Squirrel Nut Zippers
LEAF Brings ‘Carnival of Wonder’ to Black Mountain October 20–23
LEAF celebrates its 43rd festival by bringing ‘Carnival of Wonder’ to the majestic Lake Eden in Black Mountain October 20–23. The lineup of performing artists for the Fall 2016 LEAF Festival features local, regional and national acts such as Squirrel Nut Zippers, Balkan Beat Box, Leah Song of Rising Appalachia, Mystical Arts of Tibet, The Screaming J’s and Sangita Devi.
“Dreamers, wanderers and believers of infinite possibility, we invite you explore a ‘Carnival of Wonder,’” says Cortina Jenelle Caldwell, communications director for LEAF Community Arts. “Be prepared for performances that will ignite your imagination combined with a family adventure you will remember forever.”
While LEAF Downtown is the newest event from this dynamic Asheville-based international organization, the founding event and most widely associated with the brand is the LEAF Festival—traditionally held as a fundraiser for LEAF Schools & Streets and LEAF International, as well as an economic driver for the Buncombe County tourist and service industries.
Traveling from all around the world every May and October, 12,000 intergenerational attendees gather on the former grounds of the Historic Black Mountain College at Lake Eden. The typical LEAF Festival experience includes six stages of music featuring local, regional and national acts in addition to LEAF Schools & Streets performing youth, LEAF International showcases and the annual Newsong Singer-Songwriter competition. For long-time attendees known as ‘LEAFers,’ favorite aspects of the experience include the Family Adventure Village, the LEAF Parade, Southern Fried Poetry Slam hosted by Slammaster James Navé, the drum circle, lakeside activities and the simplicity of just unplugging from life and visiting with friends.
“We are so thrilled and honored to be performing at this year’s LEAF festival,” says Jimbo Mathus, lead singer and guitarist of Squirrel Nut Zippers. “Our band has a long and glorious history in the Black Mountain area. It is where we first found our amazing fiddle player, Andrew Bird. We can’t wait to see everyone.”
LEAF Community Arts was founded in 1995 with the idea that music, craft, poetry, visual arts and healing arts could create powerful connections between diverse cultures. LEAF offers youth cultural arts education programs, locally in Western North Carolina via LEAF Schools & Streets, and also in ten countries around the world via LEAF International.
“In times of uncertainty and conflict, we often turn to community and positive experiences to help remind us of our connectedness, goodness and ability to live from our creative potential,” says Caldwell. “For a global community of 12,000 the LEAF Festival is that opportunity to remember and play.”
Ticket prices vary depending upon days of attendance and levels of accommodation and can be purchased at theleaf.org/tickets. Children ten years and under are admitted free. For more information, call 828.686.8742, visit theleaf.org or find LEAF on Facebook.
