A Cosmic Time was had by All
Posted on: January 07, 2010
It seemed that everyone had a blast this year as we celebrated the New Year in Baltimore at Rams Head Live with 6 plus hours of music. The Bridge kicked off the night with a smokin’ set w Rob Koritz sitting in for most of the show. We then rolled into our 2nd ever Acoustic Set on the east coast: Deep Elem, Monkey, Cold Jordan, You Ain’t Woman Enough, Midnight Moonlight, Mountains of the Moon into Ripple. We took a short break and rocked right into our 1st Electric Set: Help>Slip>Franklin’s, Cassidy (w/Donna), Next Time You See Me, Cumberland, Midnight Hour – into the countdown and back to Midnight Hour>China>Rider. At midnight there was the thunder of confetti cannons, a shower of balloons and a return of Father Time as he welcomed in the New Year by shadowing the musicians and dancing his freaky timeless dance with Donna Jean. As the confetti settled and the balloons kept bouncing we went into our 3rd Set Scarlet (w/Donna)>William Tell>The Eleven>Fire(w/Both ladies)>Drumz>Sp...anish jam>Alligator>Blues for Allah>St Stephen>Viola Lee. Encores w/ both ladies...I’ll Be With Thee>Tangled Up in Blue. We hope that you all had as much fun as we did and we wish you all the happiest and healthiest of New Years.
Letter To The Fans
Posted on: November 18, 2009
Dear DSO Fan –
Thank you for joining us and being a part of this continuing, long strange trip these past 12 years. Your support and excitement for the music has kept us going strong for over 1700 shows. Throughout the years, we've had transitions both difficult and uplifting, yet the positive energy of our fan base has continued to propel our mission onward for performing this important music and for keeping this vibrant scene alive.
That said, we, as a band are entering another chapter in this story.
Dark Star Orchestra's lead guitarist and one of its founding members, John Kadlecik, has decided to resign from DSO. John’s last show with us will be on Dec 5 in Buffalo. DSO is supportive of John’s choice and we wish him the very best.
Dark Star Orchestra will continue to bring you this music at its highest level. In our 12 year history we have gone through three drummers, three keyboard players, three bass players and numerous rhythm guitarists and we have always managed to keep improving the sound and the experience. We will be taking on a new player with his own talents and energy and turn yet another chapter in DSO history.
Veteran guitarist Jeff Mattson, formerly of the Zen Tricksters and currently w Donna Jean Godchaux Band, will be joining us this week, on the New Year's Run, Jam Cruise, and for our upcoming Winter Tour that begins in February. We assure you all the things you love about the Dark Star Orchestra experience will continue and we ask for your patience, friendship and positive energy as we keep truckin' on…
Dark Star Orchestra
A Dozen In The Books
Posted on: November 11, 2009
Yesterday marked the 12th anniversary of the dark and stormy night that began the long strange trip for Dark Star Orchestra. With the grate support of loyal Star Heads we have been able to keep on truckin along. Over the years we been fortunate to tour the world while continuing the concert experience of the Grateful Dead. It has been a pleasure to share their music with everyone along the way and we look forward to many more years...
So many roads I tell you, so many roads I know
Mountain high, river wide, so many roads to ride
New York to San Francisco, so many roads I know
From the high road to the low, so many roads I know
Along those roads of gold and silver snow
So many roads to ease my soul
- Robert Hunter
A Grand Caravan
Posted on: November 10, 2009
Our Rex Caravan Tour was a great success. We raised nearly $15,000 in support of The Rex Foundation. Thanks to the support of our fantastic fans and venues from The Great Northwest to the Rocky Mountains. We know these gracious contributions come at a difficult time for many people and we truly appreciate everyone helping us to continue the Grateful Dead’s legacy of giving. The Rex Foundation helps to support many great causes and we encourage you to visit The Rex Foundation Website to learn more about how you can help year round.
Cosmic Friends
Posted on: November 03, 2009
Our NYE party just keeps on growing! First we announced that Jeff Mattson would be joining us on guitar as a special guest. Now we are adding Donna Jean into the mix. Plus Baltimore's own, The Bridge, will kick off the evening. And that's not all! As we announced previously, DSO will be playing a three set show which will include a Rare Acoustic Set. All in the friendly confines of Rams Head Live in Baltimore, MD.
