Vigils

Vigil locations for many cities

From: David Whiteis <[w--te--d] at [delphi.com]>
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 95 01:05:54 -0500

Thank you, Jerry. I will miss you.

Folks: Here is a list of the meeting places I have heard of. Reply to this post with any new ones you hear. I am including the ones from Wed night since you might find people there again on upcoming nights.

Many of the entries without dates are places where vigils were held earlier, people may or may not still be gathering there.

Where to meet:

List as of 8-11-95 12pm EST

  Atlanta GA               Piedmont park
  Austin TX                Pease park
  Albany NY                Washington Park, Near the statue of Moses
  Albany NY       Fri 12th 11am-1:30pm "official" Empire State plaza
  Baltimore MD              Mount Vernon Park, Downtn Balt
  Bethel NY       Sat 11th & Sunday - Rainbow Gathering 
                           (site of orig Woodstock, Hurd & West Shore Roads)
  Birmingham AL            5-points fountain
  Boise                    Boise Center on the Grove.
  Boston MA                Walden Pond
  Boston MA                Shrewsbury
  Boston MA                JFK Park, Cambridge @ fountain [WZLX]
  Boston MA                Copley Square
  Boulder CO               Pearl Street Mall, @ courthouse [KBCO]
  BowlingGreen OH          7:00 PM at Imagine, 134 E. Court Street,
  Burlington VT            City Hall Park
  Charlotte NC             Freedom Park, "hippie hill"
  CHICAGO IL               Buckingham Fountain @ Grant Park. 
  Chicago IL               Cricket Hill (Montrose harbor area)
  chicago IL               Morse St. & the lake (beach) gathering
  Chigago                  Rock beach by the totem pole?  (addison st)
  Cincinnati      Sat/Sun? Bennett Woods?
  Columbus OH              Mirror Lake on the OSU campus
  Cleveland                Nautica in the flats?
  Dallas                   Lee Park
  Denver CO                Fiddler's Green [KRFX]
  Denver CO                Larimer Square
  Eugene OR                Skinner Butte Park, 4:30PM  
  EVANSVILLE IN            Downtn Evansville, Four Freedoms Monument
  Fayetteville AR Sun 13th U of Arkansas  Wilson Park from 730pm on
  Flagstaff AZ             Wheeler Park 
  Flagstaff AZ             Marshall Lake
  Hartford CT              Bushnell Park [WCHN]
  Houston TX               Tranquility Park (Downtn X from City Hall)
  Kansas City              Volker Park
  LA CA                    Griffith Park, @ Merry-go-Round [KCRW]
  LA CA           Sat 12th Noon Venice Beach Pavillion
  Louisville KY            Cherokee Park at Hogan's Fountain
  Little Rock              Murray Park off of Rebsamen Park road
  Ocala FL        Sat 12th "the square?' 7-9pm
  Portland OR              Rose Garden
  Maui HI                  Stella Blues Cafe in Kihei?
  Manchester NH            Veteran's Memorial Park
  Memphis TN               field @ Overton Park front of arts college
  Milwaukee WI    Sat 12th Noon Lake Park, grassy area NE of lighthouse
  Minneapolis MN           Loring Park. [Cities 97 radio station]
  New York City            Central Park, Strawberry Fields
  New York City   Fri-Postponed- Central Park- I hear NY City's official 
                           vigil here has been postponed temporarily 
                           at the request of the Grateful Dead org.
  ORLANDO,FL      Sat 12th 5PM Lake Eola at the band stand 
  Palm Beach west          big fountain downtown.
  Philadephia PA           Independence Hall Park near Liberty Bell
  Phoenix AZ               Encanto?
  Phoenix AZ               Papago's hole in the wall? [101.5 FM]
  Phoenix AZ               river bottom in Tempe?
  Portland OR              Skinner's Butte in Eugene
  Portland OR              between Rose Garden Arena & new conv ctr
  PORTLAND OR              Rose Quarter Commons
  Raleigh NC               Rose Garden, near Rose Theatre/NC State
  Raleigh NC               Umstead state park at the reedy creek section
  Sacramento CA            Capitol Park, (KSEG radio)
  San Fran CA              Golden Gate Park, Polo Fields [KFOG]
  San Diego CA    Fri 11th Balboa Park, east end, sunset
  San Diego CA             OB at Dog Beach
  Seattle WA               Gasworks Park
  Seattle WA               Mural Amphitheatre, Seattle Center
  St. Louis                Turley Park in Carbondale, Illinois
  Tucson AZ                Reid Park 22nd & Country Club @ band shell
  Tucson AZ                Himmil Park.  Speedway and Tucson Blvd
  Vancouver BC             Totem Poles in Stanley Park.
  Vancouver BC             Stanley Park, Brockton Point 
  Washington DC            Lincoln Memorial

