Music Workshops

Hand Drums with Music Explorium .
For older kids and young adults. Join the Music Explorium Folks to learn djembe drumming technique, play interlocking rhythms, and lead rhythm games. We have Djembe and ashikos to loan, or bring your own. The Outpost, Sunday 11 am

African Drum Workshop
Bring your Djembe and let the high energy of Daniel Appah, with
Elikem African Dance Company, help you learn the rhythms of West
Africa. Front Porch, Saturday 2:30 pm

Cajun Music Workshop
A unique opportunity to sit down with three world-class Cajun musicians, Ray Abshire (accordian), Courtney Granger (fiddle), and Andre Michot (guitar) for an hour of demonstration and then a 30 minute jam session. Front Porch, Saturday, 12:30 pm

Harmonica/Didgeridoo Workshop with Harper
Australian native, Harper, will draw you in at his performances with his rich soulful voice, virtuoso harmonica solos and didgeridoo rhythmic sound that combine to create a truly Australian take on the roots music genre. Come Sunday and learn how to make the deep woody tones of the didgeridoo and the magic of the harmonica. Front Porch, Saturday 4 pm

Acoustic Guitar with Geoff Achison
Hailed as one of the finest blues players in Australia, Geoff Achison will lead an acoustic guitar workshop. He has developed his own sound, without the aid of pedals or gadgets, and fans even say that you can recognize and Achison riff when you hear it! Come see for yourself and learn a thing or two! Front Porch, Saturday 5:30 pm

Dance Workshops

African Dance Workshop
Members of the Elikem African Dance Company, based in Durham, will
teach you how to move to the drums of West Africa. Come join them for an unforgettable dance experience. The live music and teacher’s high energy will leave no one standing still!! All ages are welcome. Dance Tent, Saturday, 11 am

Salsa & Swing
Award-winning ballroom dancer, Adam Phillips, started teaching when he was 19. He teaches a variety of dance styles including Salsa, Merengue, Rhumba, Foxtrot and Tango. He is currently a freelance dance instructor and teaches private and group classes throughout the Triangle. Dance Tent, Swing - Friday, 9:15 pm, Salsa - Saturday, 10:45 pm

Zydeco & Cajun
Jack Wolf and Sandra Smith from Hillsborough, NC, like to think of themselves as “crossdancers”. They run a bimonthly dance called Dance Gumbo. This is a gumbo of swing, latin, zydeco, waltz, cajun, and country two-step. To quote Jack, “Improv is great, but learning to couples-dance - lead and follow - is an intimate way to communicate with friends or strangers, in a gentle, sensual, caring manner. My goal in particular is to get the younger adults and teenagers to catch the dance fever.” Dance Tent, Zydeco - Saturday, 5:30 pm & Sunday, 2:15 pm; Cajun - Saturday, 8:15 pm

Children’s Clogging
Clogging is a rhythmic Appalachian folk dance that is easy to learn, lively and lots of fun. Come shake a leg with Barbara Wright as she teaches steps and circle dances. Barbara has been dancing & teaching in the mountains of Virginia for over 25 years. Kids of all ages welcome. Live Appalachian Old Time music will be provided by The New River Rock Skippers. Cabaret Tent, Saturday 10 am

Spiral Hoop Dance- Hoops spin everywhere at Shakori Hills — want to get in on the fun? Large-size hoops make learning easier for adults, providing a fun fitness alternative for all ages. Step inside one of these colorful circles to free your hips, laugh out loud and taste hoop bliss! Then, come to the playshop to learn the basics, get your groove on, and be inspired by the possibilities. More information at www.spiralhoopdance.com Friday in the Dance Tent at 1 pm; Saturday in front of the meadow stage, 2:25 pm

Poi Dance
Poi spinning and fire twirling are based on a tradition of the indigenous people of New Zealand. The Maori word “poi” literally means “Ball on string”. These percussive and dance instruments are swung rhythmically and are beautiful to watch. They are also used in other ways: to enhance flexibility, increase strength in the arms and hands, and to improve coordination. They are used in story-telling & grandmothers use their rhythmic swinging to lure children to sleep. Poi dance is both a meditation and an exercise. Spinners spin not only balls on strings but flags, staffs, chains and numerous other instruments - including fire. Carolyn Mabry will be sharing her spinning and twirling expertise at the workshop. Near the Meadow Stage, Saturday, Noon

Cane Creek Cloggers
The Cane Creek Cloggers are a performing dance troupe that have specialized in Appalachian clog dancing since 1980. Hailing from Orange County, NC, the non-profit group choreographs al of their own routines, with innovations in the realm of old-time steps and figures. They share the goal of preserving the heritage of old-time clogging,
flatfoot and buckdancing, while exuding the joyful energy that’s at the root of it all. The Cane Creek Cloggers invite people of all ages and levels of dance experience to share the enjoyment of clogging. Come join in! Dance Tent, Saturday, Performance - 12:30 pm; Workshop - 1:15 pm

Movement Workshops

Please check schedule in the Healing Arts area for additional workshops.

