News
5 Points Outdoors Event Info & Covid Mitigation Practices
We remain committed to providing a clean and safe environment as prescribed by the CDC/VDH most current guidelines for events. Our goal is for everyone to enjoy our 5 Points Outdoor shows in a safe and responsible manner. Below outlines a list of what you can expect at our events.
AT CHECK-IN 
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- If you have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 14 days or are showing Covid-19 symptoms, please sit this one out and join us for the next show to ensure you have recovered properly. Symptoms include, but are not limited to: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
- If you have been directly exposed to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 14 days, please sit this one out and join us for next month’s shows.
- We reserve the right to refuse entry.
- We encourage guests in a Pod/Group to arrive at the same time. “Pod/Ticket” holders can leave a name at Will Call for those arriving separately if arriving together isn’t possible.
- Please be sure to practice safe distancing while waiting in lines and in any of the venue ‘common areas.’
INSIDE THE EVENT
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- No Re-Entry. Please bring all needed items with you upon entry.
- All guests are asked to practice safe distancing & respect each other’s space.
- Please maintain a distance of 6 feet between yourself and other groups.
- Guests who cannot abide by the rules will be asked to leave with no refund.
- All staff and volunteers will be required to wear masks, and will be pre-screened prior to the event.
MASKS
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- ALL guests are encouraged to have a mask prior to entry. One can be provided at the gate, if needed.
- Unvaccinated guests are required to wear masks whenever social distancing isn’t possible, including outside of designated pods, using the bathroom, ordering beverages or food, or in designated smoking areas.
- Masks must cover both the nose and mouth.
- I am confused about the Pods. What am I buying? All Pods are designated/marked spaces for you to enjoy the show in a socially distanced manner. Pods vary in location, size, and capacity. VIP Pods are positioned closest to the stage and include (1) custom poster per pod. Reserved Pods are just behind the VIP section, but you can show up at any time and your pod will be waiting for you. In the GA area, guests are asked to respectfully self-distance, creating 6’ of space between ‘pod-tys.’ 5PTS Ambassadors will be on hand to assist guests in finding a dedicated space, if needed.
- What’s a 5PTS Ambassador? Can I be one? Our 5PTS Ambassadors are volunteers who help us create a safe and amazing time for everyone. They help with directions, seating, and more. If you would like to be part of our volunteer crew, send an email to
info@5pointsmusic.com. - Where do I park? View the event maps for specific parking details, including designated ADA parking. Parking is available at various locations for all events.
- Tickets can be purchased on-line or by calling the Box Office: 540-795-5618
- A limited number of tickets may be available day of show at the 5 Points Music Box Office, on site.
- What can I bring with me?
- Guests may bring chairs, if desired. Please leave umbrellas and tents at home that will obstruct the view-shed.
- All bags are subject to search.
- Please, no outside food or beverage. We will have both available for sale on site.
UPON ARRIVAL AT THE OUTDOOR SITE
- Social distancing will be in effect in the line.Please be patient as we get everyone checked in in a timely manner. Check your tickets for opening gate time. Most shows are gates at 5pm, with music beginning at 5:30pm.
- Can I smoke in my pod? There is no smoking allowed in pods nor in the GA area. There are designated smoking sections at the sides and very rear of the event space.
- Bathrooms There will be portable toilets with hand sanitizer as well as hand washing stations with soap, water, and towels. Tidy Services will be providing support for our events and doing their best to keep them clean. Please wash your hands after using the bathrooms.
- Animals Dogs/animals are not allowed at our events. Service animals must be pre-approved by the Box Office.
- Accommodations and Special Needs If you or a guest has special needs that we can help with, please let us know in advance. Our events are handicapped accessible and we provide for a variety of accessibility support services as we are able. Please contact the Box Office in advance at info@5pointsmusic.com or call 540-795-5618 for more info.
- Will there be security check points? Yes! When you arrive, security checks every person for prohibited items, including but not limited to:
- Outside food or alcohol
- Contraband and/or paraphernalia
- Weapons including guns, knives, blunt objects, or anything that might be used as a weapon
- Drugs or paraphernalia
- Umbrellas, tents, or other large items that may block the view of the stage for other guests
- No flash photography, video, or audio recording equipment unless pre-authorized by production manager
- Food and Beverage Each event will feature beer and wine, along with a food truck option. View event descriptions or follow us on FB to get the latest updates.
