Legendary Iconic Folk Rock! The Indigo Girls, Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, have known each other since elementary school in Decatur, GA, and began performing together in high school. They first appeared on the public's radar in the late '80s as part of a folk-pop singer/songwriter revival that also included Suzanne Vega and Tracy Chapman. In short order, the duo released a series of transcendent albums beginning with their breakthrough shot across the bow, 1989's Indigo Girls, which earned them their first hit single, "Closer to Fine," and a Grammy win for Best Folk Recording and Six Grammy nominations. Constant touring, as well as an unwavering commitment to social, political, and environmental issues cemented the Girls' bond with their audience, who clearly recognize two artists willing to walk the walk. In 1991, Ray and Saliers co-founded the non-profit organization Honor the Earth to raise awareness and financial support for indigenous environmental justice, and over the years they have supported groups fighting for women's rights, civil rights for same-sex couples, and the abolition of the death penalty. During the recent Presidential election campaign season, the duo partnered with several organizations to provide voter registration opportunities. LEAF is very excited to host The Indigo Girls on Saturday night on Lakeside Stage. www.indigogirls.com

55 MILLION YOU TUBE HITS for the GLOBAL MOVEMENT RECORDING "STAND BY ME". Featured on CBS Sunday Morning, NPR, and Bill Moyers. WOW!!! This INTERNATIONAL MUSIC POWERHOUSE is COMING TO LEAF!!Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. Musicians from different cultures uniting together for the common purpose of peace through music is a powerful statement. Playing For Change has traveled the world with a mobile recording studio and cameras in search of such inspiration. Throughout the journey we created a family of over 100 musicians from all walks of life. Playing For Change Band brings a variety of the GLOBAL musicians together to create one of the most POWERFUL BANDS in the world! The film features spontaneous LIVE performances and interviews with a wide variety of musicians, including Bono, Manu Chao, and Grammy Award Winner, Keb' Mo', as well as South African musician and activist, Vusi Mahlasela. This is a journey through music taking us from city streets of New Orleans and Europe to native Indian reservations and South African Townships, while finishing in the the Congo, and with music masters in Nepal and back to the streets of Africa. Seeing the band live is FEELING THE POWER OF THE STORY- you DANCE-CRY-JOIN TOGETHER...by seeing the Playing for Change Band YOU BECOME PART OF THIS GLOBAL MOVEMENT of PEACE through MUSIC. playingforchange.com

Jamaica- lets go- you know the songs. Classic Roots Rock Reggae that is so positive and just feels great. Bob Marley and the Wailers have sold more than 250 million albums over the past 40 years and it has been his band that has helped create this international success. Now many of Marley's legendary musicians, together with other renowned reggae sessionmen, have now reformed under the title of The Original Wailers. It was these celebrated musicians who gave Marley the platform for his explosive brand of roots rock reggae, and audiences will be delighted to learn that the magic and commitment's still there, all these years later with an aggressive international tour schedule. A perfect Friday evening at LEAF. *Caribbean Traditions *
www.originalwailers.com

Neo Vaudevillian Legend! We don't know his birthday. We'd only be guessing at an alma matter. And nobody ever told us, for sure, if he went by any other name. But for the last three decades and counting, nobody could mistake him for any other performer, nor singer, nor guitarist, nor character. While the careers of performers who reside in the limelight are usually short-lived and over-overexposed, it's refreshing to encounter Leon Redbone, who remains so musically resonant and personally elusive. Most folks were introduced to the man during his network debut on Saturday Night Live in 1976, where he showcased his indelible version of "Walkin' Stick." Over the course of his 30+ year, 15+ album, super-star-of-stage-and-screen-and-Madison-Avenue career, the bard has continued his love affair with tunes from the turn-of-the-century (as in the second-to-last century), flapper-era radio ditties, Depression-spawned ragtime and World War II folk-jazz.
www.leonredbone.com

NC's Tony Award-winning String Band! Now in their 38th year, the Red Clay Ramblers repertoire reflects their roots in old-time mountain music, as well as bluegrass, country, rock, New Orleans jazz, gospel, and the American musical.The Ramblers' long association with music and theater also includes the original New York productions of Diamond Studs (1975) and Sam Shepard's A Lie of the Mind (1985). They have appeared in many films, broadway productions, Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion", Jay Leno, & CBS-TV "This Morning". The Ramblers developed Kudzu: A Southern Musical, in collaboration with Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Doug Marlette. All along, members of the Ramblers have been involved separately in diverse creative projects, including children's works for the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. They have a strong following and are a national treasure. *Swannanona Gathering Artist*
www.redclayramblers.com

Rootsy blend of Blues, Folk, and Rock with a following! Oliver and Chris Wood grew up in Boulder, Colorado. Sons of a Poet and a Microbiologist, they both took up music. Oliver moved to Atlanta and became a southerner. Chris moved to New York City and became a Yankee. Now, after years of musical and geographical separation they have reunited. While in Atlanta, Oliver soaked up the roots of blues, the soul of the south, and found he had a talent for writing and singing songs. His band, King Johnson (named after Freddy King and Robert Johnson) toured mostly in the southern states. Meanwhile, Chris was living in Manhattan playing everything from free jazz to rock and roll. This is where he met his band mates to form Medeski Martin & Wood. Now The Wood Brothers have begun a collaboration that combines their shared childhood influences with everything they've learned since leaving home. Their music has a rootsy feel that blends blues, folk, and rock music in a guitar/bass duo. www.thewoodbrothers.com

This amazing fiddler kicked off the Vancouver Olympics! Ottawa Valley fiddler, step-dancer,and singer, April Verch performed in the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, BC. It was a spectacular opening ceremony and an honor for April to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event. The segment in which April participated was titled, "Fiddle Nation: Rhythms of the Fall." April's fiddling and stepdancing styles were shaped by the diverse roots of the immigrants drawn to the lumber camps in Ontario's Ottawa Valley in the mid-1800s. Early in her career, April simultaneously captured two fiddling championships - Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion and Canadian Open Fiddle Champion. April has emerged as one of the top female artists in the roots music genre. *Swannanona Gathering Artist*
http://www.aprilverch.com/

