News

7/18 SHAMARR ALLEN

Shamarr Allen calls his sound (as well as his latest album) “True Orleans” – a distinctly New Orleans blend of jazz and brass band music with bounce, hip-hop, funk, soul, R&B and more. Allen has collaborated with many renowned artists around the world such as Willie Nelson, Patti LaBelle, Galatic, Harry Connick Jr, and Lenny Kravitz, to name a few. In addition to displaying his skills on the front-line as a lead performer, Allen is also a music composer, writer, and producer. With a scintillating and unique sound, look, and exemplary talents, Shamarr Allen is the True Orleans experience!

08/12 TEN YEARS AFTER

Explosive British Blues band Ten Years After are celebrating their historic performance at Woodstock on the festival’s 50th Anniversary. For the first time since 1969 the band will be playing the actual set list they played at Woodstock in its entirety as well as many other songs from their vast back catalogue. Founding members Ric Lee and Chick Churchill have formed a new and exciting lineup featuring British Bass icon Colin Hodgkinson (Backdoor, Peter Green, Alexis Corner, Spencer Davis, Chris Rea, John Lord) and multi British Blues Award winning guitarist and singer Marcus Bonfanti (Van Morrison, Ginger Baker, Ronnie Wood).

A recently announced Toubab Krewe show has been POSTPONED due to a scheduling conflict. We hope to have a rescheduled date out to you soon.

THURSDAY: DAVID GANS W. BIGFOOT COUNTY

With the Grateful Dead Radio Hour, David Gans has become the ultimate tour guide through the recording archives of The Grateful Dead. A musician and songwriter in his own right, Gans has plenty of stories to tell about his years covering the band as a music journalist and author. Doors will open at 6:00pm for your chance to meet and talk with this prolific Deadhead. The night will begin with a book signing followed by a solo set with Gans and a sit-in with BigFoot County.

SATURDAY: TOWN MOUNTAIN W. MORGAN WADE & THE STEPBROTHERS

“Town Mountain aren’t out to reinvent the wheel, they’re like a new set of the finest tires that gives you a new ride. There’s no fat, no gratuitous notes, no extra stuff, just amazing songs, singing and playing from one of the best bands out there… or maybe they are the new wheel.” — Artist and Grammy-winning producer Buddy Miller

SPRING CLEANING YOUR SPACES?

We are looking for donations for our Repurpose for a Purpose Yard Sale on Sunday, April 28th. We’re pulling items from our storerooms and our collections for the sale. We will also feature hand-painted furniture and arts and crafts from Assignment Ready Training, a program that uses art to teach workplace skills to young people with learning disabilities. A.R.T. is housed on the lower level of the Sanctuary.

But we need more. We need you! This is your chance to support the 5 Points Music Foundation mission of providing group music therapy programs and raising awareness and support for those with hearing loss.

Bring your donations to the rear entrance of the 5 Points venue at 1217 Maple in Old Southwest Roanoke between 10am and 2pm on Saturday, April 27th or give us a call to make arrangements at 540.795.5618. And be sure to come to the event. The music will be playing and the bar will be open!

Be one of the next 10 ticket purchases for EITHER show and WIN the Limited Edition Posters for BOTH. Go now!

This weekend The Sanctuary is bringing it with two incredible nights of music – FRIDAY night with the princes of jazz fusion, Garaj Mahal and SATURDAY 4/20 featuring high energy Brass Funk Rock from Empire Strikes Brass with soulful songwriter Sid Kingsley opening the night.

Be one of the next 10 ticket purchases for EITHER show and WIN the Limited Edition Posters for BOTH. Go now!

Spring cleaning your spaces?

We are looking for donations for our Repurpose for a Purpose Yard Sale on Sunday, April 28th. We’re pulling items from our storerooms and our collections for the sale. We will also feature hand-painted furniture and arts and crafts from Assignment Ready Training, a program that uses art to teach workplace skills to young people with learning disabilities. A.R.T. is housed on the lower level of the Sanctuary.

But we need more. We need you! This is your chance to support the 5 Points Music Foundation mission of providing group music therapy programs and raising awareness and support for those with hearing loss.

