Helping to Connect the Music of the Grateful Dead to the Younger Generation of Live Music Fans! Dancing Bears – Grateful Dead Tribute’s Ari Lesser

Dancing Bears – Grateful Dead Tribute: 5/8/21: The Recher: Kendall McCargo Photography

By Rich Barnstein

When Jon Wood and I were in the final phases of forming Dancing Bears – Grateful Dead Tribute, I knew we could be on to something special. Our main focus was to help connect the music of the Grateful Dead to the younger generation of live music fans. No one was really doing it like us. (We love and appreciate all of the GD tribute bands out there. We were just doing something a little different.) We knew the most important component was forming a fantastic team of highly skilled musicians who performed live, who loved playing with one another. We already had 4 out of 5, where we still needed another lead guitarist who could also join in on vocals. When Ari Lesser met with Woody (Jon Wood) and jammed together for the first time, Woody knew pretty quickly that Ari was the one we’ve been looking for! We can go on about his skills, and the chemistry, which is true, but let’s first take a look at Ari’s background, as a perfect example of our main focus as live performers. When we first approached Ari, shortly pre-pandemic, he was 29 years old, working full time in the music/acoustics industry as an engineer with BFI acoustics. He majored in Acoustics and Music at the University of Hartford, and plays lead guitar and vocalist in Puremotion, and Greasy Hands. Here’s the key: **With music being a major part of his life both personally and professionally, at 29 years old, Ari still had never dove into the music of the Grateful Dead.*** Below, I asked Ari some questions regarding this:

Who are some of your musical influences?

“Musical influences for me kind of come from everywhere…I was brought up on Red Hot Chili Peppers and classical music…2 completely different styles that have shaped how I approach music….going to music school…you learn to get influences from anything and everything around you…it comes from everywhere. In school I really studied the classical guitarist John Williams & his approach to music. Playing everything with reason and making sure you’re focused on your sound and technique…More recently, bands like Snarky Puppy, Lettuce, Vulfpeck, and John Mayer too… they’re pushing the limits…they bring a different approach to music that’s very fresh….that has contributed a lot to how I approach the instruments since the first time I heard them.”

Prior to being approached by Dancing Bears, who had you been listening to a lot? 

“A lot of Tom Misch..a lot of Kasey Musgraves…she’s great…her album Golden Hour has been on repeat…Mila’s (Ari’s 10 month old daughter) favorite thing to listen to. It’s a lot of fun to grab an acoustic guitar and play along with it…and then John Mayer…we listen to John Mayer all the time. In listening and revisiting folk/country/pop artists, I have been really appreciating the value and weight of a song including the lyrics, which is something I admittedly would previously overlook in favor of the harmony.

Ari Lesser: Kendall McCargo Photography

What were some of your recent shows you saw live before the pandemic?

“I went and caught White Denim, which was outrageous and so awesome. A little bit more extreme, but when you approached me in January 2020, we were on our way to JamCruise, right before everything shut down…Circles Around the Sun was one of my favorite things period…I also saw them at the 8×10 right before everything shut down. They’re one of my favorite bands at the moment. I also got to catch the Lennon Claypool Delirium on Jamcruise. I went into that show really not knowing a single song, & I was there with Greg Ormont from Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and he was kind of guiding me through it, and that blew me away..it just opened my ears to something completely new and different, and I came out of the cruise just a different person from an approach to music, to what I’m listening to, to how I’m listening to things..it was just awesome.”

How do you like it so far, with Dancing Bears?

“It’s incredible! It’s awesome! It feels so great to get to play with this level of musicianship across the board. Everyone is so fun, and everyone brings something so unique to the table. Everyone in the group has been playing together forever. I’m kind of the new guy, so it’s fun piecing into that, and seeing what, as ensemble, we do collectively. With all of our different backgrounds and perspectives coming in and taking this new approach.”

Since we formed Dancing Bears, how has the music of the Grateful Dead influenced you, both as a musician, and live music fan?

