DSO TAKES SONG REQUESTS AT NLQP BENEFIT

Dark Star Orchestra has been playing for GratefulFest at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park in Garrettsville, Ohio since the festival was started back in 2000. Park owners and managers Evan and Kristina have been wonderful hosts to everyone who has visited the beautiful campsite festival grounds and have shared their lives with the many recurring campers who've made the Ledges their home away from home.

The third annual GratefulFest Benefit Song Raffle will be happening at the upcoming GratefulFest, August 19 - 21, with all the proceeds to help a good cause. In 2004, over $5500 was contributed through this creative fundraising idea, and in 2003, over $1300 was collected; DSO is looking to top those amounts in 2005.

A part of their lives not as well-known is that their 10 year old daughter Jessica was stricken with the neurological disorder Rett Syndrome a little over a year after she was born. So far, there is no cure, but the International Rett Syndrome Association is working hard to fund research, support, and awareness of this baffling syndrome.

To help Jessica and others around the world with Rett Syndrome, DSO has agreed to perform a show whose set list is made up entirely of audience requests. The Dark Star Orchestra performance on Sunday, August 21 at Nelson Ledges will be made up of songs selected from raffle entries and the band will create a cohesive, original set list of contributors’ requests before Sunday’s show.

For each $5 donation (greater amounts are always welcome) entrants can list one special thing for which they are 'grateful' and the Grateful Dead song they'd like to hear. Multiple entries are accepted and, in fact, stuffing the raffle box is encouraged. 100% of raffle proceeds go directly to the International Rett Syndrome Association. The IRSA has disseminated timely, accurate, objective information on Rett Syndrome throughout the world to people who need information and resources and to researchers who can make a difference.

Internet submissions are welcome from anywhere, whether you'll be attending or not. Raffle entrants can win their song request being played by DSO, as well as a one of over two dozen prizes for contributing to this good cause. Visit the GratefulFest Benefit Song Raffle Online Headquarters to contribute to a good cause while and see the complete list of prizes for lucky raffle winners.

Support from across the miles is appreciated, even if you can’t make it to GratefulFest. Your contribution to the International Rett Syndrome Association through GratefulFest will change the course of history, by possibly including your song in the August 21 DSO set list, and by making a difference in one medical research organization.

A partial list of raffle prizes:
(check Raffle Headquarters for a full list)