Photos by Eli Tuchler
Written by Lisa Koenigshofer
Dark Star Jubilee
Butterflies danced about our bones as Eli and I hit the road for the 6th edition of Dark Star Jubilee, this past May 25-27, 2017. Grateful Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra, hosts the annual gathering at the historic Legend Valley concert venue in Thornville, Ohio. The venue was home to one of the largest stops on the Grateful Dead’s 1988 tour. All Good presented a concise lineup of the rock, bluegrass and jam world’s greatest names to be shared on one stage.
After a six hour drive from North Carolina we pulled into Legend Valley and made our way into the campgrounds with our wagon in tow for what was sure to be a beautiful weekend.
We found our friends, Easy Wind Family Creations, on vendor row and took a moment to oogle over their eclectic collection of high quality gems, minerals, and wire wrapped jewelry. I spotted purple moon jewelry next door and knew I’d have to check out their silver collection later. The festival organizers did a lovely job at arranging a variety of unique vendors to appeal to any eye.
We set up camp on a shaded hill overlooking a colorful sea of sun-kissed tents, canopies, bouncing bodies and a mirrored row of vendors as bubbles swirled around us. In the distance, we could hear Horseshoes & Handgrenades lighting up Friday eve of Jubilee with their bluegrass, old-time folk vibe in the concert bowl.
Throughout the weekend we met many lovely souls, danced ourselves silly, hula hooped with youngsters, and conversed with oldsters about the evolution of GD culture. We swung from the trees in the nest of our hammock and dined under the moonlight next to our grill, enjoying the company of good people and the sound of great music.
One could fill the pages of novel with perspectives and experiences of this wonderful festival. So, to keep it short and sweet…
Let’s take a look at 6 highlights from the 6th annual Dark Star Jubilee…
Dark Star Orchestra
- Dark Star Orchestra, Friday Night 5/26/17
Following a special sunset performance by Railroad Earth, Dark Star Orchestra took the stage (8:30p.m.), blasting the crowd into space with their first set of the weekend.
The eclective set began with Help On The Way>Slipknot>Franklin’s Tower. DSO’s renditions of Cassidy, Mississippi Half-Step, Corrina, and Tangled Up In Blue had the energy of Jubilee charging up, everyone was smiling ear to ear by set break.
DSO pulled us right back in for the second set by starting off with a Box Of Rain from the heart. I spent the next few songs dancing with friends until Eyes Of The World made its DSJ’17 debut, flowing into a ’73 style ending of > drums > space into > Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad > Death Don’t Have No Mercy > Viola Lee Blues.
Twiddle
- The Amazing Giants
Ohio knows how to throw a party and the multi-talented Columbus based performance group, The Amazing Giants, is no exception. We spotted them stealing the show at Twiddle with their impressive air guitar and stilt-walking skills.
Sunday, we found them leading the Jubilee family parade through the festival employing the most appropriate use of a megaphone we had seen in the campground all weekend!
- Hot Tuna and the Passing of Greg Allman
Saturday afternoon we had the privilege of watching former members of Jefferson Airplane, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, sit down side by side to perform their classic Hot Tuna acoustic set.
In a truly unforgettable moment, Jorma took time to share the painful news of Greg Allman’s passing. For many of us at the Jubilee, this was the first we heard of the news. The loss of the great American keyboardist, singer, and songwriter sent a wave of emotion and nostalgia over the Jubilee family.
Hot Tuna
Jack and Jorma memorialized the founding member of the Allman Brother’s Band by dedicating a song which moved the crowd to tears. The rest of the weekend was filled with tributes and odes to the Greg Allman, including DSO dedicating their Saturday night set to the late legend.
Sunday afternoon we were graced with a trip to times past with an electric Hot Tuna set and boy was it a heater. Jack Casady brought in the first song on with his fiery red Epiphone Signature Bass, as Jorma geared up to shred his Gibson Cherry Blossom.
By the end of the electric set Casady had torn the stage up so hard with his bass that we found Jorma standing back, holding space for the legendary musician to shine, in the utmost sign of respect to his long time friend, Jack. The brothers took a moment to face each other before bowing as the crowd went wild with whistles and cheers of gratitude for the rare occasion of a Hot Tuna Electric performance.
- Jerry Rolls
I think the mastermind chefs at Jerry Roll take the prize for greatest festi-meal with their “Jerry Roll”. This crispy egg roll sammy is loaded with six colorful veggies and special sauces. Dank noms.
- Mother Natures Miracle Weather
Mother nature shined her lovelight on Legend Valley throughout the weekend with glistening sun rays of love. It’s safe to say we were all hoping for the best but expecting the worst as the weather forecast predicted spring showers and winds throughout the weekend. Minus a few schedule changes and quickly moving storms late at night, the Jubilee had the perfect weather for a magical Memorial Day Weekend.
- Never Miss a Sunday Show, The 40th Anniversary of 5/28/77
DSO closed out Sunday night with an outstanding recreation of the Grateful Dead’s 5/28/1977 show at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, CT.
Set One: Bertha > Good Lovin’ > Sugaree ; Jack Straw ; Row Jimmy ; New Minglewood Blues ; Candyman ; Passenger ; Brown Eyed Women ; The Promised Land.
While honoring the 40th anniversary of the momentous Spring Tour of 1977, the band cut to a set break and took a moment to share a story of being at the show in ‘77, when “it snowed so hard the roof caved in.”
They went on to give a heartfelt thanks to their production crew who they named “the best in the business”. I wouldn’t dispute the statement either. The flow of the weekend schedule looked effortless because the crew worked tirelessly to manage it.The band members are only one component of the smooth sailing DSO Jubilee ship.
The second set of Sunday night was our favorite DSO set of the weekend. From the first strum of Samson and Delilah to the ending note of the U.S. Blues encore, the whole place was rocking…
Set Two: Samson And Delilah ; Tennessee Jed ; Estimated Prophet > Playing In The Band > Terrapin Station > Drums > Not Fade Away > Wharf Rat > Playing In The Band > One More Saturday Night
TAUK
As first time Jubileers, Eli and I were welcomed with open arms, we woke each day feeling full of life, and grateful for the loving vibes. Dark Star Orchestra encapsulates the spirit of the Grateful Dead with precision and accuracy. DSO is perhaps the greatest living tribute band to The Grateful Dead. Dark Star Jubilee is a authentic celebratory extension of their devotion to the spirit of the GD. I hope to return to Legend Valley next year for the 7th year of Dark Star Jubilee!