From the Internet Usenet Newsgroup rec.music.gdead, under the heading " - - Vigil locations for many cities - - "

Please ignore flame-bait postings on newsgroups - respond with silence.

David Whiteis <[W--te--D] at [delphi.com]>

DC J Garcia Mem Service

From: Greg J. Pryzby <[g j p] at [vtci.com]>
Date: 10 Aug 1995 05:33:35 GMT
Organization: Virtual Technologies Consulting, Inc.

It is 1:30 am and I just got back From the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. There was a memorial held for Jerry Garcia there this evening.

We got there a little after 8pm (the start time). There was a large crowd (500ish) on the steps down to the reflecting pool. We went to the Korean Memorial side of the steps and opened our blanket and relaxed. About 8:30 I decided to get my drums and then the celebration started. It was non stop until about 11:30. At that point the crowd started to thin. Some people spoke and then we sang Ripple and Knocking on Heaven's Door.

Overall a nice time. Plenty of candles and beautiful people brought together for a few hours.

If you were there and joined the drum circle, drop me a line-- I would like to do it again.

Thank you Jerry for bringing us together for an evening of love.

Peace...

gregory j pryzby <[g j p] at [sddi.com]>

Baltimore memorial

From: Clown Poet Philosopher <[k--o--n] at [clark.net]>
Date: 10 Aug 1995 14:17:53 GMT
Organization: Clark Internet Services, Inc., Ellicott City, MD USA

Thanks to Steve Badger (son of Steve Badger from Jello Boys) for organizing the Baltimore Memorial.

Mt. Vernon Park. Next to the Washington Monument and near the Walters art Gallery.

We were out in front of the fountain. The Lion statue on the other side was covered with candles. It was beautiful. The statue in the fountain was a nude nymph dancing among the terrapins. Couldn't have been more appropriate.

klown

Goodbye, Jerry

From: Mary McGhee <[m m cghee] at [seaccd.ctc.edu]>
Date: 10 Aug 1995 09:18:15 GMT
Organization: Communications Technology Center

Got back a little while ago from the vigil at Seattle Center. "Vigil" was how it was billed but the word just doesn't suit--it was more like a celebration. It was almost like a show--balloons, bubbles, kids and dogs underfoot, scents of sage and incense and pot drifting through the air. Up in front was an empty stage, just a sound system, but you had to keep looking up there to remind yourself that the boys weren't there playing.

A radio station started off playing studio recordings, but somebody came up with a tape of the last Seattle show and they played that for almost two hours. People danced, lit candles, left them at shrines under the trees. At one point, we looked up and there was the moon, almost full in a dark sky full of hazy clouds--and a little ways away, where there was a break in the clouds, moonlight shone through...and it made a night rainbow, I swear to god. I heard somebody say "He's letting us know he's happy."

Got home to an answering machine full of messages. I've heard from four people today--some of them I hadn't talked to in months--who called to say thankyou for taking them to their first show. Left a message for my friend who took me to mine. A good night for remembering, connecting...being grateful for all we've shared.

Mary Mc

Notes From a Vigil - Chicago

From: Robert Niederman <[b--n] at [thymaster.interaccess.com]>
Date: 10 Aug 1995 04:15:56 GMT
Organization: InterAccess, Chicago's best Internet service provider.

This is my take on one vigil in Chicago. There were at least 2 others I heard of on the 'Net.

I arrived at the vigil at 9:30 PM CDT, the reputed starting time, at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, about 1 mile north of Soldier Field where the Dead played their last show on July 9.