HOT Salsa Dura from NYC- Original & Revoluntionary! La Excelencia is the new generation of salsa dura bringing a modern vitality and social consciousness to the genre. These salsa ambassadors take their bold new sounds to dancers and hardcore salsa fans worldwide, breaking the mold while remembering their roots. Their music is full of powerful arrangements of free-flowing horns and lively percussion (Latin Beat Magazine). The hard life of the barrio is reflected in La Excelencia's music through their hardcore salsa sounds known as "salsa dura". La Excelencia is a 12-piece salsa orchestra. The New York Times states "The real deal doesn't show up that often, and here it is. Celebrate it". 'Salsa Con Conciencia' sold over 11,000 copies independently around the world. The demand for another album was realized in 2009 with the release of 'Mi Tumbao Social'; claimed by world salsa critics and disc-jockeys as the Best Salsa CD of 2009. LEAF staff at APAP raved "We were jetted to our feet dancing as the horns started and salsa rhythms flowed...they are the new generation flowing in Ozomatli's powerful steps." www.laexcelencia.net

*Voice of Haiti! Boukman Eksperyans's Grammy-nominated debut "Voudou Adjae" introduced their worldly high energy sound fusing traditional Haitian rhythms with rock and reggae. As Haiti's most well known musical group Boukman Eksperyans has also become the defacto voice of the Haitian people. In addition to their performances their workshops and lectures on Haitian art, music and culture make the group popular with universities. These workshops have recently been expanded to include discussions about Haiti's Earthquake, relief and reconstruction.Boukman continues to mesmerize audiences in the Caribbean, the Americas, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Africa. *Caribbean Traditions* www.boukmaneksperyans.com

The #1 CD in IRELAND currently!!! Music has been the driving force in Danny's life since he was 8 years of age, when he played trombone in the famous Irish Artane Boys orphanage band. His songs paint a graphic, emotional landscape, finding meaning in the most mundane events. Brought up in the infamously tough Artane Industrial School - "where they made you tough so they could knock you down" - Danny credits music with saving his life: "Certain melodies and words just grabbed me and pulled me through one day at a time. I hung on to them like a shipwrecked mongrel on a raft. Songs impacted me so deeply as a child; they were my parents, my teachers, my friends and sometimes - when the lessons were painful - even my enemies. Hopefully that allows me to access that same depth in my own writing and share it with others. I'm not ashamed to admit I want my songs to touch deeply. I want to make you feel - even more than I want to make you think." Danny's songs elegantly straddle the borders of music from his Irish roots and the pop and rock that buoyed him as he grew up. With a voice that goes from "almost unbearably poignant," to "so full of rage," He worked for years as a session singer in London's Abbey Road and toured as a trombonist with Graham Parker and the Rumor, The Foundations, and The Miami Showband. Powerful and unforgettable. www.dannyellismusic.com

*Master Haitian percussionist, Gaston "Bonga" Jean-Baptiste, leads Bonga and The Vodou Drums of Haiti, a collective that presents traditional Haitian roots music, mizik rasin. This versatile ensemble features skilled ceremonial drummers, singers and dancers rooted in the diverse musical tradition of Haiti. Laced between vodou rhythms and traditional chants are instruments such as the mbira, didgeridoo, and conch. Vodou Drums of Haiti are also presented in an innovative jazz format featuring drum, cello, reeds, brass, balafon and vocals centered on mesmerizing rhythms and pulsating bass grooves. Audiences will experience an extraordinary historical, cultural, and spiritual journey that remains unseen in today's musical landscape. With an extensive repertoire of Afro-Haitian rhythms, kreyol songs and regional dances, music of The Vodou Drums traverses the plains, mountains and coasts, conjuring images of Haiti's spirit, beauty and way of life. *Caribbean Traditions*
www.bongamusic.org

Afro-Brazilian! Hãhãhães is named after the Indian tribe Pataxó-Hãhãhães that once inhabited the city of Salvador in Bahia, Brazil. Lead by master Afro-Brazilian percussionist Dendê, the beat is always central, but it is tempered by thought provoking lyrics and sweet melodies. Dendê has been performing professionally since the age of 14 and has performed and recorded with such artists as Marisa Monte, Gilberto Gil, Carlinhos Brown, Yvette Sangalo and Sepultura. Having left Brazil in 2001, Dendê now lives in New York and also teaches Afro-Brazilian percussion in the New York City area. Comprised of musicians of various backgrounds, the groups' diversity permeates its music with rhythms ranging from Nigerian Afrobeat to Brazilian Samba to Cuban Pilón. .LSS www.mamadele.com

GO GLOBAL....Free Planet Radio offers a richly unique aural experience which includes the exotic sliding string sounds of the Indian Dotar dancing around a pulsing Jazz Bass accented by the shimmering jingles of an Egyptian Riq Tambourine. Weaving Middle Eastern, Indian, and North African melodic and rhythmic structures and blending them expertly with the subtleties and harmonic vocabulary of Western classical music, underscored with the improvisatory element of Jazz. FPR consists of Chris Rosser, exploring melody on a variety of Indian and Turkish stringed instruments, guitar, piano and melodica; River Guerguerian on an extensive array of global percussion instruments including Middle Eastern frame drums and doumbek, Latin American cajon, and Western drum set; and multi-Grammy award-winning bassist Eliot Wadopian on electric and string basses, leaping effortlessly between rhythm and melody. Their immense individual talents have garnered worldwide recognition in performances from Carnegie Hall to the Hong Kong World Music Festival; from the Kennedy Center to the Madrid International Jazz Festival. A phenomenal blending and harmony of global traditions in music. www.freeplanetradio.com

