27th Annual KPFA Grateful Dead Marathon!

Article Contributed by Grateful Dead Hour | Published on Thursday, February 7, 2013

David Gans, host of KPFA's Dead to the World, presents a 16-hour Grateful Dead Marathon fundraiser for KPFA. Now in its 27th year the fundraiser will feature exclusive music premieres by the Mickey Hart Band, live in-studio performance by Sycamore Slough String Band, rare live and studio recordings, tapes from the Grateful Dead vault, and more!This fund-raising event will occur from 9am Saturday, February 23 through Sunday, February 24th at 1:00am on KPFA 94.1. Among other pledge thank-you gifts will be a Blue Rose t-shirt, designed by Papa Lindsey. Tune in to KPFA via the radio airwaves or live stream on the web. Join David for 16 hours of fun during this Grateful Dead Marathon Circus. Pledge Big!Longtime host of KPFA’s Dead to the World, David Gans, is a busy guy: working on a new book, performing solo and with others – and as always at this time of year – combing through music collections (his own and others), preparing for the annual phenomenon known as the Grateful Dead Marathon. Now in its 27th year, this fundraiser for KPFA is a 16-hour extravaganza hailed by Deadheads and music lovers around the world, who can access the fun via the airwaves and streaming on the web.Hosted by David Gans with help from Tim Lynch, the 2013 Marathon will feature exclusive music by the Mickey Hart Band – in advance of their upcoming tour – a live in-studio performance by Sycamore Slough String Band, interviews, hours of tasty audio featuring rare tapes from the Grateful Dead vault, and more."It's music that makes people dance, cry, think," Gans said in a 2011 interview with the San Francisco Chronicle’s Carolyn Jones. "To play the Grateful Dead for 16 hours is not a tiring job. It's actually very energizing. I could go even longer."Thank-you gifts include the beautiful Blue Rose t-shirt, designed by Papa Lindsey, concert tickets, CDs, and more. What’s even more fun than listening to this circus? Joining it! Sign up to volunteer in the phone room by calling 510.848.6767 x206. In addition to being surrounded by the on-air music, volunteers get to munch on tasty treats from the generous supporters of the Grateful Dead Marathon, including The Grand Bakery, Comal, Grateful Beans, and other generous food and beverage donors, talk to all kinds of interesting people on the phones and around the table. And best of all, it all helps KPFA!