Happenings
SPRING 2025 happenings
Opening Ceremony with Chinobay featuring Dance of Hope
A weekend of music and connection begins with a powerful celebration of rhythm, movement and culture as Chinobay featuring Dance of Hope leads the Opening Ceremony. This inspiring youth-based ensemble brings the vibrant traditions of Uganda to life through thundering percussion, dynamic dance and soul-stirring harmonies. With each pulse of the drum and graceful step, they share stories of resilience and joy, setting the tone for a festival filled with community and discovery. Join us as we welcome the spring with a mesmerizing display of sound and spirit that will echo through the hills and into our hearts. Meadow Stage, Thursday 4:30pm
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
Plant A Tree!
Celebrating Trees for the Triangle as an advocacy partner of Shakori Hills, volunteers and attendees will be back to plant a small grove of 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
Wild Spring 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
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
The SongWriters Circle presentation blends the aspects of storytelling, contextualizing songs, the songwriting process, and conversation around each performer’s tunes. Join Tyler Dodson, Will West and other talented artists from the weekend as they share and play on stage. Cabaret Tent, Sunday 1:30pm
Wheel Throwing
Sarah Howe returns with her potter’s wheel, clay, and a big smile. Watch pots spring from blobs of clay and even try your own 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. Across from the Dance Tent, throughout the festival
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 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 3:30pm
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! Carson’s Grove, Saturday 11:30am; Sign-Up 11am
Catch the Fall 2024 winner, Lake Chamberlain, in the Cabaret Tent, Thursday 8:45pm
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. Carson’s Grove, Friday 11am; Sign-Up 10:30am
Fall 2024 winners: Brody Schenk, 1st place, Guitar; Chris Stackard, 2nd place, Mandolin; Jesse Bryson, 3rd place, Guitar
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
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 & Amy Durso) and Mic Didge on didgeridoo. Led by Leif Diamant and Gary Phillips. Meadow Stage, Sunday 10:30am
Mindful Movements with Imari
Maestra Imari Colón will teach mindful and meditative movement three times this Spring! Kung Fu: The Outpost, Friday 3:30pm; Qigong: Cabaret Tent, Sunday 10am; Kung Fu: Movement Tent, Sunday 2pm
Raving Rowan
Rowan Ellis, a Virginia Beach-based entertainer, will be teaching circus skills, stilt-walking in the parade, and juggling or showing off her talents throughout the festival grounds. Don’t miss her performance as her character, Swashbubble, the Magic Bubble Pirate. Be sure to say hello if you spot her or her assistant around! Kids Tent workshops Friday & Sunday 2pm; Performances throughout the weekend in and around Meadow field & Carson’s Grove.
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
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!
Stationery Roots
Add your Shakori Hills 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
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 page 18.) Dance Tent, Saturday 12pm
Live Painters
Check out our local artists demonstrating their skills near the music!
Kyle Camu – Oil painter and illustrator from Raleigh who studied at the Academy of Classical Design. 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. Catch Bryan’s expressive art style and have a chat. Bryanstacy.art Dance Tent, Friday & Saturday 5-8pm