Black Mountain – The LEAF Retreat in Black Mountain, scheduled for May 8-11, honors international artists as usual, providing a variety of musical styles and cultural activities as a respite from post-Helene recovery.
LEAF founder and overseer Jennifer Pickering views the upcoming LEAF Retreat, a scaled-back version of the fall festival, as “both a healing and rebooting piece. There’s plenty of ceremony. There are many opportunities for stories and cheers, hugs and resilience. You can shed tears. There’s release, honoring, healing, and finding new happiness.”
Pickering estimates that half to 60 percent of her festival-goers are from western North Carolina, the epicenter of Tropical Storm Helene’s destruction in late September. LEAF Global Arts’ theme in 2025, its 30th year, is “Shine your light, share the love.”
Aiding Local Artists
Local is focal. Pickering stated, “We created LEAF Retreat as a love letter to focus on local artists. We’re supporting them with an ongoing artist relief fund. It’s in perpetuity. It’s never easy for small non-profits and artists to survive and thrive in Asheville. Most have several jobs” to get by.
Their need for financial assistance has heightened since Helene ravaged the area, forcing the postponement of the LEAF Global Arts Festival last October. Immense flooding and high winds destroyed or damaged many homes and businesses, including music venues.
TheLeaf.org/give is a donation page that includes a link to donate to the LEAF Local Artist Relief Fund.
Emergency Housing
Lake Eden Retreat rental cabins have housed local families displaced from their homes by Helene. The half-year target timeline ends this month but has been extended for five families in vacation rentals there “long-term,” Pickering said. “Most lost homes in (hard-hit) Swannanoa.” They are staying until their homes are repaired or they find other long-term housing.
The other ten families housed in cabins are “back in their homes or in different homes”—some rebuilt by LEAF volunteers—as of three weeks ago, Pickering noted. Most “stayed for free. A few got support from ministries,” she added. “We weren’t big enough for FEMA assistance.”
Storm Recovery
Nearly 100 volunteers are helping restore festival grounds post-Helene. “The property has recovered beautifully,” Pickering said. “Many people have put energy into it. LEAFers from Atlanta and elsewhere brought chainsaws and generators, painted, moved rocks, and rebuilt roads.”
Pickering mentioned that the “Ship” studies building by the main stage and other facilities survived. Damage was “mostly to roads and trees. Roads are rebuilt. There are fewer trees, but more sunshine coming through,” she said. “You feel you’re in a sanctuary. There’s plenty of firewood for the drum circle. We have hidden pockets of Helene’s fury throughout our community, but also bright beacons that weren’t touched at all.”
She added, “We’re reopening slowly” at her 70-acre Lake Eden Retreat, with weddings booked for May. LEAF festivals will take place there and at the adjacent Camp Rockmont summer boys’ camp, which is rented.
Females in Forefront
Advancing LEAF’s international flavor, featured acts include Las Guaracheras. The all-female salsa Latin band (including a vibraphonist) from Colombia promises to deliver an “explosive show that communicates joy, memory, and transformation. They invite you to dance and sing along.”
Women are at the forefront of LEAF Global Arts administration, including year-round arts classes and performances. Pickering has delegated key duties; now, the executive director is Erinn Hartley.
Pickering proudly notes that “for the first time in 20 years, we have female leadership as artist curators with Kyrie Antoinette and Melissa McKinney. They are different in ages and musical experiences.” This diversity widens the scope of acts they bring in. Violinist Antoinette holds a master’s degree in global music and business management, while guitarist McKinney is a local singer-songwriter blues artist and an “extraordinary teaching artist,” Pickering said.
Family Friendly
Natascha Leitner is the new community engagement and marketing director. The Dutch native, who has two teen daughters, fell in love with Lake Eden’s family festival when she first attended a dozen years ago. “My jaw dropped. People were hula-hooping. We were surrounded by stilt walkers. They were singing and chanting. I felt embraced. I felt ‘I’m home.’ We met people at the barn and fire pits. The common denominator is we love culture, arts, and travel.”
Leitner equates LEAF Retreat to camping for families: “We might learn to write poetry. There are many workshops, panel discussions, sports, dance, and healing arts.” Pickering praises the “sweet vibe. You learn by day and play by night.”
Check TheLeaf.org for festival information and tickets.