For more information about what determines our policies, please visit the CDC Guidelines for Events & Workplaces (updated April 27, 2021)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/considerations-for-events-gatherings.html
The Worx Live at Gills Creek Marina
Celebrate 4th of July on Smith Mountain Lake with Float-In – The Worx Live at Gills Creek Marina. From 6 to 8 pm enjoy live music once again while bobbing in the lake aboard your boat. In partnership with the Harvester Performance Center and in support of 5 Points Music Foundation, this event seeks to raise awareness and funding to combat Usher Syndrome, a rare disease that causes deafness and blindness in young adolescents.
How Can You Help?
Donations for this event will go to help fund access to free music therapy, hearing loss advocacy efforts, and accessibility initiatives aimed at making our world more inclusive for those with disabilities.
Or consider scheduling a small recurring donation via
ABOUT USHER SYNDROME COALITION
Mission:
The Usher Syndrome Coalition’s mission is to raise awareness and accelerate research for the most common genetic cause of combined deafness and blindness. The Coalition also provides information and support to individuals and families affected by Usher syndrome.
Vision:
The Usher Syndrome Coalition aims to identify and connect the 400,000+ people living with Usher syndrome worldwide with researchers, vital information, and others in the Usher syndrome community. By bridging the gap between researchers and those impacted, we will expedite the full understanding of Usher syndrome necessary for the development of treatments for the associated vision, hearing and vestibular issues and, ultimately, a cure.
ABOUT 5 POINTS MUSIC FOUNDATION
Mission:
5 Points Music Foundation’s mission is to pursue the power of sound through live events, music therapy, hearing loss advocacy, and accessibility initiatives. Since 2017, 5 Points Music has provided over $30,000 worth of free music therapy to various ages with various special needs ranging from 3 years old with Down Syndrome to veterans with PTSD. As a result of the success of our program, we have recently expanded to provide funding for therapy to clients beyond Roanoke throughout SWVA. Learn more about our programs here.
THANK YOU!
We would like to say thank you to all our partners and supporters for making this event possible including: Gills Creek Marina, Harvester Performance Center, The Plyer Group, L’Oppleman Pawn Shop, and Mike Dillon Custom Docks.
4TH OF JULY FLOAT-IN
The Worx Live at Gills Creek Marina
Celebrate 4th of July on Smith Mountain Lake with Float-In – The Worx Live at Gills Creek Marina. From 6 to 8 pm enjoy live music once again while bobbing in the lake aboard your boat. In partnership with the Harvester Performance Center and in support of 5 Points Music Foundation, this event seeks to raise awareness and funding to combat Usher Syndrome, a rare disease that causes deafness and blindness in young adolescents.
LIVE RECORDINGS ON ARCHIVE.ORG
Sons of F.U.N.K. 12.07.19
Toubab Krewe 12.26.19
Special thanks to Rob Burden for the excellent recordings!
SAVE THE DATE: 10.02.20
10.02.20: 3rd Annual Golf for Sound
Find your calendar and ink in Golf For Sound at Hidden Valley Country Club on Friday, October 2nd. More details about registering yourself or your team to come. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact info@5pointsmusic.com.
You can’t tell the story of 5 Points Music Sanctuary without spending a lot of time talking about Jake Dempsey. He is woven into the very fabric of the place. Director Tyler Godsey first brought Jake to the Sanctuary when the walls were white and the vision was still just that…a vision. The two bonded over their love for music, social consciousness and family, each with two amazing kids, a boy and a girl, and Rock Star wives who have been crucial in supporting the growth of 5 Points Music Sanctuary. Though there are many who share a special place in our story, Jake serves as one of the cornerstones we have been fortunate to build on.
Over the years, Jake has played so many roles in our region’s music scene, as a bassist, a producer, a mentor, an engineer, a fundraiser, as a father and as a friend. He has helped hundreds of artists through his work as a producer at Summit Sound Recordings, and garnered success on projects like Snarky Puppy’s Grammy Award winning Family Dinner album, recorded at Roanoke’s Jefferson Center.
His first project at The Sanctuary was recording music for his band The Floorboards. Soon after, he and other members of the Dead Reckoning performed before a SOLD OUT crowd during our “soft opening” concert. Since then, it is believed that Jake has performed on the Sanctuary stage more than any other musician. Some though not all of his performances have been with Dead Reckoning, the Floorboards, Isaac Hadden, Sol Searchers and many others.
At the end of the day, we believe that our team of sound engineers, lighting designers, volunteers, and other staff is truly one of our great assets. Jake has been a bedrock for us and further helped to create lasting impressions on the many artists who come to 5 Points Music Sanctuary. Along with the rest of our awesome crew and our amazing audiences, 5 Points Music has been able to establish an incredible reputation for the quality of our work and the mission behind it.
If you are friends with Jake on Facebook be sure to participate in his birthday fundraiser in support of Phish’s WaterWheel Foundation. If you’re not friends with Jake on Facebook, why not? He’s a great conversation starter, jokester, culinary experimentalist and all around awesome guy. Send some love his way on his special day.
