Grateful Dead's Wavy Gravy Coming To Ardmore Music Hall

ARDMORE, PA –The Ardmore Music Hall is hosting a special guest this weekend, as Wavy Gravy, the famous social activist and "official clown" of the Grateful Dead, will be at the venue for a two-long event that will raise money for two Grateful Dead-related organizations will dishing up classic Dead tunes.

On June 9 and June 10, the venue will host Unlimited Devotion: A Weekend of Goodness with Wavy Gravy as the guest of honor.

This weekend will feature performances from musicians in the Dead community, an art exhibit, screening of the Grateful Dead documentary "Long Strange Trip," and more.

The weekend kicks off on Friday, June 9 with an exclusive performance from The Wavy All Stars: Steve Kimock (RatDog / Zero); John Kadlecik (Furthur / DSO); Aron Magner (Billy & the Kids / Disco Biscuits); Reed Mathis (Golden Gate Wingmen); Jay Lane (Furthur / GoldenGate Wingmen), Kenny Brooks (RatDog); and Leslie Mendelson (KIMOCK).

Starting off the night will be John Kadlecik doing an “acoustilectric” solo set followed by KIMOCK (Steve Kimock, Bobby Vega, Johnny Kimock, and Leslie Mendelson). Reed Mathis and Electric Beethoven will perform a late night set following The Wavy All Stars.

During the day on Saturday, June 10, attendees can watch the full screening of Martin Scorsese’s new documentary about the Grateful Dead, "Long Strange Trip."

Additionally, Scott Shapiro’s Grateful Dead Collection will also be on display; more than 75 framed and mint condition pieces of Grateful Dead artwork, including a myriad of classic concert posters.

Saturday evening, the music-filled celebration continues with The Gravy All Stars: George Porter Jr. (The Meters); Michael Travis (The String Cheese Incident); John Kadlecik (Furthur / DSO); Aron Magner (Billy & The Kids / Disco Biscuits); Vinnie Amico (Moe.); and Tom Hamilton (JRAD).

Both the Wavy and the Gravy All Stars will perform sets of music stemming from Grateful Dead as well as related influences by way of New Orleans, Little Feat, Bob Dylan, and more.

Grateful Dead tribute Splintered Sunlight will perform a late night set following The Gravy All Stars.

General admission and VIP single day, as well as 2-night GA and VIP passes, are available online at the links below:

• Friday, June 9 concert general admission and VIP tickets
• Saturday, June 10 film screening and art show general admission tickets
• Saturday, June 10 concert general admission and VIP tickets
• Two-day pass general and VIP ticket (includes both concerts, film screening, and art show)

VIP tickets include a meet and greet with Wavy Gravy; screen-printed event poster signed by Wavy; private balcony access with a three-hour open bar (6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.) and complimentary hors d'oeuvres on Friday and Saturday evening; and a souvenir laminate.

Proceeds from the weekend will benefit the Rex Foundation and Camp Winnarainbow, which are both tied to the Grateful Dead.

Wavy Gravy hosted his 80th birthday party last June at Ardmore Music Hall and Main Line Art Center as part of the first Unlimited Devotion benefit, which raised over $20,000 for the Rex Foundation, according to event organizers.

"Ardmore Music Hall and the Rex Foundation wanted to continue the momentum from last year," organizers said "and are honored to bring the countercultural icon back to the Philadelphia Main Line for two days to celebrate the spirit and generosity of the Grateful Dead community."

The Rex Foundation was established as a non-profit charitable organization by members of the Grateful Dead, their friends, and families, to further the long-established tradition of generosity the band was well-known for. The Rex Foundation offers unsolicited small grants, generally in the $5,000 range, to organizations in the U.S. and beyond who are doing innovative grassroots work in supporting the environment, education, arts for youth, social services, building community and other areas aligned with the Rex mission. Since 1984 the Rex Foundation has granted $8.9 million to over 1,200 recipients.

Camp Winnarainbow is a circus and performing arts camp founded and led by Wavy Gravy and his family. The camp provides a training ground to nurture leaders for a peaceful, harmonious and sustainable world by teaching responsibility for one’s own behavior and developing confidence, inner security and appropriate self-expression. The camp encourages respect for oneself, others, and the environment while valuing the uniqueness of each individual, within the diversity of racial, cultural, economic, and religious backgrounds that comprise the camp community.

The Ardmore Music Hall is located at 23 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore PA.

Image via Ardmore Music Hall