Today we look back to September 16, 2008…

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Molitz, Kang, Lane and Adams Are The Golden Gateways

On Sunday, October 26th, Steve Molitz (Particle, Phil Lesh and Friends), Michael Kang (String Cheese Incident), Jay Lane (Ratdog), and Steve Adams (ALO) will come together as The Golden Gateways to headline Ed Rosenthal’s 4th annual Wonders of Cannabis. The event will feature live music, comedy, speakers, forums, and vendors, and will touch on important topics such as user rights, medical marijuana and the many uses and advances in research. The enlightening two-day event will take place in Golden Gate Park’s Botanical Gardens in the Hall of Flowers, and will also feature hip hoppers Dead Prez, ‘Ganja Guru’ Ed Rosenthal, activist/author Jack Herer, reggae star Joseph Israel, and the newly formed West Coast rock outfit Region of Darkness featuring Molitz, Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction), Josh Clark (TLG), Steve Adams (ALO), and Adam Iscove (Allrise).

Luther Dickinson To Join JJ Grey & MOFRO, Hill Country Revue In Denver

JJ Grey & MOFRO are currently in the midst of a national tour in support of Orange Blossoms. Joining the group on these dates is the Hill Country Revue, which features the North Mississippi Allstars’ Cody Dickinson and Chris Chew. On September 27 at the Ogden Theatre in Denver, the line-up will expand a bit. The third member of the Allstars, Luther Dickinson, also will appear at the show which will result in a bonus set of music from NMAS. This evening, MOFRO and the Hill Country Revue will continue the west coast portion of their tour with an appearance at Moe’s Alley in Santa Cruz CA.

Benevento-Deitch-Joseph Trio

Marco Benevento has put together a unique band to coincide with New Orleans’ Voodoo Music Experience. The keyboardist will perform with Lettuce drummer Adam Deitch and founding Dirty Dozen Brass Band sousaphone player Kirk Joseph at the Blue Nile. The gigs will take place on October 24 and 25, after the day’s festivities wind down at the Voodoo fairgrounds. Benevento has toured and collaborated with both Deitch and Joseph in a number of settings over the years. He will also play free shows at Brooklyn, NY’s Bar 4 on both September 22 and 29 with an assortment of friends.

DSO’s Cosmic New Year’s

Dark Star Orchestra, which will begins its Like a Tumbleweed Tour later this week, has confirmed its plans for December 31. The group will appear in Baltimore at Rams Head Live! for an evening that it has dubbed Cosmic New Year’s, which will offer a champagne toast, finger foods and party favors (VIP tickets also include NYE merch and a special viewing area). The Rams Head Live! gig will close out a four show run that also includes appearances in Richmond, VA on December 28 (The National), Norfolk, VA on December 29 (The Norva) and a TBA on December 30. As for the group’s musical plans on New Years’ Eve, over the past five years rather than interpret a Grateful Dead December 31 show, Dark Star Orchestra has opted for an original setlist (but of course, one never knows what will transpire). On Wednesday DSO will appear in Kansas City, MO at Crossroads KC.