Shakori Hills Community Art Center held their bi-annual grassroots festival last weekend in Pittsboro, North Carolina. After 3 days of high energy music, poetry slams and workshops, Sunday brought a relaxing ending to the weekend and a fun-filled celebration for Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day got off to an early start with morning yoga classes and dance workshops. Shakori’s diverse dance workshops were popular among all ages as their choreography ranged from Cajun and swing to salsa and clogging. Freewheelin’ Mamas, a female string trio from Asheville took the stage at the Cabaret Tent to bring a variety of folk and traditional bluegrass tunes. Next on the agenda was a selection of world music on the Meadow Stage brought by bands FABI and Nag Champayons, both reigning from Miami, Florida. North Carolina natives River Whyless played their second set of the weekend at the Carson’s Grove stage, bringing several original tunes as well as Bob Dylan and Wilco covers. Headliner Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds brought the crowd to their feet with dynamic, animated soul and funk tunes while also performing covers such as a Michael Jackson/Led Zeppelin mashup and Paul Simon’s “Diamonds on the Soul of Her Shoes” intertwined with an original Dirty Birds tune. The festival ended with hosts Donna the Buffalo performing an original set before inviting artists from the weekend on stage for an all-star jam.
Photos by Olivia Wilkes