Sizzlin' Western Swing! The story begins with a classic musical travel adventure: an ad in the music section of New York City's Village Voice then an opened door, big furry slippers and the rest is history. The Hot Club of Cowtown has grown to be the most globe-trotting, hard-swinging Western Swing trio on the planet. From early days busking for tips in San Diego's Balboa Park, the band has grown and developed into a formidable international sensation. The Hot Club's ever-growing presence on the international festival scene has grown with its relentless touring over the years alongside the release of five critically acclaimed CDs on American Roots label HighTone Records. Hot Club's sixth CD, "The Best of the Hot Club of Cowtown," a hand-picked, band-picked, twenty-song retrospective, was released by Shout!Factory. www.hotclubofcowtown.com

Dynamic Captivating Folk & Gospel with unique harmonies. Consummate musicians and storytellers, Kim and Reggie combine a strong folk and gospel legacy with a solid background in classical, rock, jazz and pop music. Creative curiosity, years of road and stage experience and working with performers such as Pete Seeger, Jay Leno, Tom Paxton, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Harry Belafonte and others, has led them to produce music that entertains and inspires. Raised in Philadelphia, PA, a city rich in cultural and musical heritage, Kim and Reggie's early exposure to the diversity of musical styles and genres was nurtured in the schools and churches of their youth. The Kennedy Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Smithsonian Institute, the Psalm Festival in Graz, Austria, as well as a myriad of festivals give this inspiring duo standing ovations for their vibrant performances. They have earned wide acclaimed for their contributions - in historical and educational circles - on the Underground Railroad and the modern civil rights movement. They promote creativity, education, social responsibility and understanding in the world community! *Swannanona Gathering Artist*
www.kimandreggie.com

Armenian Traditional Vocalist & Folk Singer. Nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award (Outstanding World Music Album of the Year for her album In the Light) and two Canadian Folk Music Awards (Traditional Album of the Year for In the Light and Best New/Emerging Artist) in 2008, Mariam is an example of the musical treasures that exist in the world next door. Vancouver born and raised, Mariam has been collecting traditional Armenian folk songs and creating her own melodies since she was a child. Most of the traditional songs she sings have been passed down through her family - songs that have been favorites of her grandmother and her mother. Mariam brings the range and control of a classical singer to the spontaneity and passion of the folk tradition and combines the two to produce a synthesis that has earned her rave reviews.Mariam's band is comprised of the highly talented members of the instrumental world fusion group Free Planet Radio, which includes River Guerguerian (percussion), Chris Rosser (cumbus, guitar) and multiple Grammy award winner, Eliot Wadopian (acoustic bass). mariammatossian.com

Funky dance grooves- a perfect finale' to a Saturday night! Over the course of the past four years, The Pimps have evolved into a road tested and audience approved groove machine. They have excited crowds at hundreds of club dates and festivals. The exponential growth of the band's fan base can be partially attributed to an artful blend of musical styles, including elements of afrobeat, salsa, rock & roll and electronica. Brian J's classic songwriting and the band's undeniable swagger on stage consistently energizes dance parties wherever they appear. www.thepimpsofjoytime.com

Trans-Cultural Hypno-Grooves! River has been inspiring audiences with his ecstatic and versatile percussion for over 25 years. Whether playing with world-class symphonies or studio musicians, partnering with Grammy-award winning composers, or creating dynamic plays of rhythm for his own projects, River's passion and attention to the vibrant life of the drum reverberates throughout the crowd. The music is deeply influenced by River's travels and performances from around the world. He incorporates melodies and rhythmic structures from the Himalayans, Morocco, Turkey and Greece for a truly unique experience. Appearing on over 120 recordings and in 20 countries, River has garnered worldwide recognition in Carnegie Hall, the Hong Kong Arts Festival, the Sydney Opera House, and the Madrid International Jazz Festival. His performance will include a global array of percussion instruments, Chris Rosser on Indian and Turkish stringed Instruments, John Vorus on Didjeridu and electronics, and Duncan Wickel on violin.
www.freeplanetradio.com www.sharethedrum.com

#1 Brass Band for Balkan Soul Gypsy Funk! Slavic Soul Party! is more than a band, it's a promise. Fiery Balkan brass, throbbing funk grooves Gypsy accordian wizardry and virtuoso jazz chops. The massive nine piece brass band is a super collider of Eastern European sounds from the Balkans and all the funk of American musical traditions like second-line, gospel, and jazz. Hybridity isn't just a buzzword with this New York City-based group - domestic and foreign, new and old - it's a fact of life. The fusion even carries over into the title of the band's fifth album, Taketron, mashing up Japanese drummer Take Toriyama's love of electronic music with the rapid fire of Balkan brass, and the incessant creativity of some of New York's finest musicians. "Always delivering a great time." -New York Times
www.slavicsoulparty.com

Spiritual Rez, the Reggae Horn Funk Party is a 6 piece band who has tirelessly toured the country promoting positive music and attitude. Having released two independent records and with a third due in early Summer 2010, the band has played with international acts like George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Toots and the Maytals, Jimmy Buffett, and Gregory Isaacs. The Boston-based band has been described by Tampa music venue Skipper’s Smokehouse as having “the ferocious live energy and bombast of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and PFunk to their own blending chill island grooves with raucous urban tribal vibes.” Winners of the 2007 Boston Music Award for Best World Music Act and Alumni of the prestigious Berklee College of Music: the band provides a unique blend of Reggae, Funk, Afrobeat and Rock to give one of the most energetic live shows around. Independently releasing their self titled debit in 2004 and "Rising in the East" in 2006, the group's new record "The Nexus" is a reworking of Reggae: With each song giving a new inflection on the style by pairing it with the band's high-energy flare and organic musicianship. www.spiritualrez.com

An extraordinary story of Garifuna Tradition & Song from Belize. Umalali, the Garifuna word for 'voice", is a musical ensemble that gives extraordinary testimony to the resilience of a unique culture and particularly its women. Many have heard how Africans brought to the New World in 1635 to be sold into slavery were shipwrecked off the coast of St Vincent in the eastern Caribbean. These Africans were absorbed into the indigenous Carib Indian population, and in the process created a unique culture that four centuries later was recognized by UNESCO as a "Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity." Blending the rich vocal textures of women from the Garifuna communities of Central America with echoes of rock, blues, funk, African, Latin and Caribbean music, Umalali is an entrancing journey into the heart and soul of a unique and inspiring culture. From the award-winning producer of the late, great Andy Palacio & the Garifuna Collective's Wátina comes this album of indescribable emotion, strength and beauty. .LSS *Caribbean Traditions*
www.cumbancha.com/albums/umalali

