THE METER MEN, Leo Nocentelli, George Porter, Jr. and Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste, 3 of the 4, ORIGINAL METERS, were asked to perform at the Democratic National Convention 2008. What came out of that musical experience, of this trio, was amazing and astounding. We're excited to have this class act join LEAF's line-up. THE METER MEN will give old and new fans the traditional musical experience of THE METERS as well as new music experiences of THE METER MEN that will,undeniably, satisfy all fans. This new and refreshing musical experience is a sound that no one or no other group could duplicate.

Martin Sexton's music defies attempts to assign it to any one genre as it blends many genres of American music, including soul, gospel, country, rock, blues, and R&B. He is known for his wide vocal range and ability to improvise. He is also known for beatboxing and singing his own guitar solos. Renowned as a die-hard road warrior, Sexton has traveled the globe with his guitar slung on his back and a heart full of soul. See Martin Sexton in his purest form: Solo. It's hard to believe there's only one man on stage. Hear why Billboard calls him "The real thing, people" and why John Mayer calls him, "The best live performer I've ever seen." www.martinsexton.com

With a talent that remains both raw and wondrously refined, and backed by a band any top musician would be proud of, Natalie Mac Master continues to stun crowds around the globe with her feverish fiddling and mesmerizing step dancing. Well-known to international audiences as one of Canada's major talents, Natalie has been an ambassador for traditional East Coast music, and is credited with lifting the style to its contemporary prominence. While acclaimed for taking Celtic music to new heights, each album Natalie releases displays a creativity and range that constantly expands the boundaries of the genre. www.nataliemacmaster.com

A captivating performer, versatile vocalist, and accomplished dancer, Emeline Michel is beloved by Haitians for combining traditional rhythms with social and inspirational content. She is acclaimed as one of the premier Haitian songwriters of her generation. Emeline's music style encompasses the native Haitian compas, twoubadou and rara along with jazz, rock, bossa nova and samba. Putumayo Performer. www.emeline-michel.com

The Lee Boys' sacred steel style is rooted in gospel, but is infused with rhythm and blues, jazz, rock, funk, hip-hop, country, and world music genres in a powerfully jamming mix. When The Lee Boys bring their joyous spiritual sound to the stage, audiences instantly recognize that this is not "sitting and listening" music - dancing, shouting out, and having fun are considered essential parts of their tradition. www.leeboys.com

Ron McCoury on mandolin, Rob McCoury on banjo, Jason Carter on fiddle, and Alan Bartram on bass is the latest incarnation of the most awarded band in the history of bluegrass -The Del McCoury Band. Known for their individual prowess on their instruments and their rapidly expanding reputation as collaborators with the members of numerous musical icons from Vince Gill to the Allman Brothers and Phish, this touring unit blends the best of the Appalachian tradition with the improvisational magic of jazz. Unique live collaborations are the hallmark of their performances, and demonstrates why critics and musicians across the country hail them as the best bluegrass band in the world. www.myspace.com/thetravelinmccourys

Allegra Huston is a writer of screenplays, journalism, and creative nonfiction. Her screenwriting credits include NBC television, Walt Disney Pictures and Icon Entertainment. Her articles have appeared in British newspapers including the Independent on Sunday and The Times, as well as in magazines including the Tatler, French Vogue, the Santa Fean, Mothering, and Harper's Bazaar UK. Allegra is the youngest daughter of film director John Huston and sister of Oscar-winning actress Anjelica Huston. After gaining a First Class degree in English at Oxford University, she became a book publisher in London from1990-94. She has worked with Edna O'Brien, Alan Hollinghurst, Jane Goodall, Robert Conquest, Barbara Leaming, and Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz.
http://www.thewritingsalon.net/assets/faculty_huston.html

According to violinist Darol Anger, BAS is The Future of String Band Music on a Silver Platter. They take this admonition seriously, but not too seriously. Each member of BAS comes from a different musical world and the collision of these worlds is what makes their music so special. Shredding guitar licks, soaring gypsy violin, a little ukulele and the thump of an old time bass bounce around with a jazz accordion player to create a new sound. It is American Roots music with the edge of punk rock and the grace of chamber music. Stick around and listen, now is the time. www.boulderacousticsociety.net

