2/14/2026

[Masons Child]

Original in the style of 72/73.

 

We left at set break mostly due to anger caused by some fellow heads on the dance floor and a strong desire to smoke.  It hurts to have felt and now I was giving up the weather report but I didn’t want to get into heated confrontation with some of the Colorado hardcore fans and dancers and I had clearly been told I wasn’t welcome. I wasn’t wanted in their “friend” zone. 
 

We get to the show and it’s ass to nuts. I get pretty uncomfortable when touched by other people other than my kids or Whitney. But I know I’m gonna have to work to carve out dance space but I want to dance. I need to connect. Feel the music transform me and flow through me. I see a decent little dance zone going and some familiar faces in it. A few I know by name (including a couple people I consider dear friends that have been important to my psychedelic journey - inspiration move me brightly.  I generally would prefer to find a spot with more space so Whitney and I can take in tonight’s journey more so in communion and by ourselves. But in a venue this crowded if you want to groove you only have a few avenues with different pros and cons and no real guarantee of success.

The rail. This option in my opinion has the least opportunity for full lift off but using the rail as a barrier and taking what’s their you can usually at least spin and boogie and have some foreplay like touches with your lover. We got in the venue and the band was already playing. There’s no way I was gonna push to the front. 
 

The lobby. Here the sound sucks but in years past you might find a shirt soaked Chuck Vegas. This is where you can trade the sound for the space and you can most likely blissfully move freely and flow. The dance here can be great. I do struggle for full lift off with such crap sound and the lights being on but this is the safest bet to boogie on down. In hindsight maybe this was the best option for Whitney and I. 
 

The hard score dance pit. The whirlwind of movement and spinners. This has the highest level of stress for me and requires the most patience and commitment to getting to that special special place that people like me (like many of you) and Whitney needs. Full lift off. The cup runneth over. You must come in respecting those who are already there while pushing the standers and talkers and passerby’s out of the vortex. I due feel like you have to push yourself and the other dancers to ripple away from the epicenter clutching onto any new space that becomes available. There will be bumps and people using your shoulders to passby. Maybe even some spilled drinks and true collisions. We must become a harmonious wave of movement of joy of expression. There will become a point where the diameter and area of this wave of dance will get so great that you can get truly dance and blast off into space the world of egoless expression. You can become characters in the songs maybe even the expression of sound and vibration itself.
 

I didn’t want to spill my beer so I left it on a table in the lobby. Whitney left there’s too. Some really solid people including a Colorado drumming extraordinaire ended up sitting at the table we left our drinks at. They chose not to be in the can of sardines. Whitney get circling back to her drink. I wouldn’t. The space was expanding. I was finding groove and so were some of the other dancers. Even when the music was continuous and there was stoppage time. I paced through the space to maintain it to let it grow. Every inch was precious. We were slowly headed towards what I thought was our goal the dancers paradise. Whitney left to go have a sip of her drink. We had created enough space I no longer feared spilling my drink and asked her to bring it to me. I kept moving. I must apologize for what I don’t know but any belief in a mutual goal of respect for dancers and other people seeking that special connection to this music through movement was shattered. It did make me angry it also hurt. It was made clear that I wasn’t welcome here. I was not one of the cool kids or the accepted tribesman. I was not a “friend.” In fact I feel like some viewed me as enemy and treated me as such. There was a time when the fact that Dark Star provided and insecure shy nerdy young man a place he felt tolerated accepted well enough to be left alone to find myself, to searching for the sound. If I was one of the lucky, I might find the very nectar of life itself love, love of thyself, romantic love and love for my fellow man. A community. A tribe. 
 

As dark star begins the next song. Someone I recognize as a well known members of the Colorado hardcore Dead scene. A dancer who helps keep space for her “friends” and the tribesman and helps expel the dangerous outsiders. In accordance with another dancer someone I must admit I’ve never seen but someone who moves to the music aggressively collapse on me. The well respected and recognized dancer that I assure you we’ve attended at least 40 of the same Dark Star shows and in at least 15 at least managed to civilly share the limited space. I did believe there was a recognition and shared respect that were on that same journey maybe night together but seeking the same place. She stops even spinning and just keeps sliding her foot hair and into my space making harsh contact with my person. Clearly, she has intentionally chosen not to respect my right to personal space you know like the lesson your try to teach your elementary school child but also have to deal with the big bully takes longer to learn this lesson through the learning of curve of life. The other unknown mover basically just provides a wall so I have no where to go. I hug myself and freeze. I stand still hoping that I can at least have a space of no movement to collect myself. Like I said, this type of contact makes me very uncomfortable.  
 

