Rooster Walk
5/24-26/2013
written by Becca “Boo” Cranwell
Rolling down highway 220 towards Martinsville, VA, a honeysuckle breeze swirls through the windows leaving an intoxicating taste of spring lingering in the air. Surrounded by rolling green hills and hugged in the safety of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Martinsville is the last place one would expect to find quality music and entertainment. But low and behold—turning onto Cooper’s Mountain Road, the sound of twanging banjos and a singing fiddle can be heard in the distance. Stepping out into the beaming sunshine, the Blue Mountain Festival Grounds show obvious signs of the party-life: straw is trampled deep into the muddied earth and bare footprints lead the way to the camping grounds.
Rooster Walk 5 is an impeccably organized festival. Creators—Johnny Buck and William Baptist—have clearly worked out the kinks; thanks to previous years of experience. Lagesse and Baptist founded Rooster Walk in memory of their two friends, Edwin Penn and Walker Shank. Penn and Shank were Martinsville natives with a sincere passion for music, unfortunately the two passed away far too soon. The money raised at RW5 goes toward the Penn-Shank Memorial Scholarship at Martinsville High School.
The weekend begins Thursday evening with music by Riggs Roberson, Rob Cheatham & Gunchux, and Funk Punch—from Roanoke. While a downpour of rain may have dampened the campers, it certainly doesn’t dampen their spirits. Neither rain, nor mud can stop music-lovers from grooving the night away.
Friday afternoon, a smattering of people gathers around the main stage for Boy Named Banjo. Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, the four-piece (mandolin, banjo, guitar, and stand-up bass) plays folk-grass, reminiscent of the Avett Brothers. The Floorboards, from Roanoke, get people up, off their blankets, and tapping their toes to down-home tunes and southern rock. The Floorboards play music that makes you proud to be a Virginian: songs about workin’ on the farm and lazy summer days by the water. All the things Virginians get sentimental about.
Later in the evening, Larry & Jenny Keel with Sammy Shelor step on stage—that means your boots better be warmed up and pray your feet aren’t sore, because you’re gonna be flat-footin’ whether you’re prepared or not. The energy Larry and Jenny Keel bring to any venue is simply phenomenal. A pleasure to hear and a pleasure to watch, the pair are constantly exchanging glances and smirks with one another to ensure they are all on the same page. It is obvious they are having a blast, and so is everyone in the dance-pit.
Yarn, graces Rooster Walk 5 with not one, but two, phenomenal bluegrass sets; the Brooklyn, New York group gives you what you want to hear when you’re at a festival in the countryside. Pure bluegrassy Americana: mandolin, guitar, harmonica and—of course—heartfelt vocals with relatable lyrics that paint a smile, make your heart soft and your feet stomp. However, one of the most talked about shows at Rooster Walk 5 is Kung Fu. The hype is created long before the show starts, making the anticipation almost as good as the show. Almost.
Catapulting electro-jazz straight to your face, this New Haven, Connecticut group launches the bluegrass-lovin’ beasts into a funk-frenzy dance-a-thon. Tenor sax solos swirl and dance over musically induced chill bumps. You can’t help but move to swinging percussion that demands your hips to groove and your shoulders to sway, while divine ribbons of sound radiate from the keyboard beckoning you towards the light. Soar through the airspace in your mind; you’ll inevitably plummet back down to Earth thanks to grungy guitar riffs. Uplifting and enthralling, if you get a chance to see Kung Fu this summer, do NOT pass up the opportunity.
The evening ends with the Kings of Belmont serenading tired Rooster Walkers with bluesy slow jams—perfect for a late-night set. The mellow tunes the Charlottesville group shares delights the tired dancers, it is obvious by the smiles radiating from the crowd, loungers and hammock-swingers. The most beautiful part about RW5, is that the music never truly stops. As late-nighters stagger back to camp, members from Empire Strikes Brass and other musicians gather around the fire with a drum kit, sousaphone, guitar, banjo and other horns to keep the party rocking until dawn. Throughout the weekend, Empire Strikes Brass could be found busquing on Eno® Island, by the campfire and in various other places. Members of the group rarely missed any music and could be found flat footing, dosey-doeing, and generally getting down at practically every set. Empire Strikes Brass embodies the festival spirit fully, and exudes it effortlessly—ensuring everyone within the vicinity is having an equally good time.
Saturday we are gracefully awakened by Funk Punch brunch up the hill at the workshop stage. Groovy early morning tunes make the morning heat bearable. Nobody can be grumpy when “Scarlet Begonias” is floating over the hillside. The rest of the day consists of a variety of musical genres including reggae-ska, bluegrass, folk, and Americana. The first main stage show is the Virginia All Steel orchestra, which features Virginia youth playing a variety of steel drums—perfect for an early-daytime show. VASO play uplifting Bob Marley covers and a flawless rendition of “Hey soul Sister.” If this set didn’t make your heart center swirl with delight, walk over to the side stage; where Hotel de Ville plays an all Grateful Dead set. “Ramble on Rose” and “Sugar Magnolia,” induces hoopers to hoop with hypnotic happiness and dancers to dance in delight. This show builds the Golden energy that lasts well into the night. A fellow hooper comments that she would have been completely content if this show lasted all day long, and I agree.
