The Power of Music | Bear Shadow Music Festival

Written By: Marlene Osteen | Issue: 2021/04 – April

St. Paul & The Broken Bones

Mandolin Orange

Jamestown Revival

The power of music has helped us get through the crisis of the pandemic.  

And this month it fuels a jumpstart for the Highlands business community with the debut of the Bear Shadow, a weekend of music and mountains, April 23- 25. 

The intimate local mountain setting has encouraged an extraordinary roster of talent. Participating musicians include big names – St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Mandolin Orange, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Chuck Leavell, The War & Treaty, Jamestown Revival, Shelly Colvin, Devon Gilfillian, Robert Ellis and more.

Beyond attracting top music acts, an equally important part of the mission of the festival is to support and form alliances with local businesses, and to pair up musical talent on behalf of fund raising for the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust.  

Highlands Festivals Inc., the organization that founded the festival, is intent on making the stores and restaurants of Highlands the real star of the show – to bring voice and face to the town’s small businesses – to bring energy and awareness to the restaurants and stores that were at risk during the past year due to Covid. 

Stretching from Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park in downtown Highlands to the top of Satulah Mountain, the festival includes smaller events at a variety of price points for locals and visitors:  

Thursday, April 22: An Evening with Chuck Leavell: Tree Man in collaboration with Half Mile Farm to raise money for Highlands Cashiers Land Trust;

Saturday, April 24, and Sunday, April 25, 9:00 A.M.: Barefoot in the Park. A morning Fitness experience in Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park with The Works, sponsored by Select Bank and free to all.  Register for a free ticket at bearshadownc.com/tickets;

Saturday, April 24, and Sunday, April 25,  1:00-3:00 P.M.: Hike & Mic.  An exclusive guided hike to Satulah Mountain to enjoy a mountain top acoustic music experience with Devon Gilfillan in collaboration with David Bock Builders, Highland Hiker.  Includes native craft cocktails by Glen Cove;

Saturday, April 24, 3:00 PM: Guitar Clinic with Robert Ellis at Highlander Mountain House;

Friday, April 23, Saturday, April 24, and Sunday, April 25: Rock in Film Fest at the Highlands Performing Arts Center, showcasing some of film’s finest rock & roll-inspired movies

An equally impressive line up awaits hungry festival-goers at Base Camp, the music main stage, located at Winfield Farm in Scaly Mountain.  Serving up food delicacies to all ticket holders are Highlands Smokehouse and Chocolate Heaven, just to name a few.  VIP ticket holders will be treated to complimentary drinks prepared by the Ugly Dog and High Dive and small plates, too. 

Also in the offering, events from some of Highlands most celebrated restaurants, including:

At the Bridge at Mill Creek:

Friday, April 23, 3:30 P.M.: West Coast Wine-ing & Califermentation. Tasting with Steve Hedberg of August Briggs and Dancing Coyote Wineries, paired with charcuterie and small bites. 

Saturday, April 24, 7:30 P.M.: Six Secret Sips with Professional Winos. Wines from around the world hosted by Danny Sanford of Fine Wine Trading with a four-course dinner by Bridge Chef Andre Brookins.  Details at Thebridgeatmillcreek.com

At Meritage Bistro:

Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24, 3:30 – 5:30; Wine tastings with celebrated wine personalities; Saturday, April 24, 11:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.: Champagne Brunch with Bubbles and Bottomless Mimosas.  Details at meritagebistro.com

More of the town’s best eateries are excited to be part of the festival as well, with special culinary events launching during the weekend, including Ugly Dog and the Highlander Mountain House.  (Please contact the individual restaurants for details, yet to be announced as of this writing.)  

Details about the listed events and more can be found at bearshadownc.com.

by Marlene Osteen