Local Singer-songwriter legend, David Wilcox, brings his deeply observant lyrics and music that moves the feet as well as the soul back to LEAF. "There's a reason so many of these songs are about joy and what it means to be really alive," David says. "There's been a change in perspective, how I see the world. These songs are fun and they offer a way of seeing this life as a heartfelt adventure. My favorite songs are the ones that have been to the depths of the darkness and shine a light on the way through." The music is a reflection of a life well-lived. www.davidwilcox.com

Nagata Schachu (formerly Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble), is based in Toronto, has enthralled audiences with its mesmerizing and heart-pounding performances of the Japanese drum (taiko) since its formation in 1998. While rooted in the folk drumming traditions of Japan, the Ensemble's principal aim is to rejuvenate this ancient art form by producing innovative and exciting music that seeks to create a new voice for the taiko. Under the direction of Kiyoshi Nagata, the ensemble has become renowned for its exacting yet physically demanding performances as well as for its diverse repertoire. Their playing is the combination of unbounded spirit and passion with the highest levels of musicianship and discipline. www.kiyoshinagata.com

Robin and Linda Williams have thrilled folk, bluegrass, and country audiences throughout America for more than twenty years, from their many appearances with Garrison Keillor on "A Prairie Home Companion" and "The American Radio Company", to "Austin City Limits" and "The Grand Old Opry" to their tours with Mary Chapin Carpenter, Emmylou Harris, The Seldom Scene, and many others. In concert they are joined by Jim Watson (formerly of the Red Clay Ramblers) on bass and harmony vocals. The group is rounded out most often with bluegrass veteran Jimmy Gaudreau on mandolin. www.robinandlinda.com

If the first attention-grabbing horn lines of The Dynamites opening number evoke a dramatic curtain call from a late '60s funk concert at the Apollo Theater, it's no accident. After all, that's exactly where Charles Walker, the band's singer and front man, first cut his teeth as a performer. When the revolutionary 'new bag' now known as funk first made the scene, Walker was right there in the thick of it, opening for the likes of James Brown, Etta James, and Wilson Pickett, and imbibing himself in a cultural movement's genesis. The Dynamites have taken their dynamic soul revue around the globe. Their superbad funk stylings will rock LEAF's Lakeside Stage on Friday night! www.pgamusic.com

Beginning in humble circumstances playing to the rear end of a fried chicken shack, traveling the far reaches of the world from the U.S. to the Continent to the corners of the Far East and landing right back where they started in the storied and seedy streets of the French Quarter, the New Orleans Bingo! Show remains a curious spectacle, a thrilling phenomenon and one of the very finest entertainments on the theatrical stage today. The Bingo! Show is a multimedia stage experience that includes original black-and-white silent films, aerialists, dancers, ingénues, clowns, audience interaction, bingo games, slapstick comedy and shady characters who remind you that every stage door opens into a dark alley. www.neworleansbingoshow.com

The Overtakers come to you live and direct straight up from Jamaica. Their instrumentation is Mento, a style of Jamaican folk music that greatly influenced Ska and Reggae and is played on mainly acoustic instruments. Their songs are all original, distinctive, authentic and moving. www.myspace.com/theovertakers

Elixir is a high energy contra dance band and caller combination that combines superb calling, driving fiddle and guitar playing, and the rich texture and rhythmic excitement of a full horn section. Elixir performs tightly crafted music drawing on a wide range of styles and evoking a variety of moods. Elegant melodies evolve into raucous dixieland horn riffs; transcendent harmonies, playful improvisations, and rock, swing and reggae-inspired rhythms weave in and out of traditional and original Irish, French Canadian and New England tunes. www.elixirmusic.com

The members of Evening Star have been playing for contra dancing
(collectively) for over 120 years. They have seen fads and fashions come and go, and they keep to the heart of the tradition, playing great tunes with levity and gravity. Steve Hickman (on fiddle and harmonica) is a national treasure and probably holds the record for most dances played by a living fiddler. His playing has both power and finesse, and his knowledge of the music is unmatched. David Crandall (on tenor sax and flute) bring wit and texture to the mix, adding elements of classical, pop, and R&B. John Devine (on guitar) and Claudio Buchwald (on piano) have many years together combining their instruments to create relentless drive and a really fat sound. Evening Star never fails to make dancers very excited and happy!