Lets Contra Dance! Adina Gordon calls to the delight of dancers coast to coast. Relaxed and smooth, she's known for her concise teaching, engaging dances, and infectious joy. Her reassuring stage presence and mellow voice will have you floating off to dance nirvana in no time. www.adinagordon.com

Cajun Aiee!! Atlanta Swamp Opera has been playing high-spirited traditional and contemporary Cajun and Creole dance music from Southwest Louisiana since the early nineties. ASO played for dances, dance weekends, festivals, and other events all over the southeast for over ten years. The original six of ASO reunite for Fall LEAF 2010. With twin fiddle harmonies, the unique sound of the Cajun accordion, driving rhythms, and harmony vocals, ASO will get you dancing before you can say "Aiee!"! The original ASO line-up features Larry Enlow on accordion & vocals, Lisa Backalenick on fiddle & vocals, Ann Whitley on fiddle & vocals, Maureen Kilroy on rhythm guitar & vocals, Larry English on electric bass, and Doug Landsberg on drums.

High Energy Contra...Veteran LEAF performers Cailen Campbell (Rocket Boys, Gypsy Hicks) and David Brown (WWC Folk Choir, Greasy Beans) combine to form CONTRAVERSIAL, a duo whose artful blend of Appalachian, Eastern European and Celtic music has been enchanting listeners and exciting dancers since 2005. Considered the hottest 2-piece in the Asheville contra scene, David and Cailen have been described as "fierce musicians" who "ignite the dancing" (-Washington Post). Their sense of place and love for life shine through their collection of tunes and traditional songs.

Fly by Night is Laura Lengnick on fiddle, Julia Weatherford on fiddle and cello, Beth Magill on flute and uke  and Karen Gaughan on piano. This sizzling, 100% woman powered band can take you anywhere you want to go on the dance floor! Upbeat traditional New England contra dance tunes, lilting Celtic melodies, and funky, rockin' originals drive dancers wild. Just when you think you can’t take anymore, the band brings it back home with lowdown, driving southern fiddle tunes. If you want to take flight on the dance floor, this is the band for you! You can hear more great music by Fly By Night on Julia’s award-winning CD.  www.juliaweatherford.com*Swannanona Gathering Artists*

Contra & Squares...Kathy is widely admired for her exciting squares, quirky contras, and swift, clear teaching. She has long been a favorite caller across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Kathy's smooth delivery and intriguing repertoire make for a fun, engaging dance experience. She has played old-time banjo and piano for years, and enjoys maximizing the connection between the musicians and the dancers.

Lively Cross-cultural Contra. Tidal wave, or raz-de-marée, with its cross-border personnel from Quebec and New England, invites cultures to meet and share the love of traditional music and dance. Since 2003, Tidal Wave has evolved as a dance band, carrying through time the most relevant aspect of Quebec traditional, instrumental music: playing for live dancing. In that sense they are not reflecting the past but writing the book of a strong, living current. Their liveliness and outgoing personalities have led them to teach workshops and school programs, as well as perform concerts on the folk music planet and wherever Franco-Americans need to connect with their roots.

www.tidalwavemusic.com

R&B Hip-Hop Psychedelic groove. Many and most styles of popular American music, from Gospel through to Funk and Rock, have all culminated with rap via a Disc Jockey (or DJ) as Hip-Hop. Turn on a radio in any part of the country today and hear evidence of this cultural phenomenon still in process. The Secret B-Sides pay homage to American music in its most popular and urban styles. Future DJs will appreciate the continuous, creative originality of the Secret B-Sides as they draw from a rich, American musical history to create energetically fresh songs. From the church, way out to the club--and back to church again--the B-Sides explore the spaces between secular and sacred, preaching a gospel all about flying saucers, dinosaurs, and love . . . but, most importantly, love. What the world needs now is flowers and chocolate, and a good band to dance to. That's why the Secret B-Sides are happy to be at LEAF for a second round of performances, sharing the floor with our galaxy's most esteemed dance crowd!
www.thesecretb-sides.com

SACRED & INSPIRING Indian World Traditions! Uttal has cut a serpentine swath through the musical world with treks into multi-cultural world music, avant-garde jazz, electronic rock and traditional Indian kirtan-or sacred chants-that have become staples in the yoga-practicing community. Jai's first love was the traditional music of Appalachia. His exploratory nature soon took him to study with the legendary Ali Akbar Khan-with whom he maintains a musical connection. Jai then began regular pilgrimages to India, living among the Bauls, the wandering street musicians of Bengal, and singing with the kirtan wallahs in the temples of his guru, the highly revered saint, Neem Karoli Baba. Upon returning to the states, he began weaving those variegated threads together in earnest, earning widespread critical acclaim. Uttal formed the Pagan Love Orchestra, and he continues to create a sonic landscape that's constantly shifting, but eminently relatable."Music has always been the way for me to feel whole and to feel free," he explains. "When I am doing music, it's as if all my insides are calling out. People have said they find great joy in what comes forth when that happens, and if that's the case, I feel I've done what I am here to do."
www.jaiuttal.com

SLAM! CREATE! IMAGINE! Nave' brings more than twenty years of experience to the craft of presenting poetry on stage. He is one of the cofounders of Poetry Alive! and has been active of the Poetry Slam community since 1991. In addition, he has memorized over 600 poems and performed thousands of shows in the U.S. and abroad. For years, he co-taught with Julia Cameron author of The Artist's Way. Nave' holds his MFA in poetry from Vermont College. LEAF Slammaster & Poetry Teaching Artist. Writer, Creativity Coach, Performance Poet...an Imaginative Storm. www.jamesnave.com

Free-Style Roots Artist! Joe Craven is a madman with anything that has strings attached; violin, mandolin, tin can, bedpan, cookie tin, tenor guitar, mouth bow, banjo, berimbau, balalaika, boot 'n lace plus a world of percussion instruments including animal bones, squeeze toys, cake pans, waste cans, umbrella stands, martini shakers and: Himself. An advocate of the folk arts, Joe's educational mission is to empower individuals to take possession of their own music and tell their stories by "demystifying" art through self-expression as a daily ritual. Educator, former museum curator, visual artist, actor/storyteller, festival emcee and former 17-year fiddler for mandolinist David Grisman, Joe has recorded and played with folks ranging from jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli to Grateful Dead Guitarist Jerry Garcia to The Persuasions. *Swannanona Gathering Artist* www.joecraven.com

Ratboy Jr. is singer and guitarist Timmy and multitasker extraordinaire Matty (he plays drums and keyboards at the same time!) and they are located in the beautiful Hudson Valley in Upsate NY.  There must be something in the water because their neighbors are Dog on Fleas, Uncle Rock, and Elizabeth Mitchell. They are a rocking duo for all ages. They perform energetic, catchy, and sometimes improvised tunes with hooks and stories that will get stuck in your head- songs about robots, emus, and garbage men. Their live shows have been getting a lot of buzz. They seemed to have found the formula for a super fun show, a perfect mix of audience participation, hilarious onstage banter, and a slide whistle!  Timmy and Matty have played with big kids, like The Ramones, Dog on Fleas, Pete Seeger, and the guy from School House Rock!  They have appeared at the Clearwater Festival, Wormfest, Howlfest, Bowery poetry Club, The River’s Meltdown, Mountain Jam, Rock the Resort, Strange Creek, etc.  www.ratboyjr.com

Old Time Jam! "E-Boo" has been playing the old Appalachian music with family and friends for over 25 years.This multi instrumentalist plays fiddle,guitar, mandolin & the Mountain Dulcimer. She plays with the Butter Holler String Band and leads jams at various festivals including LEAF and Merelfest,and an old time jam every other Friday night in downtown Marshall. Here at LEAF, E-Boo leads "easy jams" of tunes and songs for people of all levels of experience. These jams are especially helpful for those who are new to Old Time string band music,as she can assist with chords and rhythm patterns while playing the fiddle. Each tune will be played slowly a few times to allow folks to 'catch' the tune then progress up to tempo.

Old time Mandolin! Playing in the Old Time Music group "Too Hot To Cook" for the past 20 years & teaching mandolin at The Blue Ridge Old Time Music week for the past 5 years. "Timing is everything " is what Elizabeth Ann subscribes to along with a good old time dose of fun while students swiftly learn to play a fiddle tune.

Banjo & Clogging! Known for his distinctive fretless banjo playing and rhythmic flatfoot dancing, Gordy has toured and recorded with Ralph Blizard and the New Southern Ramblers and the Green Grass Cloggers for years. His solo banjo playing was recently featured on several CDs, Banjo Gathering and Old Time Banjo Festival on Rounder Records. Rebecca's solid rhythm guitar playing keeps many an old time jam cooking. *Swannanona Gathering Artist*

Dynamic solo percussive step dancer! Ira is one of the world's premier solo percussive step dancers. Full-length concerts are a stunning display of a wide variety of these dynamic, rhythmic dances. Ira will be teaching a cajun danceshop, leading an all-ages flat-footing workshop, and hosting LEAF's STEP DANCE CONTEST on Sunday.
www.tentoepercussion.com

Traditional Irish Tunes...Ken, a British native, has been involved in the traditional Folk Club scene since 1970. He plays Irish Whistle and sings traditional English folk songs with Concertina and Fiddle.

Old Time Jams. Lewis has been playing fiddle since the late 60's and began playing banjo and guitar before that during the Folk Revival years. Wills has been a staff musician for Blue Ridge Old-Time Week at Mars Hill College for the past three years, and has a banjo piece recorded on the album, 40th Annual Old Fiddlers Convention at Galax, Virginia.

Flatfoot dancer, musician & caller. Assistant Director of the Swannanoa Gathering and coordinator of Old-Time Music & Dance Week, Phil is a nationally known as a dance caller, musician & flatfoot dancer. Phil will be running and judging LEAF's Fiddle Contest on Saturday at the Acoustic Jam Tent.*Swannanona Gathering Artist*

Everyone loves to dance with Rodney! He is a traditional dancer, caller, musician, and storyteller. He was both a member and director of the Green Grass Cloggers in their early years, and co-founder of and principle dancer with the Fiddle Puppets(now known as Footworks). Rodney's friendly style of sharing his love of clogging and flatfooting, along with his welcoming "put you at ease" calling, has made him a favorite at festivals, conventions, and retreats for over 30 years.

DRUM! Darrell Rose is a master African drummer who plays in the West African tradition with his band JuJu Gathering. He has played internationally with Corey Harris, among other well-known names in the music industry, and has played on tour and recorded with The Wailers. Darrell's involvement with and commitment to teaching young people distinguishes him from other talented musicians. His work he has done through LSS with the youth at the Swannanoa Youth Development Center is life-changing. *LSS darrellrose.net

Show your fiddlin' skills! The Fiddle contest is open to festival goers, staff, or volunteers (no pro performers, please). and is judged by LEAF's resident fiddle experts in the following styles. Prizes!
Old-Time Fiddle (traditional Appalachian style
& repertoire)
Non-Traditional Fiddle (non-Appalachian
or non-traditional style or repertoire)
JUDGING CRITERIA: Rhythm, Timing, Execution, Expression, & Authenticity.

Join in the fun! Meet at the LEAFlet Kids Village to participate in the fun of being involved with LEAF's Parade! Join Drummers, Stiltwalkers, Puppets, Dancers, and more for a romping good time. Saturday afternoon the magic of the village roams through the festival.

