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Celebrating "Legends of the Americas"
will drive LEAF's vision for
2023 events!
Join us May 11-14 in the heart of Lake Eden
for the LEAF Spring Retreat!
The pulsing drum is the heartbeat of humanity!
Everywhere across this great land, we see, hear and feel impressions of the peoples that once cultivated it. In this year’s Spring Retreat, we will uplift and honor First Nations, Indigenous & LatinX peoples as a precursor to our Fall Festival, “Legends of The Americas!” We also have a yearly focus on Health: mental, physical & emotional wellbeing. It is a time of rejoicing and celebrating those that came before us. A rekindling of the wisdom passed down through generations; a time of honoring beautiful legacies, stories and traditions. Please join as we enter a world of learning through the eyes of the greats, this May 11-14th at LEAF Retreat!
“My people will sleep for a one hundred years, but when they awake, it will be the artists who give them their spirit back.”
Louis Riel
Retreat’s hand-drawn poster art comes all the way from Chiapas, Mexico! Our featured artist for Retreat is known as Alen Stone, a Chiapas native with strong Mayan roots. His passion for creating art began 20 years ago, as a practitioner of graffiti & Hip Hop culture. Alen said that, from the beginning, he wanted to represent his culture and heritage, so he began fusing Mayan influences with his graffiti pieces and this began his two-decade journey. Alen chose the jaguar as the centerpiece because, not only is it the state symbol of Chiapas, but the majestic creature inhabits their mountainous region in great numbers.
The jaguar was also a symbol of Mayan warriors and revered by many indigenous cultures throughout Mexico. The fans on either side of the jaguar are folkloric symbols of Chiapas and are connected to the traditions of his people. The piece is a lovely dedication to Mayan culture and the wonderful people and traditions of Chiapas, and we are extremely honored and excited to share it with you today! Let’s congratulate Alen Stone for a job well done!
Ready for some NOLA Funk for your trunk? Funkin’ Around With Garfield is the band that will have you grooving and perspiring!
Combining American Roots, West African and Afro-Caribbean rhythms and instruments into a unique musical style, this amazing vocalist returns to uplift and inspire!
Rwanda culture leader, master of traditional Rwandan dance and drum, returns to grace the LEAF stage!
The magic of Rwanda is captured in it's people & their infectious rhythms, & the Jr. Troupe embody this notion. Be ready to be inspired & moved!
LEAF Schools & Streets Master Teaching Artist & Ivory Coast Culture Keeper graces the Golden 50th with his rhythm & immaculate sound!
Dancing returns to Brookside Gym with this fiery swing band known for keeping the dancefloors hot!
One of the many talents that were part of Ethno USA 2021, this multi instrumentalist returns to represent Algeria and North Africa!
Outstanding festival and club DJ/Producer from Miami will bring his signature blend of Hip Hop, Jazz, Funk & Electronic music to LEAF.
This esteemed community leader brings back his "Story Time" & is one of our amazing Master of Ceremonies!
Keith Shubert returns with his hilarious and wildly entertaining puppetry slam to LEAF!
Kid-powered LEAF trebuchets you can hurl softball sized water balloons up to 50 yards
Asheville's original skirt and boots female trio returns to the LEAF stage after a 16 year hiatus!
This amazing producer and wordsmith returns to be the Master of Ceremonies on the Main Stage!
Stilt Walker and NOLA artist Niya Zulu is walking her father's footsteps (Chief Shaka Zulu) & will be gracing us with her talents and legacy!
A remarkable LEAF tradition returns to dazzle, shock and awaken our minds. Hosted and curated by slammaster James Nave'.
Contra in Brookside is back with these dancefloor dynamos! Featuring Callers Bob Isaacs & Susan Petrick using gender inclusive calls for all to enjoy!
LEAF Schools & Streets Teaching Artist - World Percussion master will inspire and uplift with his rhythms!
LEAF's Singer/Songwriter Competition NewSong returns to showcase some amazing, new talent!
Contra in Brookside is back with these dancefloor dynamos! Featuring Callers Bob Isaacs & Susan Petrick using gender inclusive calls for all to enjoy!
Relax and rejuvenate with Healing Artists Booths to get treatments you don't have time for and over 30 Workshops to explore Feelin good!
Kickin' It is the collaborative effort of Greg Ignasiak and Rae Liebtag creating interactive installment art, captivating environments, and experiential events. They seek to provide outlets for community creativity by encouraging self expression. Fun, playful, "under the sea" adventures!
Lake Eden Trails cover hundreds of acres up to Eden Rock if you make it to the top. Find your pace hiking or running with family or solo and the trails welcome you.This is a vintage pic & the tradition continues.
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. Family Adventure activities are throughout LEAF and designed to engage and inspire. 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! Each festival has different offering and tradition- you. may find Toy Trains on the hill, paper rockets, and Giant slides & bounce houses!
If you have little ones, Elfhaven Childcare in Buckeye Lodge is a world of wonder and time for parents to go play.
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. More artists coming soon….
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 50 Festivals & Counting!
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
