage and recycling to the Recycling / Trash Field between 11:00 am – 3:00 p.m. Friday – Sunday.

More details are found in the Festival Program that are free at the Ticket Booth (while supplies last).

Download a PDF of the Festival Map.

My First Journey to the Farm

April 25, 2018 by Sarah Cullen

For families and friends who have been coming to Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance for years, this post will hopefully resonate with the feelings you have to come to know and love. For those who have not ever visited the special magic that is found on these 80 rolling acres, I hope this post will give you some insight on what it is like being a part of this festival for the first time and encourage you to join us this spring.

I have lived in Raleigh for the past seven years, and as I started my journey to ‘The Farm’ for the first time, I found myself leaving the busy, loud, bustling place I have grown to love for the quiet, beautiful, serene countryside of Pittsboro, North Carolina. I immediately felt myself relax, and that quick calm was only just the beginning of a weekend that was going to forever change what I thought a music festival was.

As you turn down the long gravel drive into Shakori Hills, passing the wooden sign gently welcoming you back, you are immediately greeted by smiling faces leading you to Parking, Camping, and Tickets. As someone who had never been, this was all very overwhelming. I had come on to help work the festival in August, but had never seen the land with this many people, all so excited to be back ‘home’. I was invigorated by everything – the striped Dance Tent, the lights that seemed to dance in every tree, the smells coming from the Coffee Barn, the hand-painted signs welcoming and guiding. I was barely parked before I jumped out of my car, camera in tow, and started making my way around the land.

Starting by The Garden, I walked back through the campsite full of people all catching up on what their ‘neighbors’ had been up to since the last festival. Babies being passed around and kissed. Beers being toasted and cheered. Music pouring from every campsite and trail. It was all so beautiful and comforting, but the true magic started when the sun set over the Grove Stage.

With the rising stars came the true enchantment of Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance. People brought their lights and dancing shoes (or lack thereof) and the party began. That easiness I felt while driving out to The Farm only grew with every beautiful shared moment I experienced while the festival days and nights continued.

That magic, those special moments of community and love all set to the soundtrack of incredible music, is what Shakori Hills is all about. It is what keeps people, including myself, coming back every spring and fall and spring again.

As the festival quickly approaches again, I find myself driving down that same driveway that first welcomed me to this place. Like the tire tracks down it made by artists, families, and friends you fall into a groove the moment you are on the land. A groove that feels natural and authentic. One that is easy to slip into and feel its significance. A groove that molds to you and welcomes you back again.

See you in the groove soon.

Love & Peace-

Sarah Cullen

Enjoy The Outpost

April 15, 2018 by David Dean Leave a Comment

Plant Your Roots in the Outpost!

GrassRoots might be turning 16 this year, but that doesn’t mean you’ve gotta be all grown up to enjoy the festival!

The Outpost is the perfect place for attendees between the ages of 10 and 18. Offerings in this space range from instrument workshops to Boff Games (foam swords and shields = super cool!), led by the Wandering Swordsman.

The Outpost is programmed throughout the day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Children can learn the Art of the MC from (J) Rowdy, who is performing Friday in the Cabaret Tent or the basics of magic during the Slight of Hand session.

For those that prefer creative and mental arts, The Outpost features a wide range of board and table games, community art installations, and hands-on crafts.

Kids 12 and under get in free and we have a special advanced ticket rate for 13 – 15 year olds of $59. Advance ticket sales end Monday, April 30.

There’s something for all at the Outpost, so come spend the weekend with us!