Bring your donations to the rear entrance of the 5 Points venue at 1217 Maple in Old Southwest Roanoke between 10am and 2pm on Saturday, April 27th or give us a call to make arrangements at 540.795.5618. And be sure to come to the event. The music will be playing and the bar will be open!

DEAD X DOWNTOWN

Down by Downtown weekend is here! Four days of live music across multiple venues in Downtown Roanoke coincides with Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon race weekend. And it all kicks off THURSDAY with Dead by Downtown featuring The Dead Reckoning at 5 Points Music Sanctuary! Our Courtyard Bar will open at 6:30pm and Longfin Grill Food Truck will be here serving up high-end dishes with fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Presale ticket prices end today – just $12 for general admission. Or go for the DXDT All Access Pass for the entire weekend. $60 gives you entry to Spafford, Tank and the Bangas, Rubblebucket, John Scofield, A Place Called Home, The Concerns and more!

DON’T TOSS IT! DONATE IT!

That stuff you don’t need today could be somebody else’s treasure tomorrow. That’s why the 5 Points Music Foundation is holding a Spring Indoor Yard Sale on Sunday, April 28.

We’re pulling items from our storerooms and our collections for the sale. We will also feature hand-painted furniture and arts and crafts from Assignment Ready Training, a program that uses art to teach workplace skills to young people with learning disabilities. A.R.T. is housed on the lower level of the Sanctuary.

But we need more. We need you. This is your chance to support the 5 Points Music Foundation mission of providing group music therapy programs and raising awareness and support for those with hearing loss. We’re looking for a few good donations. Bring us items that we can turn into treasure. They will find a new purpose and will support a purpose – The Power of Sound.

Bring your donations to the rear entrance of the 5 Points venue at 1217 Maple in Old Southwest Roanoke between 10am and 2pm Sunday, April 28th. And be sure to come to the event. The music will be playing and the bar will be open.

CHEICK HAMALA DIABATE

It was a lively, energetic evening the first time Cheick Hamala Diabate played The Sanctuary. We are thrilled to welcome him back on June 7th! Cheick (pronounced “shake”) is a West African historian in the Griot tradition, and a world-recognized master of the ngoni, the traditional Malian instrument. A sought after performer, lecturer, storyteller and choreographer throughout Africa, Europe, Asia and Canada, Cheick Hamala began touring in the U.S.in 1995. His performances have been featured at such notable venues as The Smithsonian Institute, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest and many of the top festivals across the United States. Tickets on sale now!

Spring Music Therapy Begins by Noel Anderson

This past Monday we started our FREE Spring Music Therapy Group at 5 Points!

Have you ever felt that overwhelming feeling when you walk in to a large crowd of people? I know I have!

Throughout this month our group will focus on important social skills as well as coping skills for when we feel overwhelming feelings.

The kids will have a chance to experience music therapy, free of charge, thanks to 5 Points Music Foundation and their generous donors. Already, the kids are looking forward to the next several weeks of drumming, songwriting, improvisation, and singing!

Each music therapy session provides an opportunity to work on areas of need in a creative and safe environment filled with music. Through our board certified music therapists’ expertise, the music lessens anxiety and truly brings out the best in each kid. I’ve seen this time and time again in over a decade of being a music therapist.

If you missed this one, mark your calendar for our FREE SUMMER SESSIONS starting in July!

We invite your 11-14 year old to have fun strengthening their social and emotional skills through music therapy!

Sugaray Rayford

“Sugaray” Rayford is an American Soul Blues singer and songwriter. He has released six albums to date and was nominated for two blues music awards in 2019. Texas born Sugaray began his musical career before the age of 7 singing & playing drums in church. His gospel influence can be heard and felt in his music. Rayford’s phrasing is intimate and conversational, with a powerful, sexy, & soulful voice.

The Ron Holloway Band

Ron Holloway is one of the busiest tenor saxophonists on today’s music scene in any genre! Recently, Ron toured extensively with The Warren Haynes Band, in support of two critically acclaimed releases on the Stax Records label. Holloway is a frequent guest of Gov’t Mule, Tedeschi Trucks Band and The Allman Brothers Band. Over the years, he has been a member of an eclectic roster of groups, including; the Susan Tedeschi Band, the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet, Gil Scott-Heron and Root Boy Slim. Ron is currently a member of The Warren Haynes Band and leads his own band.