However, other groups deserve a moment in the spotlight. Common Foundation is definitely one of those worthy of the spotlight. These nine musicians from Asheville, NC radiate good vibes through high vibration reggae-ska. Trumpet, trombone, saxophones, drums, guitars and an intoxicatingly excited lead singer take over your body for an hour-long joyride. Close your eyes and pretend you’re on a warm tropical island, or better yet—keep your eyes open, stay in the present and take in the beauty unfolding in front of you; I promise you won’t be disappointed either way. Later, the main stage is host to other folksy favorites by Yankee Dixie, Mandolin Orange, and Sanctum Sully.
Just up the hill at the workshop stage, families and children are entertained with a magic show by Caleb Johnston. Various arts and crafts also keep young hands busy and happy. RW5 is extremely family-friendly, featuring plenty of activities for youngsters and amenities for families: including a shaded tent filled with rocking chairs for mama and baby. However, for those of us who were there to party down, the main stage was the place to be. There you are treated by Dangermuffin (excellent jams to get lost in), Leftover Salmon (divine bluegrass brought straight to your earholes by the gods of slamgrass), and Ivan Neville’s Dumpastaphunk who bring the super-funk—as always. Luckily, as soon as a set at the main stage finishes, it’s not long before another set starts down at the second stage across the creek. Highlights from the second stage include Josh Panda & the Hot Damned whose sound is reminiscent of old school pop with hints of soul and R&B—definitely worth checking out.
Sister Sparrow & the Dirty birds also light up the stage late Saturday night/early Sunday morning with blessed soulful sounds from deep down below. Bluesy guitar, righteous brass and an airplane of a lead vocalist, Arleigh Kincheloe—make this show simply unforgettable. Unfortunately, due to time and noise restrictions, the Dirty Birds don’t get to play very long; but they do have time to play “Back in Black” by AC/DC; which only gives the mass dancing around the stage a second wind to go and howl at the moon by the campfire all night long.
Only a few hours later, a sunny Sunday shines its heavenly face on the final day of RW5. The day is celebrated with a number of gospel songs strung throughout various sets. I particularly love that after a weekend of serious partying, festivarians are ready to sit down on Sunday and give thanks for the incredible event that just took place. Smiling faces, transcendent tunes, and good people are all anybody needs on this day—and there is an abundance of all three. One set that gathers a lot of attention is Stephane Wrembel & his band. Music and philosophy mingle and are conveyed by lyrics of beautiful imagery. Songs spawned from lucid dreams, greek mythology and of course—love. Stephane Wrembel offers incredible guitar skills, fascinating stories, and music with a message. Oh, did I mention Mr. Wrembel is French? Feel free to swoon, ladies.
Dave Eggar also causes a stir at the main stage with exquisite cello-work accented by heartfelt vocals by Ms. Amber Rubarth. As the warm glow of the sun sinks below the cool mountains and the full moon peeks through peach-lighted clouds, Eggar picks up his cello and plays it in his lap like a guitar. Expressive is the only way to describe this set; the group also offered interpretive dance including hula hooping and tap dance, as well as a poetry reading. After Eggar & Rubarth, L Shaped Lot, from Wilmington, NC keeps Rooster Walkers’ feet warm by sharing southern rock on the second stage as Yarn sets up on the main stage. Yarn’s second set of the weekend is just as phenomenal—if not more so—than the first. It’s unclear whether the music is played with that much more energy, or maybe the crowd finally reaches the ultimate state of comfort and lets loose. With Jay Starling sitting in on pedal steel, it’s no wonder the last Yarn show yields more flat-footing than any other set so far.
Space Capone, from Nashville, Tennessee is the other show that inspires the most dance moves. If you haven’t gotten down all weekend, now is your chance. Incredibly funky-fun energy spills from the stage and creates an orgy of sweaty and plastered rage-faces, cutting through the dark with dance moves that would make Michael Jackson envious. Nobody in this dance pit is ashamed to throw their hands in the air and smile at the moon in ecstasy. Stopping dancing is not an option when Space Capone leaves the stage and they are kind enough to grace dance fiends with an encore of their song “I Just Wanna Dance,” which is the perfect addition to any party.
The final show of the evening is Hotel de Ville, who calms Rooster Walkers’ hearts and souls with fantastic Grateful Dead. No less than ten people occupy the stage at one time: fiddle, harmonica, guitar, pedal steel by Jay Starling, and a number of brass instruments flood the valley of swayers, air-punchers, and twirling ladies. As the final show of Rooster Walk 5 begins to wind down, gratitude glows and radiates from the crowd, the musicians, and staff.
A huge thanks to the abundance of helpful volunteers and staff, and particularly the creators of Rooster Walk for taking the time and energy to ensure this festival goes on without a hitch. This is the type of festival where you’re allowed to kick back and relax—if you forget your flashlight—it’s no big deal; Rooster Walk has enough Christmas lights to get you back to camp. Need water? Just hit the Klean Kanteen to freshen your bottle. Delicious eats are readily available thanks to Dank Eats, the Sugar Shack and other scrumptious vendors. Delightfully simple values and wholesome atmosphere is what you go to Rooster Walk for and gratitude and a sense of wellbeing is what you leave with. Thank you again staff, creators and volunteers of Rooster Walk 5.
