🌹 Once in a while, you get shown the light…


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 of the journey. Please forward this newsletter to all your Deadhead friends and invite them to get on our bus!

🌹 “Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.”

~Scarlet Begonias, first played live March 23, 1974, Cow Palace, Daly City, CA


🎤 The Night It All Came Together

Cornell ’77 – Barton Hall, May 8, 1977

A snowy night in Ithaca. A modest gymnasium. A band at the top of its game. What unfolded inside Cornell’s Barton Hall that night became one of the most beloved shows in Deadhead history.

The performance glows from start to finish—playful, tight, and full of magic. The Scarlet > Fire jam alone is worth the price of admission. Some call it the perfect Dead show. Others just call it home.

👉 Read the full story

📜 From the Archives
This week, we’re spotlighting the iconic poster for the legendary Barton Hall show at Cornell University—May 8, 1977, widely regarded as one of the Grateful Dead’s all-time best performances. According to the Bahr Gallery, this is the only authorized reprint of the original poster—an ultra-rare piece with fewer than 500 printed at the time.

🎵 Weekend Vibes
We’re kicking off this week’s China Cat Chat playlist with “Scarlet Begonias” from the legendary May 8, 1977 Cornell show—a performance many consider one of the Grateful Dead’s all-time best. The energy is electric, Jerry’s playing is pure fire, and the vibe is unmistakably alive. It’s the perfect opener for a weekend soundtrack that drifts, dances, and delights. Click Spotify playlist below.

🌻 Ripple Moment
Notice the little sparks today—a stranger’s kindness, a song at the perfect moment, a flash of beauty where you least expect it. Honor the magic. Be someone else’s spark. Spread some kindness. NFA 💫

More soon. Stay kind...

Todd & Michelle

China Cat Chat

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104
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China Cat Chat

Introducing the "China Cat Chat" newsletter – your gateway to the mesmerizing world of Grateful Dead, curated for ardent enthusiasts and curious minds alike. Dive into the pulsating heart of this iconic band's legacy with our meticulously crafted content. Delve into captivating stories behind the music, relive legendary concerts, and explore the profound cultural impact of the Grateful Dead. Whether you're a seasoned "Deadhead" or just embarking on this enchanting musical journey, "China Cat Chat" is your companion. Expect thought-provoking analyses of the band's discography, revealing the evolution of their sound and the profound themes woven into their lyrics. Immerse yourself in our in-depth retrospectives, highlighting pivotal moments in the band's history and the countercultural movement they shaped. But "China Cat Chat" goes beyond music – it uncovers the band's connections to art, literature, and spirituality, offering a holistic view of their influence. Engage with interviews of band members, collaborators, and experts, gaining unique insights into the magic that defined an era. Join us in celebrating the Grateful Dead's enduring spirit – subscribe to "China Cat Chat" and become a part of a vibrant community passionate about keeping the legacy alive.

Read more from China Cat Chat

Subscribe to the Newsletter 🎶 "It's a rainbow full of sound, It's fireworks, calliopes and clowns, Everybody's dancing..." ~ “The Music Never Stopped", first played live August 13, 1975 at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. The words were written by John Perry Barlow, while the music is credited to Bob Weir. A fitting line for this issue — even though the Grateful Dead aren’t on stage and longer, the music never stops. Tribute bands and offshoot projects are proof that the river...

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,...

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...