Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:08:00 -0400
From: Shakori Hills
Subject: Hopes and Dreams: Growing Up at Shakori Hills
Silk Hope, NC – There is something special about that first live music experience. As a kid, seeing that music is not just something that happens, but something that takes time, dedication, and practice, and that it is something that anyone can do, is very important. The folks at Shakori Hills obviously know the importance of music and art, but they also know what it means in the lives of children. Not only is the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival very welcoming to children and families, they also know how special is it to bring the art to the children in their own world.
Out of this desire to get music to the children came Hopes & Dreams! This is the festival’s program set up to bring festival performers into the schools in the days surrounding the festival. With the help of interns from UNC’s Apples Service-Learning program and other festival volunteers, the program was born and is still thriving.
Every festival, local and touring acts go into a few area schools to share their time and talents. Sometimes the artist will do workshops, letting the kids learn to play themselves. Other times a band will perform in front of the entire school.
Each year is a little different, always depending on what artists are coming to town and what schools are interested in participating. This fall, Durham’s Midtown Dickens – a fun-loving, punk-grass group with a big heart – will be visiting Woods Charter School in Chatham County; and Joe Troop from Carrboro’s swing powerhouse The Firehouse Rhythm Kings will be doing a program at Pittsboro Elementary School. The Beast, a hip hop / jazz quartet from Durham, led by emcee Pierce Freelon, will also be doing workshops at an area school.
At the festival, there are many great ways for kids to engage in the arts around them. Another way that The Beast will be participating in the festival with youth is as part of the Outpost. an area that has particularly grown at the festival. The Outpost is an area for older kids with activities closer to their style than face-painting and
glue and glitter. The guys from The Beast will be putting on workshops and open mics here throughout the festival. In a festival first, however, the band will also be presenting a listening party for their new album, Silence Fiction. Anyone interested can hang out on Saturday at 8pm and be one of the first to hear Silence Fiction.
It will also be the first place where cds (and autographs) will be available. The festival is very excited to be the spot to premiere this album from this spectacular band! The Outpost is pleased to offer a space where older kids can see such acts, listen, and be inspired.
The folks at Shakori Hills have really enjoyed seeing kids that have grown up at the festival. Since the festival is more than 8 years old, a lot of area kids don’t even know what it’s like to have a spring or fall without it. Check out the festival’s Hopes & Dreams page at http://www.shakorihills.org/hopes-and-dreamswww.shakorihills.org/hopes-and-dreams. There one can find photos and more information about the program including how to get artists at your school. There is also a great video from last spring’s program. Educators interested in the program at their schools can contact the Shakori Hills office throughout the year. Also see a list of other children and family activities at http://www.shakorihills.org/happenings
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Sara Waters
Press/Public Relations and Co-coordinator
Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance
Hoppin’ John Fiddlers’ Convention: September 18-19, 2009
Fall Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival: October 8-11, 2009
1439 Henderson Tanyard Rd.
Silk Hope, NC 27312
919-542-8142