I do want you to know that I can stand my ground on the dance floor. I can fight through my uncomfortably. I can use my hips and elbows to carefully assert that I know I am here to stay. I must be very careful in the moment to only let my elbows or hips strikes other if their looking for it, stepping into. I want you to know before I found all that matters in the his struggle called human existence I would almost always fight. I was an angry young man. Never content and full off that never back down spirit finding myself night fighting for what I felt I deserved. I needed to prove I belonged. However, after what Whitney and the kids have shown me given me blessed with me. I much rather look for a peace resolution and find somewhere else to be. At the end of it all, I am going home with the most stunning woman of all. The very essence and expression of sensuality passion love and all the sweetness but also the carnality of what makes the human race continue. I’m not gonna tell you but I might tell you a little bit. Whitney excites and turns me on in a way I never realized was possible. Sometimes she does transform me into the Lion, the master of the pride and she is just a lonely infant gazelle that has wondered for far from its herd. In all honesty, it was valentines and leaving on the energy of good loving was perfect for us. 
 

The Colorado OG. Respected tour gal seeing she has me very uncomfortable and shuttering comes in with her next blow. This one is verbal and she says to me something to the tune of everyone in her corner knows each other and our friends can you leave. I immediately give up my space and step into a smaller space closer to the lobby but also closer to comforting faces of Mickey and Marisa (I’ve probably spelled that one wrong). People who I know share the same connection to this music. People i know I can not sure have a shared destination but journey there together with respect for one another this music and this community. I mean some of the best fucking people I know. I’m also moving much better tonight. I’m just gonna go back to square one and carve the space again. I don’t like how this woman has chosen to treat me but in the long run may have forced me to increase the synchronous flow of positive energy as the wave of dancers continues to pulsate harder always expanding. I look I’ve got some confidence that can definitely boarder on cocky. She will eventually see that I can feel and move to this music in a very special way. In a way that few others. In a way that I am sorry to say and I’m not trying to be mean she can not at the time but with the right respect for this music and its dancers she very well might. She will realize her mistake learn some Earth vibrations and allow me to be accepted as a member of the same tribe. 

It did not take long to realize that would not occur tonight and to be honest after the flash of anger she shot into my assistance she never would. I wouldn’t ever let her sue me move. Whitney move. Whitney and I move together into the sacreds of place. Love. Forgiveness. This place allows one to want to everyone to thrive in their own beautiful way.

 

She delivers her final blow. It’s another verbal strike but it’s something like no I meant like can you go away way over there. I have been excommunicated. I was told I can not prove I am one of the faithful. I can not prove I help keep and deeply respect those that keep the community spirit and music of the Grateful Dead alive. I am not worthy of mourning the death of one the true prophets and pillars of this movement with fellow parishioners. I am not worthy of today’s blessing that DSO is providing us. 
 

I want you to know that this woman does not and should not have the power in anyway to make me feel this way. I was worthy of the original space I was in. I was worthy mourn with my tribe. I need this music and the dance  to fill my cup. I did choose to leave. I probably should have just danced in the lobby with the duo of inspiration. I mean at the very least for that WRS that I knew in my heart and soul was coming. I jokingly told Whitney last night that I would bet the house on it. She claims to have taken that bet by the way so I get house.  There is a loophole of course Whitney believes and i don’t disagree all that is mine is hers as well.

 

I just move and laugh my excommunication off. I want peace. As I walk away, Whitney returns with my beer but clearly see a shift in my spirit and location if you will. Whitney then stands up for her man and takes back my space and refuses to give it up as the chick belts her with her hair and hips. This is followed by another male in the “friends club” not so accidentally taking a good firm hand print to my ladies ass. 
 

