Inspired by the picturesque landscape of Lake Leland and nurtured by an eclectic group of Northwest musicians, Moon Fest returns on Aug. 23.

Begun in 2012, this three-day celebration of the human spirit is organized by Roger Fisher, the founding guitarist of the rock group Heart, and executed with the help of his brother Mike Fisher and more than a dozen volunteers.

“The festival is about entertainment and the enjoyment of good music, but it is also about supporting a community voice, sustainability and social responsibility,” Fisher said.

The festival takes place on 40 acres of woodland located between Sequim and Quilcene, at 322 Munn Road. Cost of admission varies. Onsite car and RV camping is available, but spaces are limited. For more information on tickets and accommodations, visit moonfest2013.com.

“Moon Fest is something we want to grow into a sustainable event that we can then take and travel all around the world with,” Fisher says.

A percentage of proceeds are donated to World Vision and Live It Out Loud, an eight-week summer music program for aspiring youth. Fisher says that in the future he’d like to see Moon Fest support efforts in the communities where it stops on its national and world tours.

“We want to pay a lot of attention to the kids at Moon Fest because they are our future, so the more we can enlighten and enrich them, the better,” Fisher says. “I see music as the most potent governing force on the planet, as far as something that elevates and uplifts mankind, and I want to see more youth involved.”

The 2013 lineup is an indication of how the festival is growing and developing a unique personality. Fisher says he’s happy to report that, unlike year one, when the majority of performers were “tribute bands,” about 98 percent of the groups in 2013 are set to play original music.

“We’ve chosen groups with an earthy vibe,” he says, “intelligent music played by caring, sensitive musicians.”

WORKSHOPS

In addition to the main stage performances, Moon Fest offers a variety of workshops, welcoming all ages and experience levels, taught by industry professionals. Cost is $10 per class.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, world-renowned concert photographer Eric Salas teaches a photography workshop sure to set amateurs and intermediates on the path to capturing professional shots.

For more than 34 years, Salas has worked and toured alongside artists, including Scott Weiland, Pat Benatar, Godsmack, Staind, Elton John, Huey Lewis, Michael Jackson and Roger Fisher. Owner of Eric Salas Productions, he also writes for Rock Thiz Magazine.

The workshop is set to include tips on camera equipment and settings, exposure, focus and elements of a photograph.

For more information, visit ericsalasproductions.com.

PERCUSSION

Get into the rhythm at 11 a.m. when Gordy Onayemi Ryan offers an introduction to hand drumming.

Having toured with Baba Olatunji and the Drums of Passion from the early ’70s to Olatunji’s death in 2003, Ryan has played on more than 100 albums and movie soundtracks. He also composes, and loves sharing his knowledge on the musical path.

Ryan currently lives in Seattle, where he leads two high school bands, facilitates the Thursday Night Puget Sound Rhythm Crew and performs with a variety of bands.

For more information, email lightintheforest@frontier.com.

SONGWRITING

Find the right words at noon on Saturday, when Fisher leads a songwriting workshop.

Fisher has played in almost every major city in North America, as well as touring Europe, Japan, Australia, Uzbekistan and Russia, and performed at massive events in the Czech Republic, Japan, Canada and the United States.

The original lineup for Heart was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.

Songs featuring Fisher’s songwriting and iconic guitar riffs have been used in numerous television shows and commercials, the popular video game Guitar Hero, and in several movies, including “Charlie’s Angels” and “Shrek 3.”

His latest release, “All Told,” is album one of a four-album package titled “One Vision,” recorded with his brother Mike Fisher, aka Magic Man.

YOGA

After all of that performing, cool down and stretch out at 1 p.m. with Sheryl Wolover, a massage therapist and yoga instructor.

Using the four elements, Wolover guides participants through dynamic poses, intertwining, connecting each person with the elements around and within them.

The unique rhythm should allow participants to explore steadiness, strength and breath awareness.

Bring a yoga mat, if possible.

For more information, email om@pacific-elements.com.

SINGING

Finally, find your voice at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 25, with multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and composer Beth Quist during a singing workshop.

Lead soprano and instrumentalist for the creation band in Cirque du Soleil’s “Kà,” Quist is currently performing with Sherefé, a group of American musicians specializing in Balkan and Middle Eastern music.

Quist teaches Turkish, Greek, Bulgarian and Indian raga singing, improvisation, music theory, keyboard and doumbek, with an emphasis on health and alignment to protect the body.

For more information, email beth@bethquist.com.