Grateful Dead fans in our area are in for a treat with two chances to relive the world famous music of one of the biggest touring bands of all time.

The first chance for area jamband lovers is Feb. 8 at the Madison Theater in Covington, Ky, when world-renowned Grateful Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra takes the stage. Tickets for the show are $22 and the show starts at 9 p.m.

Area fans who cannot make the Friday night concert will have another chance on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Newport Music Hall in Columbus where DSO will again deliver their brand of rock 'n' roll. Tickets for the all-ages Columbus show are available through www.darkstarorchestra.net.

For over 15 years and 2150 shows, Dark Star Orchestra has toured the world embodying the Grateful Dead’s live concert experience for veteran Deadheads and those too young to have ever seen a Grateful Dead show.  Countless guest musicians have sat in with Dark Star Orchestra, including six members of The Grateful Dead, most recently when GD founding member and bassist, Phil Lesh, joined the band onstage in San Francisco last year.

This DSO show comes on the heels of the announcement of the Dark Star Jubilee lineup.

The second annual festival returns to Legend Valley (formerly Buckeye Lake) in Thornville, Ohio, on Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-26, and celebrates the music and spirit of The Grateful Dead, with 3 nights of Dark Star Orchestra, plus two Grateful Dead member and their bands.

Hosted by Dark Star Orchestra, the Jubilee also features members of The Dead in their own bands, the Mickey Hart Band and Donna Jean Band. Other artists confirmed include Yonder Mountain String Band, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe (Downtown Dayton Revival alum), The Wailers, The New Orleans Suspects featuring Paul Barrere & Fred Tackett of Little Feat, local favorites The Werks (Dayton band and Revival alum), Greensky Bluegrass, John Brown’s Body, Marco Benevento, Elephant Revival, The Pimps of Joytime (All Good Music Festival alum) , Rumpke Mountain Boys (Cincinnati’s own), BigEaR, The Folkadelics, The Ark Band, Matt Reynolds with additional artists still to be announced.

With three nights of Dark Star Orchestra and more than two dozen artists for more than 36 hours of music with no overlapping sets, the Jubilee takes place at the historic Legend Valley, home to some of the largest outdoor Grateful Dead concerts. Legend Valley is also the home to the All Good Music Festival, where the 17^th annual event is set for July 18-22. Promoters are offering the only chance to obtain All Good Festival ticket at this time by offering an Early Bird package deal including GA camping, parking and entertainment to both the Dark Star Jubilee and All Good Festivals, for $250, saving buyers over $125 off the gate price.

Dark Star Jubilee tickets are on sale now with discounted ‘Morning Dew Early Bird’ tickets for 3-day GA admission at $99 ($45 off gate price) and for ‘Good Lovin’ VIP’ festival admission at $199 ($80 off gate price). ‘Little Star Kids’ is a $25 ticket for children ages 4-12, who must be accompanied by a festival ticket-holding adult. Festival attendees ages three and under are free while youth above age 13 must have a full price festival pass. Gates open at noon Friday, May 24. Complete ticket options with pricing are available at www.darkstarjubilee.com.

For more sound clips, photos, interview request and any further information on the Dark Star Jubilee or Dark Star Orchestra, please visit www.darkstarjubilee.com and www.darkstarorchestra.net.