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Salutations LEAFers! We are creating a magical Retreat, just the right size of just 1500, at just the right place Lake Eden! During 2020-2021, “we LOVED the old school magic” of the smaller retreats. By popular request, May is an amazing Retreat, and fall is a full festival. What a great balance!
*NEW* LEARNING JOURNEY with MASTER ARTISTS!
This May come to Lake Eden early and be part of building a new LEAF cornerstone with Master Artists! As a prelude to the Retreat we call this workshop experience “The Learning Journey” for all levels & ages, Tuesday May 10th – Thursday May 12th. You have an in-depth opportunity to connect with and learn from stellar Master artists we treasure…Preservation Hall All Stars; Leah Song of Rising Appalachia, Chinobay of Uganda, Masaknho of Malawi, Poets James Nave’ and Jahman Hill, Garfield of NOLA, Adama Dembele of Ivory Coast & others!
At LEAF, we feel cultural curiosity, connection & learning are like water to a community. It is the essence of change and a catalyst to joy. Did you know that in the early 1900’s, Lake Eden was developed by E.W. Grove (Grove Park Inn) “offering a getaway for people seeking its healing waters and refreshing air?” Along this notion, we introduce the Retreat: The Waters of Life! It is time to dive into another magical LEAF experience!
Leah Song (musician. educator. artist.) has cultivated a captivating style of world roots music, playing stripped down banjo, bodhran and guitar. Standing apart from Rising Appalachia - the band led by Leah and her sister Chloe -Leah carries listeners further down the musical backroads she has been traversing for decades.
Djembe and percussion master, guitarist and songwriter Atiba Rorie will grace us with his music and beautiful West African culture!
LEAF Schools & Streets Master Teaching Artist - Ivory Coast Culture & Traditions
Dancing returns to Eden Hall with this fiery swing band known for keeping the dancefloors hot!
Keith Shubert returns with his hilarious and wildly entertaining puppetry slam to LEAF!
Outstanding festival and club DJ/Producer from Miami will bring his signature blend of Hip Hop, Jazz, Funk & Electronic music to LEAF.
LEAF Schools & Streets Teaching Artist - Make a Difference...Inspire Others
Powerful poet and wordsmith will teach at the Learning Journey masterclass series and perform his word artform at Retreat!
LEAF Schools & Streets Teaching Artist - World Percussion
LEAF's Singer/Songwriter Competition NewSong returns to showcase some amazing, new talent!
Amazing Asheville vocalist debuts her solo material at LEAF!
Explore the #1 Kids Festival in Western North Carolina, and one of the best FAMILY festivals in the world. All of LEAF is family friendly with activities spread throughout the magical setting. The Family Adventure Village holds the heart of the activities and is designed to amaze and inspire, and is filled with interactive activities. Watch performances, create, play, and discover whimsical Puppetry shows. Support children’s crafts, hoop and flow, and play boffer games. Immerse into cultural creative arts in Easel Rider with LEAF teaching artists. Swing in the Jelly Dome. Play sports with a global community. Jump, roll, pet, climb, and retreat: life-sized hamster ball, climbing wall, launch rockets! Carl & Jamie’s Toy Trains on the hill, Tom Heck’s paper rockets, and Giant slides & bounce houses! And if you have little ones, Enjoy safe and creative childcare in Elfhaven Village that is open til 2am Friday and Saturday!
Do you have a young artists in your family?
Sprouts Corner Youth Vendors is ORIGINAL kid-made art sold by kid artists! Here kids can offer their handmade art, special skills & services, like fortune telling or manicures… just has to be $10 or less!
Enhance your Retreat experience with a massage or a chiropractic consult! We will have multiple healing artist booths and LMTs providing a variety of modalities including: Ashiastu, Thai, deep tissue, myofascial release, cupping, and more.
Prepare for a weekend of complimentary Healing Arts, Movement, and Earth Skills workshops with the intention of helping you flow with what the Waters of Life drift your way. So many opportunities to enhance your Retreat experience! Enjoy flow yoga to live music, nature hikes, dance, music workshops, sound healing, meditation, and more. Express your true self without judgement!
We are so grateful for our wonderful Presenters and Vendors!!
LEAF Love to amazing Artists who artfully inspire the LEAF experience! LEAF Festival’s Juried Handcraft Art Fair exhibits 50+ national & local artisans.
Browse and shop the colorful booths, meet the artists, and visit the Global Interactive Outpost to win artful donations from fabulous artisans at LEAF Art Raffle benefiting LEAF Schools & Streets. Check out & shop these amazing LEAF Festival Handcraft Artists! You can support artists online now and buy gifts at LEAF Retreat & Festival.
LEAF Cafe in Eden Hall and various Culinary Booths throughout the festival grounds provide gourmet, international fare from local chefs. All the food is freshly prepared on site, and there is something for almost anyone from vegetarians to BBQ fans. We have a good diversity and long hours to keep everyone happily fed. { Gluten Free & Vegetarian Options Available }
Culinary Food Booths
LEAF Festival hosts various local culinary artists that represent many cultures and cuisine options to make your LEAF life delicious. A few change from time to time; however, many culinary booths are longtime LEAF Traditions. Click on images below to see the various culinary booths throughout the festival.
Need to revive your festival spirit? Visit their eateries in Asheville area.
WNC’s favorite LEAF Festival was back and celebrated Global Citizenship!
“As peoples from different geographical locations, we so often have been separated by borders and countries, that we forget that we are part of a much larger family…humanity!! LEAF is your passport to experience rich cultural music and traditions, to remind us of our glorious diversity, but with the purpose of bringing us closer together. From stellar acts like Tito Puente Jr. and Las Cafeteras, to the world orchestra of Ethno Camp with young artists from 10 countries and Afghani Musician Quraishi Roya. Time to pack your bags & get ready for a World tour. Time to be a “Global Citizen!!”
– Otto Vazquez, Artistic Director
Celebrating 26 years! Connecting Cultures & Creating Community Through World Music & Arts
Use your Culinary Passport Vouchers at Eden Hall run by Baba Nahm, Middle Eastern Restaurant, dedicated to creating exceptional food with a festival flair.
The Culinary Passport vouchers are easy to share with your kids and friends – so you can buy several passports to share.
Make festival eating easier, save $ and time. Click here to purchase your Culinary Passport