The Ron Holloway Band delivers sax driven funk jams with soaring female vocals, soul soaked Hammond B3, intensely emotive guitar, and hard hitting grooves. A relatively young band, this group has quickly made waves on the festival scene.

Open Mic Nite Reminder

Due to Easter falling on the third Sunday of the month, we will NOT have Open Mic Nite on April 21st. Be sure to come down this Sunday, April 7th to get your Open Mic fix!

Join RIDE Solutions and 5 Points Music Sanctuary for the 8th Annual Night Rider’s Ball. Riding your bike gets you in FREE to the biggest party of bike month! StarBomb your way to this incredible event featuring music from Headtronics, The State Birds, and Y.A.L.E. RIDE Solutions will be offering a bike valet free of charge. Mezzanine VIP access courtesy of Cardinal Bicycles will go to the first 40 cyclists to arrive! The Courtyard Bar will be open featuring a selection of Deschutes finest beverages and Hanu Food Truck with Korean inspired eats.

HEADTRONICS

Headtronics are a brand-spankin’ new funk trio featuring Freekbass, DJ Logic, and keyboardist Steve Molitz of Particle. Spawned at the Universal Church of Love and Music Funk Festival and named by legendary funk bassist Bootsy Collins, Headtronics is one of the most exciting new projects to hit the Funk and Electronica scene in years.

THE STATE BIRDS

The State Birds are Mike Seal (Jerry Douglas Band, Sierra Hull), Neal Fountain (Jimmy Herring Band, Randall Bramlet), Bryan Lopes (Atlanta Symphony), and Jeff Sipes (Col. Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium Rescue Unit, Phil Lesh, Trey Anastasio, Warren Haynes, Susan Tedeschi, Leftover Salmon, Jimmy Herring). Their band name is a nod to Bruce Hampton. Each of the band members played with Hampton for a spell and share a unique musical bond. The bands’ roots go back to 1983 in Atlanta, but this is a brand new project.

Y.A.L.E.

Another new collaboration, TJ Young, Stuart Angel, Matt Leonard, and Chris Eanes makeup Y.A.L.E. – a high energy musical adventure combining expansive jamming with succinct song writing to delight and excite the listener.

A big THANK YOU to this year’s Night Rider’s Ball Sponsors:
Deschutes Brewery | Cardinal Bicycle | Roanoke Outside

THE MUSIC CIRCLE’S KID CONCERT SERIES

Join us on May 5th from 2-4pm for an afternoon of music making and merriment! Kids and adults will join in the fun as Carla Nelson plays your family’s favorite tunes for the Music Circle’s Kid Concert Series. This is an interactive performance where parents and children will sing, dance, and play along with Carla and other families. This event is open to the public and is for children and adults of all ages. All the proceeds from this event will go to help fund music therapy programs at 5 Points Music Foundation.

THE FLOORBOARDS w. SCRIBE

American roots rock ensemble The Floorboards return to the 5 Points stage and bring with them garage folk band Scribe.

ANNABELLE’S CURSE w. VIRGINIA GROUND

Indie-folk band Annabelle’s Curse arrive Saturday, June 15th with self-described Appalachiaphonic band, Virginia Ground, opening the night.

The Spring Equinox has arrived and we are celebrating this FRIDAY NIGHT with the return of KA BODIES, a collaborative effort of electro soul, poetry and art that will include a silent auction to raise funds for The Indigenous Environmental Network. Nature themed attire is encouraged! SATURDAY MORNING we wake up with LEGENDARY Biscuits & Bluegrass from David & Mason Via with friends. Click the menu below to RSVP with your ticket purchase. Bring the family!

This 4/20 take a ride to the Darkside and back with Empire Strikes Brass. Asheville-based ESB is rooted in the New Orleans Brass Band tradition of second-line parades and deep moving grooves reminiscent of old school funk. The fat sound of the horns paired with one dirty rhythm section makes the music downright psychedelically nasty! Tickets on sale now!

Thursday, April 25th, spend an evening with David Gans and BigFoot County. Gans is a musician, radio host of The Grateful Dead Hour, and author of “This Is All a Dream We Dreamed: An Oral History of the Grateful Dead” among others. David will perform a “solo electric” set followed by a sit in with BigFoot County, Lynchburg’s premier Grateful Dead cover band. Come early from 6-7:30pm for a book signing and opportunity to meet with this renowned music journalist.

