Fare Thee Well Postcards Available On Participation Row
By Scott Bernstein Jun 24, 2015 • 9:15 am PDT
The postcards, which commemorate the five Fare Thee Well -Celebrating 50 Years Of Grateful Dead shows, were designed by longtime Grateful Dead artists Jeff Troldahl, Una Toibin and Mike DuBois as well as the one pictured above from newcomer Jessica Muessen. Muessen’s mail order envelope for the Chicago shows went viral after it hit the internet earlier this year.
In order to receive a postcard, fans just need to visit one of 17 non-profit organizations who have info tables on Participation Row, and take a designated “action.” HeadCount has laid out the actions in a post dubbed “17 Ways Deadheads Can Change the World.” Included among the actions are things like writing letters to elected officials, posting photos to social media or signing up to be an organ donor.
HeadCount, a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding civic participation through the power of music, organized Participation Row and the giveaway. “We want to give Deadheads an easy way to be active citizens while at the shows,” said Andy Bernstein, executive director of HeadCount. “Beautiful, collectable art seemed like an appropriate reward for fans who have always had a strong connection to the artwork and causes that sprung up around the band.”
Additionally, for $1, HeadCount representatives will stamp and mail any postcard, giving fans a way to share the experience with friends and family. HeadCount notes that only 2,500 of each postcard will be available (10,000 total), so fans are encouraged to arrive early and visit Participation Row well before the music begins each night. If all the postcards are distributed, it means exactly 10,000 socially-conscious actions will have been taken. The four postcards celebrate four different themes of Grateful Dead philanthropy -“Freedom,” “Compassion,” “Stewardship” and “Community.”
You can visit Participation Row at the north end of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara this weekend near Intel Gate A as well as under the stairs to the 700 level. In Chicago, visit the South Courtyard near gates 0-6. In both cities there will also be a silent auction featuring the only items signed by the Grateful Dead and their guest performers during the concerts.
Fare Thee Well -Celebrating 50 Years Of Grateful Dead features Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart teaming with Trey Anastasio, Jeff Chimenti and Bruce Hornsby for the five shows.
Watch a YouTube playlist of our Grateful Dead 50 tribute, the Songs Of Their Own video series:
