This spring's version, like every one before it, will feature more music than you can shake a booty at, along with dance, poetry, food, crafts, kids' activities, workshops...well, you get the idea. All of it spread over a lovely patch of Chatham County countryside.

The Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance will take place Thursday through Sunday at 1439 Henderson Tanyard Road in Silk Hope, about 18 miles southwest of Chapel Hill. More than 40 acts will perform on two big outdoor stages, a large dance tent and the more intimate Cabaret Tent.

Musical styles run the gamut -- bluegrass, folk, Americana, blues, reggae, world beat, rock, zydeco, jazz and on and on.

The headline acts Friday, Saturday and Sunday exemplify that variety.

Friday night's headliner is Arrested Development, a Grammy Award-winning hip-hop group that calls its sound "life music" and emphasizes spirituality, the earth, love and consciousness.

"We get on stage every night with the mission to broaden the perspectives and give inspiration to rise above the stereotypes and materialism," said the band's frontman, Speech (yes, that's his name).

On Saturday, the great Richie Havens will headline the day's events. Gifted with one of the most recognizable voices in popular music, Havens was the opening act at Woodstock in 1969, and his brilliant, impassioned performance set the tone for that watershed event. Almost 40 years hence, he's as fiery and soulful as ever. His newest album is "Grace Of The Sun."

"My albums are meant to be a chronological view of the times we've come through, what we've thought about, and what we've done to grow and change," Havens said. "There's a universal point to which we all respond, and where all songs apply to everyone."

Sunday's headliner is a local favorite; just last month they sold out shows at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro and the Lincoln Theater in Raleigh. Chatham County Line plays traditional bluegrass instruments but incorporates all manner of genres into its repertoire: old-style country, ballads and modern acoustic rock.

"They have always stayed true to their traditional instrumentation, but their albums have never been limited by that in any way," said producer Chris Stamey. "There has always been a progression. They've used bluegrass as a jumping off point, a vernacular through which to access all that is roots music, be that gospel, country, rock or pop. That's American music and they are an American band."

Also included in this spring's lineup is festival favorite Donna the Buffalo, who started the first Grassroots Festival 18 years ago outside of Ithaca, N.Y.

Justin Townes Earle -- Steve Earle's son -- will make his first Shakori appearance, as will the Hackensaw boys, a rip-roaring old-time band from Charlottesville, Va.

Louisiana-based accordionist Keith Frank combines Creole and Cajun sounds with massive elements of funk and soul to transform an old style of music into a modern day dance party.

Among the others lined up to play -- and this is just for starters: Big Fat Gap, Chris Barron & the Time Bandits, Cyril Lance with Johnny Neel and Jeff Sipe, Dubconscious, The Haw River Rounders, Keith Secola & the Wild Band of Indians, Kusun Ensemble, Mariachi Los Galleros, the Allen Boys, the Never and Tres Chicas.

There's a lot to do besides listen to music, too. The schedule offers workshops in various forms of music, dance, movement and art. You can take in a poetry slam, compete in old-time music contests, play in jam sessions, go on a nature walk, and on and on.

Camping is available.

Tickets are available at www.shakorihills.org or at 542-8142. Adult four-day passes are $75 in advance and $85 at the gate. Four-day passes for children aged 13-15 are $45 (children 12 years and younger are free).

Single-day tickets are also available: $22 for Thursday, $30 for Friday, $37 for Saturday, and $26 for Sunday.

For schedules, directions, tickets, etc., see www.shakorihills.org.