Spring Hill Arts Gathering (SHAG):A New Arts Festival This Summer

The first incarnation of Spring Hill Arts Gathering, also known as the SHAG Festival, is slated to take place on July 29 – August 1 and August 6 – 8 at Spring Hill Vineyards (292 Bee Brook Rd, New Preston, CT). This celebration of community and the arts offers residents and friends a way to safely and spaciously gather over seven days and nights. Tickets start at $45 for day passes, with FREE tickets available for the Washington Town Party on Sunday, August 8, and are available at www.springhillartsgathering.com through TodayTix.

“We’re building on our experiences with the Five Senses Festival, which we produced with Pilobolus from 2018-2020,” says Stephanie Ingrassia, founder, Spring Hill Arts Gathering. “SHAG is just as much about bringing the world to Washington as it is about bringing Washington to the world, because our community is filled with so many artists, writers, and thinkers. We’re excited to celebrate creativity and togetherness in the place that our family has called home for close to thirty years.”

The full SHAG schedule as follows:

Weekend 1: July 29 – August 1:

● Thursday, July 29: An invitation-based launch party featuring performances by New York City-based Bossa Nova band A Lua, and violinist Robert McDuffie; festive seated dinner.

● Friday, July 30: TodayTix Presents Ariana Debose, supported by The Doo Wop Project, and Graydon Carter interviewed by journalist Marcia De Sanctis.

● Saturday, July 31: SHAG with Pride in the Hills, featuring: Sophie B. Hawkins, Alex Newell, Mila Jam, Shequida Hall, DJ Zeke Thomas, Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon, Drag Queen Story Hour, a special performance by Pilobolus and more.

● Sunday, August 1: Daytime programs in collaboration with the Art For Justice Fund. Evening performances by Vinson Fraley, Jr, Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science, and Etienne Charles and Creole Soul.

Weekend 2: August 6 – August 8:

● Friday, August 6: Pilobolus, Connecticut Ballet, Music from the Sole, Brother(hood) Dance!, DJ Arvolyn Hill, and more.

● Saturday, August 7: KT Tunstall, Matthew Whitaker, Logan Ledger, Danielle Ponder, Theo Kandel, Brooklyn Raga Massive, Innov Gnawa, and more.

● Sunday, August 8: FREE Washington Town Party, 12 – 10 PM, with a tribute to our town heroes, featuring family activities, food vendors including Shake Shack, a makers market, an old time barn dance, performances by Jim Keller, Saints & Liars, and more.

All will take place on the Spring Hill Vineyards grounds - a delightful outdoor venue including a modern barn which will serve as a performance site, a chef’s kitchen, and modern restrooms. Anchoring the site is an historic silo featuring a magical art installation by Randy Polumbo, and an outdoor amphitheater hand-carved by artist Mark Mennin that provides a unique outdoor venue, and art installations including sculptures by Nicole Eisenman and activations by Lauren Booth.

Tickets and more information can be found at www.springhillartsgathering.com