Nils Fredland has been making music, leading dances, and bringing people together for 20 years as a teacher; singer; instrumentalist; contra, square, and community dance leader; and workshop leader. He shares his skill, charisma, grace and goofiness with contra dancers coast to coast every weekend. Nils is known for his technical skill, disarming friendliness, comfortable stage presence, and soothing voice. He brings this unique collection of traits and talents to each of his various engagements, making him one of the busiest and most sought-after callers in the business. www.nilsfredland.com

This 9 piece Salsa Orchestra draws inspiration from 1970's New York Salsa. Although based in Asheville NC, the group has Venezuelan, Puerto Rican, and American roots. Formed in 2005, Nuevo Montuno has been gigging around the Southeast, and pushing the Salsa movement forward wherever they go. Lush trombones, a superb rhythm section(conga, timbales, bongos, bass, piano), and clever improvisations by singer Manuela Soler give the group its infectious, tropical sound. Irresitably danceable!
www.myspace.com/nuevomontuo

One Leg Up, from Asheville, NC, plays acoustic swing in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. They have been performing together since 2003. This Parisian style of jazz is an upbeat swing with a repertoire of 1920s, 30s, and 40s jazz standards, originals, and modern jazz tunes. The members of One Leg Up have opened the traditional gypsy style to influences of big band music and the blues. One Leg Up is one of the few bands that plays this Django-style swing in the southeast. Their show is lively, intimate, danceable, and brings about the atmosphere of a sociable 1930's French café. www.onelegup.com

Robert Cromartie, from Chapel Hill, NC, has been calling dances across the country for over 15 years, and has been a regular at LEAF throughout that time. His no-nonsense teaching, playful good humor, and infectious enthusiasm combine to keep the dancers energized and at their very best.

Beanie Odell resides in Asheville, NC. A keen ear for nuance and a passion for "getting it right" play a role in Beanie's distinctive fiddling: a clear voice which is at once unique and deeply traditional. Her inspirations include visits to Clare and Donegal, studies with Irish masters Brendan Mulvihill, Seamus Connelly, Tommy Peoples, and Martin Hayes, and friends who share her musical path. Beanie has created a thriving Irish music community in the Asheville area; the host of many Irish sessions, she is a busy fiddle teacher whose students have successfully competed on a national level. She has performed and recorded with the groups Half-Nine and The Red Wellies.

Eboo Sauls plays, teaches and performs Appalachian fiddle, mandolin, guitar, dulcimer and the jug throughout the South. She'll be leading EZ-Jams at the old-time tent, which are geared towards the beginner and intermediate musician. She'll make sure all are familiar with the chord progressions and play the tunes through slowly before proceeding.

Playing in the Old Time Music group "Too Hot To Cook" for the past 20 years & teaching mandolin at The Blue Ridge Old Time Music week for the past 5 years. "Timing is everything " is what Elizabeth Ann subscribes to along with a good old time dose of fun while students swiftly learn to play a fiddle tune.

Ken, a British native, has been involved in the traditional Folk Club scene since 1970. He plays Irish Whistle and sings traditional English folk songs with Concertina and Fiddle

Lewis Wills has been playing fiddle since the late 60's and began playing banjo and guitar before that during the Folk Revival years. Wills has been a staff musician for Blue Ridge Old-Time Week at Mars Hill College for the past three years, and has a banjo piece recorded on the album, 40th Annual Old Fiddlers Convention at Galax, Virginia.

Led to Earth by an intercepted transmission of T. Rex on the John Peel Show, Baron von Rumblebuss and his crew of Cosmusicologists have undertaken a study of the most moving music in the Galaxy: Rock and Roll. The exiles from Euphonia have aimed their music at the wee of stature because kids are so big of heart, and generally less self-conscious about leaping about expressively. You'll hear the lingering echoes of the Kinks and the Who, the swagger and shimmer of Powerpop merchants Big Star and the buzzy New Wave textures of Devo; there's even a dash of funk. Come ride The Redd Zepplin! www.rumblebuss.com

Born in a musical era of nearly infinite genre and cultural cross-pollination, Ba Man Bia is of a new generation of world music artists whose deep interest in far-away sounds has been with them as long as they have listened to music. A young group recently formed in Asheville, NC in January 2008, they have created a fresh flavor of sound given their influences in Asian and African traditions, jazz, and free improvisation. http://www.reverbnation.com/bamanbia

Capt. Josh and the CADETS: Local theater artist Josh Batenhorst and the CADETS (Committed Actors Doing Entertaining Theatre Society) of ArtSpace Charter School bring an original performance to life. These committed young artists (grades 6-8) will showcase the power of linking schools and after-school programs with local artists, this show promises to be a unique and fun-filled experience for all ages! Capt. Josh wants YOU to do drama! Join local theatre artist Josh Batenhorst for an exciting (afternoon/morning) of creative drama! Play games, make your own short plays and show-off your ability to show-off! Fun for young and old alike. .LSS