Unfortunately, this happens way than I’d like to admit at shows.  I’ve learned to just let it go unless she’s signals that she wants me to go into protection mode. She never really does that. She doesn’t want me to get in trouble and she knows if really reacted I would break the dudes jaw. So Whitney stands her ground to the point that my expeller. My bully lets her know I guess you can stay. 
 

I am aware that I can be fairly standoffish myself. I don’t really look to my friends at shows. I will often share the dance floor with people that most likely will never become more than a familiar face.  I will be expressive with my energy to people that talk over the music even if they at times dance with no care for how long they’ve been around, who they know or how family and more entitled to this scene they are in their view in comparison to me. 
 

I need to admit for various reasons some positive and some negative my commitment persistence to see the journey through and get every last drop of that liquid that fills the love cup that I can get from Dark Star hasn’t been the same for a while. I want you to know that I view this diminished desire to get anything and everything from this music is bull shit. I’m don’t like this version of myself as much as I liked that one that needed to get every last drop. I am making a pledge to be more patient to find my spot no matter how hard it is to get what Whitney and I come for and maybe possibly just give a little of it back to the faithful. Mason is back 
 

It was great to see Mickey Marissa Dave. Thanks for showing for me tonight Jake. And welcome to party Dino we look forward to what you bring to it.

I want to apologize for my angry outburst. I was hurt. I fell into the trap of allowing my pain and rejection to express as anger. I should have allowed the emotion to fully flow. I do plan to say something to this woman next time I see her. But not with anger or aggression but with the hopes she will see will see me as human and give me another chance to be in the tribe. I will get her and tell her mind. Maybe we can be friends.

 

This is what I meant to say 

[BillK522]

Sorry to hear of your less than

stellar show experience.

Proportional dancing needs to

be observed by all at densely

populated shows.

Hoping your next spin provides

adequate twirling space.

 

Praise DSO.

[Masons Child]

That’s the thing Bill.  I was working my position Whitney’s position and with the help of the other dancers including the one that felt that need to tell me to step off and not in the “friendship club.” I was confident that by post drums we was on our way to full on space and blissed out dancing. Hell I think we would’ve got close during the good lovin in set 1. 

[Tea]

Dang dood - full on turf war! Sux it changed-up your nite - with each nite being so precious .

Heres the original recipe:

Not Fade Away > Bird Song, Next Time You See Me, Black-Throated Wind, They Love Each Other, Operator, Beat It on Down the Line, Big Railroad Blues, Dark Hollow, Good Lovin' 

 

Here Comes Sunshine, The Race Is On, Mr Charlie, Tomorrow is Forever, WRS Suite > Let it Grow > Dark Star > Drums > Uncle John’s Band > Wharf Rat > GDTRFB > Not Fade Away Reprise 

E: Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu

[Masons Child]

I still had a wonderful valentine day with the most gracious patient lover. The greatest mom. The greatest wife. I can see eternity in her eyes. If heaven doesn’t include her, I’d rather just stay in this struggle we call living on Earth forever. I have the most beautiful family and blessed life. There will be more shows. Wish we had stuck it out for the WRS. I called that shit. I told people I’d bet 5k on it before we left the show. And a Bobby moment I needed. Rob blesssed us our private wedding show with that one. 
 

WRS is the song I most listen to and dance alone to. Anytime there is a disturbance in Whitney and my love force that ends with Whitney putting herself to bed. I danced to that one to recenter my love strength and remind myself that she really just loves me and wants me to come hold her. Let her fall asleep and when the moment is right go hold her she will in her sleep subconsciously move into your body. We will become one again. Forever. Eternity. Terrapin. 

The anger is starting to subside. I will go edit my post soon to take away the petty name calling. I know im better than that. I was just angry. The words come out like an angry stream…..

 

In my defense I didn’t hit anyone or make a public scene. 

[Weather Command]

I dont post much anymore but can feel your pain....the venues this tour were old school jk day venues...too small for this band....they got it going and we need room....I saw 8 this tour and most of the shows were sold out  and it was obvious....I even had to ride the rail a few times due to flatness ( slanted theatre floors )....Im guessing next time around ( winter tour ), the venues might be a bit bigger LOVE you and Whit!! BTW, the band was on fire!!! My favorite was Del Mar...