Many people gathered in some small groups, as well 2 bigger groups north of the fountain. One of the larger groups had variuos people playing drums; the other just sat around with candles. The mood was mellow.

After 15 or 20 minutes, a movement started such that a ring of people, holding hands, was formed around the fountain. There was siginificant space (approx 50') between the ring and the fountain, so this was a goodly amount of people. There were some efforts to get "waves" going around this ring, but it never quite worked. Then the ring broke down and the southern portions headed back north, starting the clapping-and-singing-"love-ya-love-ya-not-fade-away"-thing which is so much fun at shows.

Everyone recongregated into groups on the north side of the fountain. At around 10, I left due to the heat. Some others were starting to go, too.

In general it was a mellow time and it *felt* happy in spite of the the sorrow. (I know that makes no sense.) I think Jerry would have wanted it that way.

When I got home, the sportscaster for the local ABC affiliate did a hilarious tribute. All his items were spoken perfectly straight, but behind him, at the start of each one, was a picture of Jerry and a caption which mixed the Dead and the sports happennings (e.g. "Smokin a bowl?" for a story about the Fiesta Bowl). It was cool. I'm sure Jer would have dug it.

Time to get the words and chords to "Box of Rain" off my computer so I can polish it up and take it out to "open mikes". I'm not sure I sound good doing it, but I enjoy it and so do some Deadheads at least.

"A box of rain will ease the pain and love will see you through."

"Fare the well, fare thee well, I love you more than words can tell. Listen to the river sing sweet songs and rock my soul."

- Bob Niederman

DC Gathering Was Beautiful

From: Hpark4 <[Hpark 4] at [aol.com]>
Date: 10 Aug 1995 03:20:46 GMT
Organization: Berkeley dead-flames to USENET Gateway

I just got back from the DC gathering on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. We need to be with each other now, although after 2 hours I could not take it anymore. We sand a LOT of songs, NFA, He's Gone, Truckin. Thanks to the brave guys with the guitars and the drummers. Candles everywhere. Perhaps 1,500 folks. Mellow as a spring breeze. Three generations. 2 mos. to 70 years old. Sometimes joyful. Mostly sad.

It's never going to be the same again. The last moments in Chicago -- Black Muddy River into a celebratory Box of Rain followed by those shooting fireworks into the Chicago sky. Sure, it was a tough tour but the moment was one of triumph and joy.

We sang tonight. We remembered. Sometimes today I've been back there. Talked to many of my friends around the country.

Another wave of sadness is passing over me now. The tears are flowing.

Thank you Suzanne for coming by.

Bye.

review: chicago memorial @ buckingham ftn

From: eileen carol katman <[e--t--n] at [quads.uchicago.edu]>
Organization: The University of Chicago
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 1995 03:35:16 GMT

Hi,

Just got back from the Memorial at Buckingham Fountain in Chicago. Lots of people, everyone in tie-dyes or dead shirts. Mostly young crowd, I'd say majority under 30.

Got there at 9:30, there was a drum circle going on. Really quiet, a few cop cars, but the cops were inside and seemed pretty cool. The drums would die down, then folks would clap.

The fountain was going, with a light show but not the big plume of water. At one point a big yell went up, and everyone started forming a big circle around the fountain. We moved back and forth, evening out, pulling as far out as our arms would reach, holding hands with each other. We reached the police cars, and they backed up, respecting our space.

We all cheered, and started clapping "know our love will not fade away" and singing the words. Two drum circles formed, and people started putting candles and flowers down. There were some small gathering groups, and one big "shrine" with candles and pictures of Jerry and flowers.

Wandered around and left. The local news had cameras there, but I didn't stick around. Folks were leaving beer bottles around on the ground, lots of beer drinking, some pot. Not too many tears, not too much conversation.

