LEAF Global Arts Retreat

NEWSPERFORMERS |  FAMILY  |  HEALING  |  HANDCRAFTS  |  CULINARY

Tickets and lodging for LEAF Retreat are on sale now.

Shine Your Light
Share the Love

EACH ONE TEACH ONE 

Each year, we program signature events based on specific themes. Our theme for 2025 is “Each One Teach One,” a powerful mantra that illuminates and inspires the path toward a brighter future. In this interconnected journey, we are both teacher and student, realizing that our shared wisdom can ignite positivity throughout generations by collectively carrying and passing the torch to future generations. 

This theme is a testament to the enduring ripple effect of education and mentorship, as we inspire and guide others to discover their unique capabilities. Through this theme, LEAF Global Arts illustrates the transformative journey of passing the torch and fostering an empathetic community across cultures and generations where each individual’s light contributes to the brilliance of the whole. In doing so, we collectively illuminate the world with knowledge, compassion, and shared wisdom.

We look forward to a year of mentorship, learning, and healing through the arts. LEAF Love and Gratitude!

We’re excited to unveil to YOU this Retreat’s captivating poster, illustrated by the talented Sir Tom Foolery (aka Tommy Lee💛). The artwork embodies the spirit of owl medicine—a powerful symbol of wisdom, transformation, and light in darkness.

Just as the owl thrives under the moon’s glow, it reminds us to shine our light even in shadowed moments. With 360-degree vision, the owl teaches us to approach life with curiosity, innovation, and insight.

2025 Retreat poster with lineup

2025 LEAF Global Arts RETREAT Performing Artists

La Chiny

La Chiny & Maria Pretez

Music & rhythms from Costa Rica

LEAF Kono Band onstage at Downtown After 5

LEAF Kono Band

Collective formed from LEAF teaching artists

Josh Phillips playing a guitar

Josh Phillips & Everything's Good

Feel-good folk-rock

Danza Azteca Chichimeca

Danza Azteca Chicimeca

Aztec drummers, musicians and dancers will bring scared rituals to the stage! A must-experience!

McKinney

McKinney

A true powerhouse vocalist and bassist, a LEAF resident teaching artist and daughter to the magnificent Melissa McKinney.

Datrian Johnson & the Family Tree

Datrian Johnson & the Family Tree

Winners of the 2024 Charlotte Blues Society Blues Challenge.

Musician Leeda Lyric Jones, who is LEAF's SparktheArtsNC Artist in Residence for March 2024.

Leeda Lyrica Jones

Soulful R&B songwriter, vocalist, and musician

Flamenco Appalachia

Flamenco Appalachia

Flamenco dance

Monika Guerra

Amazing dancer from Miami teaches Salsa & Latin dancing at LEAF!

Agustín Palomo Ramos

Agustín Palomo Ramos

healing through drums and music

Arturo Chavez

Arturo Chavez

Dance and LEAF teaching artist

This is LEAF Retreat...

An intimate festival — only 1,500 tickets sold!
Super family-friendly
So many magical moments
Workshops, classes, discussions, & more
Room to boogie!
Global music & art
Performances that stir the soul
Fostering connections
Inspiring natural beauty

LEAF Retreat, May 2024

Feel the music! Steve Atkins' photos capture the moments

LEAF Retreat, May 2024

More magic! Reneé Treece's photos refresh our LEAF love

LEAF Retreat, May 2024

Moments captured by Andy Lukacs-Ormand

LEAF RETREAT is for everyone!

All of LEAF is family friendly with activities spread throughout the magical setting. Watch performances, create, play, discover whimsical puppetry shows, sing, dance, and LEARN! Enjoy children’s crafts, hoop and flow, and play boffer games. Immerse in cultural creative arts in Easel Rider with LEAF teaching artists. Swing in the Jelly Dome. Play sports with a global community.

If you have little ones, Elfhaven Childcare in Buckeye Lodge is a world of wonder and time for parents to go play. 

Handcraft Artists

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….

drawing | painting | fiber | furniture | glass | jewelry | metal work | mixed media | photography | printmaking | ceramics | apparel | wood

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.

APPLY TO BE A VENDOR

Culinary Arts

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. 

Mayani is a Maasai boy from longido Arusha. He went to boarding school at 6 years old and lost his Maasai language and tradition. Since joining the LEAF program, he has learned to sing Maasai songs, practiced the ‘jump’ tradition and wear Maasai shukas (traditional clothing). Mayani is extremely happy and is currently teaching other youth the culture.