Captivated by the realms of myth and dream, Pandemonaeon fuses Celtic, Scandinavian, and Middle Eastern folk traditions with driving rock, powerful vocals, and metal accents, imbuing their songs with rich archetypal imagery and creating soundscapes both modern and timeless. At times haunting and stark, at times driving and passionate, the result is deeply evocative.

Pandemonaeon’s archetypal themes and otherworldly sound have made them popular among neo-tribals, neo-Pagans, Tribal Fusion bellydancers and lovers of dark fantasy. Their album Dangerous Beauty was chosen as the number one Pagan music release of 2010 by Jason Pitzl-Waters (The Wild Hunt, Numinosis). Their music has also been featured in the cult horror film, “The Commune” (2009)  and a Gothic Fusion bellydance DVD “Dark Imaginations”  by Anaar (2009).

“Dangerous Beauty offers a dark and exciting vision…from the very outset Pandemonaeon draws the listener in with a captivating sound.”
-Tony Cannella, Femme Metal Webzine

Learn more and hear their music here:
www.pandemonaeon.net

Internationally acclaimed world music ensemble Stellamara premiers electro-acoustic sets emphasizing their signature passionate rhythms and eastern melodies with dramatic orchestral sections, otherworldly ambience and deep bass grooves. Evolving for over a decade of recording and performing, Stellamara unites world-renowned musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds in a shared devotion for folk and classical music rooted in Near Eastern, Eastern European, Medieval European, Arabic and Persian traditions. Stellamara is regarded as being at the forefront of contemporary world music, giving new life and a fresh, modern expression to the beautiful and mysterious qualities of traditional modal music. 

Stellamara is directed by Sonja Drakulich, a former member of Faun. They appear at Hexenfest as an acoustic trio. 

To learn more and see video, visit them at :
http://stellamara.com/media/

Hailing from the hedge and loam of Seattle's undergrowth, Dogwood aims to weave historical and wax hysterical in the old-new traditions of mountain men, shantymen, and her fellow men as she tromps acro'st both ancient myth and accidental malady.

Nathaniel Johnstone is perpetually trying to figure out what he sounds like. At times he's blues, metal, punk, folk, celtic, with a whole bunch of other things thrown in for good measure. He has collaborated with a number of other ensembles: The Ghosts Project, Jill Tracy’s Malcontent Orchestra, Ego Likeness, Jody Ellen, Android Lust, The Last Dance, The Hellblinki Sextet, Abney Park, and others.

By their forces combined Dogwood & Johnstone make music meant to confound, delight, and infuriate in equal measure. Joining them at Hexenfest is gothic tribal dancer extraordinaire, Tempest. 

Learn more and hear their music here:
http://www.nathanieljohnstone.com
 

Festival Favorites Sharon Knight and Winter are internationally touring musicians in the mythic-Celtic vein. Their penchant for combining fierce and gutsy bravado with ethereal beauty, a hearty dose of fantastical lyrics, and an obvious love of storytelling has inspired their own style, “Neofolk Romantique”. This often sound less Celtic and more “Folktales that ran away with the Faeries at the turn of the century and took cover in an old trunk bound for the circus, which was then commandeered by pirates.” This suits them fine. 

They have shared stages with mythic music favorites such as Faun, Omnia, Corvus Corax, SJ Tucker, Tricky Pixie, Heather Dale, Wendy Rule, Stellamara, and many more. They have recently completed a 100% crowd-funded CD and music video featuring several of these artists, called Portals. 

Learn more and hear their music here:
www.sharonknight.net

Gothic-tribal fusion dancers Sydney Miles (Belladonna Atropa) and Didi "Doreet" Gordon will host our dance day at Hexenfest! There will be several classes throughout the day, and a student performance in the evening. Get ready to move your body in ways that are both sensual and badass!

Sydney Miles Presents:
"Sensuality in Dance", an accessible, basic technique class to add a little extra shimmy for beginners, where we'll be learning a simple, sensuously divine choreography that can be used at my second offering, Sacred Dance to Aphrodite. 

"Sacred Dance to Aphrodite" is a Come-As-You-Are, Dance-As-You-Like group dance offered up to the Lady in Red. 

Didi Gordon Presents:
"Elysium, Fusion Dance for the Ethereal Soul"

Elysium belly dance fusion format was developed in 2007 by my spirit siStar, Ma'isah, a world renowned bellydancer from Australia.

Elysium means ‘joy’ and represents years as a dedicated student and lover of dance, translated into a fusion dance vocabulary across four elements and three levels.  

I am excited to bring the Elysium format to the US and Hexenfest.

Together, we will explore the beauty and creativity of this format with the optional opportunity to perform what we create on Friday evening.

Didi has walked a Magickal Path for over 30 years. She discovered her passion for Bellydance in 2002. After a couple of years of intense dance training, Didi began performing professionally in 2004 and instructing in 2008.

She has performed and taught at some of the largest Bellydance festivals in California.

Didi currently teaches Bellydance classes 3 times a week at Serpent's Kiss in Santa Cruz, CA

Tranquil Sound Gardens returns to Hexenfest with their Saturday morning sonic temple! Start your morning bathed in sound!

Wonderful for meditation, yoga, or play, this sound bath will wake you up gently and beautifully, giving you a musical tuneup to set a wonderful tone for the day.