LEAF Global Arts Retreat
NEWS | PERFORMERS | FAMILY | HEALING | HANDCRAFTS | CULINARY
Tickets and lodging for LEAF Retreat are on sale now.
2025 LEAF Global Arts RETREAT Performing Artists
Thanks for joining us at the May 2025 LEAF Retreat! We can’t wait to see you at LEAF Global Arts Festival, October 16-19, 2025. Until then, here’s a sweet recap from videographer Rex Neu.
May 2025 lineup
Josh Phillips & Everything's Good
Feel-good folk-rock
La Chiny & Maria Pretez
Music & rhythms from Costa Rica
Datrian Johnson & the Family Tree
Winners of the 2024 Charlotte Blues Society Blues Challenge.
Leeda Lyrica Jones
Soulful R&B songwriter, vocalist, and musician
Flamenco Appalachia
Flamenco dance
Reggie Headen
Virtuoso jazz vocalist
Alex, Taylor, & Kennedy
Ecstatic Dance
Haviken Hayes
DJ and Black Light Dance Party host
LEAF Kono Band
Collective formed from LEAF teaching artists
Chinobay of Ugada
Ugandan music, dance, and culture
McKinney
A true powerhouse vocalist and bassist, a LEAF resident teaching artist and daughter to the magnificent Melissa McKinney.
Danza Azteca Chicimeca
Aztec drummers, musicians and dancers will bring scared rituals to the stage! A must-experience!
Keith Shubert's Toybox Theater
Keith Shubert returns with his hilarious and wildly entertaining puppetry slam to Retreat!
Sheila Kay Adams
Appalachian ballad singer
Jaramillo Brothers
Swannanoa-based pickers
Monika Guerra
Amazing dancer from Miami teaches Salsa & Latin dancing at LEAF!
Center for Conscious Living and Dying with Dr. Aditi Sethi & Jay Brown
Heena Patel
Dance and LEAF teaching artist
Derian Blane
Vocalist and LEAF teaching artist
Nani Orsillo
Hula dance and LEAF teaching artist
Arturo Chavez
Dance and LEAF teaching artist
Agustín Palomo Ramos
healing through drums and music
Annie Wenz
Drumming workshop
Ashley Heath
Song-shop facilitator
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.
This is LEAF Retreat...
Healing Arts at LEAF Retreat
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’s Juried Handcraft Art Fair exhibits 50+ national & local artisans.
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.