What do a 25th-anniversary music festival, a 50-acre nonprofit paradise and a giant slice of late-night pizza have in common?
They are all setting the stage for Grooves and Grub, a brand-new Southwest Virginia culture podcast powered by Cardinal News!
Join your host, Tad Dickens, for an action-packed premiere featuring an exclusive studio interview and live performance of “Rhinestones” by singer-songwriter Erin Lunsford ahead of the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion.
We also sit down with Scott Moree, co-founder of Pangia Gardens, to explore his magnificent 50-acre community event space and art gallery, “The Love Nest,” which supports youth music initiatives and brings national touring acts to Laurel Fork.
To wrap things up, Tad delivers a rapid-fire breakdown of the most anticipated upcoming live shows across Roanoke, Blacksburg, Rocky Mount, Lynchburg, Danville and Bristol.
Plus, we finally get to the “Grub” as Tad reviews a local late-night favorite — a giant slice of sausage and extra cheese pizza from Benny Marconi’s.
This podcast is built for the community, and we want to hear from you; follow along with Tad Dickens and share your favorite local bands or restaurant recommendations by emailing us at groovesandgrub@cardinalnews.org.
Upcoming shows mentioned in the episode:
Blacksburg
Cedric Watson et Bijou Creole, 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Patricia Buckley Moss Lawn
Béla Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Street and Davis Performance Hall, Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre
Bristol
Dirtygrass Players, 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Foreigner, 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Lynchburg
Lynchburg Virginia Elvis Festival 2026, Thursday, Sept. 10, to Sunday, Sept. 13, at the Historic Academy Theatre
Roanoke
Yonder Mountain String Band, 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at The Dog Bowl
Anne Wilson, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Berglund Center
Rajasthani Caravan, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at Jefferson Center
Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at The Spot on Kirk
Bored Teachers “Is It Friday Yet?!” Comedy Tour, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at Berglund Center
Priscilla Block, Friday, 6 p.m. Sept. 25, at Dr Pepper Park
Big Something, 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at The Dog Bowl
Blackberry Smoke, 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at Dr Pepper Park
Rocky Mount
Donna the Buffalo, 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Harvester Performance Center
The Robert Cray Band, 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at Harvester Performance Center
Ron Pope, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept 16, at Harvester Performance Center
