When the writer named DNA suggested a cover story about the state of the Grateful Dead 31 years after the death of its leader, Jerry Garcia, I was hesitant. We’ve covered the Dead, their post-Garcia reunions and the sad death last year of Bob Weir. What was left to say?
DNA promised me there was more and he found it.
The Dead scene is still thriving in Santa Cruz. We’ve got at least a dozen cover bands that play regularly; we’ve got the only Grateful Dead museum/archive in the country (although I read that they are opening one in San Francisco); until recently we had the only Grateful Dead bus stop on Soquel Drive, which is gone now, but should be replaced somewhere else in town.
And during this “Days Between” week, which is celebrating the time between the birth and death of Garcia (sounds like a religious holiday), I’ve heard so many references to the Dead. Last weekend one of the most highly-celebrated cover bands, JRAD (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead) packed the UCSC Quarry and at the same time the other prominent cover musicians, Dark Star Orchestra packed two nights at the UC Berkeley Greek Theater.
So it’s fair to say that more than 60 years after the band’s birth, the music never died.
Another story this week you will learn from is an investigation by our intern, Gwyneth Holcomb, who looked into the records of the June 2 primary to see who voted. Her results are eye-opening, if some of them are unexpected.
Young people just don’t vote the way much older people do. That’s something our former County Supervisor, Zach Friend, used to talk a lot about during classes at Cabrillo College. He would ask students if they voted, and when few said yes, he would tell them that’s why they have no power.
As an elected official, his responsibilities were to the people who elected him and if young people don’t bother to vote, the issues that matter to them won’t be handled. I rant about this to my students, and sometimes it gets them to the ballot box, but I don’t know what we can do to get more young people elected and voting. What’s your suggestion?
It’s working in some places, like New York City, and it worked right here in Watsonville, where we got a new supervisor in his early 30s, but we need more fresh, honest, passionate faces in office.
Check out Gwyneth’s story. By the way, she’s here doing her internship while attending journalism school in Paris. We are lucky to have her.
Our cover photo this week was taken by John Gavrilis, who worked at Winterland in the mid-70’s as a photographer, until the final NYE concert in 1978.
Another note: Bill Forman, an early music editor at GT, and editor of Metro Santa Cruz around 2005, has died in St. Louis. If you knew him, please drop a message in the comments and we can print a tribute.
Thanks for reading.
Brad Kava | Editor
PHOTO CONTEST
DYNO-MITE This oak tree had dinosaurs in it! It is located in Palo Corona Regional Park, in Carmel, on the way to one of our favorite vistas at Inspiration Point. The park is off Carmel Valley Road. Sometimes when you go into nature, you go back in time! Waaaaaaay back. Photograph by Ross Levoy
GOOD IDEA
Santa Cruz Shakespeare is branching out even more than adding plays not by the Bard, but by adding musical performances on the nights the theater is dark. Upcoming shows include: Starman SF – Aug. 10, a dazzling celebration of pop music superstar David Bowie; Rockapella – Aug. 31, the internationally celebrated a cappella group; Petty Theft – Sept. 7, a tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers; Surf City Allstars – Sept. 14, performing the iconic music of the Beach Boys; Kristin Key – Sept. 21, the nationally renowned comedian known for her viral stand-up and musical comedy; Ronstadt Revolution – Sept. 28, honoring the legendary music of Linda Ronstadt. For tickets and more information: santacruzshakespeare.org
GOOD WORK
Event Santa Cruz, the free summer concert series in Midtown Santa Cruz is celebrating its 100th show Friday with the band Trestles from 5-8:30pm at 1111 Soquel Ave. This is the brainchild of promoter Matthew Swinnerton, whose company has been trying all kinds of different idea to bring life to our arts and music community, including bringing in famous musicians and teaming them up with local artists. One can measure the success of a community by its free events and Swinnerton has hit a home run with his weekly Friday night series. Combine that with the city’s Tuesday night free shows on the Santa Cruz Wharf and we have a thriving scene for locals that deserves accolades
