LEAF Downtown Asheville just made a big announcement about the theme of this year's LEAF and the lineup so far! LEAF Downtown brings family-friendly music and entertainment to the city of Asheville, employing the same model of music, art, culture, and food that makes its twice yearly events out at Lake Eden so wonderful. Read all about who will be at LEAF this year in the press release, below:   * * *    LEAF Announces 2nd Annual LEAF Downtown Theme & Lineup! Come Get Downtown for SoulTown at the 2nd Annual LEAF Downtown AVL, taking place July 30-31, 2016 in the heart of Downtown Asheville at Pack Square Park.  Join LEAF for soul at its finest – infused throughout stages, conversations, connections, roaming art and then some!  LEAF Downtown AVL seeks to be an inclusive, family-friendly, FREE event that showcases talent in a wide variety of musical genres and backgrounds with artists such as WAR playing hit songs on the main Pack Square stage; the eclectic Big Sam’s Funky Nation; and Bill Myers & The Monitors, world-class ensemble musicians; and many others from national and regional stages.  Visit theLEAF.org/downtown for more info!   "Join us at LEAF Downtown AVL 2016 to celebrate music, art and culture from July 30 & 31,  presenting a powerful “Soultown” theme bringing the very best soul, funk, R&B and world music talent to one and ALL - for FREE!  Get ready for a fully immersive experience, welcoming families and all walks of life to gather as one community in our beautiful mountain city.  LEAF Downtown AVL will feature a wealth of community partner programming including the return of our Voices of Asheville tent, dozens of family adventures activities, three stages featuring local, regional & national talent, 80+ local culinary and craft arts vendors curated in part by Asheville Grown, roaming performers galore, a one-of-a-kind VIP experience and our second annual LEAF Art Dash 5K.    LEAF Downtown AVL first emerged onto the Asheville scene August 2015 as an expansion of the LEAF Community Arts' mission to connect cultures and create community through music and arts.   Last year, LEAF welcomed over 15,000 attendees in what we consider to be a turning point in the evolution of our organization and a powerful bridge of inclusion for our community.  This summer LEAF Downtown AVL furthers its vision to celebrate creativity, diversity and families in the heart of Downtown Asheville with a Soultown experience unlike any other!" - Ehren Cruz, Performing Arts Director Available NOW for the 2nd Annual LEAF Downtown: ·         Volunteer Applications – Rolling Acceptance with GREAT Perks! ·         Handcraft Vendor Applications – Submit by June 24th for consideration. ·         VIP Tickets on Sale – Includes Special Retreat & Renew Zone, Complimentary Parking & More! ·         LEAF Art Dash 5K – Registration Now Open for Asheville’s ONLY Run with Roaming Artists! Engage with LEAF Downtown – Schedule of Events…with more to come! ·         July 15-29 – LEAF Cocktail Crawl, sponsored in part by AshevilleGrit.com ·         July 29 – LEAF Downtown Official Pre-Party at New Mountain! ·         July 30 – LEAF Art Dash 5K, coordinated in part by Superfly Fab Events ·         July 30-31 – LEAF Downtown at Pack Square Park   LEAF Downtown AVL 2016 Performing Artists Lineup:     ​ Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Bill Myers & The Monitors, LEAF Soultown Review, The Broadcast, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, AJ Ghent Band, Les Amis: w/ Members of Toubab Krewe & Zansa , Jon Stickley Trio, Juan Benavides Group, Laura Blackley & The Wildflowers, Welcome to Mars Presents: HoveyKraft, Matt Townsend, Sol Rhythms Band, The Blue Dragons, Old Landmarks Spiritual Revival, Dave Desmelik,  Unifire Theater, Faerie Kin, Clan Destiny Circus, Asheville Buskers Collective, Asheville Community Yoga, Old Tim Jam in the Round, & Many More…