Many hugs, love and peace

Peace - Lee

J. Garcia NYC Memorial

From: Dan Tepper <[75103 2616] at [CompuServe.COM]>
Date: 10 Aug 1995 16:40:47 GMT
Organization: WinTaper

POLICE BRING AN EARLY END TO MEMORIAL CONCERT

Last night, Relix Magazine and Solar Circus held a Jerry Garcia Memorial at the Lions Den in NY. While the club holds around 250, no one, including New York City police, could have predicted that thousands would show up for the free event, forcing police to barricade off several blocks in an attempt to clear the streets. By 10:15 when Solar hit the stage, in excess of 2000 mourners had crowded the streets (as well as several TV trucks and the venerable K-Rock van). Most of those unable to enter the club, which had been filled to capacity for more than an hour, were more than content to commune outside, singing songs and sharing memories of happier days and their favorite guitar player.

Unfortunately, the police were not as happy with the situation. At 11:00 they moved in to force people off the streets. At 11:45, not achieving any results clearing the ever-growing crowd, the police moved to shut down the whole scene, inside the club and out. Many were disappointed. It was a sad ending to a somber occasion. It was also, by its very scale, a somewhat fitting testament to the man who inspired so many with his music. Over the last 30 years, the Dead have appealed to fans "in the strangest of places." And last night, it was the fan's turn to return the favor and say "thank you Jerry, we love you, we'll miss you"

PLEASE PLEASE READ

From: Steven D.R. Carnes <[s--r--s] at [ucsd.edu]>
Date: Sat, 12 Aug 1995 00:02:12 -0700
Organization: UCSD

Just got back (11PM) from a drumming circle/vigil for Jerry Garcia in Balboa Park in San Diego. Started about sunset and kept on going, but I had to cash it in (too little sleep last night). It was a magical, mystical, wonderful experience. Neat of Jerry to go out on a full moon. I was drumming for about a half hour, dancing for about 2. It was a very mellow, peaceful, communal feeling. Some makeshift shrines got set up around the meadow we were in. Lots of candles, music. Jet planes on the glide path into Lindbergh Field all seemed to be an okay part of it. We tried to have a minute of silence, but only made it about 30 seconds. Then, as one person asked us, "What would Jerry want us to do?" I shouted out "Keep on playing!" and we started drumming again. Howling too! And smiling. Lots of smiles.

Thanks Jerry

From: Joe Kohn <[j--o] at [crl.com]>
Date: 10 Aug 1995 16:05:32 -0700
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access (415) 705-6060 [Login: guest]

I'm distraught and devastated.

A friend dragged me, literally against my will, to my first Grateful Dead concert in 1973 and my life was forever changed.

Over the years, the Dead have always been there for me, providing inspiration and joy. They've provided the soundtrack of my life. They were just always there, and their music never failed to uplift my spirits. The music never stopped.

When I heard the news of Jerry's death, I was stunned. Of course, it didn't come as a surprise, but it was as if a heavy iron door slammed shut. No longer would I be able to celebrate birthdays with the Dead. No longer would 10 friends be able to go together and celebrate life at a Dead concert. No more magic. The world is just a little less joyful now that Jerry is gone.

I couldn't be alone in my grief. I wanted to be with others who understood; others who shared the magic and the joy. Others with whom no words were necessary.

I jumped in my car, and drove the 20 miles from Marin County to the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park - the site of the last free Grateful Dead concert in San Francisco. When I arrived, there were about 30 others there, and we took turns talking about what Jerry meant to us. It was like a wonderful and cleansing group therapy session. As the crowd got larger, we broke into smaller groups, pouring our hearts out to strangers. We hugged and cried and shared stories of how Jerry changed our lives. It was a truly beautiful experience.

And, then the drums and guitars came out, and as the crowd swelled to 500 people, and then to 1000 people, we sang "Eyes of the World." We sang "Bertha" and "Bird Song" and just as we'd done at so many concerts, clapped our hands as we finished "Not Fade Away." You know our love will not fade away...over and over and over again.

As always, we found solace in the words of Jerry. We smiled and laughed and cried. We shook hands with complete strangers and hugged each other. We were 15 years old, and we were 70 years old. We had all shared in the magic that Jerry helped create. We all felt a hurt and a loss that can never be replaced.

Jerry's words and the Dead's music will live on. The inspiration that it's provided us over the years will continue to flow. Despite that, a great sadness has descended over the world. The sun came up today, but it was a changed world. It was a world without Jerry.

