With a slate of autumn dates already announced, Dark Star Orchestra have unveiled their second leg, as well as plans for a four-show New Year’s Eve run this winter, consisting of two nights at the Palace Theatre in Albany, NY, and two at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ.
As they approach 3,000 shows played, Dark Star Orchestra are showing no signs of slowing down, with nearly 40 gigs scheduled between now and New Year’s Eve. Their next three performances will take place in Colorado, with two shows at the Boulder Theater on Sept. 6 and 7, followed by their second headlining performance at Red Rocks Amphitheater on Sunday, Sept. 8. The Red Rocks show will recreate the Grateful Dead’s Sept. 8, 1983 performance, which also took place at Red Rocks.
Fan Club tickets for DSO’s new fall dates and New Year’s Eve run are on sale now at DarkStarOrchestra.net, and public tickets will go on sale this Friday, Aug. 23. For more information, visit darkstarorchestra.net.
Dark Star Orchestra Tour Dates
Nov. 14 – Northampton, MA – Calvin Theatre
Nov. 15 – Portland, ME – State Theatre, Portland, Maine
Nov. 16 – Lowell, MA – Lowell Memorial Auditorium
Nov. 18 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
Nov. 19 – Ithaca, NY – State Theatre of Ithaca
Nov. 21 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia
Nov. 22 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall
Nov. 23 – Providence, RI – The Strand Ballroom & Theatre
Nov. 24 – Tarrytown, NY – Tarrytown Music Hall
Nov. 26 – Concord, NH – Capitol Center for the Arts
Nov. 27 – Jim Thorpe, PA – Penn’s Peak
Nov. 29 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
Nov. 30 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
Dec. 2 – Harrisburg, PA – XL LIVE
Dec. 4 – Charlottesville, VA – The Jefferson Theater
Dec. 5 – Richmond, VA – The National
Dec. 6 – Washington, D.C. – The Anthem
Dec. 7 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVA
Dec. 28 – Albany, NY – Palace Theatre
Dec. 29 – Albany, NY – Palace Theatre
Dec. 30 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
Dec. 31 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
24 Comments comments associated with this post
Ole China Cat
August 27, 2019 at 9:20 pmCharles, I get you. I was there for most west coast shows since the beginning and I think what a lot of people don’t understand is the depth of meaning that Jerry’s art held for so many of us (and mostly in the context of GD for me. At least,I saw multiple JG Band shows and never got sent soaring through the cosmos like I did with my beloved GD.) It’s always slippery to use religious language, (and I for one, was annoyed by the various cult followings and the spinners in particular) but I gotta say there was that spiritual component, and not just in the colloquial quasi-religious sense of “seeing God” to express a really good time. Let’s be clear, Jerry wasn’t god, the band was not divine. But when Barlow wrote “they’re a band beyond description, like Jehovah’s favorite choir”, as heavy-handed as that sounds now, it was an attempt to come to terms with something that was experienced by many but couldn’t really be explained. This is something that younger folk don’t understand. We all know that after late 80’s the magic came far less often and in the final years it barely came at all, so it’s just happenstance that the people who saw it are older now, it’s just math. What surprises me is how few younger folk express reverence for what went before. They seem so intent on defending themselves and their good time from curmudgeons like us that they don’t listen. As for punks like the one you calls you son, we just have to excuse them their ignorance. It’s coupled with arrogance and lack of self-awareness so you’ll get nowhere.This is a person who would not have been at a show back in the day. That much is clear. Anyway, while I don’t personally have a problem with the cover bands, I agree that there’s a sadness to it all. The whole jamband culture that’s sprung up feels a bit like the mass immigration to the Haight in ’67. By the time it became a thing it was over. I sense a similarity in the desire. The problem is that the majority get caught up in the accoutrements of the art, the “jam” if you will. To continue the comparison, they get caught up in the beads and the tie-dye and the dope. Still, it’s hard to fault people for wanting a good time. But I agree that there is something sad about the loss of meaning and the complete disregard for that meaning. Anybody can have a good time, and it does sort of feel at least at times that there is nothing but a good jammy time at stake with this current crowd of concert attenders. The church went out of business a long time ago. As I think about it, maybe people also don’t want to hear old-timers talk ab out the meaning of GD because it comes across as telling them they shouldn’t have a good time? I don’t know. But I do think it’s ok for these cover bands to do their thing and let people rock out. But I agree that it needs to be said clearly by those of us who were there that this current trend of GD cover bands (and that definitely includes the abomination of John Mayer playing Tiger with original Bobby), however enjoyable for some, does not really deserve to be called art. Nor does anyone have experiences they’d describe as religious beyond the colloquial sense of the term. Anyway, I realize I’m mostly talking to the wind here but this is meant mainly for you, Charles, and other geezers like us as a reminder that we know a little something they won’t ever know. Salut!
