And this festival’s not just about the music — as if that weren’t enough. There will be a whole slew of visual artists to provide for your live-painting pleasure. The festival has partnered with the Moksha (Sanskrit for “enlightenment and liberation”) Family Arts Collective, based out of Miami, whose mission is to explore the spiritual element of artistic expression.
Some other attending visual artists
that I am personally familiar with are Allie Azura and Andy Reed, from
Asheville, N.C., and GoatFaced, from Richmond, Va.
There will also be yoga classes and workshops taught by long-time practitioner Kelly Searcy. Searcy is Aura’s
resident yoga teacher, and through her Yoga and Spiritual Practices Program, festival
attendees can participate in a variety of classes, including 30-minute guided
meditations and relaxation sessions.
The Tribal Council, a group of musicians,
dancers, yoga teachers, and more, hailing from Asheville, will also be hosting
several transformational workshops. Just look for the geodesic dome.
Of course, you can expect to see
food and merchandise vendors (both official and unofficial). There will also be
‘heady’ micro brews, but I’m not sure who’s providing them. Look out for my
friend Sarah Goodyear, who has devoted herself to creating and sharing her art.
If you’re looking for a souvenir,
but don’t want to drop a lot of dough (or don’t have any), consider bringing
five or more cans, or other non-perishable food items, to be donated to Love INC Food Bank in Live Oak. In return, you will receive a festival poster.
Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park holds 800 acres of land along the Suwanee River for
camping, canoeing, hiking, disc golf, and many other outdoor activities. It
also boasts a natural amphitheater, plus a general store, full service
restaurant, showers, water stations, and bathrooms. There will be RV parking
with full hookups, and cabin and golf cart rentals are also available for the
weekend. Campfires will be allowed in designated areas.
Tickets for the festival are now
$129 in advance and will be $150 at the gates. Gates will open at 10 a.m.
Friday (if you’d like to arrive earlier, you can, but you will have to pay the
park’s camping fee) and close at noon on Monday. Car camping is allowed, but
pets are not. For directions to Spirit of the Suwanee, click here.
I am so
excited to be attending Aura this year! It’s going to be lots of fun
(hopefully, in the sun). Can’t wait to see you there!
