Arts & Entertainment
Grateful String Band Headlines at BAC Friday Night
Touring Wood Belly, from Colorado's Front Range, Opens With New Release and Last Year's Telluride Recognition
Bands that best present Grateful Dead music do not “cover” their songs but rather capture the sound and the very fundamental nature of the genre.
The Grateful String Band is renowned in Chicago for its skilled musicianship and passion for bluegrass. A booking at the Beverly Arts Center means a packed house full of passionate fans expecting something special.
Doubling down, The Grateful String Band headlines with Wood Belly opening at the Beverly Arts Center Friday, October 11, 2019 for an 8 p.m. show. Doors open at 7 p.m. at 2407 West 111th Street for the $30; $27 for BAC members.
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Wood Belly, beginning a lengthy tour, comes to Chicago from Colorado’s Front Range with a strong blend of traditional bluegrass and modern songwriting. Last year the band broke through, releasing its debut album, “Solid Ground” and winning the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass Festival band competition.
According to Steve Haberichter of The Grateful String Band, the magic is not in the cover of a Grateful Dead song, but rather in the fluid nature to any Dead performance - the “live” aspect that guarantees no two shows will ever be alike.
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As if the calendar were flipped back to 1968, Deadheads flock in tie dye, beads and headbands adopting for a night a subculture and sense of community native to music movement that is a true melding of rock, folk, bluegrass, jazz and blues.
“It’s the live shows that matter and the fusion of sounds unique to what the musicians bring,” said Haberichter. “It is not a cover of a Dead song.”
Chris Weist and Craig Patterson are prolific songwriters for Wood Belly, though every member of the band contributes mightily. Aaron McCloskey and Chris Zink are known for intricate instrumentals, and Taylor Shuck has written for the group as well. The band takes a collaborative approach to sculpting a song once the basic structure is in place, refining and editing until a seamless arrangement reveals itself.
“Dead shows of a kind are ‘happening’ unique to that exchange between artists, as well as the audience,” said Haberichter. “I’m proud to be part of such a great collection of musicians. It’ll be a great night, with two extraordinary bands.”
TICKETS $30 • $27 BAC Members