Sweetwater Music Hall is proud to present a special commemorative show on Friday, August 9th, in honor of the legendary Jerry Garcia. This event marks the anniversary of Garcia’s passing and features the talented, women-empowered Dead and Garcia tribute band, China Dolls.
From August 1st to August 9th, the devoted community of Deadheads celebrates “The Days Between” – a period that holds deep spiritual significance, encompassing the birth and death dates of the Grateful Dead’s de facto leader, Jerry Garcia. Fittingly, this poignant period is named after “The Days Between,” the last song Garcia co-wrote with lyricist Robert Hunter before his untimely death in 1995.
Sweetwater Music Hall has bookended this period with two Dead-related shows. On August 1st, Jerry’s Middle Finger, a tribute band from Los Angeles, celebrated what would have been Garcia’s 82nd birthday with a sold-out performance. The commemorations continue on August 9th with a special performance by China Dolls, a predominantly female band that breathes new life into classic songs by the Grateful Dead and the Jerry Garcia Band.
“It’s a special night, very sad and very bittersweet,” says Sunshine (Garcia) Becker, lead singer of China Dolls. “It’s allowing people the space to feel the sadness for Jerry not being here on this earth, but also to look at how his music transcends his lifetime. For me, as a Deadhead, what I hope is that we can tap into and channel a little bit of the magic and healing that Jerry gave to us.”
Formed in March 2023, China Dolls emerged from a celebration of International Women’s History Month at Ashkenaz in Berkeley. The band’s lineup includes Becker on lead vocals and flute, guitarist-singer Pamela Parker, bassist Jen Rund, drummer Anna Elva, and keyboardist Richelle Scales. Known for their unique feminine spin on Dead classics, China Dolls have quickly become a local favorite, consistently selling out shows and enchanting audiences with their powerful performances.
“I can tell you that when you see predominately all women on stage, it’s a vibe, it’s strong, it’s feminine, it’s beautiful,” Becker adds. “It’s a circle between the band and the audience. Together, we are vibing on one another. And when you put that many women on stage, especially women who are talented, there is an exchange that is unique and special. There’s an elegant beauty to this music when it’s done by women. It’s just different.”
Becker brings a rich history of Dead-related performances to China Dolls. She has performed with Furthur, a band formed by Bob Weir and Phil Lesh, and with Melvin Seals and JGB. Along with her work with China Dolls and her own Sunshine Garcia Band, she advocates for more women in Grateful Dead-inspired concerts and events.
For the Sweetwater show, Becker will be joined by special guests, including saxophonist Dave Ellis and Jaclyn LaBranch, longtime backup singer for the Jerry Garcia Band. Matt Hartle, known as “the Santa Cruz Jerry Garcia,” will handle Garcia’s lead guitar parts. Some of the vintage instruments the band will be playing, including Garcia’s “Alligator” guitar, are being supplied by the nonprofit Grateful Guitars.
“It’s a lovely group of women who come together as the China Dolls,” Becker says. “There’s just love there. And if you start with that, and that’s what you aim for, you hope it will be a special night because it’s the last night of ‘The Days Between.’”
Event Details:
- Date: August 9th, 2024
- Time: 9:00 PM
- Venue: Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley, CA
- Admission: $37.58
- Tickets and Information: sweetwatermusichall.com
Don’t miss this unique and heartfelt tribute to Jerry Garcia, brought to life by the extraordinary women of China Dolls. Join us for an evening of reflection, celebration, and unforgettable music.