Early Bird Tickets for NYE are almost sold out. Click HERE to get your tickets now and save $36 off the door price.
Tickets will include a champagne toast, finger foods, and party favors. Get your early bird tickets while supplies last.
Kick up your NYE experience a few notches with a VIP Ticket which includes: special merch, champagne toast, finger foods, party favors, an exclusive viewing area and more! VIP Tickets available while supplies last.
To top it all off we have a great hotel deal only a few blocks from the venue. Click HERE to check it out.
Heading East
Posted on: October 29, 2009
DSO is heading east this fall for a great run of shows all over the eastern sea board. The tour kicks off in Albany, NY stops in Philly and York, PA before we celebrate DSO's 12th Anniversary on 11/11 in Hagerstown, MD. Next up is a stop in the Steel city before a 2 night stand in DC at the 930 club. While in DC we will be collecting food as part of the Walther Productions Fall Food Drive. From there the bus is northbound with stops all over NY, with shows in NJ, MA along the way. Thanksgiving eve brings us back to Penn's Peak with 2 shows at the Nokia Theatre in New York City Thanksgiving weekend. The tour closes out with a stop in NH, 2 nights at Higher Ground and shows in Rochester and Buffalo, NY. Check out the Tour Dates Page for more info.
Jeff Mattson Joins Us For The NYE Run As Well
Posted on: October 16, 2009
We would like to let you know that Jeff Mattson of the Donna Jean Godchaux Band will also join us on lead guitar for the NYE run from Norfolk, to Richmond and into Baltimore for 2 nights. We are looking forward to mixing it up with Jeff and blowing it out for New Years. Out of respect for Furthur, we were waiting for them to announce their plans for New Years first so that we could then relay this information to all of you. We're wrapping up our tour in CO this weekend and are looking forward to seeing you all in the east starting on Nov. 6th in Albany.
NYE Update
Posted on: October 15, 2009
We are excited to announce that we will be ringing in 2010 with a 3 set show which will include a Rare Acoustic Set. This will be the first east coast acoustic set in many years. Combine that with the Cosmic NYE energy and the possibilities are endless...
As previously announced, we will celebrate the new year with the Return of the Cosmic New Year at Rams Head Live! in Baltimore, MD. Early Bird tickets are on-sale now for $36 below the door price. Tickets include a champagne toast, finger foods, and party favors.
Heighten your NYE experience with a VIP Ticket which includes everything above plus expanded food options, an exclusive viewing area and special merchandise.
A group rate hotel deal is available a few blocks from the venue. Click HERE for details.
Jeff Mattson Joins Us As A Special Guest
Posted on: October 01, 2009
We are excited to announce that veteran guitarist and member of the Donna Jean Godchaux Band, Jeff Mattson, will be performing with DSO for a limited number of special engagements this fall. Jeff will join us for 11/16 Princeton, NJ, 11/18 Ithaca, NY, 11/19 Bridgeport, CT, 11/20 Northampton, MA, 11/21 Lowell, MA. John Kadlecik will return to the stage with DSO for the final shows of the Fall Tour starting with Syracuse on 11/24.
The Return of the Cosmic New Year's
Posted on: September 23, 2009
It’s that time of year again! DSO has locked in their NYE plans and hope you can come along for the ride. This year’s New Years run will kick off on 12/28 at The Norva in Norfolk followed by a show on 12/29 at The National in Richmond leading to a 2-Night stand in Baltimore, MD at Rams Head Live! Our 12/30 and 12/31 shows will be presented by Walther Productions who brings you the All Good Music Festival. Judging from last years shenanigans (A 12/31/78 recreation complete with Father Time flying in the New Year on a 5...no 7 foot joint!) all bets are off this year. Come join us for the celebration!
All tickets will include a champagne toast, finger foods, and party favors.
A Limited quantity of Early Bird tickets are on-sale … Buy Now and save $36 off the door price.
Kick up your NYE experience a few notches with a VIP Ticket. which includes: special merch, champagne toast, finger foods, party favors, an exclusive viewing area and more! VIP Tickets. available while supplies last.
A special Hotel Deal Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel which is within walking distance Rams Head Live! The special price of $99/night(plus tax) will be available for 12/30-1/2 so you can settle in for a cosmic weekend.
More details will be announced soon so stay tuned!