Charles
August 27, 2019 at 11:56 amI realize its pathetic to like original music played by the folks who wrote the songs. Its weak and pathetic to demand that the people that I am paying money to perform for me have enough artistic integrity to dig in and do their own thing. I realize that opposing cover bands is such a dreadful and horrible act that I can now never ascend the steps to the gates of…cheesey cover band fan heaven….Like I said. GO TO THE MIRROR BOY. ANyone who goes to see this band is pathetic IMO. Down with artificial Garcia!!! Forever!!!
Veteran of hundreds of shows
August 26, 2019 at 8:32 pmCharles, obviously you do care or you wouldn’t have read the article and posted again and again and again. Your desperation to assert your superior artistic integrity is pathetically transparent and laughable to everybody but you.
Charles
August 26, 2019 at 5:46 amI might be a pussy, but I have integrity and taste. Two things that you lack. Oh, and the maturity to respond in kind to my response to your ridiculous statement. Its easy for you to hide behind plattitudes that mean nothing. That band is playing to make money not art. I prefer art. I am sorry that this is so hard for you to undrstand. One is a fake copy. The other a genuine American treasure. I prefer the real fucking deal. Go ahead and listen to the Taco Bell of music, I dont care!
Tenn Jed
August 25, 2019 at 1:25 pmMan Chuck you sound scary. I’d hate to run into you. Sounds like they are covering songs just like the Dead.
Maybe everyone should sit back and listen to Dr. Chuckie.
Do NOT have fun! Listen to Chuck’s diagnosis and do not do what you want to do. Wait for the toughest guy hiding behind a computer on this site to figure out next move. God I hate pussies like you who act tough and give their negative opinion when NO ONE cares.
Don’t comment and Don’t go see DSO if you dislike them Charlene.
Charles
August 25, 2019 at 6:09 amHopefully you understand the difference now. The Grateful Dead wrote and performed their original music along with some select covers. They had a career as recording artists and songwriters. DSO copies the Grateful Dead as a venture to make money. Period. Fuck Eaton, he is a choad.
Charles
August 25, 2019 at 6:04 amUhm, just to clarify it dumbfuck, the Grateful Dead have an entire catalog of music that they wrote. Maybe your not familiar with their recorded output? An entire career of albums of original music that they wrote. I rest my case. What a stupid fucking arguement. Please refer me to DSO catalog and I will give it a listen, until then fuck off. They are a shite band put together to make money off of saps who are not intrepid enough to find something that is modern, compelling, original and intersting.
Onenitemike
August 24, 2019 at 9:30 pmWell said Tenn Jed! The truth has no agenda right.
Tenn Jed
August 24, 2019 at 11:27 amCharles thank you for shining a light on the music world! I now see that Garcia/GD we’re part-time frauds – “Not real art.”
These posers played Dylan, Beatles, Van Morrison etc. That is not Real Art!
I can put on a Dylan CD and listen to the real thing. Not some turds pretending to be Bob. Your the smartest…thanks again Doctor!
Charles
August 24, 2019 at 10:55 amIT IS NOT ART. I am into music that is art. I can put a CD or tape in and listen to Jerry. Not some fake turd running around pretending to be Bobby. Vomit. The Grateful Dead was a working art project. DSO is a fake. People dont buy fake picassos..
