Welcome to The Days Between at beautiful Black Oak Ranch in Laytonville, CA., an intimate family friendly festival featuring two nights of Dark Star Orchestra, plus David Nelson Band, Stu Allen & Friends, Full Moonalice, Whiskey Family Band, Grateful Bluegrass Boys and more! Come enjoy music, camping, food and craft vendors, and community. This will be a perfect opportunity to reunite with friends and family. The event will follow all state of California Covid-19 event safety guidelines. Proof of a Covid-19 vaccine will be required to attend (12+).
The Days Between is a time to honor and celebrate the memory and the music of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. Jerry was born on August 1, 1942 and died on August 9, 1995. The nine days between Jerry’s birthday and his passing are considered ‘The Days Between’.
Black Oak Ranch offers an intimate festival site in a majestic setting of oak woodlands, meadows and seasonal creeks, a perfect place to gather with family and friends. Black Oak Ranch has a rich history of hosting unforgettable festivals and events. Electric on the Eel, featuring Jerry Garcia Band moved to the ranch in 1992, renamed as Electric off the Eel. It then evolved into The Hog Farm Pignic, which ran until 2001. After Jerry’s death in 1995, Deadheads gathered at The Pignic to collectively celebrate his life and mourn the loss. Many of the people who work at Black Oak Ranch festivals have a long history of creating safe and magical spaces stemming from their experience working at Grateful Dead concerts and other festivals. Black Oak Ranch is also the home of Wavy Gravy’s Camp Winnarainbow, a circus and performing arts camp for kids and adults.
Performing to critical acclaim for over 20 years and over 2800 shows, Dark Star Orchestra continues the Grateful Dead live concert experience. Their shows are built off the Dead’s extensive catalog and the talent of these seven fine musicians. On any given night, the band will perform a show based on a set list from the Grateful Dead’s 30+ years of extensive touring or use their catalog to program a unique set list for the show. This allows fans both young and old to share in the experience. By recreating set lists from the past, and by developing their own sets of Dead songs, Dark Star Orchestra offers a continually evolving artistic outlet within this musical canon. Honoring both the band and the fans, Dark Star Orchestra’s members seek out the unique style and sound of each era while simultaneously offering their own informed improvisations. Dark Star Orchestra is thrilled to honor the Grateful Dead’s long history and connection to the Black Oak Ranch at The Days Between.
GETTING TO BLACK OAK RANCH – HWY 101
From the Bay Area:
Take Hwy. 101 north 150 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge to Laytonville. Black Oak Ranch is 5 miles north of Laytonville on the west side of the highway. Look for the signs, parking lot is adjacent to the highway.
From the Sacramento Area:
Take Hwy. 5 north to Williams, turn on Hwy. 20 West, follow all the way to Hwy. 101 North–go approximately 40 miles north to Laytonville. Black Oak Ranch is 5 miles north of Laytonville.
From the North Coast/Oregon:
Take Hwy. 101 south. The site is approximately 100 miles south of Eureka. As you get close begin to look at the mile marker signs at the side of the road. Black Oak Ranch is at mile marker 74.15. Signs will be on the west side of the road, as will the entrance and parking lot.
CAMPING
Your 2-Day Ticket includes camping, although every vehicle will need a VEHICLE PASS (if your vehicle is 24’ or shorter), or an RV PASS (if your vehicle is 24’ or longer). You can purchase vehicle passes on our TICKETING PAGE page. Carpooling is highly recommended!
The Days Between offers both car camping and walk-in camping. Many of the walk-in campsites are nestled under our beautiful, shady oaks. Note: walk-in camping is about 150 yards from the parking area. Wagons to haul gear are recommended. Car camping is available in our flat, open meadow (limited shade).
Camping spots are on a first-come-first-serve basis. Camping begins at 8:00 AM on Friday, and ends at 1:00 PM on Sunday. Early arriving campers may not save spaces with their vehicles for late arrivals. To secure places for later arriving friends, early arrivals can pitch their friends tents or secure with extra gear (up to two spaces only).
There are no electrical hook-ups in the camp grounds. Fresh water is available throughout the facility. All toilet facilities are porta-johns.
GET INVOLVED
We are seeking a team of creative and dedicated people to collaborate with us in creating a magical event! Our team opportunities include Craft & Food Vendors, Festival Volunteers, Non-Profit Organizations, Event Sponsors, Press, Media, and more.
Food Vendors
The Days Between is looking for experienced food vendors who can provide delectable meals with an emphasis on healthy, local and organic. If you’re interested in being a food vendor please fill out the application. Applications are due no later than June 30th.
Craft Vendors
If you are a craft vendor and would like to purchase a craft vendor booth in our Marketplace, please fill out the application. Applications are due no later than June 30th.
Work Exchange
From pre-festival, during the festival, to post-festival, producing an event is a team effort and our work exchange festival krew are an integral part of making it happen! We have various opportunities for you to help out in exchange for your festival pass. If you’re interested in being part of the team, please fill out the application. We will close applications when all crews are filled up.
Non-Profit Organizations
If you are a non-profit organization and would like to have a booth in our activist area, please fill out the application. Applications are due no later than June 30th.
Press / Media
To inquire about press/media/photo passes for The Days Between, please email us at info@daysbetweenfest.com. Please note all media, press & photographer passes are pre-approved and pre-allocated, walk-ups will not be accepted.
HEALTH & SAFETY
The Days Between will follow all State of California and County of Mendocino health and safety protocols in effect at the time of the event. The Days Between will require proof of a final dose of a COVID-19 vaccination at least two weeks prior to the event for everyone over the age of 12. Children ages 2-12 should wear masks. More details on additional COVID-19 health and safety protocols will be released at a later date closer to the event. Attendees, staff, and artists agree to abide by these rules which may include masks and social distancing in addition to the vaccine requirement. To find out where you can get your Covid-19 vaccine visit https://myturn.ca.gov/. PLEASE NOTE: If you still need a vaccination and plan to attend, make sure to get your first vaccine dose by JUNE 24th to ensure you have enough time to receive your full vaccination course before the event.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday, August 6th
8:00AM Campground Opens
2:00PM Concert Bowl Opens
3:00PM - 3:30PM Opening Ritual / Sound Healing
4:00PM - 5:00PM Grateful Bluegrass Boys
5:30PM - 7:30PM Full Moonalice
8:00PM - 12:00AM Dark Star Orchestra (two sets)
12:00AM - 1:00AM Whiskey Family Band (bar stage)
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Subject to Change
Saturday, August 7th
11:00AM Concert Bowl Opens
1:00PM- 2:00PM David Gans (bar stage)
2:30PM - 4:00PM Whiskey Family Band
4:30PM - 6:00PM Stu Allen & Friends
6:00PM-7:00PM Jerry’s Middle Finger (bar stage)
7:00PM - 8:30PM David Nelson Band
9:00PM - 1:00AM Dark Star Orchestra
1:00AM - 2:00AM Jerry’s Middle Finger (bar stage)
Sunday, August 8th
12:00PM Campground closes