A free benefit concert and musical tribute to Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead is set for Friday, Feb. 6 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Florida Keys Brewing Co. in Islamorada.
Dive Into Art & Music, a benefit for the History of Diving Museum, will include an art exhibit and sale of Garcia’s artwork as museum-quality giclée prints. The concert features Rainbow Full of Sound, created in 2012 when a group of “Dead Head” musicians decided to replicate the band’s legendary 1980 Radio City Music Hall run. They have played ever since with a rotating cast of members, with keyboardist and vocalist Waynard previously performing with Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Donna Jean Godchaux.
The event features a night under the stars with drinks from Florida Keys Brewing Co., music and more including Wire Sculpture Live, raffles and silent auctions, Tacos Jalisco food truck, merchandise from Grateful Diver and photos with the Key Westys’ hippie van.
At 5 p.m., a poetry reading and live performance will be held at the Blue Marlin Stage by students who participated in the History of Diving Museum’s new featured exhibit, “Dive Into Art: Stories from the Sea.” Local artist Adrienne Z worked with the students to turn their poems into songs, and will lead the group performance. Music from Rainbow Full of Sound will begin in the Florida Keys Brewing Co. beer garden at 6 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the History of Diving Museum’s “Dive Into Art” exhibit.
Sponsors and partners include the Art Guild of the Purple Isles, Blue Marlin Jewelry, Florida Arts and Culture, Grateful Diver, the Jerry Garcia Foundation, Florida Keys Council of the Arts, Key Westys, Silent World Dive Center, the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and Wire Sculpture Live.