“That’s a deep question. Through this, I dove right in. Any project that I’m a part of, I dive deep into what the content is. I really try and learn it down. With this I include reading. I went to some of the biographies…Jerry and some of the documentaries that are out there about the band and the whole vibe. I think the biggest thing that I’m gaining from this group is the mentality to lose the ego. Removing the egos from the situation, having fun with it. Playing what feels fun. Listening to everyone, and experiencing it together. That applies to how I listen to music. It’s so easy to judge immediately. I’ve found myself going to shows, and thinking, “Oh I can do that”, or “Ah I don’t like that”, or judging just different random things, “Oh I love  that.” Part of getting into the Grateful Dead Music has taught me and is teaching me to approach any musical situation, whether it’s listening, whether it’s playing, to just kind of experience it for what it is, regardless of whatever you think. Acknowledging what’s going on, acknowledging to either like it or don’t like it, but taking it in just the same, any which way, and learning from it each time.”

How excited are you about all of this?

“This is a dream come true, as far as getting to play the type of music that we’re playing. We’re playing the music of the Grateful Dead, but we don’t feel constrained. When it comes to jamming, when it comes to the feel for the song, when it comes to really making it our own. I think we’re really allowing our own creative processes and juices to shape it, and that’s really liberating. It’s really exciting! One of the big things that we’re working on is connecting the music of the Grateful Dead to the younger generation. I think, through the fun that we’re having, I think that’s going to happen. We’ve got something for everyone…every type of Grateful Dead fan. We’re just starting to push the limits, as far as where we’re going to take this. We’re getting into some pretty awesome songs in the catalogue. All very exciting. Every new song that I learn, because most of the songs are new to me…they’re just as exciting as the last song. It’s all a lot of fun! I think I only knew 5-10 songs of our first set at the Recher. Leading up to this…a big factor in me being so open to this was that, John Mayer did do it, and he’s probably the biggest guitar influencer in my life. For me, as a guitarist, hearing how John Mayer approaches Dead & Company, was like, “huh! I wonder if I could even scratch the surface of what he’s doing with this music?” It seems that his joining Dead & Co. changed his approach to life, music, and his career, and I think that is really special. Lastly, I may have mentioned this before, but really I’m excited to be making music with this team specifically. Everyone has been so welcoming and inspiring.”

2021: Dancing Bears – Grateful Dead Tribute (from left to right) Alex Lang, Ari Lesser, Jon Wood, Jon Brady, & Nate Shulkin: Kendall McCargo Photography
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Dr. Rich Barnstein to Manage Dancing Bears- Grateful Dead Tribute! Sat June 26th at the COOP Timonium & More!

Dancing Bears- Grateful Dead Tribute are excited to announce our initial 2021 dates! Our first 2 shows at Union Craft Brewing & the Recher both sold out in 2 hrs!!!! Our next show with available tickets will be on Saturday June 26th at the COOP – American Bistro – Live Music in Timonium! This is right up the street from our Timonium office! 9pm start with 2 sets! There are a limited number of tix still available. If you want tix, YOU HAVE TO ORDER AT LEAST 4 TICKETS! You’ll be at a table, where you can’t pick what table, but there’s not a bad seat in the house, as it’s an intimate venue! If you want to go, please order tix asap, & don’t worry about the details, as again it may sell out quickly! Good luck! With the link, choose number of tix at the bottom (at least 4**), a time for seats, then hit search at the bottom. CLICK HERE FOR TICKET LINK The COOP is a brand new, beautifully revamped, intimate venue, with great food too! If you’re a fan of live music, and the Grateful Dead, then you don’t want to miss it! Of course I’ll still be loving to see patients at Professional Vision too! Thanks! Dr. Rich Barnstein

Hello everyone! As many of you know, I’ve been involved in the local music scene. Over the last 8-10 years, I’ve helped to book the bands, market, and promote Hot August Music Festival. 3 years ago I started a benefit concert for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, where we’ve raised over $10,000 for a great cause! I’ve also been honored to serve on the board for WTMD 89.7 Towson University Radio.

