Happenings
FALL 2025 HAPPENINGS
Opening Ceremony with Diali Cissokho
Diali Cissokho is a masterful kora player and soulful singer from Senegal, now calling North Carolina home. For Shakori Hills’ Opening Ceremony, he offers a solo set blending ancient West African roots with fiery improvisation and spiritual power. Born into a long line of musicians called griots who preserve history through song, he carries centuries of cultural heritage through unique and universal music that transcends borders. Meadow Stage, Thursday 4:30pm
Autumn Wild Walkabout
Fall is when nuts and acorns drop, wild grapes and persimmons ripen and the earth is full of change and surprises. 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 11am, and return by 1pm
Wheel Throwing
Sarah returns to Shakori Hills with her pottery! Two pottery wheels and a mess of clay to share. Try your hand at throwing pots, watch a demo, or buy a new favorite mug. Introduce your kiddos and tell her how old you were that first time you visited her booth. 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
Guided Drum Circle
At the bridge between the kids area and Healing Arts, there is a well-known fire ring. Ever evolving, we are keeping the magic alive! Join us after the 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 music
SongWriters Circle
The SongWriters Circle presentation blends the aspects of storytelling, contextualizing songs, the songwriting process, and conversation around each performer’s tunes. Join Hannah Kaminer, Josh Moore and other talented 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
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 4:15pm
Congratulations to the Spring 2025 Winners: 1st Place - Sheet Patel; 2nd Place - Mike M.; 3rd Place - Janna; Most Original - Tom; Celebrates Shakori - Linda E.; Celebrates Peace - Charlie; Robbed by the Judges - Leigh
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 2025 winner, Sugarbush, in the Cabaret Tent, Thursday 7:15pm
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 - Ed Ellis; 2nd Place - Shane O’Brian; 3rd Place - Brent Wimmer
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
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). Led by Leif Diamant and Gary Phillips. Meadow Stage, Sunday 10am
Mindful Movement with Imari
Maestra Imari Colón will teach mindful and meditative movement twice this Fall. Qigong: Cabaret Tent, Sunday 10am; Kung Fu: The Outpost, Sunday 11:15am
Imagine Circus
Stop by the Grove Stage Friday evening for a captivating aerial performance by Imagine Circus during the Dub Lorenzo set! Then catch them stilt walking throughout the grounds on Saturday afternoon. Grove Stage, Friday 9:30pm; Saturday 4pm
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
Living Arts Dancewave
An inclusive dance experience for all ages and abilities that encourages free-form movement and creative expression. Will Ridenour, Gabriel Pelli, Austin McCall, Daniel Chambo, Vladimir Espinosa, Aubrey Roze, Brü Roze & Friends of the Living Arts Collective. (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. 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