Tai Chi / Qi Gong
Chinese internal style martial art and exercise for relaxation, energy, and overall well-being; qigong (ch’i-kung: energy work). All levels of experience are welcome. Movement Tent, Saturday & Sunday, 10:15 am

Tensegrity
Modern version of movements called “magical passes” developed by
Indian Shamans who lived in Mexico prior to the Spanish conquest. A
mix of the terms tension and integrity — terms which connotate two
driving forces of magical passes. Dance Tent, Friday 11:30 am; Saturday 9:45 am; Sunday 9:45 am

Yoga
Relax your body and restore your soul! Hatha yoga is the practice of linking the deliberate movement of the body with deliberate movement of the breath. Class level of difficulty is adjusted according to student experience. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the festival and enjoy an hour of great Yoga practice. There will be a children’s yoga class, too! Movement Tent, Friday, 4 pm; Saturday 9 am & 3 pm; Sunday 9 am & 11:30 am…..Children’s Yoga, Sunday, 2:30 pm

Awareness Through Movement
A gently guided expedition into undiscovered territory that makes you
a more intelligent user of yourself. This hour long journey requires
no more than your curiosity and a blanket to lie on. Movement Tent, Sunday, 12:30 pm

4 Animal Kung Fu
Explore the movements of the monkey, tiger, snake and crane from Indonesian and Chinese kung fu. Participants will learn fundamentals that will enable them to experience the energies and physical dynamics of the animals. Emphasis is on the playful nature of the natural world as the basis of learning. Taught by Sam and Karen Duffy, martial artists and musicians with many years of experience both teaching and training. Movement Tent, Friday, 12:30 pm & Sunday 1:30 pm

Circular Dances of Peace
We will begin this exploration with meditation, singing and movement to unite and open us as a group. The instructor will then teach some simple dance steps and facilitate the circle. Suitable for anyone with basic movement abilities such as standing, walking, and kneeling. Movement Tent, Friday, 2 pm & Saturday, 11:30 am

Kids Dance and Movement Class
We will stretch, roll, run, fly, and explore stillness in this creative movement class for children. Ages 3-7 in body and/or spirit. Parents welcome to participate with their kids. Movement Tent, Friday 3 pm; Saturday 12:30 pm

Nia
Pronounced “nee-ya,” this movement workshop blends three dance arts: Isadora Duncan, modern and jazz dance with three martial arts: aikido, tae kwon do and tai chi with three healing arts: Alexander Technique, yoga and Feldenkrais. Come see what this aerobic exercise is all about! Movement Tent, Friday 10 am & Saturday, 1:30 pm

Demonstrations

Basket Weaving
Authentic handmade ash baskets and their makers are becoming very
rare. Master basket-maker, Jamin Uticone, demonstrates traditional Black Ash basket-making techniques learned in his six-year apprenticeship. Using simple hand tools, each basket splint is hand-pounded, cut, shaved and shaped to ensure the uniqueness and fine quality of these baskets. Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Near the Coffee Barn

Hand-Thrown Pottery
Ever wanted to try your hand at pottery throwing? Vermont potter, Susan Leader, will be giving free, hands-on lessons at the wheel! Susan studied ceramics at Antioch College, has apprenticed in Japan and now runs her own “Mom & Pop” business with her husband John and daughters Lila and Ida. Her current work reflects a unique “spongeware” technique.

Mess around with a lump of clay while you watch pots spring from lumps of clay on the potter’s wheel. Play Stump the Potter & share the challenge of designing and creating pottery forms with local potter, Sarah Howe, from Durham.
Throughout the Festival Under the Oak Tree near the Coffee Barn

Wood Working
Windsor chairmaker Elia Bizzarri likes to call himself a chair
“bodger,” a British word for the turner who provides parts for
chairmakers. He has worked with the carpenters at Colonial
Williamsburg and apprenticed with Curtis Buchanan, a master Windsor
chairmaker. Using locally harvested wood, Elia splits a rough log into
fine chair parts using only a few simple hand tools. Watch the
shavings fly as Elia shapes the parts down to size with a drawknife
and spokeshave while sitting on a foot operated clamp, called a
’shaving horse’. Learn more at www.handtoolwoodworking.com.

