Archive: Arts & Entertainment

On a snowy Mothers' Day in 1977, The Grateful Dead performed one of the most significant concerts of their extensive career. Fans are invited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this concert on Monday May 8th, 2017 as Rhino Entertainment and The State Theatre of Ithaca present 'The 40th Anniversary Celebration of Barton Hall, 5/8/77'.

The Grateful Dead played more than 2,000 concerts, but none continue to spark interest and provoke discussion quite like the band's performance at Cornell University's Barton Hall on May 8, 1977. The show, known by most Deadheads as simply '5/8/77' is one of the most collected, circulated and debated concerts by any band ever, has topped numerous fan polls through the years, and was a favorite of the group's longtime archivist Dick Latvala, who stated: "Enough can't be said about this superb show."

Even Uncle Sam got into the act in 2011 when the recording was "deemed so important to the history and culture of the United States" that a copy was added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.

After 40 years of bootleg circulation, Rhino Entertainment and The Grateful Dead announced earlier this year that the 5/8/77 show would finally be offered as an official release. In February, 15,000 pre-sale orders for the official box set sold out in 2 days. While the box set is sold out, the new digitally remastered CDs of the show will still be available from Rhino separately.

'The 40th Anniversary Celebration of Barton Hall, 5/8/77' is one of two official Rhino Entertainmment release parties, with the other party taking place at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY.

The event at The State Theatre of Ithaca will feature a special set of acoustic Grateful Dead music performed by Ithaca's own tribute band, 'Terrapin Station', an official listening party of the 1977 release on the State Theatre's brand new state-of-the-art sound system, a unique silent auction and a variety of special guests and speakers. In addition to the live music and Grateful Dead celebrations, Cornell University Press and author Peter Conners will also be in attendance chatting to fans about their new book 'Cornell 77: The Music, The Myth and The Magnificence of The Grateful Dead's Concert at Barton Hall'. Signed copies will also be available for purchase at this event.

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