Performing to critical acclaim for over 25 years and over 3100 shows, Dark Star Orchestra continues the Grateful Dead live concert experience. Their shows are built off the Dead's extensive catalog and the talent of these seven fine musicians. On any given night, the band will perform a show based on a set list from the Grateful Dead's 30 years of extensive touring or use their catalog to program a unique set list for the show. This allows fans both young and old to share in the experience. By recreating set lists from the past, and by developing their own sets of Dead songs, Dark Star Orchestra offers a continually evolving artistic outlet within this musical canon. Honoring both the band and the fans, Dark Star Orchestra's members seek out the unique style and sound of each era while simultaneously offering their own informed improvisations.
Dark Star Orchestra offers much more than the sound of the Grateful Dead, they truly encapsulate the energy and the experience. It's about a sense of familiarity. It's about a feeling that grabs listeners and takes over. It's about that contagious energy...in short, it's about the complete experience and consistent quality show that the fan receives when attending a Dark Star Orchestra show.
Dark Star Orchestra has performed throughout the entire United States, including a sold out debut at Colorado’s Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater, plus shows in Europe and the Caribbean with the band touching down in seven different countries. DSO continues to grow its fan base by playing at larger venues for two and even three-night stands, as well as performing at major music festivals including Bonnaroo, Milwaukee's SummerFest, The Peach Music Festival, Jam Cruise, Wanee Festival, SweetWater 420 Festival, Mountain Jam, and many more.
In addition to appearing at some of the nation's top festival, Dark Star Orchestra hosts its own annual music festival and campaign gathering, titled the "Dark Star Jubilee", currently in its eighth year where DSO headline all three nights and are joined by a mix of established and up and coming national touring acts. Beyond the shores of the United States, DSO has taken its internationally-acclaimed Grateful Dead tribute to the beaches of Jamaica in the dead of winter for the past six years, with their event appropriately titled 'Jam in the Sand'. Featuring an ocean-side stage, DSO sets up camp to perform shows for four nights along the tropical sands of an all-inclusive resort, selling out the event each year for hundreds of lucky attendees.
Fans and critics haven't been the only people caught up in the spirit of a Dark Star show. The band has featured guest performances from six original Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Vince Welnick, Tom Constanten and even toured with longtime Dead soundman, Dan Healy. Other notable guests have included Mike Gordon and Jon Fishman of Phish, Keller Williams, Warren Haynes, Steve Kimock, Peter Rowan, Ramblin' Jack Elliot and many more.
"For us it's a chance to recreate some of the magic that was created for us over the years," keyboardist and vocalist Rob Barraco explains. "We offer a sort of a historical perspective at what it might have been like to go to a show in 1985, 1978 or whenever. Even for Deadheads who can say they've been to a hundred shows in the 90s, we offer something they never got to see live."
🌲🌲⛺🌲🌲Grateful Getaway: An Enchanting Cosmic Odyssey Through the Grateful Dead's Musical Wonderland🌲🌲⛺🌲🌲
Attention all music lovers! Prepare to embark on an unforgettable 11-day journey into the heart of the Grateful Dead's mesmerizing universe at the Grateful Getaway. Nestled amidst the rolling hills of the picturesque Central New York, Apple Valley, New York, this captivating event promises to be a euphoric celebration of the band's timeless tunes, where the melodies of the past intertwine with the boundless energy of the present.
Imagine yourself immersed in a veritable wonderland, where the soulful strums of the guitar and the hypnotic beats of the drums beckon you to lose yourself in the moment. From sunrise to sunset, the Grateful Getaway will transport you to a realm where time stands still, and the only thing that matters is the pure, unadulterated joy of experiencing live music in all its glory
But this is no ordinary music festival – it's a harmonious fusion of sound, nature, and community. Imagine yourself swaying to the infectious rhythms, surrounded by a tapestry of fellow Deadheads, all united in their love for the band's iconic legacy. Pitch your tent amidst the lush greenery, breathe in the crisp, apple-scented air, and let the music wash over you, soothing your soul and igniting your senses.
The Grateful Getaway is a veritable treasure trove of delights, from the mesmerizing performances that will have you dancing until the stars come out, to the opportunities to connect with like-minded music enthusiasts and share in the collective experience. Imagine yourself trading stories, trading licks, and trading the occasional "Shakedown Street" high-five, as you bask in the camaraderie that only a Grateful Dead gathering can inspire.
So, what are you waiting for, music lovers? Pack your tie-dye, grab your dancing shoes, and get ready to embark on an odyssey that will leave you feeling more "Grateful" than ever before. The Grateful Getaway is calling, and it's time to answer the siren's song. See you on the other side of the rabbit hole!
August 1st through August 11th
***❗❗❗ INDIVIDUAL SHOWS available through the links below ❗❗❗ ***
Friday & Saturday, August 2nd & 3rd
Join by Grateful For Biggie on Saturday
Sunday, August 4th
Monday, August 5th
Tuesday, August 6th
Wednesday & Thursday, August 7th & 8th
Friday & Saturday, August 9th & 10th
Artist to be Announced
Sunday, August 11th
Wonderland Forest is filled with unforgettable additions that will elevate your weekend experience.