Gillian Welch & David Rawlings Play Grateful Dead Acoustic Reckoning
BERGLUND PERFORMING ARTS THEATRE
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings bring The Grateful Dead to Berglund Performing Arts Theatre in Roanoke on October 22, 2026. Celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Dead’s landmark acoustic live album Reckoning, Welch and Rawlings will perform full sets drawn from the album alongside other classic Grateful Dead songs.
About Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are pillars of the modern acoustic music world and their rich and remarkable careers span over twenty-five years. They have been hailed by Pitchfork as “modern masters of American folk” and “protectors of the American folk song” by Rolling Stone and the New York Times says “their combined voices operate beyond simple sonic harmony. There are emotional inquiries at play. If Welch’s voice delivers the good news or the hard news of the world, Rawlings’s voice comes underneath, asking how much deeper the sadness can go or what fresh heights the ecstatic can climb to.”
Their most recent 10th studio album, Woodland, won the 2025 Best Folk Album GRAMMY. Woodland was named for and recorded at Welch and Rawlings’ own Woodland Sound Studios in Nashville, TN. Of the album and studio, Welch said, “Woodland is at the heart of everything we do and has been for the last twenty some years. The past four years were spent almost entirely within its walls, bringing it back to life after the 2020 tornado and making this record. The music is (songs are) a swirl of contradictions, emptiness, fullness, joy, grief, destruction, permanence. Now.” The new 10-song collection mingles full band tracks with intricate duet performances all tied together with the duo’s signature sound and lyricism and cements the pair’s iconoclastic position at the forefront of acoustic music.
After moving to Nashville in the 1990s, Welch was launched into the public consciousness when Emmylou Harris recorded a cover of Welch’s “Orphan Girl.” Her career continued to flourish as her 1996 debut Revival, produced by T Bone Burnett, was released to critical acclaim. Firmly on the roots music map following the release, Welch and Rawlings followed up that GRAMMY nominated album release with 1998’s Hell Among The Yearlings, a stark duet record that further solidified the duo as a force in the folk music scene.
In 2000, Welch was awarded the Album of the Year GRAMMY for her work as Associate Producer as well as a performer and songwriter on the eight times platinum O Brother, Where Art Thou? Soundtrack. Welch and Rawlings were simultaneously nominated for Time (The Revelator) which Rolling Stone called one of the best albums of the 2000s and is widely considered by critics and fans to be one of the best albums of all time. Beginning with Time (The Revelator), all of Welch and Rawlings albums have been self-produced and self-released on their own record label, Acony Records, helping to establish the duo’s fierce commitment to independent music.
2003’s Soul Journey was the pair’s first experimentation with a fuller, electric sound, which paved the way for the Dave Rawlings Machine project, and their first release under Rawlings’ name (A Friend of A Friend, 2009), which was accompanied by a time period of heavy touring and headlining major festivals.
The Harrow and The Harvest returned to the duet sound and was nominated for Best Contemporary Folk Album and Best Engineered Album at the 2012 GRAMMYs, and won Artist of the Year (Welch) and Instrumentalist of the Year (Rawlings) at the Americana Honors & Awards. The album garnered glowing reviews and topped multiple year end “Best Of” lists.
Nashville Obsolete, the last project to be released as Dave Rawlings Machine in 2015, showcased Rawlings’ expanding pallet as a producer with more lavish arrangements, strings, and guest musicians. He also produced albums by Willie Watson, Dawes, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Robyn Hitchcock. “Cumberland Gap” from Poor David’s Almanack in 2017 was nominated for Best American Roots Song and was featured in Guy Ritchie’s film The Gentlemen and and has since become one of the duo’s highest streaming songs.
To celebrate the twenty year anniversary of the Welch-Rawlings partnership in 2016, they launched an archival branch of Acony Records, entitled Boots, dedicated to releasing outtakes, demos, bootlegs, and live recordings from their copious vault.