WIN the $1000+ GRAND PRIZE. SPEAK UP. SHOUT OUT. This is a powerful moving LEAF tradition Saturday night at 8pm in Eden Hall, Poets come from around the country to take the stage in one of the most spellbinding competitions where the audience sits mezmerized for hours. It is a site to see. When Marc Smith invented the term "Poetry Slam" in Chicago at the "Get Me High Café" in 1984, he asked this question: Is it possible to perform poem with such power, force, and commitment that the crowd goes Grand Slam wild? The answer was YES. Come early. Get a good seat. Watch it happen at the Leaf Poetry Slam! Slammers: Sign up, Eden Hall, 1 pm with LEAF's Poetry Slammaster James Navé.

A PUPPETRY SLAM???? Oh my- take all the excitement and creativity of the Poetry Slam and add the creative design and exuberance of puppets. We have no idea what to expect, but we are going for it in the Barn on Friday night. LEAF is always trying to offer new creative adventures for the community...well here you go...by the way...lets make it adult only.

Step Dancing Contest w/ Ira Bernstein. There will be two categories: Appalachian Styles (includes flatfooting and clogging styles), and Anglo/Celtic Styles (includes all Canadian styles such as Cape Breton, Quebecois, etc., English styles, and Irish styles). Scoring will be based on rhythm and timing, execution, complexity, and style (i.e. adherence to the style being danced by the contestant). Each contestant shall dance two times through a "standard form" of music for the style and rhythm being performed.

Sharing an enthusiasm for performance, play and interaction, Katie and Kaci are better known as AcroEntertainment—an acrobatic duo with roots in partner yoga, gymnastics, and circus fundamentals. The two explore oppositional forces in balance and expressive body position while invoking curiosity and creativity. www.acroentertainment.com

FLY at LEAF! High Flying Interactive Trapeze experience that is FUN and THRILLING.

Creative Movement Dance! Amy is a second generation dancer who grew up both backstage and onstage and has worked with internationally known choreographers Vera Mantero, Doug Elkins, Ronald K. Brown and Micheal Jahoda. She has taught, performed and choreographed in New York, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Peru. She has presented her original choreography at Dixon Place, the Angel Orensanz Center, El Centro Cultural de Espana de Lima, and the Asheville Fringe Festival, where she recently performed with her daughter as part of the Pipsissewa Movement Project. She teaches locally at Vance Elementary School and the Asheville Culture Project. Amy is a LEAF in Schools & Streets Resident Teaching Artist with the 21st Century program at Enka Middle School with the YMCA of Western NC and Buncombe County Schools. .LSS

"HOOPNOTIC" hoopdance routines that are sure to mezmerize the eyes! Checkout nightly roving LED Hoopdance performances that are hard to miss! Asheville Hoops will be offering Hoops for sale, demo hoop usage at the booth. Catch a Hoopdance Workshop at the Earht tent on Saturday afternoon. Be sure to keep you eye out for Asheville Hoops Troupe in the Kids Parade! Hoop to see you around!
www.ashevillehoops.com

CHESS MASTER Robert is back for his 10th season at LEAF! He will play his usual 8 game simultaneous exhibition. As one game ends, another player takes his place. The chess will continue for 5 hours over 2 days. His score for 9 LEAF seasons is 326 wins, 8 draws, 2 losses. Robert is Western Carolina's highest rated player. At his peak, he was rated #6 in the US in correspondence chess. Robert has not played serious chess in years, so play him and go for the win!!

*Caribbean Puppet Theatre Explorations with Kelly Hanson - LEAF staffer since the beginning and an artist and teacher herself - will be bringing her students from The New Classical Academy in Weaverville, NC to perform. Her focus is to work collaboratively with K-5 students to create original puppet plays. Students read classical literature, work in groups to write original plays, create puppets to represent characters in the play, record their voices to create a soundtrack, and perform LIVE on a custom built puppet stage. *LSS *Caribbean Traditions*

Creative Theatre! Erinn founded Anam Cara Theatre Company (ACTC), with the mission of creating socially progressive theatre in her community. Most recently, she directed and performed in a production of The Vagina Monologues for ACTC, raising funds for a local women's resource center. In additon to serving as an artistic director, Erinn works at the YWCA of Asheville in the After-School and Summer Camp programs, where she develops drama programs. Erinn has her MFA in design and technology for theatre. She worked in the Twin Cities for several years as a freelance designer and scenic artist and has taught various workshops in the theatrical arts to people of many different ages and abilities. She is currently a LEAF in Schools & Streets Resident Teaching Artist at the Deaverview Learning Center. .LSS www.anamcaratheatre.com

JUGGLE...A true example of just how extremely sexy a juggling troupe can be. When it comes to performance not much surpasses the beauty of the spectacle that is Forty Fingers. What else, besides juggling, could be so seductive. You're right, only Star Wars trading cards. Forty Fingers, recommends bringing smelling salts and as many thorn-less roses as you can to throw to all shows.
www.fortyfingersjuggling.com

Powerful POETRY in action! Graham is a veteran stage performer and educator with over 14 years of professional stage experience. His work promotes personal and community development through cultural awareness. As founder|director of POETIX, an experiential arts program centered on spoken-word poetry, Graham serves a broad range of youth populations. including juvenile inmates, public, private, and charter schools, community centers, and numerous after-school and summer programs. Personal expression through innovative, media-saturated workshops. A headline performer of The POETIX Lounge event series and The RANT & RAVE: A Celebration of Free Speech, Graham has also performed at Bonnaroo, Trinumeral Festival, LEAF, and LAAFF, as well as Westside Rhyme in New York City. Graham is also a LEAF in Schools & Streets Resident Teaching Artist at Pisgah View Community Center with 21st Century Community Learning Centers with the City of Asheville. .LSS
www.poetixonline.com

A Ballet of Incredible Puppet wizardry! Hobey Ford's "Animalia" is a puppetry ballet that takes you into the world of animals. Set to the nature inspired jazz of the Paul Winter Concort, these incredibly realistic puppet creations come to life in the hands of of this celebrated puppetry innovator. Ford has performed internationally for 30 years and is the recipient of three Jim Henson grant awards and a UNIMA Citation of excellence, puppetry's highest honor.
www.hobeyford.com

