Rooster Walk, ART officially join forces

Frequent readers of this blog know that two of my favorite music-related venues are Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival and the historic Rives Theatre in uptown Martinsville, Virginia.

Johnny Buck, co-founder and executive director of Rooster Walk, announced today that the two nonprofits are officially joining forces.

From the press release, “The boards of Rooster Walk Inc. and Arts at the Rives Theatre (ART), who already often work together to bring live music and arts events to Martinsville-Henry County, recently voted to formalize their relationship by combining under the Rooster Walk umbrella.

Appalachian music prodigy Emi Sunshine coming to The Rives Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 6

If you haven’t heard of Emi Sunshine, you might be living in a cave. You certainly aren’t watching the Today show, the Grand Ole Opry or YouTube, because this girl is on fire.

If you live within the sound of my voice, you can catch the sensation that is this Appalachian prodigy at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6, at The Rives Theatre in uptown Martinsville, Virginia.

Wild Ponies ride full circle with hometown album release

Mark your calendar for May 13 because that’s when you can purchase your very own copy of Wild Ponies new album, “Radiant” out on No Evil Records. While I found the whole album to be brilliant, buy it for the single, “Love Is Not A Sin,” alone. Trust me on this one.

Here’s a snippet of a verse: “It doesn’t matter who you love, when two lovers find each other, I’d say it’s sanctioned from above …”

The tune was written long before North Carolina’s H.B.2 and similar legislation was recently enacted, but it addresses the issue head on in the Wild Ponies unique rootsy, rock and oh-so eloquent way.

 

Natives Doug and Telisha Williams came full circle on Saturday night for the album’s release party at The Rives Theatre in downtown Martinsville, Virginia. If you missed them, you can hear them perform at Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival set for May 26-29 in nearby Axton, Virginia.

Can’t wait for Rooster Walk 8? The Rives Theatre to host several acts in April to tide you over

If you haven’t seen a show at the historic Rives Theatre in uptown Martinsville, Virginia, you’re missing out. This former movie house is celebrating its sixth year as a live music venue and community space dedicated to arts and education. Managed by the nonprofit Arts at the Rives Theatre (ART), the theater, which dates back to 1932, is run solely by volunteers.

‘Live at the Rives Theatre Concert Series’ kicks off with Love Canon on Saturday, Jan. 30

The historic Rives Theatre in uptown Martinsville, Virginia, will kick off its annual fundraiser “Live at the Rives Theatre Concert Series” 2016 season with Love Canon on Saturday, Jan. 30. Fans of Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival and FloydFest won’t want to miss this show to get a preview of one of the acts that will be featured at FloydFest 16 and hopefully at Rooster Walk 8.

Mandolin Orange, Lizzy Ross to perform at The Rives Theatre on Wednesday, Nov. 4

If you were at Red Wings in July 2015 or MerleFest in April 2014, you may have caught the melodic stylings of Mandolin Orange. This North Carolina duo just released its third album, “Such Jubliee,” in three years in May. One of the new songs, “Jump Mountain Blues,” was featured on last week’s episode of ABC’s “Nashville.”

Jarekus Singleton, Devon Allman, Mandolin Orange, Donna the Buffalo and Peter Rowan among acts coming to Rives Theatre

Before heading to the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion on the Virginia/Tennessee border this weekend, Delta blues sensation  Jarekus Singleton is making a stop with his full band in uptown Martinsville, Virginia, to perform in the historic Rives Theatre.