Cary Fridley's singing evokes centuries of Southern voices from Memphis Minnie to Maybelle Carter. Her new band Down South combines the honesty of folk music with the country groove of Asheville, breathing new life into classic country and blues with drums, electric guitar, pedal steel, and electric bass. Influenced by her Virginia mountain childhood and years performing at bluegrass festivals with her previous band, The Freight Hoppers, Cary's natural affinity for folk music shines is highlighted by her ability to reach the heart and soul of an audience. .LSS
http://www.caryfridley.net/index.html

Winners of the 2007-08 National Poetry Slam Championships, SlamCharlotte hits the leaf stage with the multiple voices of group pieces that have the speed of a racing team, the dexterity of a great jazz band, and the precision of a Broadway musical. If you enjoy the fine art of stand up performance, theatre, and cutting-edge contemporary literature, then come see the country's best Spoken Word Champions as they delight Leaf with their extravagant festival of words! www.slamcharlotte.com

Chivaree forges the rhythms and melodies of traditional Irish and Appalachian folk music, and draws influence from the lyrics of ballads, lullabies, and songs to create their own vibrant and high-spirited arrangements. Made up of banjo player Hannah Seng, guitarist Sean Sutherland and fiddle player Jack Devereux, the band has roots in traditional music from both sides of the Atlantic.

drumSTRONG is a gathering to rhythm BEATing cancer! The planet's largest/longest continuous rhythm DRUM-A-THON promoting cancer awareness and education supporting survivorship and research. Come Drum with us to rekindle the fire of survivorship in you. Drum in honor of or in memory of or just out of the goodness of your hearts. Drum with hope of opening the eyes and hearts of more people to amplify efforts to find cures. Drum to respect and represent all the fighters and survivors who share this history. DrumSTRONG. www.drumstrong.org

Elkland Art Center is a tool by which the community (from local to global) can grow though promoting individual and group creativity. In simple terms Elkland is a bunch of people who want to have fun making things with and for the communities they live in. Their goal is to work in re-creational settings where people are relaxed and enjoying themselves. We often use old and popular methods of expression like puppets and parades. Puppetry has been street art since it's beginning. Parades are a simple metaphor for individuals moving within a group from one point to another.
www.elklandartcenter.org

Making their fourth appearance at LEAF, this middle school marimba band from Evergreen Community Charter School, is a dynamic, exciting, inspiring group to watch and to dance to! Their ensemble, directed by Sue Ford, includes kids ages 11 to 14. Their repertoire consists of African music and a variety of other styles. Check out this unique school band playing on handmade Zimbabwean style marimbas and other handmade percussion instruments. website

The Hunab Kru is devoted to creating art in the spirit of concious Hip-Hop and embraces the positive roots of Hip-Hop culture. Through movement and dance we challenge our physical limits, Explore individual and collective expression, as well as entertain audienceswith an engaging and enthusiastic performance. The Hunab Kru are also teachers and students.
http://www.myspace.com/joetse .LSS

Imhotep is a Mardi Gras Indian relocated to Asheville and now teaches at Vance Elementary. .LSS

African movement/dance and drum, grassroots music, World Chants, Jamaican Dance & Music, Improvisation, Basic(very simple Chi-Gong, Tai-Chi, Yoga and anything indigenous or grassroots.
www.myspace.com/alisakuumba
www.freewebs.com/divinemagic.htm

Ira Bernstein is one of the world's premier solo percussive step dancers. Full-length concerts are a stunning display of a wide variety of these dynamic, rhythmic dances. www.tentoepercussion.com

Jim Nave' brings more than twenty years of experience to the craft of presenting poetry on stage. He is one of the cofounders of Poetry Alive! and has been active of the Poetry Slam community since 1991. In addition, he has memorized over 600 poems and performed thousands of shows in the U.S. and abroad. For the past ten years, he has co-taught with Julia Cameron author of The Artist's Way. Nave' holds his MFA in poetry from Vermont College. He splits his time between Asheville, NC and Taos, NM. www.jamesnave.com .LSS

