HEARTS Healing History ‘23

Join us for an exploration of the native medicinal plants of our region, along with live music, visual art, and more. It all happens at Healing History ‘23 on Saturday, July 22, from 2:00-5:00 at Huntersville’s historic Cedar Grove and Hugh Torance House and Store.  

Healing History ‘23’s featured speaker is Aaron Kampe, a biologist on the faculty of UNCC who teaches field botany, ecology, and horticulture. Kampe will share information about not only the healing properties of plants found onsite and how to identify them but also the people and cultures who have traditionally used them. The program even includes a hands-on activity for those who want to engage all their senses. Kampe is a member of the International Dendrological Society and his garden has been featured on BBC’s Gardener’s World. Together with his young daughter, he hosts the Botany for Kids channel on YouTube. His company, Elk Haven Herbals, specializes in the medicinal use of plants.

HEARTS is excited to present A.P. Rodgers as the featured musical guest for Healing History ‘23. An old-time folk singer and songwriter, A.P.’s mountain ballads will take you on a heartfelt journey filled with storytelling and banjo showmanship. A.P. will be accompanied on guitar by Isaac McDaniels for this very special performance, so get ready for a foot-stompin' good time.

Healing History ‘23 features the art of Micaila Ayorinde (Ayo), a visual and performance artist for positive transformation.  A collection of her masks exploring the spiritual nature of belonging opens at the July event entitled, “Seeing Beyond the Masks. Cultivating the Nature of Healing.” Ayo’s masks feature mixed-media assemblages of found objects and natural items. She will also facilitate a collaborative mask creation with event guests for an interactive experience utilizing botanical elements found on-site. The exhibit and the collaborative work will remain on display through the August HEARTS Happening. A Transformational Life Coach, Ayo is CEO and Founder of INNERtainment Studios.