LEAF festival, held last weekend at Lake Eden in Black Mountain, started chilly but quickly heated up with music, dance, performance and visual art. On Friday, hip-hop artist Chali 2na took the Lakeside stage with jazz-fusion band Naughty Professor and performed two songs with students from Eliada Homes. Electronic/world music collective Beats Antique headlined to an audience that overflowed the tent and, the same evening, The Campfire Reverands (including former LEAF artistic director Billy Jack Sinkovic on cello and guitar) performed a sweet, intimate set around the theme of love.
Highlights of Saturday included a show by spring LEAF NewSong contest winner Ethan Crump, who played at the Barn with a full band. At the fiddle contest, hosted by Phil Jamison, one competitor performed a version of The Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated.” Meanwhile, the Tibetan Buddhist Monks could be seen riding throughout the festival grounds on a modified shuttle complete with rooftop seating and a dance pole affixed to its hood (see slideshow photo). Singer-songwriter Indigo de Souza brought a full band to the stage, drenching LEAF in reverb and indie-rock ambiance, and kids jousted with padded lances while a spontaneous drum circle at the lake’s edge celebrated the setting of the sun. Reggae band Third World played a headlining set that evening — watch for a Q+A with the group to post later this week.
Sunday, the warmest day of LEAF, got started with kettle crossfit and kirtan. In the Barn, New Orleans-based jazz and swing group The Roamin’ Jasmine played sultry songs for the dancers. On the Lakeside Stage, funk outfit Here Come the Mummies cut loose in full-mummy attire and, in Eden Hall, Arouna Diarra and The Aza Band performed gorgeous West African and roots-inspired compositions — watch for a Q+A with the group to post later this week. The festival wrapped with sets by Leah Song of Rising Appalachia and swing collective Squirrel Nut Zippers. — Alli Marshall
Kids from Eliada Children’s Home performihng with Chali2NA.
Lake Eden
Lake Eden
Kreative Mindz, one of many vendors, artists and crafts people offered at LEAF.
The Buddhist monks from the Mystical Arts of Tibet performing a blessing during the Opening Ceremony.
Trillium Dance Company
Chali2NA invited a group of children from WNC non-profit Eliada Children’s Home to sing a couple of songs with them.
Asheville-based video production company streams all of the performances live from the Lakeside Stage every year on IAmAVL.com
Lake Eden
Bassist from Balkan Beat Box
The Buddhist monks from the Mystical Arts of Tibet activist group, taking part in the LEAF festivities.
Naughty Professor performing in their new project called Chali2NA.
A stilt-walking street performers
Aerial photo of Fall LEAF 2016
Full Circle Arts provided their “Flow Zone” with hula hoops and free flow play activities.
Lake Eden
Performances were everywhere at LEAF.
White Mountain Essence crafts homemade didjeridoos.
Aerial photo of Fall LEAF 2016
Dancers during the Beats Antique performance
Shel, touring 4-piece group comprised of sisters, performs on the Lakeside Stage.
Clowning Around: During a Clown tutorial. One of many workshops, talks and activities offered throughout the festival.
Lakeside Stage MC, and WNCW radio personality, Martin Anderson.
Guitarist from the Vaud & the Villians perfomance.
Chali2NA performing on the LEAF Lakeside Stage.
My highlights included Balkan Beat Box closing out the main stage Saturday!!!! My first time seeing the band since college and they are even more talented/energetic than I remember! https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/07/balkan-beat-box-live-at-the-paste-studio.html
Sunday afternoon at the BARN up-and-coming Nashville-based, nationally touring band whose music fuses jazz, rock, and funk with elements of soul and R&B. The culmination is a sound that’s both spontaneous and composed—and an energy that’s undeniably infectious. http://www.dynamo-music.com/music
Huge thanks to all the LEAF staff, volunteers, artists, vendors, & patrons for making this FALL event such a great time!!! CHEERS
How much money did ya’ll make ? How much $$$ does it rake in ?
Yesssss, the bottom line as always.
It made $ like any other private event. Why should that matter?
It’s a non-profit organization that provides art education to schools and community centers locally and globally.
I know, BUT , HOW MUCH MONEY does it RAKE in ? BIGly money I’m sure, right ?
‘non-profits’ are so clever at money management … people like Rev. Barber get to live large thru their ‘non-profits’ …
CONSPIRACY! ZOMG! IMPEACH IMPEACH!
Deplorables gonna deplorable.
LOL >>> he he he … thanks.