Richmond Raceway (Richmond) and AEG Presents Dark Star Orchestra will present their critically acclaimed live show to Deadheads both young and old at Virginia Credit Union LIVE! at Richmond Raceway on Thursday, August 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets will go on sale to the public online at vaculive.com or in-person at The National Box Office at 708 East Broad Street in Richmond, Va. on Friday, March 15 at 10 a.m. Virginia Credit Union and RICHMOND NATION members will receive an exclusive pre-sale for the Dark Star Orchestra concert on Thursday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Dark Star Orchestra is made up of Jeff Mattson (Jerry Garcia), Lisa Mackey (Donna Jean Godchaux), Dino English (Bill Kreutzmann), Rob Koritz (Mickey Hart), Skip Vangelas (Phil Lesh), Rob Eaton (Bob Weir) and Rob Barraco (multiple keyboardists).
Offering a continually evolving artistic outlet within the Grateful Dead’s musical canon, members of Dark Star Orchestra seek out the unique style of each performance era and offer their own interpretations and improvisations at each show. Using entire set lists from the Grateful Dead’s decades of touring as a launching pad, Dark Star Orchestra recreates song for song performances straight from the set list of these historic shows.
While faithful improvisation is pinnacle, precision is of equal importance with Dark Star Orchestra, which position the stage plot based on the year of Grateful Dead show to be performed, adapting phrasing, voice arrangements, and even arranges specific musical equipment for the various eras of Dead music performed. At the end of each performance, the band announces the date and venue where the original show just covered took place. Dark Star Orchestra dips into every incarnation of the Dead, so most fans can “see” shows that happened long before they were born.
Numerous original members of the Grateful Dead have played alongside the band.
“A couple of times when I had my back to John onstage and he started to sing, I had this weird sense that it was Jerry,” said Bob Weir, Grateful Dead co-founder/vocalist/guitarist.
“Playing with Dark Star Orchestra is something that feels just exactly like it felt when I was playing with the Grateful Dead,” said Donna Jean Godchaux, Grateful Dead vocalist.
“There are moments where I can close my eyes and go back 30 years and have it be every bit as rewarding and satisfying,” said Dan Healy, Grateful Dead sound engineer 1966 -1994. “Dark Star is an amazingly legitimate representation of the Dead.”
Dark Star Orchestra’s determined commitment to ‘raising the Dead’ has drawn nationwide attention.
“Quite possibly the most talented and accomplished tribute band out there… they’ve definitely mastered their inspiration’s vagabond nature.” – RollingStone.com
“Recreates the Dead concert experience with uncanny verisimilitude… In fact, Dark Star Orchestra often sounds more like the Dead than the Dead sometimes did.” – Chicago Tribune
“The hottest Grateful Dead tribute act. A cover band for people who don’t like cover bands.” – Washington Post
The Commonwealth Mall at Virginia Credit Union LIVE! will feature concessions, displays, and merchandise on the day of the event, with gates opening at 6:00 p.m. Parking for the event is located in Lot D, at the corner of Laburnum and Carolina Avenues, and can be accessed through Gate 4 on Laburnum Avenue. Parking is $10 cash only for the public and free for Virginia Credit Union members with lots opening at 5:00 p.m.
Virginia Credit Union LIVE! continues to bring top musical acts and superior concert experiences to music fans in the Richmond region. The venue has hosted top national recording artists such as Aerosmith, Sting, Jimmy Buffett, Dave Matthews Band, Elvis Costello, Robert Plant, and Florida Georgia Line.
In addition to its 6,000 covered seats, the venue hosts six permanent private dressing rooms with restrooms and showers attached to the stage as well as two loading docks. There is a separate hospitality building providing a full menu of food and beverage amenities. The backstage area is completely secured with ample room for parking large vehicles and tour buses.
To purchase tickets and learn more about Virginia Credit Union LIVE!, visit vaculive.com or connect on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. To learn more about Dark Star Orchestra, visit darkstarorchestra.net.
Richmond Raceway PR