We will get by; we will survive.

3000 Heads remember Jerry in Tucson park

From: USERNAME <[U--RN--E] at [rtd.com]>
Date: Fri, 11 Aug 1995 03:32:08 GMT
Organization: RTD Internet Access, a division of RTD Systems & Networking, Inc.

As soon as the word of Jerry's death came across the AP wire at our radio station, we loaded up as much sound equipment as we could find into our remote broadcast truck and set up at a local park.

We canceled all regular programming and intended to play the Dead from 9:00 am until city ordinances required us to leave at 10:30 pm. Our radio station had no permit to use the park and the authorities attempeted to eject us. But, after we threatened to go on-air with their intent to kick us out, they reconsidered because the negative publicity might have put some local political figures at risk with popular public opinion.

Throughout the day, which got as hot as 105 degrees, Deadheads joined together to pay tribute to Jerry Garcia. We had no idea what would follow.

As the 5:00 pm hour rolled around, and the afternoon heat began to subside, Deadheads of all shapes and sizes streamed into the park until we were 3000 strong. Then the police came. Our city requires that any individual who wishes to drink alcoholic beverages in the park must purchase a permit, and at $25.00 each, there was no way we could cover everybody. Fortunately, due to the overwhelming size of the crowd, and due to the overall emotional state of the community, the police agreed to turn a blind-eye to our celebration for a fallen icon.

Throughout the day, Heads brought roses, candles, posters, tickets, crystals, incense, and a zillion other items and built a memorial for the occasion. The music wafted about the sizzling desert evening air, and we sang, and danced, and partied into the night. Children made banners and posters about peace and love, and it all seemed too unreal and yet so perfect.

As I continued my live broadcast, a middle aged, well-worn Deadhead approached me and addressed the crowd. His name was simply "Hippy" At first glance, Hippy had the appearance of a crazy person, but his words betrayed his tattered and zoned-out image. He appealed to the crowd to remeber the spirit of what Jerry had given them, and that this was not an ending, but a beginning. It would be a time for all people to share the Deadhead sense of community everyday, and on their own, not just at concerts, and without the patriarch of the family to guide them.

As the park curfew approached, with sweat drenched bodies, and eyes buring with tears, the crowd said their last goodbyes, and walked away, for the first time, on their own. There were tears and there was joy.

I have never been to a Grateful Dead concert. I've never really been a big fan, and I certainly couldn't be called a Deadhead, even though as a radio d.j. I've been playing their songs for years. What I saw last night moved me in a way I can't explain, and in a way that transcends simply the music. I saw what_ it_ was all about. And yet, I felt as though, now, with Jerry gone, I could never completely experience what I had just discovered, and I felt sad that I had never taken the time to be a part of the Dead experience. I was always too busy at work, or always saying "I'll get around to seeing them someday." It's in this way that I learned something last night. Life is short...way too short. It's a long strange trip, and if you keep your eye only on the destination, you'll miss everything in between.

It was a party I'll never forget, and a night that thousands of Deadheads in the desert will cherish forever as they attempt to share everyday, the spirit of whatever it is that happens at a Dead gathering. And whatever it is, it was here last night.

Charlie Morris

San Francisco Tribute: description

From: Brian Hahne <[b--ia--h] at [computize.com]>
Date: 11 Aug 1995 15:28:05 GMT

Everyone please take the time to read this. It is a description which came across my email, where I belong to a listserver for alumni of Lehigh University....

It is a well written account of the San Francisco tribute.... it made me feel better about the whole thing.

August 9,1995

The day was looking OK until Jim's call. No. Can't be. But I knew that it was. Made it through the day knowing things were amiss inside. I would have to do something about it later. Tonight.

I knew San Francisco would be the evening's destination. This was where the amazing scene began so many years ago, a wave of hope and wildness.

I approached the city by way of the mountains, taking comfort in the cold desolation that the evening's fog offered as it crept over the tops of the hills. As I motored down Ashbury, I could see the crowds gathered at the corner. Lots of people, and cameras, surrounded the famous corner.

There were already several shrines in place; the biggest was affixed to a tree near the corner at Ben & Jerry's. Pictures of Jerry, makeshift cards, roses, scribblings. Sad people. I knew we would gather closer to the water, but I wasn't sure where. I heard "polo fields".

I saw a crowded VW bus and rode behind it to the park. At one point, I decided to go left, not really knowing where exactly I was going. Soon I stumbled onto the throng.

When I killed the engine, I heard the unmistakable, reaffirming sound of drums. As I stowed my stuff and came over the hill, I could see them dancing. I slowly moved towards the crowd. Evening had just come, and the candles were already lit. A large circular shrine imposed itself in the middle of the crowd- candles, roses, cards, posters, books, pictures. Whatever reminded people of the man who played so amazingly.

The drums pounded as I observed the people surrounding the shrine, many consumed by their thoughts. A roar from the crowd raised up to challenge the drums. Then again. Smiles. These people weren't going to sit here and be sad. This was Jerry's going away party, and this man was going out with a bang. Dead heads would only celebrate life in this situation, and no one can celebrate better.

I joined the dance, slowly getting into the mood. Tears, dance, scream, joy, tears, dance. Dance. Dance. The ultimate celebration of life, and why I fell in love with this band, Jerry, and his people the first time I joined them.

The sounds were anything but the cacophony you might expect- 10 to 20 drummers in sync, using all matter of instrument. From the middle of the rhythms erupted an ecstatic, psychedelic, flute song- phased and amplified. The crowd screamed some more. The drums continued.

Clap, clap clap, clap clap- you know our love will not fade away.

As I peered into the distance, I could see the satellite relays raising on the surrounding trucks that would announce our presence to the world. I knew the party would only get bigger.

I moved to the center of the drumming. A small circle with several women writing in the center, consumed by the power of the beat. 2 flutists played in beautiful syncopation with the drumming. I danced some more, then moved off towards the edge of the crowd.

The mad gong player was one with his instruments- first quietly coaxing sound from the huge gongs that hung on his rack. Slowly but surely he raised the level- soon to the threshold of pain. Madly wailing on the lower gong producing a screaming rip of sound, he raised a hammer to pound on the upper gong- producing a low, climactic sound. He hit the gongs from the side so that the sound would phase in and out to the crowd. The sound was deafening, and fitting.

I joined the circle now for one more time. Everyone's faces were bathed in the light of the candles. It was more relaxed, people were talking- about the band and times they shared. One noted that few people would mark such an ending with celebration, but this was par for the amazing crowd we were with.

As I left, I felt slightly sated. I knew that there would be no more shows, no more dancing in the parking lots, no more camping with strangers, no more miracle tickets. But now I knew the 'heads would be allright. There was great celebration at the shows, but these folks would go on without them. Now instead of sharing their strange love light with each other as an exclusive group, they will have to spread it around to those who couldn't conceive of such a celebration.

So long Jerry, we'll miss you. Big time.

Greg "Stork" Christopher <[s--o--k] at [best.com]> '87

Fillmore wake 8-11-95

From: Corbin Krug <[corbin krug] at [quickmail.ucsf.edu]>
Date: 15 Aug 1995 19:31:56 GMT

I hope I'm not violating the privacy of those who remembered Jerry last Friday night at the Fillmore, but it meant a lot to me, and I thought that by sharing it, it might make some of you feel a bit better in the process.

A private gathering was held at the Fillmore Auditorium in S.F. on Friday, August 11th. A good friend called me up to tell me he might go; however, it was closed to all but BGP and GDP folks. Still, my SO and I decided to see if we might be allowed in. We were. (Many thanks to the Fillmore staff for being so nice to us.)

Jerry was buried the day before, and one couldn't help but think that perhaps he might stroll on by the old Fillmore as he began his new journey.

There were perhaps 125 people there. On stage there was a large photograph of Jerry pulling his guitar out a hat (from a JGB NYC run) which formed the backdrop for the altar that had been set up. There were candles, food for him (I believe it was in the spirit of Day of the Dead, the Mexican rite, in which a person's favorite foods are displayed in an effort to entice the spirit back), tokens of all kinds, incense, a guitar draped in tie-dyed gauze, and cards with messages to him. We each penned a message. They played Dead tapes and some folks danced.

