Grateful Dead-inspired festival hits Edmonton

A two-day festival inspired by the Grateful Dead, Dead Ends Live, will take place March 17-18, bringing the jam band spirit to McDougall United Church and Chateau Lacombe Ballroom.

The multi-venue event, produced by Peter North, former host of CKUA’s Dead Ends and Detours for 15 years, will celebrate the Grateful Dead’s music and influences. Performers include well-known Grateful Dead affiliates like John Kadlecik and David Gans, alongside local acts such as the MacGowan Family Band and John Hewitt.

“John Kadlecik was knee-deep after Jerry Garcia’s death, playing with Bob Weir and Phil Lesh for three years, singing many of Garcia’s songs. You can’t get closer to the heart of it,” North said.

The festival extends beyond Grateful Dead tunes. “There’s a fiddle summit Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m., which isn’t tied to the Grateful Dead,” North said. “This isn’t just for Dead fans—it’s about their infectious spirit.”

The MacGowan Family Band, long-time Dead enthusiasts, will perform a 75-minute Grateful Dead set Saturday night. North calls them “Alberta’s disciples of the Dead,” praising their dedication. Mark MacGowan, a band member, said, “Most Deadheads in Edmonton are already our fans. We’ve partied with them over the years in this tight-knit music scene, but we hope to find a few more at the festival.”

Following their set, John Hewitt joins David Gans of Grateful Dead Radio Hour on SiriusXM for the Friends of the Devil Jam. “The jam band vibe means if someone starts playing, the band follows. With musicians this good, you can play anything, and they’ll make it interesting,” Hewitt said.

Hewitt will also host a workshop exploring the Grateful Dead’s roots, featuring bluegrass, blues, folk, and traditional tunes. “The Grateful Dead drew from so many influences, from their contemporaries to early inspirations,” he said. The workshop includes a bluegrass duo and Richard Davis performing Louisiana-style piano blues.

The festival opens March 17 at 7 p.m. at McDougall United Church with John Kadlecik and the Terrapin Station String Quartet. It closes March 18 at 1 a.m. with Kadlecik and local artists at Chateau Lacombe Ballroom. The venues, across the street from each other, allow attendees to catch most performances.

“You can enjoy the church until just after 10 p.m., then walk to the ballroom for another two hours of music,” North said.

McDougall United Church is all-ages, while Chateau Lacombe Ballroom is 19+. Visit deadendslive.com for event details and tickets.