In 2018, Welch was the first musician to receive the Thomas Wolfe Prize for Literature. The award is bestowed by University of North Carolina Chapel Hill’s Department of English & Comparative Literature and recognizes contemporary writers with a distinguished body of work.
2019 saw Welch and Rawlings nominated for an Academy Award for “Best Original Song” where they performed their singing cowboy duet live at the Academy Awards. “When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs For Wings” was written for the Coen brothers’ film The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs. In 2020, the duo released All the Good Times, the first album under both their names, and won the GRAMMY for the Best Folk Album. They were crowned with the Berklee American Masters Award and honored by Americana Music Association with a Lifetime Achievement for Songwriting.
Welch and Rawlings continue to tour the world in support of their music while simultaneously writing and lending their talents to countless fellow artists’ projects. They are continuously working to release their acclaimed catalog on vinyl of the highest possible fidelity. The vinyl edition of the new album Woodland is mastered by David Rawlings directly from the original analog master tapes to his own custom lathe. Acony Records is proud to be partnering with the all-new Paramount Pressing & Plating in Denver, Colorado, a joint venture between Rawlings and esteemed plating craftsman Gary Salstrom, to produce superior vinyl records.
Featured Events
Berglund Performing Arts Theatre
SHOWTIME: 6:30 PM
PURCHASE VIP PACKAGES
It's time to enter the multi-verse. The NINJA KIDZ are leaping out of your screens and into your city with NINJA KIDZ Live: Infinite Possibilities. The fate of the universe hangs in balance as imposters threaten to infiltrate a stage near you. Join the NINJA KIDZ for an action-packed live adventure filled with audience participation, physical challenges, games, and epic battles. What happens when two worlds collide? The audience holds the key to shape how each adventure unfolds with an infinite number of possible outcomes. Get ready to laugh, cheer and determine destiny, one choice at a time.
NINJA KIDZ Live: Infinite Possibilities is produced by Right Angle Entertainment in partnership with Ninja Kidz, Inc.
NINJA KIDZ official social media channels: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram |
For more about NINJA KIDZ, please visit https://www.ninja-kidz.com/. More information about the tour can be found at https://www.ninja-kidzlive.com/.
VIP upgrades, including a pre-show Meet & Greet with the NINJA KIDZ squad, are available HERE. (VIP upgrades do not include a ticket, which must be purchased separately. You will need a ticket to enter the Meet & Greet.)
Berglund Coliseum
Berglund Performing Arts Theatre
Anne Wilson VIP All STAR
Experience
Join GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Anne Wilson for
the third leg of The STARS Tour, this Fall. Come sing along to new music from her recently released album STARS, alongside fan favorites like “God Story,” “Strong,” “Hey Girl,” and her multi-week No. 1 smash “My Jesus.” Live with support from Aodhan King, don’t miss a powerful night of music, worship, and a look at what’s to come.
About Anne Wilson:
Anne Wilson makes music where faith and country meet, a rare space where honesty, grief and hope live side by side. At just 23, she has already crossed the 2 billion streams milestone and emerged as one of the most distinctive new voices in both Christian and country music.
Her third studio album, Stars, captures a young artist growing up on record. Shaped by the tragic loss of her brother Jacob, Wilson’s faith could have been shattered — but instead it was strengthened. That tension, of wrestling with God yet still loving Jesus, defines her music and makes her profoundly relatable. “Faith isn’t about never questioning,” she says.“It’s about holding on in the middle of the storm.”
Stars threads together themes of grief, growth, maturity and wonder, carried by Wilson’s soaring vocals and country-pop production. From the wide-eyed imagery of the title track to the raw prayer of “Carry Me” and the redemption arc of “Dead in the Water,” the album reflects both the hardship of loss and the joy of new perspective.
Alongside the album, Wilson will deliver her new music to fans in person on The STARS Tour. She’s also released a 40-day Hey Girl devotional. Named after her encouraging anthem, the devotional is aimed at young readers, extending her message of identity and Christ-centered hope beyond the stage.
