Sunday, August 1st would have been the 68th birthday of the legendary late guitarist for the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia. Garcia died 15 year ago from heart failure at Shady Grove Rehab Center in the San Francisco Bay area. Garcia suffered from years of heroin addiction. What the world remembers, however is not how he passed but how he lived. Brining 30+ years of improvisational music driven by his melodic guitar riffs and grandfatherly voice.
Garcia’s passing left a large hole in the hearts of the fans and every year, from his birthday on August 1st to his death day, August 9th, the fans celebrate “The Days Between.” In Southern California, the Orange County Fair payed tribute to the fallen guitar hero by hosting, in the Action Sports Arena, Southern California’s premier Grateful Dead tribute, CUBENSIS with Long Beach’s samba funk band Delta Nove. The Jerry Garcia tribute, The Maykers, kicked off the night in Baja Blues, right by the entrance to the outdoor arena.
I’ve always viewed state and county fairs as an oddity of human nature. Where else besides a county fair can you find “Deep Fried Butter,” “Deep Fried Bacon” or “Giant Turkey Legs?” After you gorge yourself on deep friend anything, you can purchase relatively inexpensive tickets to ride a machine that will make your expel that deep fried treat quicker than you ingested it. Oddity indeed, but a fantastic setting to celebrate a man who’s talents were equally beyond the normal.
The Action Sports Arena at the Orange County Fair is a relatively new addition to the fair’s attractions. Skate park and extreme sports exhibition area mixed with a stage and bleacher seating, it’s a far cry from the former short track that used to occupy the space. Positioned right next to the Baja Blues at the fairgrounds, it’s a really cool venue.
The Maykers kicked off the day at 4 pm inside the bar at the Baja Cantina. Joined by Cubensis’ Larry Ryan and current and former Cubensis singers, CeCe Sherman and Lisa Blue, the Maykers played 2+ hours of Jerry Garcia Band music to the enjoyment of the crowd. Mixed with young and old, Deadhead and not, the crowd danced the afternoon away sipping cold Budweiser beers preparing for Cubensis and Delta Nove.
At just after 6pm, Delta Nove came out on the Action Arena stage and delivered an excellent set of Brazillian samba funk for the attendees. By the time Cubensis took the stage at 8pm, they were ready for some good ol fashioned Grateful Dead. And Cubensis delivered just that, weaving a tapestry of Dead with JGB songs for a musical hug of loving Jerry arms around everyone in attendance. A great place to see a show and a great reason to do it.
Happy Birthday, Jerry! “There were days, there were days, there were days between.”
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