“The Magic Bus,” also known as “Further,” as it was called by counterculture novelist Ken Kesey. The bus was used to carry Kesey and his Merry Band of Pranksters. Photo by Joe McNally/Getty Images.
“The Magic Bus,” also known as “Further,” as it was called by counterculture novelist Ken Kesey. The bus was used to carry Kesey and his Merry Band of Pranksters. Photo by Joe McNally/Getty Images.
A new immersive exhibition celebrating the Grateful Dead’s legacy will open Sept. 5 in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, culminating with a free Labor Day weekend concert by Grahame Lesh and Friends.
“Forever Grateful, Golden Gate Park” — what the city is calling this exhibition — will transform the County Fair Building into a multimedia experience exploring the music, art and community that helped define the Grateful Dead’s place in San Francisco history. The exhibition runs through Oct. 25.
Created by the Haight Street Art Center in partnership with Third Rail Projects and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, the exhibition will feature large-scale projections, interactive installations, original artwork, memorabilia and live performers. Highlights include Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters’ iconic Furthur bus and Jerry Garcia’s BMW.
Opening weekend concludes Sept. 7 with a free performance by Grahame Lesh and Friends from 2 to 6 p.m. at Robin Williams Meadow. Lesh is the son of late Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh.
“Music is for everyone, and I am honored to celebrate the band’s legacy and history in San Francisco — in Golden Gate Park — with all of you, the wonderful Deadhead community!” Lesh said in a written statement.
The new attraction expands on Forever Grateful, an exhibition currently on display at the Haight Street Art Center through Sept. 20 featuring more than 400 paintings, photographs, instruments, posters, vinyl records and other Grateful Dead artifacts spanning the band’s 1965-’95 career.
Tickets for Forever Grateful, Golden Gate Park are on sale now through the Haight Street Art Center and online.
The exhibition is one of several Grateful-Dead-related events coming to the Bay Area this summer. On July 31 and Aug. 1, the Greek in Berkeley will host The Music Never Stops: A Rex Foundation Benefit and Tribute to Bob Weir, a two-night benefit featuring Dark Star Orchestra. Timed to coincide with Jerry Garcia’s Aug. 1 birthday and the annual “Days Between” celebration of his life and legacy, the event will raise money for the Rex Foundation, the charitable organization founded by members of the Grateful Dead in 1983.
Tickets for the Dark Star Orchestra shows are available through the band’s website.
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