Anne Wilson is still becoming, still wrestling and still rejoicing – but Stars proves she’s shining brighter not in spite of the struggle, but because of it.
Berglund Performing Arts Theatre
SHOWTIME: 7:30 PM
They’ve graded the papers, survived the staff meetings, and lost their last ounce of patience… and now they’re taking it out on stage!
Bored Teachers is BACK with brand-new jokes, bigger laughs, and the most relatable teacher comedy you’ll ever hear. For nearly a decade, Bored Teachers has been the #1 voice of teacher humor—racking up over 1 billion views, amassing 10 million+ followers, and hosting the #1 teacher-comedy podcast on the planet.
Since 2022, they’ve performed for 200,000+ teachers worldwide, and sold out 200+ theaters across 49 states, 5 countries, and 3 continents. Their BRAND NEW “Is It Friday Yet?!”” Tour starting January 2026 is more than a comedy show—it’s the ultimate night of laughter and solidarity for anyone who’s ever worked in education, taught a lesson, or just survived parent-teacher conferences.
Get ready to laugh until you cry as the funniest teacher-comedians in the world share their side-splitting stories, savage truths, and hilarious classroom confessions. Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or just someone who’s been in school, this show will have you nodding, clapping, and hollering, “That’s SO TRUE!”
Warning: May contain PG-13 language, teacher truths, and uncontrollable fits of laughter.
Berglund Performing Arts Theatre
SHOWTIME: 7:00 PM
Reserve your seat to be at the final live performance of “Don’t Cancer Me Out,” Nephew Tommy’s deeply moving and comedic show chronicling his return to the stage following his battle with cancer.
Through stand-up comedy, Tommy transforms fear, faith, family, bad advice and the refusal to quit into one unforgettable evening of storytelling on September 26, 2026 at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Virginia.
Be a part of history as this final show will be recorded live to become a premium comedy special aired worldwide.
“Don’t Cancer Me Out,”is more than a tour finale. It is a celebration of a comeback.
Berglund Performing Arts Theatre
Gary Owen has been entertaining audiences for more than two decades with his sharp observational humor and fearless storytelling. Known for his unapologetic, rule-defying style, his material draws from his personal life, time in the military and the everyday absurdities that connect people across backgrounds. With a fanbase that has grown by the millions in recent months and continues to surge across social media, Owen’s reach has cemented his place as one of the most in-demand touring comedians today.
Beyond stand-up, Owen has appeared in a wide range of feature films including BACK ON THE STRIP with Tiffany Haddish and Wesley Snipes, MEET THE BLACKS and its sequel THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR, THINK LIKE A MAN and THINK LIKE A MAN TOO, RIDE ALONG with Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, LITTLE MAN opposite the Wayans Brothers, and DADDY DAY CARE with Eddie Murphy. He is also widely recognized for his scene-stealing role as “Bearcat” in the MGM film COLLEGE.
On television, Owen starred in his own BET series THE GARY OWEN SHOW and co-hosted TruTV’s sketch series UPLOAD WITH SHAQUILLE O’NEAL. After meeting Tyler Perry on THE TOM JOYNER MORNING SHOW, he was cast in the recurring role of Zach the barber on the TBS comedy series TYLER PERRY’S HOUSE OF PAYNE.
Owen continues to write, produce and perform his own groundbreaking comedy specials, including BLACK FAMOUS, #DOIN’ WHAT I DO, I GOT MY ASSOCIATES, I AGREE WITH MYSELF, TRUE STORY, URBAN LEGEND, and BREAKIN’ OUT THE PARK. Most recently, he recorded two specials back-to-back—BROKEN FAMILY and GARY OWEN…NO S, released this past spring on YouTube.