Jamuna was born in Moscow, the granddaughter of a wandering gypsy. She attended Moscow's Classical School of Music, Russia's leading college for jazz and pop. But she put her classical education on hold, preferring to play on the streets and in the subways of Moscow, to really reach the people. It was during a deeply spiritual visit to an Indian ashram that she was reborn as Jamuna - from the mysterious river of the same name. Jamuna's musical career flourished and she toured and performed around Russia and Europe, appearing in top theaters and on national television. Jamuna's performances weave a rich tapestry of traditional Russian folk, Gypsy, Ukrainian and Soviet-era songs and a new kind of music she calls "city folk". She sets each song in a historical and cultural context. She has witnessed recent and dramatic Soviet history and freely shares her experiences with listeners. www.jamuna.us

Lisa Zahiya began the study of bellydance in 2000, and immediately fell in love with the dance, it's history, and the large and diverse bellydance community. Before beginning her study of bellydance, Lisa studied ballet, jazz and hip hop dance. She was a member of the University of Maryland dance team. Lisa began her career in the Baltimore/DC metropolitan area, where she had the privilege to study with Autumn Ward, Laurel Victoria Gray and Artemis Mourat. Lisa was a member of the Daughters of Rhea performance troupe and is certified LEVEL II dancer in the Piper Method of American Belly Dance. In the end of 2005 she moved to Asheville, NC. She joined Baraka Mundi, one of the south east's premier tribal bellydance troupes, in March of 2006. Lisa also teaches and performs hip hop dance.

We Won't Bow Down is a full-length feature documentary on the past, present and future of the New Orleans Black Indians (also known as the Mardi Gras Indians). The history of the Mardi Gras Indian dates back to the 18th century, when African slaves would escape into the swamps surrounding New Orleans. Native American tribes like the Choctaw, Seminole and Chickasaw tribes also lived in these areas. Bound together by a shared history of exploitation, these groups forged relationships and found they had similar customs, music and dance. This film explores the history of and the challenges faced by this unique culture.

myspace.com/ogyaband

In addition to playing around the South East, USA, Miriam spent two years travelling throughout Latin America holding live performances in Cuba, Argentina, and Colombia. While sharing her own down-home, South Carolinian, Americana style with the Latin public, she performed with professional Latin musicians and absorbed sounds from abroad. Miriam's musical style is original: a concoction of original folk, swing, jazz, and world music marked by passionate vocals and intelligent lyrics. http://www.myspace.com/miriamallen

Mizilca is currently based in Asheville, where she teaches Transformational Bellydance for both children and adults. This approach to the dance integrates movement with energy-work and chakra exploration as well as with the art and joy of storytelling. Mizilca also performs locally, regionally, and nationally and has been a staple part of the LEAF experience for five years! Come share in some gypsy magic movement fun at the Kid's Village with Mizilca! www.transformationalbellydance.com

Paperhand Puppet Intervention is celebrating its' 10th year in the world. Since 1999 they have been creating giant puppet plays and pageants, leading huge colorful parades, performing at festivals and in schools, and working hard to make the world a better place.
Donovan Zimmerman and Jan Burger co-created and co-founded Paperhand with inspiration and support from their friends, families, ancestors, and the fantastically beautiful planet they call home. Their mission is to make art that celebrates life's gifts and speaks directly to the human heart. www.paperhand.org

Pisgah Brewing presents the funky soul of the Asheville Horns on Friday night in the barn. www.myspace.com/ashevillehorns
www.Ashevillehorns.com

Randall has been delighting audiences of all ages for over twenty five years. A master of comedic timing, he uses audience interaction for comedy and illusion coupled with a wide range of juggling techniques. Employing a variety of objects, including the ever popular flaming torches, Randall blends humor, skill and danger to engage his audience. His finale is a mind blowing exhibition of fire eating that leaves people perplexed and amazed. www.mountaincircusarts.com

Relaxing and inspiring morning piano to go with your coffee. www.robertthomasmusic.com

As the sun sets over LEAF, something special happens in front of the fireplace inside Thunderbird Lodge. Friday and Saturday evenings, the vaudeville-style storytelling of Sarah Eshan creates a magical setting entertaining children of all ages. Her stories, characters, and songs take audiences places that span the globe and connect them to ancestral and cultural roots with laughter and the occasional lesson for life. Come experience the storytelling spirits with her!

