This year’s Wild Goose Festival, held at the Hot Springs Campground Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 8-11.
The festival theme, this time around, is “Remembering the Body.” Sessions include “A service of Holy Eucharist focused on the plight of the poor around the world, led by Ian Cron,” “A talk by Asher Kolieboi, co-founder of the Legalize Trans campaign, on creating trans-inclusive faith communities” and “Mystic Soul Movement: Explore the path to your inner divine through gentle yoga-based movement, relaxation techniques, and guided contemplative prayer, led by Theresa B Pasquale” among many others.
Music takes place each day on the Main Stage, The Space, The Performance Cafe and The Chapel. Speech of hip-hop group Arrested Development (pictured) and singer-songwriter duo Indigo Girls headline; other artists include Greensboro-based collective Dave Wimbish and the Collection, singer and sketch comic Stuart Davis (of the TV show Sex, God, Rock ‘n’ Roll), post-punk act The Violet Burning, local singer-songwriter and activist David LaMotte, local country/Americana artist Nikki Talley, “tantrum folk” trio Insomniac Folklore and many more.
Learn more about performances here and speakers here. A full day-by-day schedule is available here.
The inaugural Wild Goose Festival was held at Shakori Hills in Pittsboro, N.C. and the event draws inspiration from the likes of Burning Man, SXSW and TED. Rooted in Christianity (and catering to “theological liberals”), the festival “provides space for courageous, imaginative, and participative social justice work, creative expression, spiritual practice, and astonishing music.”
The family-friendly festival includes programs for kids up to age 17. Festival passes are $199 for the full event, $69 for Friday or Saturday only and $29 for Thursday or Sunday only. Children ages 5 and under get in free. Parking is $20 for the weekend or $10 per day, camping is $20 per tent.