In addition to his on-stage and on-screen work, Owen hosts his own podcast, #GETSOME WITH GARY OWEN, and has appeared on numerous others, including FLAGRANT PODCAST, TIGERBELLY, YOUR MOM'S HOUSE with Tom Segura & Christina P., CLUB SHAY SHAY and WE PLAYIN’ SPADES PODCAST with Nick Cannon, among others.
Following a wave of record-breaking, sold-out performances at comedy clubs across the country, he recently announced his first major North American theater tour, NO HARD FEELINGS, which kicks off in early 2026.
Website www.garyowen.live
Instagram @garyowencomedy
Facebook @GaryOwen
TikTok @garyowencom
YouTube @garyowencom
Berglund Special Events Center
The Craftsmen's Fall Classic Art & Craft Festival RETURNS to the Berglund Center in Roanoke, VA! FREE Admission & parking with food donation to Feeding SWVA. Enjoy aisles FULL of handcrafted treasures - pottery, jewelry, fine art, home decor, glasswork, furniture, clothing, specialty foods, and so much more! Hundreds of talented artisans, with unique finds for every style, taste and budget. Help us stock the food pantry shelves while enjoying a fun, inspiring shopping event!
Oct. 2 - 10am - 7pm
Oct. 3 - 10am - 6pm
Oct. 4 – 10am – 4pm
Visit www.CraftShow.com for more details!
Berglund Performing Arts Theatre
SHOWTIME: 7 PM
Get ready for an unforgettable evening when David Arquette goes BEHIND THE SCREAM, a thrilling live conversation featuring a special 30th anniversary screening of the iconic horror film SCREAM, followed by an in-depth moderated interview and Q&A with the legendary actor, David Arquette, who played the beloved character Dewey Riley in the franchise.
David Arquette will take the stage for an engaging discussion, sharing his insights, anecdotes, and the impact SCREAM has had on his career and the horror industry. Fans will have the opportunity to have their burning questions answered and hear firsthand accounts from one of the film's stars, making this a haunting night to remember.
A limited number of VIP tickets are available, offering the best seats in the house and an exclusive post-show photo-op with David Arquette.
Don't miss out on this rare chance to go "BEHIND THE SCREAM" with David Arquette. Secure your tickets now and be part of a night filled with suspense, stories, and special moments this Halloween.
ABOUT DAVID ARQUETTE
David Arquette has been a household name in Hollywood for over 30 years. The youngest of the Arquette acting dynasty (stretching all the way back to his great-grandparents), David recently reprised his role as Dewey Riley in the relaunch of SCREAM. David is also known for modern classics like BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, AIRHEADS, JOHNS, NEVER BEEN KISSED, READY TO RUMBLE and 3000 MILES TO GRACELAND.
David can currently be seen in Robert Schwartzman’s THE GOOD HALF alongside Nick Jonas, Brittany Snow, and Elisabeth Shue. David recently joined the cast of Peacock’s MRS. DAVIS, a drama series written and Executive Produced by Tara Hernandez and Damon Lindelof. He will also star alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Pierce Brosnan in western adventure UNHOLY TRINITY.
David has also produced successful TV series like COUGAR TOWN and CELEBRITY NAME. Arquette is an investor in XTR, the leading premium nonfiction film and television studio in America, which has produced the critically acclaimed feature documentary on himself called YOU CANNOT KILL DAVID ARQUETTE, which follows Arquette as he attempts a rocky return to the sport that stalled his promising Hollywood career. Dangerously determined to redeem his reputation and reclaim his self-respect, Arquette stopped at nothing to earn his place in professional wrestling. With XTR, David also produced docu-series THEY CALL ME MAGIC, the real story of Magic “Earvin” Johnson.
Arquette is also co-owner of the L.A. nightlife staple Bootsy Bellows alongside H.Wood Group’s John Terzian and Brian Toll.
In 2021, David realized his childhood dream and acquired the rights to Bozo The Clown. Since then, he has been collaborating with clowns, artists and charities to create a clown-collective focused on promoting kindness, inclusiveness and pure fun throughout the world.