Sleepy Cat is 5 years old! Celebrate with us at our annual Sleepy Fest

Saturday October, 26th in Saxapahaw, NC

in partnership with The Haw River Ballroom

HEADLINES:

  • Initial lineup just announced! More to come.

  • Tickets now available

  • Volunteer Signup and Vendor Applications open this Summer. Date TBA

  • We’re still taking sponsorships. Reach out to Steph at steph@sleepycatrec.com to inquire

Sleepy Cat Records is proud to be entering our fifth year as an independent, label. To celebrate this milestone, we are joining The Haw River Ballroom in presenting our 3rd annual Sleepy Fest in the beloved community of Saxapahaw, NC on October 26th, 2024! Sleepy Fest provides a platform for emerging North Carolina-based artists, creates opportunities for our community to connect, and helps raise the funds we rely on to stay in operation. Furthermore, as in the past two years, we intend to use Sleepy Fest to elevate the social justice work that is already happening around us, as well as the kind of thoughtful work we hope to encourage moving forward - including but not limited to racial and environmental justice, anti-colonial/imperialist organizing and discourse, and queer representation/platforming.

Sleepy Fest has become an integral piece to the puzzle of what we do. We’re tremendously grateful for the success of our first two years in Hillsborough with our family-farm host, Down Yonder, and are ready to bring our festival to a new town. We’ve been in community with The Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw for nearly a decade now and the timing couldn’t be better for us to come together to make something special happen.

The day will kick off at 11am with a free-to-the-public arts market and performance at the Haywagon Stage in the spirit of the long-running Saturdays in Saxapahaw series. From 2pm to midnight, ticket holders will have access to the main festival grounds at the Ballroom, enjoying feature performances between the Ballroom Main Stage and the Amphitheater, DJ sets, and other special programming. Saxapahaw’s main attractions like the Haw river trails, restaurants, and local businesses will be accessible to the public per usual. Local businesses will be in on the fun, offering special goods and services. Locals interested in more information: please reach out to Jess at sleepyfest@gmail.com

This year’s festival will feature a blend of performances from our Sleepy Cat Artists as well as non-label artists and friends. As in Sleepy Fest’s past, you can expect one-time collaborations and improvisations between artists. We’re planning visual installations and other non-music arts elements like last year’s immersive poetry room and ephemeral art installation, as well as an expanded vendor and artisan market, kids zone, and more! We believe that this event will once again bring a day of joy to attendees, and will continue to foster appreciation for the wealth of culture and community in our area.

For now, save the date and follow our new fest IG @sleepyfest to stay in the loop.

SCHEDULE

  • 10am-3pm Free-to-the-public Arts Market & Performances at Haywagon Stage

  • 2pm-midnight Ticketed access to festival grounds. Feature performances between the indoor Ballroom and outdoor Amphitheater, as well DJ sets and other special programming. Detailed schedule TBA.

LINEUP

To celebrate our 5th anniversary as a label this year’s festival will feature a blend of performances from our Sleepy Cat Artists as well as non-label artists and friends. As in Sleepy Fest’s past, you can expect one-time collaborations and improvisations between artists.

Lou Hazel, Gibson & Toutant, Magic Al, DUNUMS, Delver, SunSp.t, Setting, Andy Stack & Jay Hammond

More to be announced!

ARTS AND MAKERS MARKET

This year’s market will be located at Saxapahaw’s Haywagon Stage, home of the long running and family-friendly Saturdays in Saxapahaw. In keeping with that spirit, we will kick off Sleepy Fest with a free show and market from 10am-3pm. Our ticketed experience will then run from 2pm-midnight at the main festival grounds between the Ballroom and Amphitheater.

Market signup coming soon.

FOOD & BEV

There will be food and beverage vendors to enjoy all day, including coffee, alcoholic and NA beverages, and vegan food options.

Full food & bev vendor list coming soon.

*You’re welcome to bring your own food items if you have specific dietary preferences, though we encourage you to purchase food onsite from our great vendors and local businesses.

Join our Newslitter and follow us on IG @sleepyfest to stay in the loop as we roll things out.

 

Performers from our first two Sleepy Fest’s held in Hillsborough

 

TICKETS

GENERAL ADMISSION

General Admission Adult - $49.50

General Admission Kids 6-12 - $22

General Admission Kids 0-5 - FREE

General Admission tickets provide access to the festival grounds for all programming from 2pm-midnight, where you’ll enjoy feature performances between the Ballroom and Amphitheater, DJ sets, and other special programming.

ARISTOCAT TICKETS

AristoCat - $150

AristoKitty (Kids 6-12) - $115

Become an AristoCat at this year's Sleepy Fest to gain exclusive access and sweet perks, and to support the Sleepy Cat artists and community.

Your extra donation will go towards:

  • Our sliding scale program, subsidizing affordable tickets, and helping make Sleepy Fest more accessible

  • Paying event staff and performers bonuses above base pay

  • Funding our label projects for 2025, should we have surplus beyond the above mentioned priorities

Tickets include everything a General Admission Ticket does, as well as:

  • Early entry to festival grounds

  • Premium viewing areas

  • Aristocat-edition Sleepy Fest T-shirt and poster

  • Entry into our Saxapahaw Local Business Giveaway for a chance to win exclusive goods and services from participating local businesses

  • Early access to future Sleepy Fest tickets

  • More info and perks to be announced!More info and perks to be announced!

