By Chris Nafekh, Staff Writer

Published in print Oct. 22, 2014

If you’ve been to Shakori Hills before, you probably understand why people return year after year. The comradery, community and family-focused atmosphere generates an environment that’s festively friendly and positively hopeful. Those who spend the whole weekend camping in the wooded farmland share an experience that stays until the following fall or spring.

Needless to say, I was excited to spend a (mostly) sunny Saturday drifting from tent to tent, listening to authentic folk music. Walking in, people were greeted by old school blues, slide guitar and harmonica.

Following the music led me to the Carson’s Grove stage, where a casual competition between up-and-comers was underway. The prize included $100 and a chance to play Sunday on the Main Stage. One band was a group of recognizable Greensboro locals including Eli Whitman and Shane O’Brian, under the name “The Friends”.

North Carolina musical culture was well represented this season; a number of the bands were local. Lowland Hum, a Greensboro folk duet, played in such a way that my words would not do them justice. Their poetry was expressive, and their music genuine. During a song, “War Is Over”, a storm set in, and cut their electricity. Enraptured by the wind, rain, and beauty of sound, they endured, playing louder, pressing on.

“We’re fascinated by fantasy, dreams, family…” said Daniel Goans, one half of Lowland Hum. He and his wife Lauren Goans have been playing music together for three years, married for two.

“I’ve always wanted to play here. It’s a dream come true to share North Carolina music with North Carolina people,” added Goans, who graduated from UNCG before pursuing Lowland Hum. “Shakori fosters a feeling of community that is very appealing to us.”

About a week prior, New York based folk band Milkweed performed at the Green Bean through the Agency Collective, headed by Max McClennan.

“Max hooked us up,” said Joseph Alston, member of the band. He and Jackie were both very warm, welcoming characters, even after their set, when a new fan jumped on stage to meet them. On a three-week tour, Milkweed will hit Okracoke Island next and make their way back to the north. “I used to live outside Ashville,” said Alston, “and it’s incredible here and in New York. There is so much Appalachian music here, and when you start digging into it, it’s so artistic and inspiring.”

American culture from across the nation was present in some form or another. Music genres included world music like Latin and African, zydeco and bluegrass. Vendors sold locally handmade goods, including paintings, wooden sculptures, blown glass, Native American crafts and tie-dye shirts as far as the eye could see.

Workshops incorporated eastern philosophy by teaching yoga and tai-chi. An African drum workshop incorporated dance and rhythm. The Cane Creek Cloggers promoted a diverse part of southern American culture, and several crafts were available for young children.

The Flowjo Family Circus Fire Dance provided enchanting entertainment. Hula-hoopers, acrobats, aerialists and fire dancers from Carrboro interacted and entertained children by day, teaching their unique crafts. At night, these mystics could be seen around the camping grounds, fire dancing in a meditative state, staring at the moon, with crowds in awe.

The Paperhand Puppet Harvest Parade offered a chance for children to journey through the festival with noisemakers, snazzy festival garb and professionally designed life-sized puppets. Led by Donovan Zimmerman, Paperhand Puppets is a local crafts project out of Saxapahaw. In past years, the Paperhand Intervention produced plays, or life-sized professional puppet shows, such as their most recent, “Love and Robots”.

This year’s parade was elaborate and entertaining, featuring puppets inspired by nature like owls, fish and various farm animals. Children and volunteers marched the circle with trumpets, décor and anti-fraking signs.

“It takes time, depending on the puppet,” said Zimmerman, who started Paperhand 15 years ago, and has been with Shakori Hills on and off since the beginning. “It’s local, and I love having a festival in my backyard.” 

Under the same pavilion where I met Donovan, Shakori Hills held a sustainability initiative. Walking around the fest, one could see recycling bins, solar electric panels and efforts for water conservation. All food sold was locally made; nothing was corporately sponsored.

The Sustainability Series included talks with Rob Pinder, leader of the “Solarize Orange County” effort. Among their topics were affordable solar thermal energy, composting and zero waste, and a peace and justice network for independent progressive politics. Most of the festival had an underlying theme of anti-fracking efforts. 

Shakori Hills is a North Carolina music festival with a vast variety of family friendly entertainment, ranging from local craft making, music and dance while supporting a clean environment. Camping out for a weekend at Shakori is a unique experience of fraternity, family and spirituality.

It is held in October and April of every year, featuring a changing array of artists and attendees. Visit http://www.shakorihillsgrassroots.org for more information on all upcoming events held at the farm.