Ahh, high school. Did you ever find yourself struggling to stay awake through your seemingly endless Statistics class while wishing you could learn about stuff you really loved… like, say, the music of the Grateful Dead? Well, your youthful fantasies now have a chance to be realized thanks to Dark Star Orchestra and their first ever DSO High School, a five day retreat at the Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, New York from August 5-9.
DSO High School is set to be a truly unique experience in which attendees partake in classes and workshops focused on a huge variety of Dead-related topics, ranging anywhere from what it’s like to be part of a road crew, to learning the guitar techniques of Jerry and Bobby. Donna Jean Godchaux, David Gans, Betty Cantor-Jackson, and the members of DSO will also be present to share their first-hand experiences. In addition to the workshops, the retreat will include plenty of opportunities to both play and listen to music (no need to be a musician), participate in group jam sessions and interactive music lessons with members of DSO, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors of the surrounding Catskills. Last, but not least, for Dark Star activities and how to register, visit the DSO High School website here.
DSO is currently on their spring tour, which will be making a two night stop at the Brooklyn Bowl on May 13-14. Additional summer dates have also been announced, kicking off on June 28th at the Mishawaka Amphitheater in Bellevue, Colorado. For the full list of tour dates and ticket pricing check out the Dark Star Orchestra website.
-Thea Baynes