Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance celebrates sweet 16

Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance, a nonprofit event held every spring and fall on 80 acres in Chatham County, celebrates its sweet 16th birthday May 3 – May 6. The lineup features Steve Earle and the Dukes, Rising Appalachia, and festival stewards Donna the Buffalo. The festival benefits the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center.

Steve Earle and the Dukes, in their Friday headlining performance, will honor the 30th Anniversary of his classic album, Copperhead Road. AJ Ghent, performing both Friday and Saturday, recently debuted on the Billboard Current Blues and New Artist charts with his Ropeadope Records release, The Neo Soul Blues Project. Meanwhile, Coachella veterans Chicano Batman, an L.A.-based four-piece, blend soul, psychedelic rock, and Brazilian Tropicalia for a groove that is both new and familiar.

Merge Records’ artist Ibibio Sound Machine, hailing from London, UK, will perform at their only stateside festival of the season and is expected to deliver a standout set. Kinobe, originally from Uganda, will bring “Dance of Hope,” a cultural performance piece that explores the primal transforming power of music and dance to raise awareness and improve the way of life for children in need.

Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival and Foothills Brewing have a multi-year exclusive agreement to provide tasty adult beverages. The festival is also supported by YES! Weekly, INDY Week, Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, and Tick Warriors. Generous radio support is provided by these fine community stations WCHL 97.9, Life 103.1, WCOM 103.5.

Shakori Hills GrassRoots is focused on presenting the best world music on stage and providing education in the healing arts, sustainability, and movement through workshops throughout the weekend. The vast amount of programs and workshops will amaze first-time and seasoned festival goers. The Outpost, an area programmed specifically for 13 – 18 year olds, offers over 20 fun and educational activities while the Kids Tent will be buzzing 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. with fossil digs, relays, and crafts.

Four day passes and single day advance tickets are on sale through Monday, April 30 at these locations: Townsend Bertram & Co, Carrboro, NC; Circle City Books, Pittsboro, NC; The Regulator Bookshop, Durham, NC; Redix Store, Wilmington and Wrightsville, Capital Bank, Pittsboro, NC and Schoolkids Records in Raleigh and Chapel Hill. Tickets are also available online at: www.shakorihillsgrassroots.org.

ABOUT SHAKORI HILLS GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL OF MUSIC & DANCE:

Founded in 2002, Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance is a non-profit festival that supports the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center in Pittsboro, NC. The family-friendly festival is curated by Donna the Buffalo and features music performances and workshops, local arts and craftspersons, healing arts, activities designed specifically for 10 – 18 year olds, and programs for children under 10. More information can be found at www.shakorihillsgrassroots.org