Happy Birthday, Jake!
NIVA | National Independent Venue Association
Independent venues were the first to close, and they’ll be the last to reopen. 5 Points Music Sanctuary is joining NIVA in asking Congress to provide @NIVAssoc with critical funding so that our independent venues can survive this pandemic. By going to SaveOurStages.com, you also can take meaningful action in just 30 seconds.
Contacting your Senators and Representatives is simple at nivassoc.org. Please take action today in support of independent venues and the artists we serve. #SaveOurStages
Cheryl Lunsford – Guitar/Voice Teacher
(540) 473-DOJO
Music Therapy, Art as Work Training, Guitar Lessons – a few of the “so much more” aspects of 5 Points Music Sanctuary you may not be aware of. Our lower level has become a haven of the arts as a salve for our troubles or a gateway through difficulties in life.
While most musicians are honing their craft with even more time, creativity and dedication, some are just discovering their talent. That’s where Cheryl Lunsford steps in. Along with The Guitar Dojo in Fincastle, Cheryl has been offering guitar and voice lessons out of The Sanctuary. Now she’s moved her operation online and you can be in Fincastle, Roanoke, or Timbuktu and still take take lessons from a master of her instruments.
A little history…
Cheryl Lunsford, guitarist, singer/songwriter is known in Virginia as The Guitar Dojo.
Growing up playing rhythm guitar in her father’s band in the Roanoke Valley, not far from the Crooked Road, she is one of the finest female guitarist today. Cheryl is the only female to win and place on the Flat-picking guitar contest circuit.
Whether playing electric, acoustic or bottleslide guitar, Cheryl is a female ‘Guitar Diva” and performs many different styles and genres of music from Doc Watson’s Windy & Warm, to Scott Fore’s Ragtime Annie, and Glen Campbell’s Classical Gas.
Cheryl graduated from Chilton Guitar Studio and went on to study voice and obtain her BA degree from Mars Hill College in North Carolina. Cheryl has also studied guitar under Scott Fore, National Guitar Champion, as an apprentice for the Virginia Foundation For the Humanities, and she is recognized as a Virginia folk artist, playing on the Virginia Stage at the National Folk Festival in Richmond.
Cheryl teaches professionally, guitar, bass and voice in her private studio, The Guitar Dojo Studio, located in Fincastle, VA. She conducts guitar and vocal workshops and Summer Guitar Camps.
A Public Service Announcement from Freekbass & The Bump Assembly
Tonight: Grateful Dead’s Shakedown Stream
“Sure to be a crowd pleaser, 6/17/91 is one of only two shows in the Grateful Dead’s archive recorded to 48-track analog tape, providing spectacular and unprecedented audio quality. The show features fan favorites such as “Eyes Of The World,” “Truckin’,” “Uncle John’s Band,” along with Grateful Dead rarities including “Saint Of Circumstance,” “Might As Well,” “New Speedway Boogie,” and much more. Mixed by Jeffrey Norman in glorious surround sound at Bob Weir’s TRI Studios, mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering, with video from the multi-camera live edit, this will be the first time the Bruce Hornsby and Vince Welnick line-up has ever appeared on the big screen.” – Dead.net
That’s it for this week’s High Five. Stay safe and be well!
We are taking advantage of time away from booking and promoting shows to up our website game. All of our available custom posters are now online and easy to order. We have rare screen prints and many posters on sale for just 5 bucks! Check out a few of them below and then click the posters to head over to our Shop.
$5 POSTERS
Machine Funk – Trippy!
Lots of symbolism in the late October poster below by Matt Browning. Can you find all of the Grateful Dead Easter Eggs?
The Floorboards with The Concerns – Tangy!
RARE POSTERS
This 2017 Dead Reckoning Poster is the only Screen Print created for our Poster Series.
by William Mitchell of William Mitchell Studio
A Personal Favorite – Stanley Jordan with Taz – Stellar!
Posters for sale are NOT signed by the artists.
Buckethead’s 1st Sanctuary Show – Surreal!
and now…Today’s Couch Trip
Jon Stickley Trio “Scripting the Flip”
In the pre-Covid-19 world, The Sanctuary was gearing up for Jon Stickley Trio to head back to our stage. JS3 would have brought along their brand new album “Scripting the Flip” and we all would have had a grand ‘ole time, walking away with a new CD. One thing the Coronavirus couldn’t cancel though was “Scripting the Flip”. You can still get the new CD via jonstickleytrio.com and download or stream it about 15 different ways by clicking the album cover below.
