Grateful Garcia Gathering 2010
The Grateful Garcia Gathering returns for its seventh year, this summer, from July 29th through August 1st (Jerry's B-Day) at NCN Campground in beautiful Black River Falls, WI. Also making a return to the festival after a brief absence is Jerry Garcia Band keyboardist and longtime friend of Garcia's, Melvin Seals. Seals alone is sure to draw hoards of Deadheads and old school hippies from all corners. The remaining line-up, rounded out with young blood jam bands, will no doubt tote along their devoted fan bases as well, creating a massive bliss seeking demographic of all ages and tastes.
One unique aspect of the Grateful Garcia Gathering (or the 3G's) is the honorary tone the entire weekend takes on. Each band is asked to perform a couple JGB and/or Grateful Dead songs during their set, even if such songs aren't in the band's standard repertoire. Hearing bands perform Jerry songs that they've honed over the course of several years is always a treat. Hearing a group give their interpretation of a song they learned especially for the occasion can, sometimes, even be better.
The celebration gets underway Thursday night, the 29th of July, with Grateful Dead aficionados, Brok'n Arrow and the young and extremely talented Wook. Hailing from Madison, WI, the guys from Wook have been spreading their wings lately, showing up in markets all over the Midwest, even earning themselves a slot at moe.s Summer Camp Festival in Illinois. Thursday night's headliner is Appleton, WI jam band, Ifdakar. Ifdakar returns for their second straight year of headlining duty, after an unforgettable, non-stop, 2+ hour set in 2009. Though the weekday noise ordinance may have limited these guys on stage, festival goers were treated to an extended Ifdakar acoustic set in the campgrounds. More of the same is expected this time around. Rumors have even started to swirl of a possible Wook/Ifdakar collaboration during the night. Needless to say, Thursday is the new Friday.
As Friday comes, the music starts early at 10am and is relentless throughout the day with Grateful Beth, Tommy Garcia, Lava Jama, The Bar Tab Band, Fungus Garden Reverb, Baghdad SCUBA Review, Lunar Funk Theory and headliner Melvin Seals with Elf Lettuce. If there is a Wisconsin band out there that Melvin Seals should be playing with, you better believe that it is Elf Lettuce. Absolute Gruv, out of Minneapolis, MN, takes on the late night, performing from 12:30am-2:00am.
Saturday's music continues right away, again at 10am with the Brent Brown Band, Jimmy Goodtimes Dead Guise, One Man Gathers, Paradise Waits, Boney Fingers, Family Groove Company, and Saturday night's headliner, once again, Melvin Seals, this time plying with In the Dark. The Grasshoppers finish out the festival, playing the late night slot, 12:30am-2:00am. Grateful Gary will act as intermission talent and emcee for the entire weekend.
These days, with so many festivals popping up all over the country, it's humbling to experience a festival that focuses on honoring this aspect of our community, that without, we would not be where we are. Jerry Garcia has meant so much to our music community in life, and in death, and it's this torch of respect that the 3G's carries brightly, year after year. With quality acts performing, and wonderful memories to be had annually, rest assured: You know our love will not fade away.
One unique aspect of the Grateful Garcia Gathering (or the 3G's) is the honorary tone the entire weekend takes on. Each band is asked to perform a couple JGB and/or Grateful Dead songs during their set, even if such songs aren't in the band's standard repertoire. Hearing bands perform Jerry songs that they've honed over the course of several years is always a treat. Hearing a group give their interpretation of a song they learned especially for the occasion can, sometimes, even be better.
The celebration gets underway Thursday night, the 29th of July, with Grateful Dead aficionados, Brok'n Arrow and the young and extremely talented Wook. Hailing from Madison, WI, the guys from Wook have been spreading their wings lately, showing up in markets all over the Midwest, even earning themselves a slot at moe.s Summer Camp Festival in Illinois. Thursday night's headliner is Appleton, WI jam band, Ifdakar. Ifdakar returns for their second straight year of headlining duty, after an unforgettable, non-stop, 2+ hour set in 2009. Though the weekday noise ordinance may have limited these guys on stage, festival goers were treated to an extended Ifdakar acoustic set in the campgrounds. More of the same is expected this time around. Rumors have even started to swirl of a possible Wook/Ifdakar collaboration during the night. Needless to say, Thursday is the new Friday.
As Friday comes, the music starts early at 10am and is relentless throughout the day with Grateful Beth, Tommy Garcia, Lava Jama, The Bar Tab Band, Fungus Garden Reverb, Baghdad SCUBA Review, Lunar Funk Theory and headliner Melvin Seals with Elf Lettuce. If there is a Wisconsin band out there that Melvin Seals should be playing with, you better believe that it is Elf Lettuce. Absolute Gruv, out of Minneapolis, MN, takes on the late night, performing from 12:30am-2:00am.
Saturday's music continues right away, again at 10am with the Brent Brown Band, Jimmy Goodtimes Dead Guise, One Man Gathers, Paradise Waits, Boney Fingers, Family Groove Company, and Saturday night's headliner, once again, Melvin Seals, this time plying with In the Dark. The Grasshoppers finish out the festival, playing the late night slot, 12:30am-2:00am. Grateful Gary will act as intermission talent and emcee for the entire weekend.
These days, with so many festivals popping up all over the country, it's humbling to experience a festival that focuses on honoring this aspect of our community, that without, we would not be where we are. Jerry Garcia has meant so much to our music community in life, and in death, and it's this torch of respect that the 3G's carries brightly, year after year. With quality acts performing, and wonderful memories to be had annually, rest assured: You know our love will not fade away.
