Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Shaver.
Hi Abby, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival began in April 2003 as an expansion of its sister festival, the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival, which started in 1990 as an AIDS benefit concert. After witnessing the unbelievable impact that the festival had on its community, its founders wanted to continue that spirit of healing, connection, and celebration to other parts of the country.
Shakori Hills came to life thanks to one special piece of land – a farm that happened to be for sale – and the passion of a community that believed in what it could become. Since then, Shakori Hills has grown into something magical: a stunning landscape that feels like a jewel and sanctuary that people return to season after season, year after year. In 2010, the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center was established to carry the mission forward year-round and to secure the land that makes the festival possible.
The festival offers music and dance workshops, yoga and movement classes, more than 60 bands from the local region and around the world, dedicated spaces for kids and teens, camping, sustainability and nature education, local nonprofit advocacy, and so much more.
The Shakori Hills Community Arts Center mission is “to provide diverse, culturally significant arts, music and sustainability education and inclusive outreach to our local community and schools while preserving the greenspace of its 72-acre Chatham County homestead,” and we take that to heart. But Shakori Hills is even more than that – it’s a place where people can express themselves freely without judgment, respect all forms of life, do good for others without an agenda, camp under the trees with old friends and new…and dance under the stars while feeling safe and at home.
This year marks our 22nd Annual Spring Festival, and we continue to thrive because of the love and dedication of our community, volunteers, and staff. Shakori Hills exists because people believe in it and that spirit is what keeps it going.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been many challenges over the years. From hurricanes taking down trees and pushing out the crowd to recessions and Covid-19, the festival has definitely taken hits. One of the common challenges is to try and maintain the balance of keeping ticket prices low enough while operating costs continue to rise. Through the love, dedication and magic of its community, this festival continues to build back strength.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the program coordinator of the festival. I help organize, with our core staff and team leads, the content of our 52-page program that details everything from camping details to artists, schedules and happenings throughout the festival. I also help with programming, non-profit outreach, sponsorships and vendor coordination.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think the general outlook for music festivals will continue to be positive. Even with the rise of tech and digital entertainment, nothing can compare to the energy and authenticity of live music – especially in an outdoor, community centered setting.
Our attendees value intimate, nature-based events over large commercial productions so I feel like Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival benefits from that niche: a focus on community, world music, family-friendly programming, and an environment that encourages belonging.
Pricing:
- single day advanced – $27-$66
- 4 day advanced – $88-$180
- Camping advanced – $69-$232
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shakorihillsgrassroots.org and www.shakorihills.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/shakorihillsgrassroots and www.instagram.com/shakorihills
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/shakorihillsgrassroots and www.facebook.com/shakorihills
