Growing up, I always felt I was born in the wrong generation.
I was the 8th-grader in 1996 who wore tie-dye and listened to CSNY on my Sony Walkman. I truly believed I should’ve been at Woodstock. That it was some cosmic glitch that I hadn’t.
And so I’m thrilled at the amount of counterculture events and news we have going on in SouthCoast this week.
'WOODSTOCK' IN NEW BEDFORD
As Woodstock’s 50th anniversary approaches, I’ve already immersed myself in award-winning filmmaker Barak Goodman’s tremendous film, “Woodstock: Three Days That Defined a Generation.”
You can watch it for free at The Zeiterion on July 30 at 7 p.m., ahead of its PBS premier Aug. 6. The film wowed audiences at Tribeca Film Festival, and has been shown in select theaters.
It’s mindblowing. Because it’s not concert footage. It's a film exploring the generation that made this concert happen, the culture that existed for a moment in 1969. It's masterful.
To add to the vibe, attendees are invited to join the Z’s pre-show “community sing” at 6:30 p.m., and note that “groovy attire is encouraged.”
Watch the trailer here. Learn more here: https://zeiterion.org/woodstock-movie/
JERRY GARCIA’S ARCHIVAL PROVIDENCE ALBUM RELEASES
I’m one of those Dead fans who never got to see Jerry live.
My final chance would’ve been in 6th grade: Nov. 11, 1993 at the Providence Civic Center, now the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. That's the last SouthCoast area show Garcia played. (The Dead played Boston in September of ’93; the Jerry Garcia Band played Worcester, Nov. 15.)
Whether or not you were there, you can relive the Jerry Garcia Band’s final show on the Rt. 195 corridor with the new release of “GarciaLive Volume 11,” recorded live at the Providence Civic Center, 11-11-93. Garcia died two years later.
SouthCoast Deadheads: you need this. SouthCoast Casual Dead fans: You need this.
If you were there, you needed it yesterday.
This two-disc set is outstanding, and includes covers of one my favorite Van Morrison tracks, “He Ain’t Give You None” (which I’d actually never heard covered before); one of his staples, Bob Dylan’s “Simple Twist of Fate”, and John Lennon's “Dear Prudence.” This whole show feels like Jerry happily singing his favorite songs.
Five stars.
SOUTHCOAST GARCIA TRIBUTES
Speaking of the late great icon…
Jerry would’ve turned 77 on Aug. 1, and there are a few area shows honoring the legend.
Head to Sandywoods Center for the Arts in Tiverton on Aug. 3 for The Jerry Garcia Birthday Tribute and Grateful Dead Guitar Workshop.
This looks awesome. Songwriters and acoustic instrumentalists will come together to “celebrate his spirit and legacy as guitarist, as a songwriter, and as an interpreter of American roots music,” according to the billing. The show features Leslie Mendelson, Jefferson Hamer and Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers with Wendy Sassafras Ramsay.
Rodgers will lead a workshop on “Grateful Dead for Acoustic Guitar” at 4 p.m., followed by the concert at 7:30 p.m.
$15 general admission; $10 seniors. Workshop $25. Workshop and concert $35. 43 Muse Way, Tiverton, R.I. www.sandywoodsmusic.com
SouthCoast’s favorite Grateful Dead tribute band, Pearly Baker, plays Greasy Luck in New Bedford on Saturday, July 27. (You can also catch 'em at their regular gig at Greasy Luck every Tuesday.)
They play an afternoon show with a stunning backdrop at Buzzards Bay Brewery Aug. 3 from 3 to 6 p.m.
These guys are fantastic, and having been gifting SouthCoast with the music of Jerry and the boys since 1985. See them whenever and wherever you can. Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/pearlybakerband/
If you’re headed toward the Cape, The Garcia Project plays North Truro Aug. 4. The Garcia Project performs actual, full, classic Jerry Garcia Band shows from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. This is such a rad concept.
According to their website, The Garcia Project “faithfully channels and projects the feelings, emotions and music that propelled the Jerry Garcia Band and the fans through many years of musical bliss. It’s about family, soul searching, rejoicing, contemplating, celebrating, seeking truth and loving one another ... creating the Jerry Garcia Band experience for old fans to relive or new fans to enjoy for the first time.” 8 p.m., Aug. 4. Payomet Performing Arts Center, North Truro. Tickets from $20. TheGarciaProject.com
Probably one of the most well-known Dead tribute bands in the nation, Dark Star Orchestra plays two area shows on opposite ends of Rt. 195, essentially sandwiching SouthCoast: Bold Point Park in East Providence, R.I. on July 28, and the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis Aug. 3. Go to both.
The band, which brings to life the Dead concert experience, has featured guest performances from original Dead members, including Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, and Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay. They sold out Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater, rocked Bonnaroo, Mountain Jam and toured Europe. Heck, DSO multi-instrumentalist Rob Barracco tours with Phil Lesh & Friends, and has written an album with Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. #Legit. https://www.darkstarorchestra.net/band/
Red Sox fans: Fenway Park has named Aug. 6 Jerry Garcia Day. If you’re headed to the Royals game, you might snag a Jerry Red Sox t-shirt, and catch a free opening concert by Dead tribute band Terrapin. www.mlb.com/redsox
Oh, and save the date for Rhode Island-based Dead tribute band Violin River at Met Cafe in Providence, Aug. 17 at 9 p.m. ($10) http://themetri.com/events/
The music never stopped.
Lauren Daley is a freelance writer and Spotlight music columnist. Contact her at ldaley33@gmail.com. Follow her at https://www.facebook.com/daley.writer She tweets @laurendaley1.