Dear Friends and Family,

5 Points Music Foundation has come a long way from just an idea with a spreadsheet and sketchpad. Since opening the doors in early 2017, we have hosted nearly 200 live events featuring musical performances that SWVA residents have been aching for. We brought together a unique lineup of performers from all genres and all walks of life. We are causing heads to turn when they mention our name and we are creating a unique place in a unique moment in time where SWVA is seeing tourism emerge as a pillar in our regional economy. Where healthcare and medical research are incredibly vital components of our economic vitality and where the cultural lights of SWVA beckon from above as places where memories are made, stories are told and moments are shared. We have shared in the magic of our live events with guests from Amsterdam, Canada, Hawaii, Antigua, 28 states and beyond. We have featured artists from far-away places like France, Mali, Senegal, Canada, and throughout the 50 states who come to Roanoke and SWVA, some for the first time, and leave with a feeling unlike any other. Artists are quick to remind us and our audiences about how special our approach is and are only too eager to come back and share in the magic of the Sanctuary. With all of this, we are always mindful of the real reason we do what we do. We are here to explore the power of sound through live events that help us fund and promote programs like music therapy and hearing loss advocacy. The message we share is not a regional message. It’s not a local message. It’s a global message. One inspired by the power of a united audience. Inspired by vibrations of our loved one’s soothing words of comfort. Shaped by our desire to remind ourselves of the fleeting nature of life and expanded up by knowing that the power of sound is not just about what we hear. It’s also about what we see, what we feel and what we share collectively.

To advance the cause of our mission, we are building programs that are designed to scale in markets beyond Southwest Virginia. We are working to expand on all that we do because we know that the power of our message should not be limited to the 250 people who choose to attend a show at the Sanctuary. Rather, the real power of our message is how we use the energy and magic of our events and programs to reach an audience of 250,000 and more! To do this, we are working with organizations and strategic partners to align our goals and effectively leverage each other’s resources to achieve them. With strategic partnerships in Charlottesville, Richmond, Lynchburg, and the New River Valley, we are working to strengthen our music therapy program, while further developing Soundfriendly.com, which serves as the platform for our hearing loss advocacy efforts. Below outlines the current goals we have for our program development.

MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM

Currently, we sustainably fund and provide free Group Music Therapy each quarter and then offer 1 individual from each group an additional 4 weeks of Individual Music Therapy. Since 2017, we have provided free music therapy to 71 clients over the course of 35 sessions.

PROBLEM- ACCESS TO OUR MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM HAS BEEN LIMITED TO THE AGES/NEEDS SELECTED FOR EACH FREE GROUP THERAPY SESSION

ASSESSED NEED While we have served various age groups with various special needs, ranging from 3 year olds with Down Syndrome to Veterans with PTSD and everywhere in between, we have had many requests for access to our program but don’t fit in terms of age/special need. The issue is providing access to all ages with a variety of special needs as these requests arise throughout the year.
TACTIC We want to expand access to individual music therapy sessions for various age groups with various special needs on an ongoing basis. Applicants will register online to apply and be awarded funding using the same method used for our Group Therapy program. Clients receive 6 weeks Individual Music Therapy that is tailored to their special needs following a self-assessment with our Music Therapy providers. Each 6 week program costs $500 per client.
2019 PROGRAM GOALS We would like to offer 10 clients funding for our program.
FUNDING GOAL $5,000

SOUNDFRIENDLY.COM

Hearing loss advocacy is a critical point of emphasis for us this year. We aim to complete the build out of our Soundfriendly.com website, while expanding outreach efforts to strengthen existing relationships and foster new ones. In 2018, we gave away 1100 pairs of ear plugs. We gave over 500 Subpac Demos at our events, while providing over 26 individuals with accessibility accommodations during our events including interpreting, preferred seating, and additional support.

