How Do You Explain a Dead Show?

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By suggestion from phatmoye: "A lot of my friends and co-workers have never been to a fest or Grateful Dead show. I've tried to explain it to them but I'm at a loss of words. All I can do is smile, smile, smile and tell them that it's nothing but kindness. i'd love to get some feedback from some heads on explaining what to tell them."

The question seemed to strike a nerve in the tour topic, so we're giving it a home of its own!

Love, Peace, & Harmony

The worst thing I ever saw at a Dead show was at W. Palm Beach in '82. I was sitting in the 5th row before the show and people were still filing in when some "friend of the Devil" threw an empty half-pint bottle out of the stands and it hit a pretty young woman in the head. She was really freaking out and had blood streaming down her face. Her boyfriend did a good job of trying to calm her and getting her out of there to seek help. Besides that I'd never even seen so much as a fist-fight. There were easily over a million people at the 71 Grateful Dead shows I saw and for the most part it was a million acts of kindness that I remember.

yeah...

at Jerry shows at the Keystone I used to just leave my camera and ask the perfect stranger next to me to watch my stuff for a minute. Sometimes a completely different stranger would be there when I got back, but I don't think it entered anyone's head to rip me off. Ripping someone off at a Jerry show would just be an off-the-chart bad thing to do, or so we all seem to have thought.

I took 3 newbies to a show this year....

They were used to going to heavy metal shows, and told me they were used to most of the attendee's at shows to stay within their own circle of friends. They said they were used to seeing fights break out , and everyone wearing black clothes.We carpooled to the show and arrived 3 hours early. They were shocked at how warm the feelings were amongst the entire crowd. They were also completely surprised to find so many people who travelled across the country for the show they were about to see. So if I were to explain it to a newbie, I'd just tell them that it's not just the music you're there to see. They should expect the unexpected, and be ready to see a flea market with clothing-jewelry-smoking needs-bumper stickers-posters-etc.etc.etc. Lotsa love, and no hate!!

I wouldnt explain it..

I would have them watch one.. They are actually playing one on MSG this Friday at 9PM.. tell them to watch it.. theres a preview of it here: http://video.msg.com/Home/This-Week-on-Music-Fridays

All these stories and

All these stories and descriptions make me wish even more I could have seen it.

Not like anything you have been to before!!

Either you Love em!Or Hate them! Or just there for the party:( Just my View. Smiley D Do For Other's You Will Feel Better. Guaranteed!!!!

HA!!!!

The circus is in town....sort of...and we are the exhibits!!

i have absolutly

no explanation at all its simply magical

One of my first Dead Memories...

When I was eight or so... in the late 80's... I was allowed to go out in the open arena. Dancing and running about, because there were such great people. I was out dancing and having fun then, the music ended, I was still playing/dancing as people were putting down their blankets. I moved to the other side of the stage to find my dad. A couple who had set up their blankets on the floor got very upset at me. Telling me I was being rude for stepping on their just laid down blankets. Because I had no idea what was going on they felt the need to scare me... As I stood there being berated by these jerks. I was slowly surrounded by a group of AMAZING people.. they explained that the need of a child to find their parent was much larger then the need to keep a 5*5 square of seating area. I felt so protected. So undeniably safe. I still remember that feeling of being hugged after feeling so scared. One woman came over and held my hand asking if I knew where my parents were. I said I did, and pulled her with me. I took her back stage, and introduced her to everyone I knew. I talked her up as the coolest woman of all time. I don't know what happened to her. I do know that I cannot explain how much I appreciate knowing how amazing it is to feel loved, supported, and protected as a small child. That is what I got from dead shows, a knowledge of a very large hug.

like a desert spring

The approach to a spring or running brook was the occasion for life and activity. ... Nor can you, who have never stood by a bubbling spring, in a strange, wild land, with the thought that it may be miles and miles to another drinking place, comprehend the satisfaction afforded by the full-mouthed swallows from its cooling wealth. George B. Currey, 1853, Oregon Trail