Drum New Orleans Style....Imhotep, a Resident Reaching Artist for LEAF in Schools and Streets at Pisgah View Learning Center and Klondyke Housing Community, is a Mardi Gras Indian from New Orleans, LA that relocated to AVL. He teaches song and drumming to local youth out of his passion for carrying on the musical traditions of his New Orleans culture. Currently, Imhotep is a drummer for a number of bands, including the "Absurdist Gypsy Folk Funk Punk" band Sirius.B, and for Rising Appalachia. When Imhotep is not teaching, rehearsing or performing he does work for Alternative Roots, a group that provides support to artists by helping them find gigs and venues, and Red Zebra, a company that creates drumming exercises for corporate team building. Imhotep's up and coming projects include producing a new band in Asheville and appearing in a local movie called Wanderlust. .LSS

Jamaican & African Roots. Gracious leader and teacher of movement, dance and drum, grassroots music, World Chants, Jamaican Dance & Music, Improvisation, Basic Chi-Gong, Tai-Chi, Yoga and anything indigenous or grassroots. *LSS *Caribbean Traditions*
www.myspace.com/alisakuumba

Didjeridu! Jarrett fell in love with the Didjeridu in 2001 and since then has become an accomplished player with some unique styles. His passion for the instrument has led him to perform, teach and host Didjeridu circles whenever and wherever possible. Clear explanations and a warm and friendly teaching style make him the ideal person for a beginner to learn from. "Nada Brahma: The Universe is Sound."

An exciting new LEAFlet Kids Village performer with more information to come.....

African Drumming! Kenya also known as Goundo Diabate is a educator, musician, teacher, performer and lecturer. Kenya serves as the director for the Shiloh Community Center and was the previous Future Vision Director for the YWCA of Asheville's Teen Programs. Kenya looks after/coordinates a team providing opportunities for all voices to be heard, especially the voices of the arts. Kenya's approach is often times seen as holistic, therapeutic and inclusive. Kenya's degree is in Music from Brevard College and has continued to incorporate her love for music and the arts in every aspect of her life. Kenya is very passionate about African Drumming and the collaboration of the arts international. She had the pleasure of residing in Mali, West Africa and has hopes of returning "home again" soon as she prepares to lead others aboard for the experience of a lifetime Join Kenya in discovering the past, the present and the future of a people through the sounds of music- dynamic, so powerful, so engaging yet so foreign so that our youth of tomorrow might shine on the forefront of society through the realm of music. . She is a LEAF in Schools & Streets Resident Teaching Artist in the Woodridge Learning Center. .LSS

DRUMS. COMMUNITY. RHYTHMS. Larry has been leading LEAF's Drum Circle for years. He now comes off the mountains to bring the community of drumming into the beats of the festival. In Asheville, Larry has changed downtown with his weekend drum circles at Pritchard Park which draw people from all walks and beckons them to dance and celebrate.

Hip Hop & Bellydancer of the Universe- she is LEAF-tastic to learn to dance with! Lisa is a powerful and dynamic performer and an engaging and disciplined instructor specializing in bellydance, urban fusion and Indian dance. As an in demand workshop instructor, Lisa travels around the country and will be teaching her first international workshop in 2010 in southern France. Lisa is based in AVL where she owns Studio Zahiya, a studio dedicated to empowering dancers to find their voice in dance. Lisa works with children and women with body issues, using dance as a tool for self discovery and healing. Lisa is as a resident teaching artist for LEAF in Schools & Streets arts education outreach program at Deaverview Learning Center, Burton St. Center & Erwin Middle School. Lisa earned the title of "Tribal Fusion Bellydancer of the Universe" in 2008, winning a competition in Long Beach, CA and won the Alternative Category at Wiggles of the West 2009. .LSS
www.lisazahiya.com

Always a crowd favorite. You’ll just be amazed with the award winning balloon twisting of Balloon Illusions! Mark is a true balloon artist! Just give your request and it will be rendered in balloons – whether whimsical, fanciful, or representational.

West African Dance! Melina has been in pursuit of dance for years. She has extensively studied the dance styles of the African Diaspora, those of Cuba, Haiti and Brazil, as well as the traditional styles of many West African countries. Melina has traveled to Africa to witness, practice, and participate in the dancing traditions that have changed her life. She has danced in three performing arts companies, the latest being Jeh Kulu - a company based in Vermont that specializes in educating and empowering communities to celebrate Africa and the richness it brings to all of us and has been teaching in the local area for the last several years. She is a LEAF in Schools & Streets Resident Teaching Artist at Pisgah View Learning Center. .LSS

MOOG has changed the possibilities of MUSIC- experience the magic at LEAF! The Bob Moog Foundation honors and supports the legacy of electronic music pioneer Bob Moog by celebrating, teaching and documenting innovative thinking in electronic music. The foundation aims to touch people's lives through experiential creativity and exposure to the boundless realm of sonic reality. Join us at LEAF for an interactive musical experience." *LSS
www.moogfoundation.org

Kids Gotta Rock! Orlando-based Mr. Richard & the Pound Hounds infuse their catchy tunes with strains of Beatles pop and Replacements-style punk into kid's music that everyone can groove to. Even parents find themselves humming these kindie beats long after their little ones have gone to sleep.
www.mrrichard.net

Art, Puppetry & Movement. Nina is a master of art and a theatre She is a puppeteer with P. O'Connor Puppetry. Her hand printed clothing and original artwork have been available in stores in downtown Asheville . She has co-written and performed her own works of puppetry from Maine to NC. She is currently a member of the Asheville-based Runaway Circus, that has performed in Guatemala, Canada, and most of the United States. Nina also has her artwork displayed on city buses in Asheville - with the Art in Transit project. She is a LEAF in Schools & Streets Resident Teaching Artist in the Woodridge Learning Center. .LSS www.runawaycircus.com

Stunning Puppetry! Red Herring has been designing, building, and performing puppets and specialty costumes for more than thirty years. In that thirty year span, Artistic Director, Lisa Sturz has worked with Walt Disney Imagineering, Jim Henson Productions, Lucasfilm, PBS, NBC, ABC, UNC-TV, The Ice Capades, the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, the Asheville Symphony and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Lisa's resume is vast, ranging from stage to movie, to television shows and commercials, and Lisa has even worked in education, teaching residencies and designing various sets for schools and universities. .LSS
www.redherringpuppets.com

