Bringing the Grateful Dead's Timeless Tunes to the Next Generation

The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland has found a unique way to introduce the iconic music of the Grateful Dead to a new audience – children. In a concert held on Saturday, the center partnered with local radio stations to share the band's beloved songs with families, creating a fun and engaging experience for both parents and their little ones.

Unlocking the Magic of the Grateful Dead for Families

Fostering a Love for Music Across Generations

The concert series, known as "Saturday Morning Tunes," was launched in 2017 by University of Maryland alum Sam Sessa. The shows have attracted thousands of parents and children, providing a platform for families to enjoy music together without the hassle of finding a babysitter. This latest Grateful Dead for Kids event in College Park marked a significant milestone, as it allowed parents to share their love for the iconic band with their children in a kid-friendly environment.

Bringing the Grateful Dead's Improvisational Spirit to Life

The performance was led by Ed Hough's Dead Collective, a band featuring multiple members of the improvisational music scene. Butchy Sochorow, Mookie Siegel, David Markowitz, Ed Hough, and Tim Pruitt took the stage, delivering a 90-minute set of Grateful Dead classics. The children in the audience danced in the aisles of Dekelboum Concert Hall, while their parents sang along to the familiar tunes, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere.

Fostering a Sense of Community and Inclusivity

The event was designed to be highly accessible and welcoming for families. Kate Cooney, a parent who attended the concert with her two young children, was impressed by the friendly and open environment. "I was overwhelmed by how friendly everyone was and how open the environment was for the kids to be able to move around and enjoy," she said.

Bridging the Gap Between Adult and Kid-Friendly Music

For parents like Chris Gowen and his wife, the Grateful Dead's music has long been a beloved part of their lives, but finding opportunities to share it with their children has been a challenge. "The shows are so late at night and [are] a little too loud for their ears," Gowen explained. Concerts like Saturday's event provide a solution, allowing adults to enjoy the music they love in a kid-friendly setting.

Expanding the Reach of the Grateful Dead's Legacy

Anna Anderson, another parent who attended the concert, appreciated the opportunity to see her partner, an avid Grateful Dead fan, experience the music in a family-friendly environment. "The concert turned music adults enjoy into a 'fun family event,'" she said, highlighting the event's ability to bridge the gap between adult and kid-friendly music.

Fostering a Lifelong Appreciation for Music

For Sam Sessa, the director of events and community engagement for WYPR and WTMD, organizing the Saturday Morning Tunes series at The Clarice was a personal full-circle moment. "It's like this full circle moment for me because I get to stand on the stage where I graduated college and look out and see all these kids and parents," he said.Sessa's goal in creating the series was to provide parents with convenient opportunities to enjoy music with their children, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the arts. He believes that improvisational shows, like the Grateful Dead for Kids event, offer a unique experience where parents can let go of their parental responsibilities and simply enjoy the music alongside their children.

Embracing the Enduring Appeal of the Grateful Dead

For Butchy Sochorow, the lead guitarist in Ed Hough's Dead Collective, this performance was a special opportunity to share the Grateful Dead's music with a new audience. While the band may not be as popular as they once were, Sochorow observed that both the kids and parents in attendance appreciated the show, highlighting the enduring appeal of the Grateful Dead's timeless tunes.The Saturday Morning Tunes series has previously organized successful concerts featuring other popular artists, such as Taylor Swift and Frozen, attracting large crowds of families. The next scheduled event is Phish For Kids, set to take place on November 2nd at the Checkerspot Brewing Company in Baltimore, further expanding the series' reach and introducing more families to the joys of live music.