LEAF Global Arts Festival invites you to join an unparalleled journey of cultural exploration, live music, dance, performance arts, healing arts, workshops, nature, and more. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of historic Lake Eden in Black Mountain, N.C., the festival runs from October 17-20, 2024. This year’s theme, "World Changers," serves as a powerful call to art and activism, resonating throughout the festival’s diverse offerings.
An Unforgettable Lineup
Headlining the festival is the legendary “Queen of Percussion” Sheila E., alongside the global-fusion Grammy-winning duo Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn, known as the king and queen of the banjo. Also gracing the stage are urban Angeleno cumbia-folk-hip-hop artivists Las Cafeteras; the dynamic mother-son duo of international jazz vocalist and educator Nnenna Freelon with Grammy-winning hip-hop kids music artist Pierce Freelon; and Trap Jazz, described by Essence Magazine as “a revolutionary project making waves.”
Additional Performers Include:
BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet
Making Movies
Scythian
Crys Matthews
Ustad Shafaat Khan
Admiral Radio
Annie Gaia in Last Gaia Standing
David LaMotte
Josh Phillips & Everything's Good
Las Guaracheras
Leah Song
Liz Teague Band
The Secret Agency with Agent 23 Skidoo
Chinobay of Uganda and Dance of Hope
Adama Dembele
Agustin Palomo Ramos
Alex Krug Combo
André Lassalle and The Sagittarius Project
Chief Shaka Zulu and Zulu Connection
Flamenco Appalachia
La Chiny and Bernice
Haviken Hayes
LEAF Southern Fried Poetry SLAM hosted by James Navé
Masankho Banda
McKinney
Melissa McKinney
Monika Guerra
Mountain Circus Arts
Quadre' Stuckey
RAWtools South and Forging for Peace with Scotty Utz
Street Creature Puppet Collective
Toybox Theatre Puppet Slam
Unifire Theatre
LEAF International St Vincent & the Grenadines
Contra Dance Bands:
Red Dog with Richie Stearns
Spintuition
Flying Howes
George Paul and Friends
Lagamorph Quartet
…and many more to be announced!
A Celebration of Global Citizens
This year’s festival celebrates extraordinary global citizens who not only create art but also champion causes that resonate with the heartbeat of humanity. These artists are not just masters of their crafts; they are beacons of hope, advocating for a world where justice, peace, and creativity flourish. Through their performances and activism, they echo the halls of change and paint a canvas of a better tomorrow.
Tickets and Lodging
Tickets and lodging for the LEAF Global Arts Festival are now on sale. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit theLEAF.org/tickets.
Join us for an intergenerational, family-friendly gathering that transforms lives, strengthens community, and fosters unity through the wonder of creativity, inclusivity, and shared joy.
