After a full weekend of music, connection, and celebration at Free The Music, we invite you to circle in community around the fire at Hawk & Hawthorne, one more time, to open our voices and share songs in the sweet afterglow of all we've created together.

Wednesday, June 10th -- join us in the barn, then gather around the fire.

We’ll begin with a beautiful, simple and sweet evening of live music inside the Hawk's event barn, three powerful, heart-centered sets from I,Star, Freedom Family, and Shylah Ray Sunshine, who knows, there may even be some surprise guests. ;)

Then, as the night softens…

we’ll gather around the fire for poetry music created together.
Instruments come out. Voices rise. The circle opens
and the community cypher casts it warmth from within
the afterglow of Free the Music's triumphant refrain.

Highlights ✨

• Intimate live music in the barn
• I,Star, Freedom Family & Shylah Ray Sunshine
• Fireside jam + community song circle
• A smaller, deeply connected gathering
• A meaningful close to the Free The Music weekend

==> Music & Gathering

We’ll begin the evening in the barn with three live sets:

I,Star
Freedom Family
Shylah Ray Sunshine
+ Special Guests, TBA 👀

After the performances, we’ll transition outdoors to the fire for a community jam + song circle.

Bring an instrument, a drum, your voice, or simply come to listen.

==> Your ticket includes

• Live performances from all three artists at the Hawk
• Access to the land & fireside gathering space
• Participation in the community jam + song circle
• A relaxed, intimate environment to land after the festival
• Space to connect more deeply with artists and community one last time

Bring a blanket, a layer, maybe an instrument, and come as you are.

== SCHEDULE ==

🌄 Sunset ~ 8:45 PM
🌘 Moon: Waning Crescent in Aries

6 PM :: Doors Open & Bar Service Begins -- Arrive, settle in
7 PM :: I,Star
8 PM :: The Freedom Family
9 PM :: Shylah Ray Sunshine
10:15 PM :: Fireside Jam + Song Circle
11:15 PM :: Soft close

== Bios ==

Shylah Ray Sunshine
Shylah Ray Sunshine is a multi award winning singer, songwriter, DJ, musician, mother, and vocal coach. A First Nations Algonquin artist originally from Canada and now based in Los Angeles, she is known for her powerful voice and grounded, authentic presence.

Her music blends Neo Soul and R&B with themes of love, growth, and transformation. Her albums Into the Wild and Lessons in Love have reached audiences around the world.

She also works as a vocal coach through her Soul Voice Singing program, helping others connect with and express their own voice.

The Freedom Family
Matteo and Katrina Lilly of The Freedom Family Band are musicians, song weavers, and community leaders whose work is rooted in integrity, generosity, and devotion to the power of music.

The space they hold is deeply authentic. Their sound blends heartfelt lyricism, tight harmonies, and a natural, flowing musical style that’s hard to categorize but easy to feel.

Through their music, mentorship, and song circles, they’ve supported thousands of people in finding their own creative voice. Their work is about connection, belonging, and bringing people into a more honest expression of themselves.

I,Star
I,Star is a dynamic folk and hip hop duo blending the expressive acoustic guitar and vocals of Aradhana Silvermoon with the lyricism and production of Truth-I Manifest.

For nearly two decades, they have developed their own “folk-hop” sound, weaving powerful songwriting with poetic insight and grounded messages. Their music explores personal and collective transformation, care for the Earth, social awareness, and love at the center of it all.

Their upcoming album Truth Set Free (Summer 2026) goes even deeper into the space between acoustic folk and hip hop. In recent years, they’ve stepped back from social media to focus on growing food, making Silvermoon Chocolate, and living close to the land outside Asheville.

== About Hawk & Hawthorne ==

We are bridging commerce & community to nurture and enrich an emergent regenerative culture.

The Hawk & Hawthorne is a practicing permaculture community & regenerative event venue nestled just north of Asheville, NC. Check out the short video below for a glimpse into the magick.

Set in a retrofitted heritage tobacco barn amidst an expansive valley full of fruit trees, gardens, spring-fed ponds & majestic views, The Hawk has been an organic gathering point for the Asheville & Barnardsville community for over 30 years, hosting hundreds of weddings, workshops & intimate live performances.

--> We are a non-alcoholic venue. Homemade elixirs & healthy(ish) snacks will be available at the bar. (Cash preferred; venmo/cards OK.)

--> Children

Kids 12 & under don't need a ticket but must be accompanied & supervised by a trusted adult at all times.

Families are welcome but childcare is not provided.

--> Arrival Instructions and Venue Policies will be sent in the email with your ticket confirmation. Please read them carefully.

--> Please leave dogs at home.

== A NOTE ON PRICING, ACCESSIBILITY & REFUNDS ==

==> Accessibility

We value keeping our gatherings accessible to people who bring value in ways beyond money.

If finances are what’s preventing you from attending, please email hawkandhawthorne@gmail.com
at least 5 days before the event and share what you’re able to offer, either financially or through work-trade.

We are a community-powered venue and have volunteer opportunities available for each gathering if you’re open to contributing.

We also offer a limited number of discounted for economically disadvantaged community members.

==> Can you support?

Producing this gathering is a communal labor of love. If you're in abundance and would like to offer a little extra support to our amazing community staff, there is an optional "Crew Gratitude" on the ticket page.

A $5 contribution is automatically added to each ticket but can be adjusted up, down, or removed entirely.

All contributions are shared equitably among the crew who help bring these gatherings to life.

Thank you for helping make this dream possible.

==> Financial Transparency
We know attending events like this is an investment of both time and money. Here is a rough breakdown of where your ticket money goes. These numbers are based on selling 100 tickets, and final numbers will fluctuate based on actual sales.

Example breakdown of a $33 ticket

$10 goes to the artists
$8 goes to pay our community production crew (+ tip share)
$6 goes to the venue
$4 goes to marketing (show graphics, promotion)
$2 goes to hard expenses -- paper goods, cleaning supplies, etc.
$3 goes to ticketing and processing fees

The venue itself operates on a small margin. Most of the ticket price goes directly toward artists, production partners and the crew who help bring these gatherings to life.

Revenue from food and bar helps sustain the event and support the ongoing stewardship of Hawk & Hawthorne and the land that holds it.

==> REFUNDS & RESALE: Refunds are not available. If you wish to re-sell, we recommend using the Facebook event page associated with this event. The Hawk also moderates a Telegram group. If you are buying tickets from people online, *please check with us first* to make sure they are genuine. Ticket scammers are increasingly common on social platforms. We will not refund a ticket if you are scammed!

Free the Music: Afterglow 🌙

Free the Music: Afterglow 🌙