Bill Anderson is a long-time woodworker and member of the Woodturners Guild of NC, MidWest Tool Collectors, Early American Industries, and Triangle Woodworkers, Associations. He will demonstrate handtool woodworking skills and techniques, hand-cut dovetail and mortise and tenon joints, and will work on various projects, including simple boxes, tables and making woodworking tools. Bill teaches classes locally on a variety of woodworking topics. He has a particular interest in making Queen Anne and Chippendale styles of furniture. Check out his class schedule at Edwards Mountain Woodworks.
Near the Coffee Barn, Throughout the Festival

More Great Happenings

Peace & Justice Forum
Our sixth Common Ground for Peace and Justice Forum will gather in open community space to share, dialogue and discover how to bring the energy and inspiration of Shakori Hills to our daily lives.

2008 is a history-making year
What promise, potential or puzzles might this year’s election hold? Let us hear your hopes, concerns and solutions. Come join us to Register & Vote! The Independent Progressice Politics Network will host the forum Friday at 6pm and Saturday at 4pm near the Sustainability Fair
OUTER NATURE, INNER NATURE, AWAKENING TRUE NATURE :
WILD WALKABOUT with LEIF DIAMANT
We spring forth from Nature. Nature is our creative wellspring. Shakori neighbor and friend Leif Diamant (psychotherapist, naturalist and seminary student) leads this popular walk from festival grounds through forest, fields, and waterways. We’ll experience awesome beauty, spiritual communion, and the creative force of Spring as we identify wild plants and animals, meet some asses, tour Leif’s homestead and sample the organic garden. Friday 12:30-2:30 pm, Meet at the bridge by medicine wheel/stone sculpture

*****SHORT SHAKORI NATURE WALKS*****

Walk on the Festival grounds for one hour or less. Join us for the whole walk or a few minutes.

WILD HERB WALKS with TONY and JASPER
Tony Mayer (and four year old son Jasper) will find food, fiber, and medicine from the plants that grow around us. Local plant teacher and Piedmont native Tony shares his wisdom and passion as participants walk, talk, identify and experience local plants. Friday 3:30PM and Saturday 1:00PM. Meet at bridge by medicine wheel/stone sculpture.

PLANTS and ANIMALS OF THE SHAKORI POND with Leif and friends
Wet areas are bursting with wildlife. Our small pond is full of frogs, salamanders, tadpoles, aquatic plants and much more. Enjoy and learn about Spring fertility as we honor and study the awesome beauty and incredible fecundity of the beneficial plants and animals that love water (like we do!). Saturday, 11:30 am. Meet at bridge by medicine wheel/stone sculpture.

Sunday Morning at Shakori: Wading into the Sacred. We will gather together to sing and shout and pray, honoring all traditions, celebrating the Earth, welcoming into the circle all peoples and beings. Led by our friend Gary Phillips and featuring The Seldom Together Gospel Band, meditation with Leif Diamant, Buddhist chanting, pagan ritual with Ashe, a witness by George Friday and the antics of the irreverent reverend Pat Jobe of Radio Free Bubba, plus surprises, maybe even miracles. Do you want to participate? Contact Gary at garfield@blast.com or find him at the festival. Meadow Stage, Sunday 10 am.

Carrom
For centuries, people in the South Asian countries of India, Burma and Sri Lanka have played the game of CARROM - a cross between marbles, pool, and penny hockey. Come play CARROM throughout the weekend at the tent near the Kids’ Area.

Earth Art and Nature Skills
Paper Mache mask making, earth art and nature skills with Jeff and Patti. Create a masterpiece for the earth day parade! Bamboo Geodesic, Saturday 12 - 4 pm, Sunday 10 am - 2 pm

Advocacy Booths

As you’re passing from the Grove Stage to the Meadow Stage stop by and check out local organizations such as Chatham Together, Creative Living- Autism Society of North Carolina, Planned Parenthood, Hispanic Liaison, Tick Born Disease Info and more. Come on by, get some information and find out what they are about!

Healing Arts Area

Skilled healing arts practitioners will be offering massage therapy (including hot stone), Reiki and reflexology. The Healing Arts area is open 10-6; later or earlier appointments can be scheduled with available practitioners.