Ever since the Grateful Dead began its legendary career nearly 45 years ago, the band has supported worthy causes that serve to raise awareness, lend support, and make this world a better place.
Continuing this long-standing tradition of community service that has been a hallmark of the Dead and the Deadhead community, The Dead, known as one of the greatest touring bands of all time, has partnered with Charity Folks to auction a limited number of tickets to their 2009 shows.
All proceeds from the auctions will benefit longtime Grateful Dead-related nonprofits including: The Furthur Foundation – which funds progressive groups working on environmental and social change issues in the Bay Area and around the world: The Rex Foundation – a charity set up by The Grateful Dead in 1983 that aims “to help secure a healthy environment, promote individuality in the arts, provide support to critical and necessary social services, assist others less fortunate than ourselves, protect the rights of indigenous people and ensure their cultural survival, build a stronger community, and educate children and adults everywhere”: and the Unbroken Chain Foundation – whose mission is to generate support for, and public awareness of, groups and individuals that bring hope and inspiration to communities where great need exists, and to create partnerships of people working together for a common good, especially in such areas as the arts, education and the environment. Proceeds will also go to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and others. Each of these organizations have served and supported a wide range of organizations in the many areas where need exists.
All ticket packages will include band-signed limited edition show posters. Other packages will include VIP perks, such as access to the Loose Lucy’s Lot Lounge. The Dead will also be auctioning special memorabilia from their vault that you won’t want to miss!
This is The Dead’s first tour in nearly five years and the band is excited to be on the road again. The lineup will be the same one that rocked the house last fall at the Obama benefit: The Core Four of Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, joined by guitar monster Warren Haynes and RatDog keyboard ace Jeff Chimenti – both veterans of the 2004 Dead “Wave That Flag” tour.
“The first gig as the Grateful Dead was a benefit,” Weir told Billboard. “It always seemed to us that you get some, you give some back. It makes good sense. It’s just something we’ve always done, and this latest round is, I think a well-conceived, somewhat newer version of it.”
“Charities need money. They need help, especially these days,” added percussionist Bill Kreutzmann. “This puts those seats into the hands of our fans, who are not only getting great seats and good music but also know the money is going to charitable organizations.”
To take part in this auction, visit the Charity Folks website.
