Celebrating the fat man

Numerous concerts and gatherings have been planned around the country in the two weeks surrounding the August 9 anniversary of Jerry Garcia's death. They range from the Dancing Bear festival (August 4, Camden, New Jersey), an all-day concert of Dead cover bands and fellow travelers, to "Who are the Grateful Dead and Why Were They Always Following Jews Around?" (August 13, Denver), a multimedia presentation led by Dr. Douglas Gertner. There were also events throughout the world -- in London, in Germany, and on the slopes of Japan's holy Mount Fuji. In Cambridge, there was a tribute show August 9 at the Middle East. The proceeds from many events went to the Rex Foundation, the Dead's clearinghouse for their favorite charitable causes.

Two big blowout events are scheduled in the New England area this weekend. One is "Light the Song," a three-day retreat for Deadheads at the Northfield Mount Hermon School in Northfield, Massachusetts. There will be live music, dancing, and roundtable discussions, featuring such Dead luminaries as lyricist John Perry Barlow, Carolyn Garcia (Jerry Garcia's ex-wife), Steve Silberman (co-compiler of Skeleton Key, the dictionary of all things Dead), David Gans (host of the syndicated radio show The Grateful Dead Hour), sociologist Rebecca Adams, and festival organizer John Dwork (publisher of Deadzine Dupree's Diamond News). Music is by the Zen Tricksters, visuals by The Speed of LightShow. It runs August 16 through 18; registration fee is $225. Call (413) 587-3115.

The other, not a Dead memorial per se but an event sure to draw younger Deadheads, is the Clifford Ball, a marathon two-day Phish concert on the tarmac of the Plattsburgh Air Force Base in Plattsburgh, New York, outside Burlington, Vermont, August 16 and 17. The band will perform three sets each day. Promoters promise " a variety of low-priced tasty food, an eclectic assemblage of arts and amusements, and several surprise attractions." Camping is permitted, as is taping in the tapers' seating area; such traditional Deadhead practices as parking-lot food vending, illegal-drug taking, and nitrous-oxide use are not. ("Remember," says the show's flyer, "if you purchase nitrous oxide, you are likely to be supporting people who care nothing about, and contribute nothing to, the Phish community.") Tickets are $25 per day; camping is $20 per vehicle for the weekend. Call Ticketmaster at 931-2000; for more information, call (802) 863-5966.

-- GS