So, you can't. You have to…

So, you can't. You have to take them. Which I've done to my children and husband and brother and brother in law and nephew and friends and the response is always, "Ohhhhhhhhhhhh! Now I get it! Let's do it again!!" LOL!!
Now, with Jerry gone, we have to do the best we can to expose new peeps to the music and the vibe and the best shows that I've attended that help to bridge the gap, so to speak, are the Dead & Co. shows in the summer. Outside venues with large Shakedowns, in the East SPAC, Blossom, etc. tend to be best for impromptu villages. I've also taken children to Dark Star Orchestra which is a fantastic show and a good scene.
Dance on everyone!

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June 2, 2009 - 9:37am

#21

pomo1

Joined:
June 5, 2007

To me

when I was at a Grateful Dead Show, I knew and understood that there was no other place in the entire universe where I would rather be, and that there were no other people with whom I would rather be with at that moment.That is how I explain a Dead show. "One watch by night, one watch by day If you get confused, listen to the music play"
June 2, 2009 - 7:24am

#22

Travis

Joined:
June 5, 2007

what the deal is with the grateful dead Blog

This guy Bob Wire wrote a blog asking what the deal is with the grateful dead. He doesn't get why people like them or what real contributions they provided the music world. He asking for people to enlighten him. http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/whats_the_deal_with_the_grateful_d…
May 9, 2009 - 11:35am

#23

Moye

Joined:
January 11, 2009

ANOTHER WORLD:)

Months ago I asked Marye to post this topic:) Thank you Marye. There is no easy way to explaine a dead show, but the only way I could explaine it to "normal" people would be......SMILES EVERYWHERE:)I guess you just have to go to experience it:) Loaved the shows, thank you Mickey,Billy,Phil, Bobby,Warren and Jeff for making iIT happen:) And thank you all you deadheads for creating a positive atmosphere:) Without YOU deadheads, none of this could ever be possible!! :) Peace- Moye
April 24, 2009 - 10:25am

#24

Frankly

Joined:
January 11, 2008

a dead show?

a building full of happy people enjoying the magic of the moment:-)(-:
April 22, 2009 - 4:54pm

#25

AlpineMike

Joined:
January 2, 2009

Therapy

I am in need of a major therapy session ! Chicago here we come ! I can't help you with your troubles If you won't help with mine...
April 22, 2009 - 10:13am

#26

starsleeper

Joined:
March 12, 2008

music therapy works !

Great description johnman! And the Dead's the family doctor. All you need All you really need Is good love
April 22, 2009 - 12:55am

#27

johnman

Joined:
December 26, 2007

ok....i've GOT it!!

it's a really really big therapy session wif multiple patients, right??
April 21, 2009 - 8:27pm

#28

AlpineMike

Joined:
January 2, 2009

Just an odd note or two...

I wish I knew how to explain it - but it seems a mystery... I ran across this scientific american piece on musicians and synchronized brain waves - I don't think they are that far off - it's just the tip of the iceberg. to quote from the article "People have an extraordinary capacity to synchronize their actions," he says. "When two people concentrate on the same thing, gestures and head movements are highly coordinated and supported by brain synchronicity. We think what we are getting through music has wider implications and social bonding behaviors are part of those wider implications." I'm a thinkin that when you get a really special band that knows how to sync themselves not just with each other - but with the audience as well -Magic does happen... The alpha wave state note above fits with this. http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=musicians-brain… Like someone said some get it some don't... It has spread it's deep roots in me though (25 years on the bus)- and it keeps on growin. Anyway - forget this gibberish and let the music play the band.
April 21, 2009 - 6:14pm

#29

starsleeper

Joined:
March 12, 2008

How do you explain a Dead show?

You don't. You get your groove on. But if someone asks, just tell em it's a lot of fun.
March 14, 2009 - 1:10am

#30

johnman

Joined:
December 26, 2007

being among the few

people that can actually read gibberish, as well as speak it, i'll have to agree........freeeeeeeen!!