"Twice a year you put on the best organized festival I've ever attended. It's fun, invigorating and rejuvenating. Zap Mama was amazing and Rising Appalachia were a joyous discovery for me, and there were so many wonderful surprises it's difficult to single out any one performer for praise. Kudos to you and your hardworking staff and volunteers." -Pat M. Charlotte NC
2014 Dates: May 8-11 & October 16-19
Cabins & Lodges On Sale Dec. 2nd to LEAF Members
2014 Tickets on Sale January 2nd
LEAF was thrilled to create your soundtrack for the Fall LEAF Festival, October 17-20, in Black Mountain, NC. Headlining the 37th festival was the unique blend of voodoo mysticism, funk, rhythm & blues, psychedelic rock and Creole roots that is Dr. John & The Night Trippers; Belgian polyphonic Afrobeat queen Zap Mama; the voice of a country and the son of a legend, Mali’s Vieux Farka Toure; and WNC’s own folk rockers, Acoustic Syndicate, performing an official record release show for their first album in almost a decade. Click here for full the Lineup & Schedule and get excited for what is in store in May 2014!
LEAF International Bequia: Kids On Pans Performed at LEAF! After years of dreaming, LI students from Bequia and their teacher, Errol, traveled to participate as Performing Artists in LEAF’s 37th music festival. The group, “Kids on Pans” journeyed to the United States for the first time, performed on a national stage and worked with LEAF Schools & Streets students at Asheville High School. The two groups of students collaborated to learn a Steel Pan song and performed together at the festival. “This trip opened my eyes to many different art styles which I had never even heard of before. It showed me that creativity and imagination have no boundaries,” shared one of the Kids on Pans. For visuals of the beautiful journey and impact that this trip had on the Kids on Pans and their parents, view LI Bequia Video Story Oct 13
WOW! Over 2,800 students experienced arts education through LEAF Schools & Streets this October! Youth participated in Teaching Artist Residencies, school-wide performances by world-renowned artists, performing on a national stage at LEAF Festival, and the Vieux Farka Toure Educational Informance at the Orange Peel. Festival performers who worked with youth in local schools and community centers during residencies stated that they “enjoyed how earnest and hungry for new ideas they were… and so quick to learn.” –Member of the BlueBrass Project. Congratulations to all youth in the community who became performing stars on-stage at LEAF!LEAF is proud to announce the lineup of performing artists for the Spring 2013 LEAF Festival, taking place May 9-12, 2013 in Black Mountain, NC. Headlining the 36th festival are R&B icon Mavis Staples; urban Latino culture-mashers Ozomatli; Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, led by the bluegrass legend; Zimbabwean maestro Oliver Mtukudzi & the Black Spirits; and Abigail Washburn, Appalachian songbird & long-time LEAF favorite. With support in part by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts, LEAF will present an eclectic sampling of vocal traditions. From American folk, vocal jazz, and gospel traditions to Tibetan a cappella, Zimbabwean afro-pop and classical choral customs, you’ll experience a blend of voices both familiar and new.
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you're doing with young peoplein Asheville
and around the world. You're doing something special."
-Jason Sandford, Ashvegas
"LEAF showed me a life that I had lost contact with
and awakened me to the excitement of possibility."
-Dr. C.B.