Wharf Rat
August 23, 2019 at 1:00 pmChuckles- I saw them TOO wow how about that and I still go see other acts that play the music. Jerry also thought it was stupid to record the shows, now go listen to your RECORDINGS and wax poetic about the past. I’ll listen to them and GO listen to live music that I appreciate in the present. You remind me of the type that doesn’t want anyone else to do something simply because you don’t do it. You sure you’re an old deadhead?
Jeff
August 23, 2019 at 11:21 amCharles-
I too have seen several hundred GD shows…and over 100 JGB. So, we’re all qualified to have our say. Why shit on our good time. If you don’t like it, don’t bother reading the articles about them. I’m sure Jerry would rather you go that route than poop all over someone else’s good time…I think most mellow people would feel the same. Chill out and take a bong hit!
Charles
August 23, 2019 at 5:12 amIts pretend man. I saw the real deal. Sometimes its best to move on. I am not weak, I am realistic. Its pretend. Like listening to a turd float down the sewer pipe. Your command of the English language leaves a lot to be desired. As does your taste in music. I doubt Garcia was going to see Bill Monroe cover bands. He was going to see band like Cream and Traffic. Do some research. He would vomit on this phase of the GD’s history. He went to see original live music, not fake pretend horseshit. I am sure that Eaton is paying his bills because of people like you. Its not art man, its pretend, make beleive and for children.
Tenn Jed
August 22, 2019 at 7:06 pmYour weak Charles! DSO is the Real Deal!! Love JRAD & Splinterd Sunlight, but DSO is the CLOSEST to the real deal!
Mattson brings it HARD!! REAL Hard!!
Eaton’s Bob is ALMOST…hard NOT to think it’s Bob!
Charles
August 22, 2019 at 4:39 amDont call me son dick. Its a shittly band put together to make money off of saps like you who have not movd on. Same with Dead And Co. Its not the Grateful Dead. Its not in any way original. It does nothing for me. I prefer listening to the actual Grateful Dead with Jerry Garcia. All of these cover band suck…SON. Go fuck yourself moron.
TimT
August 28, 2019 at 10:30 pmYeah, what an arrogant little no-nothing Dick. “Jaggerrich” definitely does need to fuck himself. What a thoroughly useless cunt
jaggerrich
August 21, 2019 at 10:11 pmCharlie, I don’t know where to begin, son, but bear with me here. Tomorrow, I will address your three vapid comments. (i HAVE ADDRESSED THE FIRST) Gotta take my dog out for a stroll, will respond in kind.
Christine
August 28, 2019 at 10:33 pmSTFU you obnoxious little trust-fund baby! Fuck you and your entitled perspective, you disrespectful twit!
Findlay
August 28, 2019 at 10:38 pmYeah, Jaggerrich is the plague of this website. He knows zero things about everything but has SO MUCH to say and does so in the most annoying manner imaginable. Notice how he tells Charles he’ll get back on the “vapid comments” but never does. What a tool
Charles
August 21, 2019 at 9:59 pmRead Treys NY Times article about nostalgia. IMO Garcia would not approve. A severe lack of originality didn’t seem to be his thing. Go to see live original music.
jaggerrich
August 21, 2019 at 8:00 pmCharles: I feel sooooooo sorry for you, you miss it completely.
Rick: you got it, “bang on”, short and sweet, well said.
Charles
August 21, 2019 at 10:03 pmI saw the actual Grateful Dead 300+ times and a lot of actual Jerry Garcia Band shows. Don’t feel sorry for me. Look in the mirror.
Rick
August 21, 2019 at 6:44 pmIf you mean it means glorify the Grateful Dead your right. This band comes closest to Jerry’s sound. That sound should be celebrated.
Charles
August 21, 2019 at 4:46 pmThe jam band scene = Glorify the cover band scene. No other genre considers cover bans newsworthy. John Mayer farted Fire On The Mountain Into Katy Perry’s ear!!!!