Flower Power in Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is alive with music, memory, and mission as the Jerry Garcia Foundation honors Jerry Garcia’s 83rd birthday and the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary with a three-night celebration alongside Dead & Company. With over 50,000 fans expected daily, the event is more than a concert—it’s a cultural homecoming.

At the heart of the festivities is Participation Row, a vibrant charity village nestled within the concert grounds. The Jerry Garcia Foundation joins forces with Reverb, HeadCount, and Another Planet Entertainment to spotlight environmental and social causes through interactive outreach.

One standout initiative? Pollinator preservation. Volunteers from the foundation are distributing free organic, non-GMO sunflower seed packets to concertgoers, encouraging fans to plant gardens that support butterflies and bees.

“Jerry advocated for the preservation of the environment,” said Manasha Garcia, Jerry’s wife and cofounder of the foundation. “We hope sharing organic seeds inspires others to plant gardens that are beneficial to butterfly and bee populations.”

The foundation’s presence at Participation Row reflects Jerry’s enduring legacy—not just as a musician and artist, but as a visionary committed to healing and harmony. The initiative aligns with the foundation’s mission to support environmental, artistic, and humanitarian causes through the beauty of music and art.

Dead & Company’s lineup includes original Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Mickey Hart, with special guest sets by Billy Strings, Sturgill “Johnny Blue Skies” Simpson, and the Trey Anastasio Band. The concerts mark a return to the Polo Field, where the Dead last played in 1991.

For longtime Deadheads and new fans alike, the weekend is a celebration of community, consciousness, and the enduring spirit of the Grateful Dead.

Jerry Garcia Foundation

The Jerry Garcia Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting environmental, artistic, and humanitarian causes through the transformative power of music and art. Founded in 2015 by Jerry Garcia’s wife, Manasha Garcia, and daughter, Keelin Garcia, the foundation honors the legacy of the legendary Grateful Dead frontman—not only as a musician and visual artist, but as a visionary committed to healing and social good. Staying true to Jerry’s values, the foundation engages in initiatives such as pollinator preservation, art grants to nonprofits, and music programs for underserved communities. It also partners with like-minded organizations to amplify its impact, embracing the belief that creativity and compassion can inspire a more peaceful and sustainable world.

REVERB

REVERB is a pioneering 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been leading the green music movement since 2004. Founded by environmentalist Lauren Sullivan and musician Adam Gardner of the band Guster, REVERB works to make the music industry more sustainable while empowering fans to take meaningful action for the planet. Through partnerships with major artists and tours—including Billie Eilish, Dave Matthews Band, and Dead & Company—REVERB transforms concerts into platforms for environmental and social change. Their initiatives include carbon-neutral touring, waste reduction, eco-friendly merchandise, and educational outreach. With over 7,300 concert events “greened” and more than 420,000 metric tons of CO₂e neutralized, REVERB continues to unite music-makers and music-lovers in the fight for a healthier, more equitable world.

HeadCount

HeadCount is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of music, culture, and digital media to promote civic engagement and voter participation. Founded in 2004 by Marc Brownstein of The Disco Biscuits and author Andy Bernstein, HeadCount has registered over 1.2 million voters by partnering with artists like Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, and Dead & Company, and appearing at major festivals such as Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. The organization sets up voter registration booths at concerts and events, reaching young people where they already are—on the ground and online. With a network of over 60,000 volunteers nationwide, HeadCount believes democracy thrives when all voices are heard and barriers to voting are removed. Their mission is to make civic participation a natural part of youth culture, ensuring that high voter turnout becomes the norm.

Another Planet Entertainment

Another Planet Entertainment is an independent concert production and artist management company based in Berkeley, California, renowned for shaping the live music scene across the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded in 2003 by former Bill Graham Presents executives Greg Perloff, Sherry Wasserman, and Steve Welkom, the company honors the legacy of legendary promoter Bill Graham while innovating the future of live entertainment. Another Planet produces and promotes concerts at iconic venues such as the Greek Theatre, Fox Theater, and Castro Theatre, and co-produces major festivals including Outside Lands and Breakaway. Their commitment to community, artistry, and immersive experiences makes them a vital force behind landmark events like the Dead & Company 60th anniversary concerts in Golden Gate Park.

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The Softer Side with Carl Rossi

This afternoon’s episode of The Softer Side with Carl Rossi, airing at 5 p.m. on KNCT, offers a perfect companion to the spirit of celebration unfolding in Golden Gate Park. As the Jerry Garcia Foundation honors Jerry’s 83rd birthday and the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary with music, environmental outreach, and community engagement, Carl’s show will echo those themes with a curated set of reflective tunes and gentle storytelling. Listeners can expect a blend of harmony and heart through selections that celebrate nature, peace, and the enduring power of music to heal and connect. Whether you’re in San Francisco or tuned in from afar, The Softer Side invites you to slow down, listen deeply, and join the celebration in spirit.