A wonderful early morning LEAF tradition in Eden Hall. Relaxing and inspiring morning piano to go with your coffee.
www.robertthomasmusic.com

Creative, Global Dance...Her movement training includes the study Indian Folk, Odissi Classical, Afro-Brazilian, Butoh, Hatian Folk, Middle Eastern (Bellydance), Modern Dance, Folk Dances of the Quechua, Chinese Sleeve Dance, Fire Dance Theater, Prenatal and Postpartum dance training, and 10+ years of yoga study. She is also a Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist, and brings her understanding of anatomy and kinesiology to her teaching. Sara is a LEAF in Schools & Streets Resident Teaching Artist with the 21st Century program at Enka Middle School with the YMCA of Western NC and Buncombe County Schools. .LSS

Magical bedtime fireside Storytelling. As the sun sets over LEAF, something special happens in front of the fireplace inside Thunderbird Lodge. Friday and Saturday evenings, the vaudeville-style storytelling of Sarah Eshan creates a magical setting entertaining children of all ages. Her stories, characters, and songs take audiences places that span the globe and connect them to ancestral and cultural roots with laughter and the occasional lesson for life. Come experience the storytelling spirits with her!

Vintage cabaret style marionette show full of tricks and surprises. Madison J. Cripps came to puppetry on a farm in Western Massachusetts in the Fall of 2006. He studied with The Sandglass Theatre of Vermont and has since been performing with his original puppets throughout North America from Canada to Mexico.

"The worst part about the Gathering is that there are only 24 hours in the day and 3 of them are wasted sleeping!"-student comment . The gathering is a series of summer workshops in various folk arts held on the campus of Warren Wilson College near Asheville in the heart of NC's beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. It is internationally one of the best places to go to learn and experience folk genres: Celtic, Old-Time, Dulcimer, Guitar, Fiddle, Traditional Song, and Contemporary Folk. Founded in 1991 by WWC President Emeritus Doug Orr and directed by Jim Magill...both leaders we are grateful to have on the LEAF Board of Directors. LEAF will be featuring several musicians who are also part of Swannanoa Gathering- a great way to get a sense of the offerings of one of the best Folk gatherings and workshops. www.swangathering.com

Karen Jaffe comes from an extensive background of theater, gymnastics, and an eclectic mix of dance disciplines. She discovered Argentine Tango in 1997 and since then has studied intensively with many well-known teachers. She travels to festivals all around the USA, as well as annually to Buenos Aires to devote several weeks to studying and social dancing. She began teaching in 2003 and currently leads private and group classes in Asheville and appears as guest artist-teacher through the Southeast. Karen's focus in teaching is to make the dance accessible and enjoyable to all who are interested.  Karen believes, "Tango is a metaphor for life!"  www.tangogypsies.com
Daniel Arredondo was born in San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina, Daniel has been dancing almost all of his life. As a teenager he trained and competed in Martial Arts. He also studied and performed modern dance during his last years in high school. As a member of the Universidad Nacional de San Luis ballet in Argentina, he performed traditional folkloric dances. In addition Daniel successfully competed as a member of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Ballroom Team in 1999. After more than six years of instruction from several world renowned Argentine Tango dancers, he has performed in many National Tango events, and over the past several years has traveled internationally and nationally teaching Tango workshops. Currently he is the Argentine Tango instructor in the Charlotte area. 
www.passionfortango.com

Magical Fairy Dust is wonderful. The Blue Fairy (aka Alina Ever on stilts) sprinkles magical fairy dust and blessings of well-being on festival-goers tall and short, young and old, one and all. Close your eyes, make a wish... and so it will be! The Blue Fairy is accompanied on flute by the Prince of Pipes (aka Chris Deerheart).
www.alinaever.com

Island Vibes of Steel Pan.... LoveCat Music recording artist Tracy Thornton has been making his living as a professional steelpannist since 1995. He was the founder, leader and arranger for critically acclaimed "Been Caught Steelin'" and the nationally renowned "Sons Of Steel" which had been anointed "The Nation's Most Exciting Steel Drum Band" back during their four year run. Each group produced CDs that Tracy produced himself and co-produced "Sons Of Steel's" Carpe Diem title with world-renowned pannist Andy Narell. Other groups that Tracy has arranged and produced are "The Bahama Mamas", "The Pink Flamingos" and "Steel Praisin'". In addition, Tracy has released 6 solo projects of his own. His fresh and exciting take on steelband arrangements are rapidly becoming performance favorites of steelbands throughout the country. *Caribbean Traditions*

SPECTACULAR FIRE show with elements of acrobatics, creative costumery, and movement arts. Unifire Theater based in Asheville, NC promises to excite the senses with their respectful play with fire. Years of experience with the Flame and with one another Unifire performs with numerous tools including double dutch jump rope, staffs, hoops, poi, and more! It's a show not to be missed when night comes and the spark awakened.
www.unifiredance.com

Mountain Unicyclers...Forget about juggling, polka-dot pants, red rubber shoes and fake noses. Unicycling has moved beyond the circus tent and onto the trails. Mountain unicycling, more popularly called Muni, is a relatively new sport involves riding a unicycle on the same terrain one would take a mountain bike. Muni has been growing rapidly in the Blue Ridge since it first took hold in the 1980s. Come see first hand what all excitement is about. Jack Igleman and his crew of muniers will amaze and delight you with their sick muni skills.

WNCW is the western NC radio station that is the source for FOLK, TRADITIONS, CULTURAL, and music you don't hear anywhere else. The radio station is our source year around to discover new music, and LEAF is thankful for their support and sponsorship. Congrats to WNCW celebrating their 21st year of great music and community. Several of their voices such as WNCW's Music Mix daily with Martin Anderson and Local Color host Laura Blackley come to help bring LEAF's stages to life with the MCing....listen up.
www.wncw.org