The Dogpatch Junction in San Francisco

 

Last week I went to San Francisco, looking to escape  the heat of the city. I enjoy SF because I don’t do the touristy stuff anymore. I mingle with the locals, enjoying a fine cappuccino at the Blue Bottle Coffee in the Ferry Terminal. I really love the early morning farmer’s market.  It brings life into the still sleepy city.

While sitting at Blue Bottle, I read a local newspaper and saw an ad that caught my attention – “‘The Dogpatch Junction’ is performing later today at the Presidio Yacht Club just across the Golden Gate Bridge”. Sounded like a nice place to be and listen to The Dogpatch Junction paying homage to the Grateful Dead. Later in the afternoon I crossed the bridge and went down to the club.

The entrance fee was a bargain – only $10.  Even better, this money goes directly to Rex Foundation http://rexfoundation.org/. While the band sets up, I have a  Club Special Pizza and a beer.  They start to play their acoustic set. It really sounds great.  Terrific improvisation and amazing sound.  It really gets hot after a short intermission when the electric sets start.  One song and the crowd starts to dance. It just so happened that this night the band’s keyboard player couldn’t be there as he was stuck in an airport somewhere, but it didn’t matter to the crowd.  They loved it!

If you have the chance to see them live – go and enjoy it. The Dogpatch Junction will perform on August 3rd at the Hotel Utah in SF celebrating Jerry Garcia’s 70th birthday.

Wish I could go to see them again.  But I’m back in steamy New York City.

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