Let’s do the Time Warp Today
By Dale Nickey
San Fernando Valley, CA (The Hollywood Times) 05/06/2025
At a private enclave hidden in the SFV, The Grateful Dames held court for 2 hours; transporting an adoring, tie-dyed throng in their way-back machine to Woodstock Nation in miniature. Spring rain included.
As their name implies, ‘The Dames’ are a Grateful Dead tribute band with an industrial strength twist; that being a female line up consisting of Heathor Kulber on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Ann Vannoy on drums, Dani-O Eslin on lead guitar and lead vocals, and Holly Weisbuch on bass, vocals and mandolin. Augmenting the lineup is keyboard wizard Lindsay Vannoy (Elton John, Hall and Oates).
The Grateful Dames’ fem makeover of Dead classics is a refreshing party mix of estrogen and enthusiasm that had their growing circle of fans on their feet and dancing well into the night. Moreover, the two-hour set was a display of stamina that would put most of their alpha counterparts to shame.
Standout performances were many. Althea was a tight-but-loose crowd pleaser. Fire On the Mountain faithfully sourced the Wah-Wah stylings of Jerry Garcia. Shakedown Street brought the funk, and their spirited cover of The Black Crows – Hard to Handle had my wifey bolting out of her seat. Late evening saw Holly switch from bass to mandolin for Ripples; a perfect late-set palette cleanser. Playful irony was delivered in the form of the ‘Dead’ standard Man Smart, Woman Smarter, where drummer Ann channeled her inner Bo Diddly.
This reviewer witnessed their first gig last summer. Since that time, The Grateful Dames have shed their opening night jitters, and have acquired the swagger and poise that only comes with a steady diet of gigs and hard work. The Grateful Dames are not a band of starry-eyed dilettantes wearing their influence second hand. They’re mature women who’ve been there and seen that.
In the same tradition as their role models (The Grateful Dead), a Dames gig is not just a gig, but a happening. A place where your past and present self can co-mingle in a safe, dimensional space of free dance, gentle vibes, pop-up vendors and expanded consciousness.
A placard at the gig said it best – “We’re not here for a long time; we’re here for a good time”. The Grateful Dames will definitely show you a good time.
Dames info and future dates found at their website: http://www.gratefuldames.com
Photos by Stu Weisbuch
