Poll: Gathering of the Vibes named best value festival by Dead Beat readers

After a month long poll asking readers to choose one out of five festivals they would like to attend this summer considering the economic climate, Dead Beat readers have spoken, naming Grateful Dead themed Gathering of the Vibes (GOTV) as their top festival choice this summer.

Of the 29 Heads who cast votes in the poll, 10 (34 percent) chose GOTV as the festival they would most like to attend. The festival, which is celebrating its 15th Anniversary in 2010, is held at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, CT and features an array of new, jam band favorites, old school giants, unique musical collaborations, car-camping, craft vending, an on-site art gallery, kids activities, beaches and other engaging entertainment. Over the years, the festival has featured such high-profile acts as Bob Weir and Ratdog, Phil Lesh and Friends, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Les Claypool, Keller Williams, Donna Jean & the Tricksters and Dark Star Orchestra. This years line-up includes Damian Marley & Nas, Primus, Jimmy Cliff, Rhythm Devils featuring Keller Williams, Umphrey's McGee, Galactic, Jackie Greene, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Steve Kimock Crazy Engine, Dark Star Orchestra, Little Feat, The Radiators, Martin Sexton & Ryan Montbleau Band, Mix Master Mike, Deep Banana Blackout, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Assembly of Dust, Max Creek, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Zach Deputy, Harlem Gospel Choir, King For A Day, Donna Jean Godchaux, and many more TBA!

Of the remaining four festivals listed on the poll, All Good ranked second with 9 votes (31 percent), the first ever Nateva Festival finished third with 6 votes (20 percent), and Bonnaroo and Mountain Jam tied for last with two votes (6 percent) each.

While there are a number of other great festivals this summer, I chose these five festivals due to their popularity, superior line-ups and close proximity to the Northeast. I have also had the pleasure of attending each one of these festivals, except Nateva that is in its first year, and I believe the readers got it right! While GOTV has been held at a number of locations over the years, Seaside Park is a great getaway, making it feel more like a vacation than a festival with its beaches and urban setting. The line-up is still coming together, but you won't be disappointed if you make the trip to Seaside Park, July 29 - Aug. 1.

Thanks to everyone who participated. I look forward to getting your feedback on many other Dead-related issues in the near future. Thanks for reading along.

Furthur to reinterpret six Grateful Dead albums at Furthur Festival @ Mountain Aire

When Furthur first announced its intentions to hold a festival at Mountain Aire in Angels Camp, CA, there were little details released about the three-day event. Since then the band has unveiled a number of artist additions, launched a Web site soely for the festival and announced the band's intentions to perform six of the Grateful Dead's legendary albums. 

On Saturday, the band will revisit American Beauty (Set I), Workingman’s Dead (Set II) and Anthem of the Sun (Set III). On Sunday, Furthur will reinterpret Blues for Allah (Set I), Aoxomoxoa (Set II) and Terrapin Station (Set III). 

Furthur will also offer a public sound check on Friday night and members “will be jamming on several stages with some of their friends," not to mention lots of side trips like a spoken word stage that will feature some of our Grateful Dead family members and a trove of iconic Grateful Dead memorabilia, rare instruments and sound recordings.

Other Furthur Festival artists include: Electric Hot Tuna, Galactic, RatDog’s Mark Karan & Jemimah Puddleduck, The Mother Hips, Honeymoon, Carney, Maiden Lane, Blue Light River, The Waybacks and Common Rotation with Dan Bern, Jackie Greene, Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams will also perform with their solo bands. 

For more information, visit Furthur Festival

Crimson, White & Indigo coming to a theatre near you

More than 20 years after the Grateful Dead performed one of its legendary concerts in front of 95,000 Heads at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, the band is celebrating the release of, Crimson, White & Indigo: Philadelphia, July 7, 1989, by showing the entire full-length concert at theatre's across the country.

Full list of locations and show dates listed below:

Philadelphia, PA
Ambler Theater
4/13/10

Gloucester, MA
Cape Ann Community Cinema
4/13/10

Rochester, NY
Little Theatre
4/15/10

New York, NY
City Winery
4/15/10, 4/16/10

Pasadena, CA
LAEM Playhouse
4/15/10, 4/17/10, 4/18/10

Los Angeles, CA
LAEM Sunset
4/15/10, 4/17/10, 4/18/10

Encino, CA
LAEM Town Center
4/15/10, 4/17/10, 4/18/10

Portland, ME
Patriot Cinemas: Nickelodeon Cinema
4/15/10, 4/18/10

Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Cinema Paradiso
4/16/10

Newport, RI
Jane Pickens Theatre
4/16/10

St. Pete's Beach, FL
Beach Theatre
4/16/10

Deland, FL.
Athens Theatre
4/16/10, 4/17/10

Washington, D.C.
Atlas Performing Arts Center
4/16/10, 4/19/10

Lake Worth, FL
Lake Worth Playhouse
4/17/10

Key West, FL
Tropic Cinema
4/17/10

Shreveport, LA
Robinson Film Center
4/17/10

Wellfleet, MA
Wellfleet Harbor Actor's Theatre
4/18/10

Bellingham, WA
Pickford Film Center
4/19/10

Cleveland, OH
Cedar Lee Theatre
4/20/10

Three Rivers, MI
Riviera Theatre
4/20/10

Oberlin, OH
Apollo Theatre
4/20/10

Telluride, CO
Michael D. Palm Theatre
4/20/10

Palm Beach, FL
Mos' Art Theater
DATE TBD