ZONE OUT with the ROLLING RIDER

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12-31-01 - Part 2 - Midnight Rider
Henry J. Kaiser Auditorium
Oakland, CA
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1000 Origami Cranes for Peace. What started as a humble, beautiful notion from Phil, stemming from a timeless story of a young girl's wish and the love and meditation she put toward it, sprouted infinite blossoms in our commUNITY.
New Years Eve 2001-2 for Phil Lesh, Phamily, and Phriends focused on the ideas that have been the very heart of our community for the last 35+ years, among them Peace, Unity, and of course, Love. As Cranes were collected of every size and color, and angelic little children delighted in the day-glo face paint, fans from age 5 to age 55 paid visits to the Unity Altar. Represented were some of the faces and places that fill our hearts. In the center, as always, was the patriarch of our entire scene, Mr. Jerome John Garcia, with a contagious, irresistible smile. 'Thanks, Jerry', came to mind. A postcard from the World Trade Center rested softly in a cushion of flowers, and nearby, George Harrison, eyes shining with inner purity, cast a warming smile.

When the incomparable Wavy Gravy approached the altar, he was immediately drawn to a photo of our dear brother Ken Kesey. The haiku he left said it all: 'They say Keseys dead/But/Never trust a Prankster/Even if he's Underground'. And did I mention the Cranes? Hundreds of multicolored cranes adorned the altar itself, and the place we knelt before it. A photo of a loved one not forgotten. A ticket stub from seeing the Dalai Lama. Some rose petals, not yet dry.

From inside, a raucous was heard. An eerie, haunting melody. Seemingly levitating, three Wizards floated amongst the crowd. '11:55!', I heard someone exclaim. And when they made it to the stage, revealing their identities, every heart melted. It was Bobby...Crusader Rabbit?...but wait...Billy! And Mickey, too!? Bomp-Bomp-Bomp-BOMP-BOMP! 'Not Fade Away'! I felt one tear roll like wax down my cheek. Thousands of balloons, and the popping of them right in time with the beat! "I wanna tell you how it's going to be...you're gonna give your love to me!"

And Bobby Weir, the only one still donning his Wizards cloak, looked 17 again, and marveled like he was hearing this kind of music for the first time. Multiplicity. The Unifying Force. The sum greater than its parts. Band and audience as one organism. "It was a time of belonging, of thinking alike, of transcendent sharing...It was a thing together, binding, immortal; it would always be new for them and it would never be repeated." -- Theodore Sturgeon, More than Human.

Out of NFA into 'Trucking', and the uncontrollable energy and motion could have powered a diesel train with ease. Bill Graham surely smiling down, we sang in unison, like some divine mantra: "Sometimes the lights all shining on me, other times I can barely see. Lately, it occurs to me, what a long strange trip its been!" And then our friends again gave Weir the nod, and 'Trucking' melted into the apropos 'Playin in the Band'. "When [it] is happening, it happens to everyone, band and audience. So in a sense, were all playing in the band." -Phil Lesh

As always, like waves and sand, 'Playing' dissolved into a deep 'Space' jam, which eventually found its way back into 'Playing Reprise'. The cosmic ONENESS was evident, and like windchimes in the early morning, the familiar first bars of 'The Wheel' awoke us as if from slumber. The message was clear. Our love will NOT fade away. Get back Truckin on, "..a little bit harder, just a little bit more. Little bit further than you've gone before". 40 years, here we come!

And, although the energetic 'Sugar Magnolia' closer, joined mid-way by Warren, reminded us that there is still work to be done, the joy and energy was undeniable. Love. Unity. And perhaps most importantly, HOPE for our future.

Grateful tidings to Crusader Rabbit, for eternal Love and Devotion to the Music; Thanks to the Philzoners for creating such a sacred and creative space for us to give Honor and Respect on this New Years Eve; and thank you to ALL of our beloved friends and family -- as Phil says, 'You, the community, make all of this possible'.

-Rolling Ryder (...set 3 on the way...)

Stay tuned for the Rolling Rider's 12/31/01 - Part 3...

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read 12.31.01 Part 1 Rider

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