While the Grateful Dead have been celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, GD tribute band Dark Star Orchestra will be doing some celebrating of their own this week. Tomorrow, November 11th marks the 18th anniversary of DSO’s first performance back in 1997 at Martyrs in Chicago, and later this week the band will be playing their 2,500th show at Boston’s House of Blues, already more shows than the Dead played during their 30-year reign. Hell of a job guys!
Dark Star Orchestra Reveals Extensive Winter Tour Schedule
DSO has also revealed their plans for New Year’s Eve at The Electric Factory in Philadelphia, PA, this December 30-31. In the spirit of legendary Dead promoter and San Francisco icon Bill Graham, DSO has joined forces with festival design team Peak Experience Productions to give fans an unforgettable experience. The theme will be “Let It Shine!” The band is asking for help from Deadheads to let them know what they’re grateful for and what they want to shine some love and light on in 2016.
DSO wants to incorporate these thoughts and feelings into their New Year’s shows so participation is key. Also for those in attendance, you’ll get the chance to enter DSO’s costume contest and go through a multi-media journey featuring cirque performers. Tickets for DSO’s NYE run are on sale now and available here.
Grateful Dead’s ‘Dave’s Picks 16’ To Feature 30+ Minute ‘Dark Star’
And if you still haven’t gotten your fix of Dark Star Orchestra and the music of the Grateful Dead, there’s still time to book your stay in Jamaica for DSO’s Cosmic New Year celebration run early next year. Taking place at the Jewel Paradise Cove in Runaway Bay, Jamaica, January 19-23, DSO’s fourth Jam In The Sand festival is a unique island getaway and will be feature four nights of DSO as well as Steve Kimock’s Tribute To Jerry Garcia and the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band. Get your tickets here and check out some video below from 2015’s Jam in the Sand.