12/31 China Cats New Years Eve Celebration
A Tribute to the Grateful Dead New Years Eve Dinner Special & Show Combo $90.00 (Dinner Specials start at 7:00) Show Only $50
The China Cats: Performing for nearly a decade and nearly 200 shows, China Cats continues the musical tradition of the Grateful Dead while throwing a new kind of gasoline on the fire. On any given night the band will play songs from throughout the Dead’s 30-year repertoire. Their joy and enthusiasm for making music together is so contagious that the band has featured guest appearances from Grateful Dead alum, including original member Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay. Melvin Seals of the Jerry Garcia Band has sporadically joined the band since 2013. China Cats performs throughout California including a recent series at Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, which belongs to Dead bassist Phil Lesh. Each performance is a new, communal journey. Band members seek out a unique style and sound while paying homage to the spirit of the Dead.
“On these tunes, there are certain things that are specific, and certain things that are wide open to interpretation,” guitarist Matt Hartle told the San Jose Mercury News. “It’s never about going back. It’s always looking to the present moment that we’re having. We’re not playing the 1973 version of the song or the ’79 or the ’92 version. Every time the China Cats play a song, it’s a new experience.”
Matt Hartle brings experience from collaborations with Dead-family musicians including Henry Kaiser, Michael Kang (String Cheese Incident), and is a current member of Painted Mandolin with former Garcia-Grisman instrumentalist Joe Craven. Rhythm guitarist Scott Cooper has recorded with members of Little Feat, Galactic, David Nelson Band, New Riders. His debut solo CD reached #5 on the Relix jam band radio charts. Steve regularly plays keys in Stu Allen & Mars Hotel. Roger formerly played bass in David Gans & the Sycamore Slough String Band and has performed with artists such as Frank Wakefield. Michael is an in-demand drummer who is versed in New Orleans, jazz, reggae and African styles.
Artist sites and sounds: www.facebook.com/TheVillageGreenKinks/ and https://youtu.be/io3VMXLnEg0
New Year’s Eve with The China Cats: Friday, December 31 at 8:30
Michael’s on Main
2591 South Main Street
Soquel, CA 95073
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/china-cats-new-years-eve-celebration-tickets-207691419627
Event invitation: https://fb.me/e/1qmMpE9sX
Julie Horner is Co-Founder and Editor for the San Lorenzo Valley Post. Julie lives and works in Boulder Creek and is an active participant in the county's vibrant music scene. She loves the outdoors and is the go-to expert on Santa Cruz Mountains hiking trails.
