Black Mountain's LEAF festival reveals fall lineup

The annual Lake Eden Arts Festival revealed the performing arts lineup for its 35th installment today. The eclectic bill includes the Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart and his band, Grammy winning Saharan Desert blues ensemble Tinariwen (featured in the above video), the Tony Rice Unit featuring the renowned bluegrass guitarist, Canadian folk trio the Be Good Tanyas, and New Orleans' funk legend George Porter, Jr. and his band the Runnin' Pardners. Another headliner who will close the festival on Sunday, October 21, will be announced in August.

The festival, which takes place in Black Mountain October 18th through 21, is truly a "world" music focused festival. Other artists include Ireland's the Fighting Jamesons, Uganda's Kinobe and the African Sensation, American folk multi-instrumentalist John McCutcheon, Tennessee-based singer-songwriter Darrell Scott, Central Asia's Chirgilchin, and regional acts like Charleston's Sol Driven Train, and Asheville's Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band and Jonathan Scales Fourchestra.

Other activities include a plethora of dance styles like salsa, swing, waltz, and late night techno Contra, the LEAFlet's Kid's Village, arts and craft exhibits, and poetry and puppetry slams.

For a current list of performers, events, and additions check http://www.theleaf.org/. Tickets are available here. Both camping and non-camping options are available as well as weekend and day and evening-only passes, but tickets will only be available in advance. Current ticket prices (ranging from $34 for a one-night evening pass to $169 for 3 days and nights) increase September 1.