New Grateful Dead Exhibition In San Francisco To Launch With Free Grahame Lesh Concert

Today marks 31 years since Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead played the last show of their storied career at Chicago’s Soldier Field. The Dead’s legacy has endured and will be the focus of Forever Grateful, Golden Gate Park, a new immersive exhibition set to open in San Francisco at the County Fair Building (Hall of Flowers) in Golden Gate Park on Saturday, September 5.

Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters’ iconic “Furthur” bus and Jerry Garcia’s BMW anchor the new exhibit. Both vehicles will be on view alongside original artwork, rare memorabilia and multimedia installations. Expect live performers to turn up at the exhibit for one-on-one interactions and spontaneous encounters. The new exhibit will remain on view through October 25.

Opening weekend of the exhibit will culminate on Monday, September 7 with a free Grahame Lesh & Friends concert. The son of late GD bassist Phil Lesh will be joined by fellow Bay Area veteran musicians Danny Luehring, Scott Law, Danny Eisenberg, Holly Bowling, Brian Rashap and Garrett Deloian for the Golden Gate Free Jam at Robin Williams Meadow between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the 7th.

“Art and music define San Francisco, and they have for decades, thanks to groups like the Grateful Dead and the community they created,” said Mayor Lurie. “When we celebrate that legacy, we celebrate not only one period of our history but also the creative energy that still makes San Francisco special today. The Summer of Music was so special last year, and I hope everyone will come out to enjoy Grahame Lesh’s free show on September 7 and celebrate our city’s incredible history and bright future.”

“There’s nothing like free music in San Francisco. It’s something that the Grateful Dead discovered early on in the ‘60s and something I got to witness and be a part of in the 2020s with my dad as a member of Phil Lesh and Friends,” added Grahame Lesh. “Music is for everyone, and I am honored to celebrate the band’s legacy and history in San Francisco—in Golden Gate Park—with all of you, the wonderful Deadhead community!”

Forever Grateful, Golden Gate Park is an extension of Forever Grateful, an exhibition currently on display at the Haight Street Arts Center through September 20. More than 400 paintings, original lithographs, photographs, instruments, vinyl records and rare ephemera illustrate the Grateful Dead’s 30-year journey from 1965 to this date in 1995. Ticket and exhibition information can be found on the Haight Street Art Center website.

Watch Mayor Lurie and Grahame Lesh announce the exhibit and concert: