On Saturday, August 3, Miners Foundry Cultural Center invites the community to come out and celebrate a day of music during the 28th Annual Jerry Bash.
Jerry Bash is a family-friendly community gathering celebrating the life and music of the immortal Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead.
“When The Deadbeat’s drummer Gary Campus approached me years ago to see if the Foundry wanted to present Jerry Bash in Pioneer Park, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. Hosting this wonderful celebration annually in Pioneer Park epitomizes the essence of community — it is a truly joyful event that I am proud to be a part of,” said Gretchen Bond, Miners Foundry Executive Director.
A Deadhead herself, Bond remembers how it all began.
On August 9, 1995, Garcia died at the age of 53 and would have been 82 this year. Rolling Stone called Garcia “the unlikeliest of pop stars and the most reticent of cultural icons.”
Saddened by the loss, members of the local band, The Deadbeats wanted to pay their respects.
So in 1996, The Deadbeats organized the first Jerry Bash, a free concert in Pioneer Park to pay tribute to the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. Still going strong, the festival has become a much-anticipated party of the year for music lovers, friends and neighbors.
Set along Deer Creek in Nevada City’s beautiful forested Pioneer Park, this year’s festivities on August 3 will include live music on the bandshell, food and libations, arts and crafts and other vendors. BrewBilt Brewing Company will be pouring local beer on tap.
Besides headliners, The Deadbeats, other artists on the bill include: Kelly Flemming, Kellie Garmire & Friends playing The Roots of the Grateful Dead, Caltucky Remembering Old & in the Way and Wolf Jett playing Cosmic Mountain Music.
The festival is an all day affair with gates opening at 1:30 p.m. and the final performance ending at 10 p.m. A V.I.P ticket includes reserved tables, a V.I.P. lounge, no-host bar, appetizers and exclusive access to the Nevada City pool.
The Deadbeats 30th Anniversary and More!
This year’s Jerry Bash is also The Deadbeats 30 year anniversary. The Deadbeats were born on August 4, 1994 during an open mic night in Nevada City’s renowned Mad Dogs and Englishmen Pub, on Spring Street behind the historic National Hotel. The venue was filled to capacity with crowds lined outside the building.
The Deadbeats love to jam, faithfully playing the Dead’s songbook with a balance of improvisation and honoring the legacy of the songs while tapping into the joy of a live Nevada County audience. They’ve played music festivals all over Northern California.
“The Deadbeats were always inspired by the spirit of the music without being a wax museum copy of the Grateful Dead. We just have fun, which was kind of their mantra anyway,” said guitarist and frontman Tom Menig. He is joined by his brother, Eric Menig (bass), Peter Wilson, (guitar) Rob Kopp and Gary Campus (drums), Glenn Tucker (keyboards) and Jenn Knapp (vocals).
Over the years, band members have rotated but the core group continues with great shows and big crowds. All the past members of The Deadbeats have been invited to join in on the stage during this year’s Jerry Bash.
Special guests during The Deadbeats show include Paul Kamm (Achilles Wheel) a beloved local guitar player who was in the original band. Alumni drummers from The Deadbeats three decades of playing music will join in for a much-anticipated drum jam and nod to Mickey Hart and his group, Planet Drum.
Miners Foundry Program Manager David Lloyd is a longtime Grateful Dead fan and remembers his first Jerry Bash after moving to Nevada City from San Francisco.
“I attended my first Jerry Bash in 2022, as a fan not an employee. I was knocked out that Nevada County held this amazing Jerry-centric event every year,” said Lloyd.
He is most excited about Northern California contemporary jamgrass band, Caltucky’s nod to “Old & in the Way.” Old & In the Way was a short-lived bluegrass group formed in 1973 composed of Peter Rowan (guitar, vocals), Vassar Clements (fiddle), Jerry Garcia (banjo, vocals), David Grisman (mandolin, vocals), and John Kahn (string bass). The band played traditional tunes and bluegrass-flavored versions of rock and roll standards. The self-titled debut album went on to become one of the best selling bluegrass albums of all time.
“It was the second bluegrass record I owned and really pulled me into the genre,” said Lloyd.
Kelly Fleming and Kellie Garmire will perform with Pete Grant and Juliet Gobert the blues, folk and rock inspirations behind the Grateful Dead’s 30 year musical career. Back by popular demand is Wof Jett. The band first played Jerry Bash in 2022 bringing an eclectic blend of folk, blues and Americana they describe as “cosmic mountain music.”
“They were impressive enough to welcome back again,” said Lloyd.
Learn more and purchase tickets at minersfoundry.org
Know & Go
- Saturday, August 3
- 2:00 – 10:00 p.m. | Gates open at 1:30 p.m.
- Pioneer Park, 421 Nimrod Street, Nevada City
Get Tickets!
- $30 Advance General Admission
- $35 Gate General Admission
- $10 Youth General Admission | 16 Years and Under (only available at the gate)
- Babes in arms free
VIP Experience Add On | $120 (does NOT include admission ticket)
- Reserved picnic table for 6 under the trees
- VIP Lounge with private no-host bar
- Complimentary hors d’oeuvres | 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Pioneer Park Pool Access | 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Does NOT include admission ticket. You must already have a Jerry Bash ticket to purchase the VIP Experience Upgrade.
Tickets are available online or by phone through the Miners Foundry Box Office: Tuesday – Friday | 9am – 4pm | (530) 265-5040
Laura Petersen is a freelance writer living in Grass Valley. This article was written on behalf of Miners Foundry Cultural Center. Contact her at laurapetersenmedia@gmail.com