Here’s something a little different: On the weekend of August 20 and 21, the Teaneck, NJ, Dead Head hotspot and music venue Mexicali Live will be hosting the 1st Annual Grateful Dead Musical Gear Expo, a gathering of vendors, sound specialists, musicians and gearheads “searching for the sound” (as “Unbroken Chain” says).
This one-of-a-kind exposition will feature like-minded manufacturers displaying their Grateful Dead-created and -inspired musical gear. Guitars, amplifiers, speaker cabinets, tie-dyes and accessories will all be on display together for the first time in one place. Manufacturers include the Hard Truckers, Louis Electric Amplifiers, Moriarty Guitars, Telefunken, Resurrection Guitars, Pigtronix, McIntosh Laboratories, Courtenay Pollock Tie-Dye Designs and more still to be announced.
The organizers promise that visitors will have an opportunity to demo and play with some of the best gear many of you have only been able to hear/read about; and talk with some of the brightest minds about the gear we all know and love. Throughout the two-day event, guest speakers, special guests and high-profile musicians are expected to attend, adding more to this unique event.
Both evenings will be capped off with separate concerts featuring Grateful Dead-inspired music, also to be held at Mexicali Live. Appearing live Saturday night from Boston is Playingdead, and taking the stage Sunday night is NY’s own Half Step.
Space is going fast! Only a limited number of early bird advance two-day packages with entry to both days’ expositions and both evenings’ concerts are available for only $30. To reserve a place today send an email to deadgearexpo@gmail.com for a ticket request form. Tickets can also be purchased online at Ticket Web and at the venue box office. Individual days sessions are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Evening concerts are $5each in advance, $10 at the door.
Special Hotel Rates are being offered at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Englewood, NJ, just a few minutes drive from the venue, and also offering shuttle service to and from the Expo. You can call the Crowne Plaza Englewood at (201) 871-2020 and ask for the Dead Expo Rate.
For more info, you can follow the Expo on twitter @deadgearexpo and friend-request them on Facebook/deadgearexpo.