Friday, October 24

An evening of welcome, connection, and discovery. Begin with a creative mixer and opening session at Stages Music School, then set out together on a guided journey through Princeton’s Grassroots District. Along the way, experience live music, meaningful conversations, and hands-on art in some of the neighborhood’s most inspiring spaces — from the historic Renaissance Theater to the cozy Dream Bean Coffeehouse, to the laid-back jam session upstairs at RiffRaff.

5:00 PM – Creative Mixer & Welcome Reception 
Start your weekend in a relaxed, welcoming space designed for connection. Gather with fellow dreamers, doers, and creators over hearty hors d’oeuvres, dig into some hands-on art activities with local artists Isaac and Loren Preston of Rainbow Art Farms, and let the sparks of conversation begin.

6:00 PM – Opening Session: Setting the Stage
We’ll open the convening with words of inspiration from CYS Founder Lori McKinney, collective intention-setting, and a glimpse at what’s ahead. Learn about Princeton’s next-level momentum after two decades of creative groundwork, including bold new projects like We Need to Talk (WN2T). Experience two of We Need to Talk’s powerful music videos, then enjoy live performances from their creators — multitalented artist and creative entrepreneur Je’Dah Madison and gifted songwriter, musician, and educator James Hart.

An Evening in the Grassroots District
The evening continues with a guided journey through Princeton’s vibrant creative core. We’ll move together from space to space, each stop offering a unique spark of inspiration. Along the way, you’ll meet some of the core creators, imagineers, and sparkplugs who helped ignite Princeton’s cultural renaissance.

7:00 PM | Renaissance Theater
We’ll begin at the historic Renaissance Theater, where local possibilitarian, nonprofit director, and county commissioner Greg Puckett will share insights on environmental change, followed by an interactive community art experience inside this treasured space currently under renovation.

8:00 PM | Dream Bean Coffeehouse
Next, head just down the street to the cozy Dream Bean for acoustic music and meaningful conversation about youth engagement and empowerment with powerhouse musician and youth development leader Melissa McKinney, founder of Stages Music School and the One Voice Project, and now Director of Programming at LEAF Global Arts in Asheville, NC.

9:00 PM | The Room Upstairs
Then, we’ll gather for a laid-back jam session featuring local musicians James Hart and Old Soul Reunion, plus a tour of the RiffRaff recording studio and media command center — the creative brain of the movement — led by the Wizard of Mercer Street himself, Robert  Blankenship.

9:30 PM | Boc-Hord Brewery 
Head down to our neighborhood brewery for a special after-hours mingle with fellow attendees. Enjoy local craft brews, live music by WV songwriter Andrew Adkins, and relaxed conversation to close out your first night in the Grassroots District.