Near midnight, a woman called everyone to the dance floor. We joined hands--all of us--except for 1 bartender. Someone turned off the lights and the music and noise-making appliances (except for a humming refrigerator). It was very quiet. No one said anything for several minutes. Then someone began to hum, in key with the refrigerator. Others joined at various intervals, and the hum became a chant of sorts. This went on for quite a while, and then it was quiet again. The silence was eerie, almost overwhelming. It was midnight at the Fillmore and the bells *were* for you, Jerry.

Someone said a word or two, thanking Jerry. Someone else wished him a good journey. Remembrances continued for a minute or two. Then silence. Spontaneously, we raised our linked arms up and gave a collective cheer for Jer. We sang a verse of "Amazing Grace," and then we sang "Ripple." I don't think there was a dry eye there.

And that was it. Lovely, simple, and there was no other place I wished to be that night.

--Corbin

SUCCESS!!!!!: Unofficial NYC Central Park Grassroots Gathering :)

From: James P. Beno <[h--r--s] at [netaxs.com]>
Date: 20 Aug 1995 04:25:18 GMT

SUCCESS!!!!!: Unofficial NYC Central Park Grassroots Gathering

The day was beautiful -- and perfect! Clear, sunny skies, nice cool breeze, a real break from the scorchers. The people - thousands! Tons of heads, smiling facings, everywhere! We went all day without any apparent confrontation with the police! Everything seemed cool, peaceful, happy, and mellow in some parts. There was variety to the scene, some was like the lot (but without the bad elements, we had core folks here), some was mellow and fitting for a vigil, like in the grove.

Total succes imho, thanks to EVERYONE out there who helped get this thing together. Thanks to all who came and shared in the spirit! And thanks to Josh and Eric for setting up the grove gathering, it was great, what a day, you guys did well :) Lots of netheads out there too! And some Green party was there, they were involved with one gathering area I think.

Seems like we had reporters and photographers and people from the radio all around, and from those I talked with, we should be getting positive press. I tell you, there was NOTHING bad they could report about! Only possible thing would be the guy who put the bumper sticker on the Needle statue in the park, hehehe... but he promised to remove it later :)

There were two main areas that people gathered at. We had the red ribbons set up that led to a little grove where we had heads camped out and our shrine to Jerry (started out small, but grew into a beautiful tribute to his name as the day went on! Someone even had my home page printed out and stuck up on it! heheh). There were photos, candles, writings, flowers, printouts, postcards, artwork, candy(?!), and some other things that I coudln't figure out :) But it looked great, esp. at night.

There was also another gathering area more in the open, it seemd that people coming from the one side of the park saw that first and hung there, those from the other side hit the grove. All in all, people migrated back and forth and it kept the place from being one huge crowd in one area. Lots less trouble that way it seems.

Drum circles and music circles abounded. Thanks to the many musicians who made it out. Oh, folks from Hot Tuna did stop by! Many were singing, all were smiling, it was great. There was some vending, but not much. The coolest thing was that people that obviously had no idea who the Dead are were actually hanging out and listening and watching, enjoying the music! I think we turned a few more on! :)

The memorial type stuff we did was cool, went very well. And hey, I want to know who the guys are in the photo with Jerry out on some dock somewhere like they were diving! Tell us the story on that one :) At the grove, Josh kinda orchestrated the event, and people read some poems and lyrics, and spoke, got kinda emotional at some points, and we formed a big circle of support. Tried doing an "aum" but kinda broke into singing and dancing, hehe...

All in all, excellent turnout, incredible people, beautiful day -- and we all stuck together. I knew we could do it. After today, I know that we WILL live on - YOU KNOW OUR LOVE WILL NOT FADE AWAY! There's no stopping this thing, we have a force all to our own, and this energy is going somewhere!!!!

I hope the mayor realizes how stupid he was, and how he essentially ruined his political career with every deadhead in new york. WE DID IT!!! We didn't need anyone but ourselves! I think we're all proud of that... just think of what we can do in the future if we stick together :) Thanks again brothers and sisters, I'm sure Jerry was smiling and proud of us all...

Jim Beno