5 Points Music Foundation continues to thrive thanks to our incredibly talented friends and patrons. We couldn’t have redecorated the hall with festive banners without the very tall Rob Humphreys on his very tall scaffolding! Rob is a great supporter of the venue and even brought King Cakes to celebrate Rebirth Brass Band on their recent visit. A big, giant THANK YOU to Rob for making it happen and keeping it happening here at The Sanctuary!
Erin Lunsford – The Damsel
Musician Erin Lunsford’s latest solo album “The Damsel” landed just one month ago and singles aren’t they only thing she’s releasing from it. Erin has partnered with other artists mostly from the Richmond area, to add a visual component to her album.
Each Wednesday and Friday she is posting new works inspired by songs from “The Damsel” on her Instagram account. As each piece is released it becomes available as a print from her website erinlunsford.com. Not only has Erin found a new depth to her work through collaboration, but also each artist involved is lifted by the project. Donations are directed to each individual artist as well as CultureWorks Richmond supporting the community with the COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund.
LIVESTREAM: THE JARED STOUT BAND
5 Points Music Sanctuary Comes Alive!
Jared Stout has not been taking it easy this pandemic season. He and the band are no doubt honing their skills for the Rockn’ to Lockn’ finale, which has yet to the rescheduled. The Lockn’ Festival itself has been moved to Fall. 5 Points Music Sanctuary is partnering with Roots2Rock for a special JSB LIVESTREAM EVENT. Beginning THIS FRIDAY at 7:30pm with two short sets and a word from Tyler Godsey.
Come back into The Sanctuary, virtually, and help us raise money to support 5 Points Music Foundation and hardworking artists like The Jared Stout Band.
POWER PASSES 50% OFF
The Best Time to Grab a Power Pass is MAY!
2-Show Power Pass $50 NOW $25
6-Show Power Pass $150 NOW $75
PLUS you now have more power over your purchase. When you invest in a Power Pass, you will have a choice of the 5 Points Program you’d like to benefit the most. Alongside our core initiatives, Music Therapy, Hearing Loss Advocacy, and the Chasing the Light Fund, we will elect a Monthly Benefit Partner to receive 50% of your Power Pass purchase.
During May we’d like to feature our own. Our bartenders, sound & light engineers, maintenance technicians and box office staff that are dealing with the fallout of the spring season cancellation. Please consider selecting our 5 Points Family Fund to help supplement the limited resources these dedicated workers have been left with.
SHINY NEW 5POINTSMUSIC.COM
We’ve spent the break sprucing up our site.
We are making a lot of changes to help us hit the ground running when our live events start again. This includes making our website cleaner, more accessible to the visually impaired, and making sure our ticketing system is easy and efficient. Our Donations Page has been updated with options like one-time payments with PayPal and monthly sponsorship through GiveGab. If you are interested in renting the venue, our Venue Rental page contains a Rental Packet you may download for information that will help you plan your event.
We’ll be posting more blogs with Sanctuary video flashbacks, band updates, ASL Sign Language features, and behind the scenes peeks. We want to feature YOUR favorite moments and memories from the past 3 years. Send us a great photo, cool video clip, or write about a shining moment from a performance that you’ll carry with you. If we feature your submission in our blog, you will be put in a drawing to win a 2-Show Power Pass. A new winner will be selected each month. Please email your submissions to info@5pointsmusic.com.
LIMITED EDITION POSTERS ONLINE
Many On Sale for Just $5!
From some of the very first posters created in 2017 to this past Valentine’s Day with Eric Gales, all of our available poster stock is now easy to view and purchase in our Online Shop. Browse through and see all the great artwork from artists like Brian Cheek, Matt Browning, and William Mitchell. Check out all of the amazing artists who have played for us over the past three years. Decorate your digs with musical memories from 5 Points!
of the band hangs in The 5 Points Music Sanctuary’s Greenroom.
Posters sold online are not signed unless indicated.
Grammy-winning Guitar Lessons
Guitarist “Little Joe” Joamets Offering Personal Online Lessons
Lots of artists are turning to social media to keep the music going, holding living room livestreams and virtual dance parties. Laur “Little Joe” Joamets has a different approach to transitioning his work online. In mid March, he started offering personal guitar lessons for the Quarantine Renaissance. Now he has begun posting short instructional videos to his YouTube channel.
Estonia native Joamets blew minds with his killer slide guitar moves on Sturgill Simpson’s knock out solo debut “Metamodern Sounds in Country Music”. He didn’t stay long with Simpson’s outfit and currently plays with rock powerhouse Drivin’ & Cryin’.
Check out a short video below with Little Joe and inquire about personal lessons via direct message on his Facebook or Instagram pages.