Face it - Jerry Garcia is dead, and the Dead aren't about to start a weak revival tour. If you haven't seen a Grateful Dead show in your life, it's a little late to start. You've missed out on the obsessive touring, the burritos, the shoes, socks, and neckties made of hemp, and the full wardrobe of dancing bear T-shirts.
Or have you? The Dark Star Orchestra is coming to Somerville tomorrow night, and it's cashing in on the tradition and cult following of the Grateful Dead with an incomparable idea: recreating actual Grateful Dead concerts from beginning to end.
It's a unique idea that no one else seems to have taken up yet. The band formed in November of 1997, and recreates every last detail of the shows - an amazing feat considering that the Grateful Dead were famous for their improvised jam concerts. With the popularity and availability of bootleg tapes from every imaginable concert, most people have little trouble finding recordings of their favorite shows. There's something to be said, however, for the power and energy of a live performance. A screaming crowd and an enraptured band make the experience more immediate - albeit more expensive. So go for the culture and go for the music, even if you can't go for Jerry anymore.
The Dark Star Orchestra will perform this Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. at the Somerville Theatre (55 Davis Sq.). Tickets are $18.50, and can be purchased by phone at 931-2000.
