Six decades after the Grateful Dead’s first notes echoed across the San Francisco Peninsula, Deadheads everywhere will reunite under the silver-screen glow for the annual “Meet-Up At The Movies.” This year’s cinematic gathering features the triumphant return of THE GRATEFUL DEAD MOVIE—the 1977 concert film revered for its electrifying Winterland performances, psychedelic animation, and candid behind-the-scenes interviews with the band and crew.

Dark Star Orchestra, in partnership with Island Gigs, is thrilled to unveil Jam in the Sand XIII, set for January 10 – 14, 2026 at the newly appointed Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters resort, just outside Montego Bay. The beachfront gathering features four nights of music headlined by Dark Star Orchestra—three full, two-set concerts beneath the Caribbean stars plus an extended daytime “Sunshine Set” on day three.

This is the second of two articles about Dennis McNally’s new book The Last Great Dream: How Bohemians Became Hippies and Created the Sixties. The first article, a review of the book, can be found at https://www.gratefulweb.com/articles/last-great-dream-dennis-mcnally-review.

Bertha brought all the glitz, glamour, and Grateful Dead grooves to the Mishawaka Amphitheatre last night. Bertha is a Grateful Dead drag tribute band way beyond description; they have improvisational psychedelic musical skills that would make Jerry smile—and probably blush a little, too.

Ashkenaz, Berkeley’s beloved non-profit music and dance community hub, rolls into summer with a joyful calendar that mirrors the venue’s 52-year mission of cultural exchange and rhythmic exploration. From Balkan folk dances to honky-tonk two-step, Ashkenaz’s wooden dance floor will stay in constant motion—yet it is the venue’s deep connection to the spirit of the Grateful Dead that takes center stage over the next five weeks.

Sweetwater Music Hall, the storied, not-for-profit venue at 19 Corte Madera Avenue, turns up the heat this summer with a run of shows that underscores its mission to make world-class music accessible to all. Since 1972 the 501(c)(3) has championed creativity and community, and the weeks ahead carry that torch with everything from sea shanties to space rock—plus open-mic nights that nurture the next generation of Bay Area talent.

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Andy Falco & Travis Book (of The Infamous Stringdusters) Play Jerry Garcia at 10 Mile Music Hall on Friday, October 17, 2025. Doors open at 8:00 p.m.; the music begins at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.z2ent.com/events/detail/andy-falco-travis-book-2025-10m. This performance is limited to guests 18 and older.

Grammy-winning Infamous Stringdusters bandmates Andy Falco (guitar) and Travis Book (upright bass) step out as a duo this fall to honor the timeless music of Jerry Garcia. “The project actually originated backstage at ’Dusters shows where Travis and I would typically warm up with some fun Jerry songs,” Falco recalls. “At some point we just thought it would be fun to do it in public.”

Dennis McNally’s The Last Great Dream (Da Capo, 2025) won’t help you recreate the 1960s – that ship has sailed. But McNally’s new book provides a clear-eyed, rear-view mirror exploration of the mid-20th century counterculture in the United States. From poetry to politics to psychedelic music, McNally covers a wide waterfront; The Last Great Dream is a wild ride full of factoids and true folk tales from far and wide. It’s a fun and informative read for anyone intrigued by the era. In certain circles, Dennis McNally is best known as the Grateful Dead publicist from the mid-1980s until several years after Jerry Garcia died. He’s also a published historian, with books under his belt about Jack Kerouac, the Grateful Dead, and the evolution of American culture.

Boulder Theater will be awash in vintage Hammond tones and cosmic grooves this Halloween weekend when Melvin Seals & JGB headline back-to-back nights on Friday, October 31, 2025, and Saturday, November 1, 2025. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.; the show begins at 8:00 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 13 at 10 a.m. MT at Z2 Entertainment.