EXTRA DONATIONS

Feeling extra giving? Make stand-alone or add-on donations in $5 increments from our ticket provider. Your donation supports our sliding scale program, helps us pay higher wages, and funds 2025 label projects.

For larger donations or to become a sponsor, please reach out to sleepyfest@gmail.com

Thanks so much!

INFO

PARKING & DIRECTIONS

The Haw River Ballroom is located 1711 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Rd, Saxapahaw, NC 27340. Directions

Free parking is available in the following areas in downtown Saxapahaw:

  • Lots outside of the Hawbridge Upper School.

  • Designated parking areas on Pine and Hilltop near & just past the Water Tower.

  • Parking area to the right of Paperhand Puppet Intervention and Haw River Canoe/ Kayak’s spaces.

  • The gravel lot behind the Saxapahaw Museum.

  • There are also a few accessible parking spots right outside of the Saxapahaw General Store.



If you are planning on finding other transportation, such as Uber, Lyft, etc, please be aware that cell service in Saxapahaw can be challenging sometimes, so we can’t guarantee you’ll be able to pick up service to call a ride home. Carpooling is highly recommended.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please do not park in the road or in people’s yards or driveways or blocking residential gates. Cars parked in any of these spaces or over the white line on the road may be towed. We ask that you respect that people live and work here and need to be able to feel their homes and property are not affected by people coming in for the event. Thanks.

WHAT TO BRING

  • Cash for merch, concessions, and donations

  • Water bottle

  • Appropriate footwear for uneven ground (Haywagon Stage)

  • Picnic blanket and/or lawn chairs (Haywagon Stage)

  • Sunblock, bug spray, other festival provisions!

ACCESSIBILITY

  • The Haw River Ballroom is ADA accessible.

  • There are a few accessible parking spots right outside of the Saxapahaw General Store.

  • Accessible seating for The Ballroom is located on the 2nd floor, which can be reached via the sidewalk that wraps around the building. There are no stairs outside that lead up to this 2nd floor entry.

  • If you require a seat, please email the Ballroom Box Office at boxoffice@hawriverballroom.com to hold your seat in advance and we will make seats available and put your name on them until we reach our limit.

Please email sleepyfest@gmail.com if you have any further questions or special needs. We can provide you information to make the best choice for yourself.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Sleepy Fest & The Haw River Ballroom are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which all are treated with dignity and respect, free from discrimination and harassment. Everyone who enters our venue should be safe from harm, whether it’s while watching, working, or performing. We reserve the right to deny any person who violates our Code of Conduct the privilege of performing at or attending current or future Haw River Ballroom, River Room, Amphitheater and Saturdays in Saxapahaw events.

  • By attending Haw River Ballroom events, you agree to abide by these guidelines:

    NO WEAPONS OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED INSIDE THE VENUE.

    The following behavior is not welcome at Haw River Ballroom and is cause for removal from the space by security and a permanent ban from the venue:

    Sexual misconduct or harassment of any kind, including unwelcome verbal or non-verbal sexual attention or unwanted physical contact.

    Acting or speaking in a discriminatory manner or using racist, sexist, ableist, transphobic, homophobic, xenophobic, or other biased language, including intentional misgendering.

    Providing or offering intoxicants, legal or illegal, in a coercive manner, or causing someone to become intoxicated without their consent.

    Disruptive or aggressive behavior, including stalking, threatening, or following anyone in an intimidating or unwanted manner.

    Abuse of power, including but not limited to abuses related to wealth, race, gender, sexuality, or one’s position as a performer or manager.

    While at Haw River Ballroom, you agree to:

    Be proactive in creating a community-oriented atmosphere where the safety of others is prioritized and valued.

    Respect the physical and emotional boundaries of others in the venue.

    Reject and report violent or discriminatory behavior.

    Be responsible for your own actions & be aware that your actions do have an effect on others despite what your intentions may be.

    Respect and adhere to requests and requirements by Haw River Ballroom staff and security.

    Haw River Ballroom’s Commitment to You:

    We honor that “safe” and “safety” feel different for everyone. If you experience harassment, abuse, sexual assault, or if a perpetrator of harm is interfering with your experience at our venue, please approach a staff member to whom you feel comfortable talking.

    ALL STAFF INCLUDING BOX OFFICE, BAR TENDERS, BARISTAS, SOUND BOARD AND SECURITY ARE IN TOUCH WITH EACH OTHER VIA TEXT THREAD. LET ANY OF US KNOW OF ANY PROBLEM AND WE WILL SEND SECURITY TO HANDLE THE SITUATION IMMEDIATELY!

    Please do not stay silent. We are here to help with any conflicts arising from the violation of our policies and this Code of Conduct. Haw River Ballroom staff acknowledge that we are bound by this same Code of Conduct, except that employees may be required, on occasion, to initiate physical contact for the safety of individuals in the venue, and such actions shall not violate this Code. The Haw River Ballroom strives to be a safe space for all people. We welcome humans of all colors, identities, and abilities. We are running on geothermal and solar power

    and are always trying our best to be good to our community, customers, and planet.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

 
 
 

Illustrations by Cameron Cook

 

OUR TEAM

Gabe Anderson - Co-founder, Executive Director - sleepycatrec@gmail.com

Saman Khoujinian - Co-founder, Programming - sleepyfest@gmail.com

Steph Stewart - Sponsorship Director -  steph@sleepycatrec.com

Cam Laws - Market and Vending Director - sleepyfest@gmail.com

Jess Pusch - Local Outreach Coordinator, Volunteer Director - sleepyfest@gmail.com

Get in touch!