The members of Dark Star Orchestra have expanded the curriculum for the first ever DSO High School Retreat!

The beauty of the Grateful Dead legacy extends far past the demise of the original line-up that sadly ended with the death of Jerry Garcia in 1995. The Grateful Dead created a dedicated community, or rather a counterculture, based on music and family values that have since refused to give up and let go.

Amid the recent and exciting “Shakedowns” amongst the currently touring Grateful Dead threaded projects, I had the good fortune of swapping some very interesting and eloquent emails with my friend Jeff Mattson.

After years at the helm of The Zen Tricksters, a stint with Phil Lesh and Friends, a terrific and on-going run with Donna Jean Godchaux and her various recent incarnations, Mattson now steps into John Kadlicek’s shoes with the freight train that is the Dark Star Orchestra.

The Grateful Dead's Donna Jean Godchaux and The Zen Tricksters, the pre-eminent jam-rock band, have come together. While having performed on occasion with the Zen Tricksters in the past, this reunion marks the second time Donna Jean has joined with this band for a complete performance. The first time was just last November 12, 2005 for the Grateful Dead's Rex Foundation. They are joining forces, along with Mookie Siegel (David Nelson Band, Phil Lesh & Friends) on keyboards and Wendy Lanter (Hope in Time) on vocals, as KETTLE JOE'S PSYCHEDELIC SWAMP REVUE.