PROBLEM- OVER 38 MILLION AMERICANS HAVE HEARING LOSS. SOME OF IT IS WORK RELATED, SOME GENETICALLY INFLUENCED, AND SOME OF IT NOISE INDUCED. FESTIVALS AND LIVE EVENTS REPRESENT A KEY AREA WHERE PEOPLE ARE AT RISK AS THE NORMAL SOUND LEVELS AND DURATION OF EXPOSURE TO THEM INCREASES THE RISK OF HEARING LOSS. IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE LONG TERM HEALTH OF CONCERT GOERS, STAFF, AND TIME EXPOSED TO LOUD MUSIC IS OF DIRECT CONCERN REGARDING THE RISK OF HEARING LOSS. OVER THE COURSE OF MULTIPLE DAYS, SOME DAMAGE MAY BE IRREVERSIBLE.

NEED Festivals and live events target a key audience that is at risk for hearing loss. Sound levels at festivals and live events are part of the issue, but the duration of exposure is just as critical. Just as festivals, businesses, and individuals have embraced sustainability through recycling programs, buy local, and green practices, we believe that protecting the hearing of workers, volunteers, audiences, and performers needs to be a critical component of live event planning.
TACTIC As such, we are working with festivals, venues, and other to help reduce the risk of hearing loss, improve accessibility, and expand on how we make our world more Soundfriendly to the 38 million individuals in the US with hearing loss. We have partnered with organizations like Innova Disc Golf to create Soundfriendly Disc Golf Station with free hearing protection, promotional/educational material, incorporating other Soundfriendly ideas and will strategically place these stations throughout festival sites. We are working to assist in procuring and providing ASL interpreters for guests and performances, free mobile hearing screenings, Subpac Demos and Silent Disco Sponsorships, among other efforts.
PROGRAM GOALS Provide: 5000 Ear Plug Giveaways | 50 Free Hearing Screenings | 1000 Subpac Demos | 5 Soundfriendly Site Visits to help venue and event organizers reduce the risk of hearing loss
2019 FUNDING GOAL $12,500

PROBLEM- IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY TO LIVE PERFORMANCES FOR THOSE WITH HEARING LOSS

ASSESSED NEED We have received numerous requests for information on how to hire ASL interpreters to do performance services for live events. While there are state listings and programs available, some event organizers and venue managers struggle with funding interpreting services due to high costs for performance interpreting due to prep time and travel, among other reasons.
TACTIC In 2019, we want to provide funding and support for 10 or more ASL interpreting performances/services at regional concerts, festivals, and special events. Our role will be to connect interpreters with performance requests, funding support, and to consult with client about how to properly leverage investments designed to make their venue more Soundfriendly. We aim to create a set of best practices for scaling this service so that it can be done in markets beyond SWVA.
2019 PROGRAM GOALS Provide ASL interpreters for at least 10 performances/events; develop database of ASL Performers through several strategic partnerships and establish best practices for ongoing management and scaling.
2019 FUNDING GOAL– $5,000

PROBLEM- SOUNDFRIENDLY.COM NEEDS TO EXPAND ITS BRAND AWARENESS THROUGH MARKETING AND PR RELATED ACTIVITIES. 2ND PHASE OF WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED AND ADDITIONAL STAFFING MAY BE NEEDED TO SUPPORT OUR EXPANDING EFFORTS.

ASSESSED NEED The current development of this program requires additional marketing support for website, branding strategy, and content marketing strategy. Implementation of these strategies will likely require additional staffing or outside support.
TACTIC IN 2018, we began developing Soundfriendly.com to serve as the vehicle for our hearing loss programs. 5pointsmusic.com serves as the primary site for live events, venue rentals, and our general information. Soundfriendly.com will ultimately serve as a resource for helping businesses, event organizers, venues, and others in reducing the risk of hearing loss in the workplace and beyond. The site serves as a place to request services like Soundfriendly Consultations.
2019 PROGRAM GOALS Fully developed website, actively managed content marketing plan, website traffic improvements, Secure at least 10 speaking engagements at relevant conferences and or special events.
2019 FUNDING GOAL $12,500

Please help by DONATING TODAY AT:

https://rvgives.givebig.org/c/rvgives/a/5pointsmusic

Thank you all for helping us get to where we are today! Know that we have much more to do and know that we are committed to honoring your support with an unmatched passion and commitment to advancing our mission of pursuing the power of sound in all it’s glory!