Dark Star Orchestra Continues the Grateful Dead Concert Experience at The Ridgefield Playhouse on August 8

Dark Star Orchestra Continues the Grateful Dead Concert Experience with a Rare Acoustic Set at The Ridgefield Playhouse on August 8

After 9 years, Dark Star Orchestra (DSO) returns to The Ridgefield Playhouse with a rare acoustic set on Wednesday, August 8^th at 7:30pm, part of the Pepsi Rock Series powered by Xfinity. Using entire shows from the Grateful Dead’s 30 years of extensive touring as a launching pad, DSO recreates the original song-for-song performance set list for an entirely new generation of jam band fans, as well as old school Deadheads. The band has been given the ultimate mark of approval in the form of actual guest appearances on stage by Grateful Dead members themselves, including rhythm guitarist/singer Bob Weir and bassist Phil Lesh! Rolling Stone magazine calls Dark Star "The most talented and accomplished tribute band out there. Fanatical attention to detail!" Make it a great night out with dinner and a show! Visit Eddie’s Pizza & Pasta (24 Prospect Street, Ridgefield) the night of the show and enjoy a complimentary glass of house wine with your entree when tickets are presented. Media partner for this event is 89.5 WPKN, The Real Alternative.

Not merely mimicking the Dead, DSO instead seeks the individual style of each era and offers its own interpretations and improvisations of a group famed and loved for their interpretations and improvisations. It’s a continuum of psychedelic improv. Having toured worldwide to the tune of over 2000 shows, Dark Star Orchestra’s determined commitment to ‘raising the Dead’ has drawn them much critical acclaim. Critics aren’t the only ones singing Dark Star Orchestra’s praises. Five original members of the Grateful Dead have played alongside DSO and have had this to say: “Playing with Dark Star Orchestra is something that feels just exactly like it felt when I was playing with the Grateful Dead.” – Donna Jean Godchaux, Grateful Dead vocalist, frequent DSO guest.

Precision is king with DSO -- made up of Jeff Mattson (lead guitar/vocals), Lisa Mackey (vocals), Dino English (drums), Rob Koritz (drums), Skip Vangelas (bass), Rob Eaton (rhythm guitar/vocals) and Rob Barraco (keyboards) --  from which position the stage plot is based on in the year of the Grateful Dead show to be performed, to adapting phrasing, voice arrangements, and even specific musical equipment for the various eras of Dead music. At the end of every performance, the band announces the date and venue where the original show (just covered) took place. Dark Star Orchestra dips into every incarnation of the Dead, so fans can “see” shows that happened long before they were born. Dark Star Orchestra isn’t a cover band. Its shows are not even meant as tributes. What Dark Star Orchestra achieves is a continuation of the spirit of what has now become over forty years of the Grateful Dead’s timeless music.

For tickets ($67) call or visit the box office, 203-438-5795 or go online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org.  The Ridgefield Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.