The Thomaston Opera House plays host to a movie night for Grateful Dead fans when longtime promoter Paul Ryan presents a special Movie Night. The evening includes an exclusive showing of one of the most recent documentaries focused on the life and times of the legendary rock group The Grateful Dead. The film offers an in-depth look at the band’s history, musical evolution, and cultural impact, featuring newly conducted interviews with living band members and associates.
The documentary delves into the band’s origins in the San Francisco Bay area, their pioneering improvisational live performances, and their devoted fanbase known as “Deadheads.” Interviews with Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and others provide first-hand accounts of the Grateful Dead’s remarkable journey.
Before the Film Showing, the Grateful Dead’s longtime Publicist Dennis McNally will be doing a Q & A with audience members via Zoom from California. Dennis was the Grateful Dead's publicist in 1984, and has since worked with many different musicians, bands, record companies, and promoters, including Zakir Hussain, Steve Kimock, Little Feat, Bill Payne (solo career), Boris Garcia, Bob Weir & RatDog. Dennis has published four books including, "On Highway 61," in 2014 and "Jerry on Jerry," in November, 2015.
Performing on stage before the film and during intermission will be multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Kevin Roper who has performed with Melvin Seals, Oteil Burbridge, John Kadlecik, Jon Fishman, Steve Kimok, Tom Constanten and more. Kevin Roper is a singer/songwriter from all over New England, currently based near Portland, Maine, who plays keyboards and guitar, mixing elements of jam rock, folk rock, funk, and whatever other styles he has crossed paths with. Having just completed his second full-length album, 'Set Yourself Free'.
All reserved seating is $14 each. Doors to the theatre will open at 5:45 PM, and Q&A with Dennis McNally starts at 6:15 PM. The film will start at 7:00 PM and runs until 11:00 PM.