Deadheadland | (~);} | Stu Allen & Friends w/ Jerry’s Middle Finger Guests Makes For A VERY Grateful Monday At Terrapin

Publishers note: When I arrived at Terrapin last Grateful Monday I saw my friend Hal Masonberg shooting pictures of some members of Jerry’s Middle Finger playing with Stu and Friends – so I asked him to write up a review of his experience. I am always at TxR, and have been since day 2… I thought it would be nice to get a fresh perspective on a night at Terrapin from a different set of eyes and ears. Hal has contributed to Deadheadland in the past as well. His photographs here are great, he was crawling under things and in-between nooks and crannies I’ve never seen to get some new perspective on my local bar…
Thanks Hal! Awesome work!!!
Grateful to have you on Team Deadheadland.
– happycat! (photos and words by Hal, video by me!)

Phil Lesh’s Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael is one of a handful of venues in Northern California universally considered ground zero for Dead Heads. It’s a haven, of sorts, a beacon. It’s been tugging at my heart and feet for years now and, until this past Monday, I never managed to make the trek northward (I’m currently L.A. based) to partake in the vibes and ambiance that Terrapin so lovingly and nobly offers.

This past Monday night for Grateful Monday, Stu Allen performed in the bar with some old friends and some new. On hand were regulars Jordan Feinstein (keys) and Burt Lewis (bass), but on drums this evening we were given the delicious opportunity to groove with the amazing Rodney Newman of Jerry’s Middle Finger. Add to that a couple of songs with JMF’s Jon Gold (keys) and Halina Janusz (vocals) sitting in and the evening became a full-on soulful celebration of both northern and southern Garcia influences (Burt Lewis is also the bass player for JMF). It was a first for this particular lineup and the crowd on hand was treated to an intoxicating evening of musical journeys borne of bringing like-minded musicians together for the first time to plunge head first into both the known and unknown. It’s that daring, that risk-taking that helps create the energy bubble that enveloped the Terrapin Crossroads bar this past Monday September 30.

The venue itself is part of the magic, with its winding staircase next to the stage, making the intimate space feel like you’re seeing the band in a friend’s living room. Albeit a friend’s living room with a tremendously well-stocked bar and some damn-tasty eats!

As someone who has seen both Stu Allen and Jerry’s Middle Finger many, many times, it was a treat to see these two talents merge. Perhaps next time we’ll get JMF’s Garrett Deloian and Lisa Malsberger up there to complete the package and Stu can sit in with them for a couple of Garcia Band tunes! At Terrapin Crossroads, it’s just a matter of time before that fusion materializes. And as someone who has finally tasted the elixir at Terrapin Crossroads, I’ll be there when it does.

Jerry’s Middle Finger will play the Grate Room for the first time at Terrapin Crossroads on Friday November 8th @ 8PM! Tickets are on sale now! I’ll see you there!

Stu Allen & Friends
Terrapin Crossroads
9/30/19

Set I
Touch Of Grey
Althea
Big River
It Must Have Been The Roses (Halina Janusz, vocals; Jon Gold, keys)
Might As Well (Halina Janusz, vocals; Jon Gold, keys)