Subscribe to the Newsletter 🎶 “While the firelight’s aglow, strange shadows from the flames will grow.” ~ Lady with a Fan (from the Terrapin Station suite), First played live: February 26, 1977, at Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, CA, Written by: Jerry Garcia (music), Robert Hunter (lyrics) 🚐 Haight-Ashbury Walking Tour Highlights Before the music even started, we hit the streets of Haight-Ashbury for a self-guided walking tour through Grateful Dead history—complete with vintage murals,...
22 days ago • 2 min read
Subscribe to the Newsletter 🎶 “The shoe is on the hand it fits, there's really nothing much to it.” ~ Touch of Grey, first performed live by the Grateful Dead in 1982 and became their only top 10 hit single. Written by Jerry Garcia and lyricist Robert Hunter, the song is a resilient anthem about enduring life’s ups and downs with a touch of optimism. The song was the opener at Soldier Field, Chicago July 9, 1995 - The Grateful Dead's last show with Jerry Garcia. 🌀 The Wheel Keeps Turning: 6...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Subscribe to the Newsletter 🌹 “Such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.” ~Box of Rain, Written by Phil Lesh and Robert Hunter, first debuted live on March 23, 1970, during a benefit concert at the Fillmore East in New York City. 🎤 Two Hearts, One Song: Todd & Michelle Some stories are written in the stars. Ours? It was written in the setlists (and maybe in the stars as well). This issue, we're flipping the script and stepping into the spotlight ourselves — interviewing...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Subscribe 🌹 “I woke today, and felt your side of bed. The covers were still warm where you'd been layin’.” ~Looks Like Rain (Written by Bob Weir and John Barlow), first played live March 21, 1972, at Academy of Music, New York City. 🎤 Interview with Alice In this episode of China Cat Chat, we sit down with longtime Deadhead Alice — a tour buddy, friend, and part of our extended show-going family. From Colorado to Mexico, Europe to flag football with Bobby (!), this one’s full of heart and...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Subscribe 🌹 “Summertime done come and gone, my oh my” ~U.S. Blues, First performed live: February 22, 1974 at Winterland, San Francisco A Note from Michelle & Todd Hey Now, friends! Welcome to another issue of China Cat Chat — we’re diving into a summer vibe with a nod to U.S. Blues, that irreverent, red-white-and-true classic. In a time when kindness, compassion, and unity feel more important than ever, we're reminded of the spirit that’s always lived at the heart of this music—and this...
3 months ago • 3 min read
Subscribe 🌹 “Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world.” ~Eyes of the World, first played live February 9, 1973, Roscoe Maples Pavilion, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 🎤 Meet Elizabeth: A Lifelong Deadhead with a Heart Full of Music For our very first China Cat Chat interview, we’re thrilled to introduce someone near and dear to our hearts—Elizabeth, Michelle’s sister and a longtime Deadhead whose life has been shaped by the music, the community, and the joy of dancing in the...
3 months ago • 2 min read
May 18, 2025 🌹 Welcome to China Cat Chat! Every other Friday, we’ll send along a few sparks of Deadhead culture—stories, sounds, art, and a ripple moment to brighten your Friday and weekend. Some issues will feature a favorite poster or track from the vault, and others will highlight interviews with fellow Deadheads whose lives have been shaped by the music and the magic. We’re Michelle and Todd, and this is something we’ve been dreaming up for a long time. Thanks for joining us at the start...
3 months ago • 1 min read