Join us at LEAF Global Arts Festival to connect to the world and each other through cultural exploration, live music, dance, performance arts, healing arts, workshops, nature, and more. Our year-long theme, World Changers, is a call to art and activism that can be seen, felt, and heard. The intergenerational, family-friendly gathering transforms lives, strengthens community, and fosters unity through the wonder of creativity, inclusivity, and shared joy.

This year, we celebrate the extraordinary global citizens who not only create art but also champion causes that resonate with the heartbeat of humanity. These are the voices that echo in the halls of change, the hands that paint the canvas of a better tomorrow. Our chosen artists are not just masters of their crafts; they are beacons of hope, tirelessly advocating for a world where justice, peace, and creativity flourish.

That mission, and our yearlong theme — World Changers — is reflected in the Festival poster art designed by Tommy Lee, aka Sir Tom Foolery.

Schdeule of Events

October 17, 2024

OPENING LAND BLESSING CEREMO [6-6:15PM]

BACHATA PERFORMANCE & SOCIAL DANCE w/ ARTURO CHAVEZ of Mexico [6:30-7:45PM]

WORLD-CHANGERS GLOBAL FLIGHT w/ ADAMA DEMBELE (Ivory Coast), LA CHINY & MARIA PRETEZ (Costa Rica), MASANKHO BANDA (Malawi) Dance, Drum, Enjoy! [8-9PM]

JOSH PHILLIPS & EVERYTHING'S GOOD - ALBUM RELEASE PARTY
Josh's Birthday!! Roots, Soul, Reggae Dance Party [9:30-llPM]

October 18, 2024

DANZA AZTECA CHICHIMECA
Land Blessing & Recognition [4:30PM]

DAVID LAMOTTE
World-Changing Folk & Peace [5-6PM]

GLOBAL DANCE SHOWCASE
World-Changing World Dances! NANI ORSIUO - Hula HEENA PATEL - Bhangra & Bollywood MASANKHO BANDA - Malawian Kwasakwasa PAOLA TINOCO - Flamenco MONIKA GUERPA - Bellydance |630-7:30PM]

MUJERES DE LAS PIEDRAS
Immersive Dance w/ JADE SANCHEZ [7:30-8PM]

NNENNA FREELON & PIERCE FREELON
Hip-Hop Grammy Nominees "ANCESTARS" Best Kids Album [8-9:30PM]

TRAP JAZZ
Revolutionary Project of Ti Jazz w/ Meet & Greet [10:15-11:45PM]

October 19, 2024

LEAF SCHOOLS & STREETS SHOWCASE
w/ ANDRE LASSALLE, DERIAN BLANE, MELISSA MCKINNEY & LEAF LIGHTS [10:30-11:45PM]

WORLD DRUM DAY KICKOFF w/ ADAMA DEMBELE, MASANKHO BANDA, DRUMSTRONG, CHIEF SHAKA ZULU. NIK HOPE, USTAD. LEAF ELITE STEEL ORCHESTRA, DAVID LAMOTTE & more! [12-12:30PM]

THE SECRET AGENCY w/ AGENT 23 SKIDOO Grammy-Winning. Family-Friendly Hip-Hop [12:30-1:15PM]

LAS GUARACHERAS
Colombian Salsa Sextet [1:45-2:45PM]

MAKING MOVIES (LSS)
Latin-Psychedelic Rockin' Grooves [3:30-4:45PM]

FLAMENCO APPALACHIA with PAOLA TINOCO & GUEST:
Flamenco Dance & Music [5:15-6PM]

SCYTHIAN
Celtic-Ukrainian Americana [6:30-7:30PM]

SALSA DEMO w/ MONIKA GUERRA [7:30-

SHEILA E.
Queen of Percussion MC: NICOLE CUSH [8:15-9:30PM]

LAS CAFETERAS
Cumbia Hip-Hop & Chicano Folk w/ Meets. Greet MC: ARIEL OF DANZA AZTECA [10:15-11:45PM]

October 20, 2024

MORNING MOVEMENT
Hula Demo w/ NAN I ORSILLO [9:30-10AM]

RED DOG W7 RICHIE STEARNS
Neo-Primitive Punk Banjo Legend + Powerhouse Musicians [10-10:45AM1

LEAF KONO BAND + FASHION SHOW
CHINOBAY [11:15AM-12PM]

WORLD DRUM DAY FINALE
ADAMA DEMBELE, MASANKHO BANDA. DRUMSTRONG. CHIEF SHAKA ZULU, NIK HOPE. USTAD. LEAF ELITE STEEL ORCHESTRA & MORE! [12-12:15PM]

BEAUSOLEIL AVEC MICHAEL DOUCET
50th Anniversary! Lousiana French Cajun Legends [12:45-1:45PM]

ASHEVILLE SUN SOO
Martial Arts Demo [1:45-2:15PM]

LAS CAFETERAS (LSS)
Electrifying Cumbia Hip-Hop [2:15-3:15PM]

BELA FLECK & ABIGAIL WASHBURN
King & Queen of Banjo Global Folk Fusion [4-5:30PM]

Date: October 17-20, 2024

Location:
Lake Eden Retreat,
379 Lake Eden Road,
Black Mountain, NC 28711.

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