Relix News 2006-05-22

RatDog, Hart and Baez Celebrate 70 Years with Wavy Gravy

Over the weekend, hippie icon Wavy Gravy celebrated his 70th birthday at Berkeley, CA's Berkeley Community Theatre. A benefit for the humanitarian's SEVA foundation, Wavy Gravy's birthday party included sets by a number of his oldest friends, including Bob Weir and RatDog, Mickey Hart, Steve Earle, David Lindley and Gillian Welch, among others. Throughout the night, friends and family looked back on Wavy Gravy's storied career through speech and film, including clips from a forthcoming documentary exploring the clown's charity work since the mid-1960s.
After performances from Steve Earle and Gillian Welch, Mickey Hart led an all-star band which included Les Claypool keyboardist Kitaro, RatDog guitarist Mark Karan and drummer Jay Lane. Joan Baez also stopped by to send Wavy Gravy her birthday wishes, joining Hart and singer Linda Tillery for a version of "Iko Iko." Hart's performance later gave way to an all-star drum jam, during which a group of belly dancers fanned Wavy Gravy onstage.
During RatDog's set, Joan Baez emerged for a version of "Little Darlin'," sharing vocals with Karan. Next, the birthday boy himself added vocals to "The Wheel." Finally, RatDog closed its set with an all-star version of "Not Fade Away," featuring Les Claypool, Wavy Gravy, Merl Saunders, Pete Sears, David Rawlings and Gillian Welch. Saunders, who suffered a stroke a few years back, had not made a public appearance in some time, but did play keyboards alongside Jeff Chimenti.
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Saturday started semi leisurely, GG (here from NY) , my kids and I ran a few errands and had a hardy brunch at the local grill in my little village shopping center. Next hours were spent chatting, resting then prepping for the Seva thing.
Since Scott was driving some of his city friends into Berkeley, G & I opted to drive out & meet him at BCT.
Smooth sailing across the San Mateo-Hatward bridge. Looked like a mighty traffic jam on 880 so I opted to take the longer but gentler on my old nerves, route of HWY 580 >HWY 24. It's the route I used to take to Art school (CCAC by Broadway Terrace). Getting off at the familiar old Broadway Terrace, cruisin down to College, taking a left on Haste and a right on Shattuck and voila, there's Allston! Nice big parking garage.
We skipped down to the BCT, lots of folks milling about-no Scotto though. Found a few usual suspects and schmoozed awhile. Got hungry, retreated back up Allston to find something to eat on Shattuck.
Scott called me and was waiting (at last!) for us to get his ticket. Back down to BCT. By this time, doors had opened and there was no wait to get inside. We were sent to a booth inside to pick up our posters and reception passes. We went to see the auction items and I took a last look at the items I had sent in. I don't know if both smokers were sold but I saw that one had a bid on it and was proud to be able to contribute something.
We were ushered to our seats in time to watch David Lindley sing and play some songs. I was surprised to see Wavy looking so trim!! As always he looked very merry! I recognized UH-OH & others from Winnarainbow on stage as part of the Clown Conspiracy- which is an organization that visits 3rd world areas in need of a laugh (or so that is how I am understanding their mission to be). I think next up was Gillian Welch, a fine folky singer who ended her set with "White Rabbit". Didnt feel that coming but it was appreciated! Next up, Steve Earle. After that, it may have been when Dr Larry Brilliant (I love that Dr Larry!) did a presentation using Google's satellite thingy to show all the places that had been important in Wavy's life.
At some point there was a long setbreak -either here or after Mickey's set. We wandered and met up with just a ton of friends - even family as Scott's cousin Andrew found us! Andrew's "date" was a woman who had been one of my kids' 4th grade teachers. AY YI YI!!
Mickey was on before Ratdog but had Jay & Mark (as well as Joan Baez , Linda Tillery ,Les Claypool & Merle Saunders) around for his set. I can't tell you what they played because I was too busy enjoying it! Finally, this set got most everyone up on their feet! Well, at least the people in front of us- we were Row D. We were up and stayed up all through Ratdog!
I've been spoiling myself and getting out to many Bobby/Doggy member bennies lately, but still it was happymaking to see the band all in one place again!
(more soon- it's carpool time again!)