A! Magazine for the Arts

Cardinal Music Hall opens as a music venue in Damascus

April 23, 2026

A new chapter in live music is beginning in Trail Town USA, Damascus, Virginia. The Cardinal Music Hall opened its doors in downtown Damascus, bringing an intimate listening room experience to locals, hikers, cyclists and visitors from across the region.

Founded by Damascus’ residents Scott Little and Ben Earp, The Cardinal Music Hall was created to be a true listening venue — a space where artists are heard, stories are shared, and music takes center stage. Designed for intentional performances rather than background noise, the venue will host singer-songwriters, touring musicians, regional acts and special events throughout the year.

Located in the heart of Damascus, a town known for the Appalachian Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail, The Cardinal Music Hall embraces the spirit of the community with its guiding phrase, “All Trails Lead to Music.” The venue aims to become a cultural gathering place where outdoor adventure meets live performance.

The Cardinal Music Hall is an independent, unaffiliated music venue leasing the listening room portion of the building from The Sanctuary, a program of Hands and Feet Ministry, a non-profit, which owns the building and is transitioning the remaining space into a residential program supporting mothers finishing treatment for substance misuse. This partnership allows both groups to operate side by side while serving the Damascus community in meaningful ways.

The venue features a curated calendar of live performances, community-focused events and artist-centered programming. With a warm, welcoming atmosphere and thoughtfully designed acoustics, The Cardinal Music Hall is committed to providing an elevated live music experience in Southwest Virginia.

Event announcements, ticket information, and performance schedules are available at www.CardinalMusicHall.com and on social media at Cardinal Music Hall.

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