🌹 “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 crowd.

Elizabeth has been riding the bus for decades, from Boulder to the Sphere, collecting memories and wisdom along the way. In this interview, she shares the magic of her favorite shows, the spiritual pull of the music, and why the Grateful Dead has made her a more open-hearted human. She even offers up a little tough love for chatty neighbors at shows—and some sweet advice for anyone new to the scene.

💀🌹 Grab a comfy spot, open your heart, and click below to listen to the full interview. You’re going to love this one.

👉 Listen to the interview...​

Flash from the Past...A backstage moment with Bobby in Durango, Colorado after a "Bobby and the Midnites" show with Michelle and her sister, Elizabeth.

🎨 Artwork Spotlight: Grateful Dead Telluride 1987 Poster​
This iconic poster, created by artist Steve Johannsen, commemorates the Grateful Dead's legendary performances in Telluride, Colorado, on August 15 and 16, 1987. The artwork features six elegantly dressed skeletons posed like Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch—a nod to the town’s outlaw roots and the site of Cassidy’s first bank robbery in 1889. (from Bahr Gallery)

The Dead’s decision to play Telluride was anything but random. Band members, especially bassist Phil Lesh, had a deep affection for the Colorado mountains. Telluride’s natural beauty and remote location made it a dreamlike destination—though one that required complex logistics. The town’s population at the time was only about 1,500, but more than 9,000 Deadheads rolled in for the weekend. Locals braced for chaos, but what they got was a peaceful convergence of music, mountains, and mellow vibes that many still talk about today.

🎧 China Cat Chat Weekend Playlist: 🌟 Hidden Gem: “Eyes of the World” – June 17, 1974 (Louisville, KY – Freedom Hall)
We are starting off this weekend's playlist with a version of Eyes of the World that often flies under the radar, but it’s a stunner. Played during the peak of the band’s jazzy, exploratory era, which features a beautiful, flowing jam. Phil’s bass is all over the place (in the best way), and the interplay is pure telepathy. Check out the playlist below.

🌻 Ripple Moment​
As we listen to Eyes of the World and become more present in the here and now, let us try to see the world with a childlike mind — open, curious, and full of wonder. In this awareness, we recognize that our thoughts and actions ripple outward, touching others in ways we may never fully see. Each moment of kindness and presence has the power to create waves, spreading far beyond ourselves.

~Try to approach someone you interact with daily—especially if it’s someone you sometimes struggle to be fully present around—with an open and curious attitude. Notice how this small shift might deepen your connection and create positive ripples in your relationship. 💫

More soon. Stay kind...

Todd & Michelle

​China Cat Chat​

💌 Got a Story to Share?

We want your tales from the trail! Whether it’s a recipe from Shakedown Street, a memory from the lot, your all-time favorite show, or just a lyric that’s stayed with you—we’d love to hear it. China Cat Chat is for Deadheads, by Deadheads, and your voice makes this community what it is.

We’re also always looking for folks to interview in upcoming issues. If the music has touched your life in a special way, or you’ve got a perspective to share, drop us a line!