[Masons Child]

Give my post to start this thread a 2nd chance if you will. Major edits

[2muchfun]

12 minutes ago, Masons Child said:

Give my post to start this thread a 2nd chance if you will. Major edits

As a guy with a few more years and a few less shows than you it takes a lot to leave at set break. Have done it once myself (Newport Columbus OH like 10 years ago) for similar experience. As you know there’s more to come soon. Always enjoy seeing you and Whitney and an occasional clone.

Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings.

[Masons Child]

Kids will be at the jubilee. I don’t know of anything before that for sure. High likely that kids up pop up for park stage in Jersey. And def the first show we left early or the first show we arrived. I can have a nonchalant attitude sometime given how many shows I’ve seen and a firm belief to nourish and be grateful for any songs at all. Sometimes when kids are with us we only plan on a set and I often will leave after a Jerry ballad when the band goes into what I would playfully call predictable throwaways

[Island Bro]

Dang MC,,Thats a tough night and tough stuff to deal with both in the moment, and after the fact, when reviewing what happened, etc…

While you encountered some rough attitudes and protectiveness or whatever it was, I agree with BIX that a huge part of the problem and tension you got tangled into is an oversold venue,,and a venue that is too small in the first place. A 900 capacity venue in Fort Collins on a Saturday night (Valentine’s Day no less!) to close out the tour is an utter and unfortunate misjudgment on the booking management side of the band operations. Not sure what Fort Collins has available but it shoulda been at least 2,000 capacity for that night, especially for the way things are rolling with the band right now.

 

One perspective to note is that Grateful Shred (a great band) is now selling out venues that DSO has played for years and continues to play even though they are cooking hard at a different level…but the steps up in venue sizes haven’t been happening…yet.

 

We did 4 between LA and Monterrey and had a fantastic time,,music as good as ever, and managed to at least have reasonable dance space each night (and at times plenty). But it took arriving early, getting in line before doors and staking some sort of claim at the crack of entrance time—all stuff I never imagined necessary at DSO of yesteryear…It’s worth it, but it’s just different…have drifted in closer to show time and struggled so hard to find Dance space and feel at home, that it’s changed how to approach it. Over time have drifted toward the rail to end up with less distractions, feel more connected to the band and music and often end up with surprisingly decent space to move and groove…Can be protective of space and can’t stand when someone suddenly parks in the space Thats being used and danced in and stands there like a tree with no movement but if at least someone is moving with the space and dancing into it and through it with awareness of what’s going on around, it seems to work out…

 

Your analysis of ye old space vs sound debate on where to be is very familiar territory as well as the challenge of trying to integrate and find the groove into existing pockets of movement…

We damn near jumped out to Colorado for those last two after feeling in Cali how hard the band is cooking right now, musically, in the post Bobby (and Phil and Donna) era…but some life stuff got in the way of making that happen.

 

Have done the SoCal shows for the last 3 years straight and the crowds were way bigger this time around…Bobby’s passing really changed the game and led to quite a spike in ticket sales and sellouts. 2 years ago in San Luis Obispo, on a Tuesday night the 1100 capacity theater was like 60% sold and endless space available throughout whereas this year it was sold out well in advance, again on a Tuesday night. Not a bigger or better option in that town for a midweek show but the game is changing rapidly right now,,,,and I’m stoked for the band to be selling out even weeknights. Other than LA Wiltern theater on the Friday night, we actually designed this run/vacation around small town midweek shows for the mellower potential…but all sold out now😂🤣. Still had a complete blast and the disco dance party for an hour or so in the street after show in SLO, shutting down traffic in one lane, was another memorable DSO moment (after the rippin ‘77 that night)

 

I am hopeful that the feedback is making it to the booking management and that larger venues and more 2 and three night runs are on the way (perhaps those last 2 shows of the tour should have just both been in Denver at the Fillmore?) and that the level of tension that you experienced on the dance floor can be alleviated sooner than later…

 

with growth comes growing pains but also some excitement. The venues don’t need to be crazy huge at all, but anything under 1500, even on a weeknight is becoming a stretch for this band, methinks.

[Greg from Chestertown]

I’ve always wondered why Dark Star hasn’t reached another plateau with larger venues. Reading reviews on this last tour, the larger crowds were noticeable. I’m sure Bobby’s passing caused a spike in sales but I bet it stays. Sometimes, shows weren’t crowded because Dead and Company were playing somewhat nearby. That’ll never happen again. As far as dancing space, I go through that same scenario at some shows. You spend a lot of time searching out a spot and sometimes it never happens. The best is when you’re on the rail and there’s enough room right there. When things get sardine like, only my hands dance. Like a couple of butterflies doing a mating dance to Jeff’s noodling. That is a shame , though. I go to shows to relieve myself of the stress. It’s supposed to be on oasis. With my studying of native Americans, I learned that they might not care for each other out in the field but if they encountered others at a source of water, stone, etc. , then that was a sacred place where all shared politely. Community 

[Brian NJ]

I'm sorry that was your experience at the show my friend. I have been shying away from sold out shows for some time now. Between no dance space and with not having a spleen I tend to get sick when packed with other people.

 

I have had that experience and have had success with dancing on the outskirts then catching somebody's eye and pointing to myself and waving my hand towards the group of dancers then Palms up and a smile And have been welcomed in to the group...

[Brian NJ]

Some years ago at I think maybe Boulder Theater, somewhere in Colorado I got there early and front left of stage there was a yellow line you cannot cross. I talked to security beforehand just trying to be friendly and they were very cool. As the band came on a few members waved and said hi as they walked up the steps to go to the stage. Security was very cool and I had about a seven foot by 7 foot circle to dancing alone if I cross the yellow line and security was okay with that. I even helped them keep people from putting their drinks on the stage. A very memorable night. security chased people away from where I was dancing and band did a most soulful Black Peter! The venue was oversold and I had all the room in the world. The only downside was I danced by myself and not in the tribal community that feeds off each other's energy.

Great topic MC. I miss grooving with you and Whitney and others. I get your angst! I have been whipped with a woman's hair on the East Coast. Somehow they think it's okay to assault somebody with their hair. To me it's no less offensive than going up to somebody and physically pushing them out of the circle... 

I have also been the protector of our dance tribe at times when somebody that is so drunk they can barely walk straight comes into the circle and tries to dance bumping into people. I've explained to them that they are barely able to stand and they will hurt somebody or get hurt so please move to the outside. 

[2muchfun]

I have been a victim of the hair assault as well. Would pretend I liked it and then it would usually stop or move on.

[Masons Child]

We went to see young and dead last night at the fox. It was actually pretty solid outside of the vocals being fairly weak. Venue was surprisingly well sold. Captain of the friends club was in attendance. We just danced elsewhere but did get to see her tell an older head. Guy had to be in his 70s that his presence was unwanted and he had to move along.

 

Whitney and I have talked and neither one of us was happy with how I so easily let her take our space the space I had carefully deliberately and diligently carved out. Mason would never have let someone tell him he isn’t welcome on the dance floor or let someone tell me they owned the space I was occupying peacefully joyfully. I am quite sure there will be a time in the near future here in Colorado when we will have to dance in the same space. I have every intention to be civil about it but I will stand my ground. I will tell her to fuck off if I have to and let her know she doesn’t own any space and she no more entitled to the space than anyone else. I can’t believe she would treat an older head like that. Dude was not even on the dance floor he was leaning on the railing in front of it. Probably to help ease his aching bones.  
 

In a guess a bit of irony. They played Mountains of the Moon. 

[Tea]

1 hour ago, Masons Child said:

Mason would never have let someone tell him he isn’t welcome on the dance floor or let someone tell me they owned the space I was occupying peacefully joyfully. 

I get it that this music, this scene, and the sanctity of dance is a way of life for you and Whitney. That said, this friends club is living rent-free in your head. Easy for me to say just let it go, but I got a 50/50 shot of being right.

 

Did you just go full 3rd person here?!?  Makes Mason sound more like a movement, than a person.

just bustin balls - I hope you and your family has a great Spring!