Search for Common Ground(sfcg) will present Common Ground Film Series for a remarkable hour in the Barn Saturday night. SFCG believes that the power of the media - and of film - can be used to develop greater understanding and tolerance, and can contribute to defusing conflict rather than inflaming it. Films in the common ground series demonstrate, in informative and entertaining ways, that workable solutions can be found to contentious problems. The films take a balanced approach and emphasize the common humanity shared by people in conflict. They reveal why adversaries think, feel, and act as they do - stressing the commonalities among peoples, while not ignoring the differences that divide them. These films help to expose powerful stories of individual paths taken, breaking down mental and physical barriers, and changing our vision. www.sfcg.org

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo is the King of Kid Hop! From rockin live shows that are cooler than yer favorite Underoos to a #1 XM Radio hit about having good luck by believing in it ( see how that works? ), 23 Skidoo's brand new brand of positive hip hop for kids is a blast. Golden Age sounds for the underage crowd, Old School jams for grade school fans! http://www.myspace.com/secretagent23skidoo
http://www.childstyle.org/

Based in Spartanburg SC, the Shane Pruitt Band is bringing its raw, refined, explorative, and expressive brand of blues all across the Southeast. Shane plays 'the blues that groove without compromise and wail without mercy'. Shane's sound is both powerful and accessible, the rare sort that rewards deep listening while still pleasing those who come simply to dance. Onstage, he is an electrifying presence stomping amidst the amps, cords and mic stands, smiling beautifully, as if he has his eye on the sparrow, shaking his head from side to side as shocks of curly red hair bob and wave. www.myspace.com/shanepruitt

Skinny Legs & All is Asheville's freshest young band whose members range in age from 13 to 17. Don't let their ages fool you - they are "making waves" on the local music scene knocking out youthful renditions of classic Blues, Funk, & Soul.These gifted performers deliver lip smacking, dance inspiring, mood altering grooves with strong soulful vocals that will lead you on a journey from a slow shuffle to booty grooving madness. Bring your dancing shoes!
http://www.myspace.com/skinnylegsandallband

Since a 2005 stint at Camp Gwynn Valley in Brevard, NC, Sol Driven Train has been bringing their infectious sound to younger audiences. Their busy tour schedule includes schools, community centers, and camps in addition to their late night appearances on the club circuit. The band returns to LEAF with their brand new release for children, Tajar Tracks 2, a rootsy take on whimsical originals and classic sing-a-longs that parents and kids will love The chugging rhythm section, energetic horns, and smooth vocal harmonies are capturing audiences throughout the southeast. The songwriting is honest and unpretentious, and the arrangements weave diverse influences such as John Prine, Paul Simon, and Buena Vista Social Club into an uplifting, original sound.
www.soldriventrain.com

TAN: which means "Dance" by Dan people (western of Ivory Coast)
Ably: which means " from our home" in people Wè (western of Ivory Coast) The artistic ensemble TANABLY was founded in 1992 by young dancers, singers and percussionists in Man (region of the 18 mountains in western of Ivory Coast). After several years of successful artistically, TANABLY takes refuge in Bamako, Mali in 2003 following a war in Ivory Coast to continue to exist. Today, the goal of all TANABLY members is to upgrade the African cultural heritage and more specifically Ivorian endangered, drawing upon the experiences that each artist has learned from his travels and meetings of various backgrounds, countries and continents (Africa, Europe,USA). It is also through cultural exchanges with the rest of the world that all TANABLY members was able to realize their own cultural values. Through its artistic creations, TANABLY offers on the scene a journey of culture, education and intends to continue to promote Ivorian culture in the world. www.tanably.com

In Fantasma, science meets performance art and bravely asks the question: Can time travel help a struggling planet? A creative and colorful show of home-grown talent from the Forest Children Enrichment Program, Black Mountain, NC. Circus style skills and young creativity at it's best.
http://www.earthaven.org/children/index.php

The Warren Wilson College Folk Choir under the direction of Dr. Milton Crotts serves as the heart and soul of the larger College Chorale. These talented singers perform music outside the western art tradition and build bridges of understanding cultures through music. Their performances are filled with enthusiasm and promote the college's mission of service to others, cross-cultural understanding, and the value of each individual. For more info visit us at http://www.warren-wilson.edu/~music/

Known for their harmony and connection to Africa & keeping the native tonque alive
www.myspace.com/ziontrinity

Masters of the African form of stilt dancing and ancient mystical masquerades, Zulu Connection spellbounds its audiences with its colorful and elaborate costumes, tremendous heights, extraordinary acrobatics and magnificent dance moves. In the course of a concert the program entertains, but educates as well on African customs, history, musical instruments, masquerades and legends, dispelling common held myths.
www.zuluconnection.com