By Daily Press staff
Tonight’s free concert at the Santa Monica Pier features a seven-member orchestra that plans to re-create the Grateful Dead experience.
Grateful Dead tribute bands may be common these days, but Dark Star Orchestra’s live concert will be replaying, down to the smallest detail, historic Dead shows.
Nearly every element of actual Grateful Dead shows, including between-song patter and off-beat musical interpretations, is re-enacted by the Dark Star Orchestra for delighted Deadheads and audiences all over the country.
The date and location of the Dead’s original show is kept a secret by the Dark Star Orchestra right up until the performance. The Dark Star Orchestra provides clues that true Dead fans will pick up on, including the number and placement of microphones, a “midi guitar” and the chatter. At the end of the evening, the band will reveal which show it tried to re-create.
The band is a favorite of original Grateful Dead members. After sitting in with them as lead guitarist at a RexFoundation benefit, Bob Weir, a member of the original Grateful Dead, said it felt like Jerry Garcia was right there behind him.
The Dark Star Orchestra includes John Kadlecik as lead guitarist, Scott Larned on the keyboards, Lisa Mackey on vocals, Rob Eaton on the rhythm guitar, Kevin Rosen on the bass and Dino Engish and Rob Koritz on the drums.
The concert runs from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the parking deck of the Santa Monica Pier as part of the Twilight Dance Series.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 24, 2003. Read the original PDF.