A year ago or so, I had the idea of forming a Grateful Dead Tribute band, approaching some of the best musicians in the Baltimore Washington area. (My first ever concert attended of any concert, was the Grateful Dead at Merrriweather 6/27/84!) While there are already a whole lot of other really good Grateful Dead Tribute bands in the area, I thought if we brought a team of musicians together, combining it with a certain level of energy, that we might be able to do something special. It wasn’t so much that I wanted to manage and book for a band, as much as how excited it would be to pursue a music endeavor with a certain group of VERY talented musicians, and friends too. There was no question who the front man/ guitarist would be. John Wood’s a Baltimore Icon when it comes to lead singer/guitarists. He’s the frontman for Electric Love Machine, Psycho Killers- Talking Heads Tribute, Phoam- Phish Tribute, and Feinwood. John may be the most versatile lead singer/guitarist of anyone I know. Then surrounding Jon with keyboardist Jon Brady (Electric Love Machine, Psycho Killers- Talking Heads Tribute, Phoam- Phish Tribute) and Alex Lang (Electric Love Machine) were the perfect match, as these 2 are masters of their instruments, and already play with Jon in other bands. They’re also 2 of my favorites! On drums we have Nate Shulkin (Squaring the Circle, Psycho Killers- Talking Heads Tribute), where he’s also been playing Grateful Dead music with the other 3 for the past few years. I’ve known Nate for over 10 years, where it’s been awesome seeing him grow as a musician! Then we had to find the 5th person! Someone who could keep up with the rest of the band, also bringing a positive energy vibe. I’ve known Ari Lesser (Puremotion, Greasy Hands) for quite some time, where I’ve always liked him a lot, and also knew he was a stellar guitarist. The true test would be how things went when he had a chance to jam with Jon Wood. After Jon played with him, he reached out to me and raved about how much he loved playing with Ari, in addition to how much he liked him! So there we have it! As for the name, we wanted something that gave off a fun vibe, that was easy to remember, that had some Grateful Dead name recognition, and would also help to attract a younger crowd, in addition to the Deadhead crowd. We went with Dancing Bears- Grateful Dead Tribute!

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Photos: Zeppelin Santana Tribute for the Foundation Fighting Blindness at the 8×10!

Thanks to all who supported the Zeppelin Santana Tribute for the Foundation Fighting Blindness at the 8×10! We were able to raise over $3,000 for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, where we raised over $10,000 over the past 3 benefit concerts!!! Thank you!!!!! Squaring the Circle opened up the night with a Santana themed set! Then Electric Love
Machine followed with a scorching Zeppelin set!!! CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS


Photo by Ari Lesser Photography
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Zeppelin Santana Tribute for the Foundation Fighting Blindness Sat Nov 9th at the 8×10!

Hello everyone! As many of you know, I’ve always been passionate about live music. Over the course of my 25 years of service in eyecare, one of my dreams was to organize a benefit concert for a great cause within the field. I’m very excited to announce that we’re having our third annual benefit concert! The “Zeppelins Santana Tribute for the Foundation Fighting Blindness” kicks off on Sat Nov 9th at the 8×10 in Baltimore! Electric Love Machine will play a Zeppelin themed set from ~10:30-12:30. Squaring the Circle open up the night with a Santana set from ~8-10pm! Click here for tix while supplies last!  The Foundation Fighting Blindness’s national headquarters is based in Columbia Maryland. They were founded in 1971, with a mission to drive research providing preventions, treatments & cures for people affected by blinding retinal diseases. If you can’t make the event, but want to support a great cause, please click here on our Professional Vision Timonium & Carney team donation page www.fightblindness.org/zeppelin/santana tribute donation to contribute to the Foundation Fighting Blindness. We’d like to give a big thanks to: The 8×10, Electric Love Machine, Squaring the Circle, Missiontix, Depth Perception, Brad & Tricia Selko & Hot August Music Festival, Bausch & Lomb, WTMD, Ed Early Printing, Kenny Liner & Believe in Music, Chip Watkins, ZEISS, Dave Rather & Mother’s Grille, Matsuri Restaurant, ABB Optical Group, Ben Greenwald, Dr. Sonny Goel, Heller Kowitz Insurance Advisors, Katzen Eye Group, Select Eye Care, Maryland Optometric Association, Anne Arundel County Optometric Society, Specialized Eye Care, MacQuaid Eye Institute, Jellyfish/Digital Global Marketing Agency, Charm City Bluegrass Festival, & Fairgrounds Discount Beverages! Dr. Rich Barnstein

CLICK HERE FOR PIX FROM LAST YEAR’S EVENT!

Electric Love Machine at the SOLD OUT Zeppelin Tribute in 2017 Photo by Shantel Breen
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Photos Hot August Music Festival! Chance to Win Poster & T-Shirt! Zeppelin Santana Tribute Benefit Concert Sat Nov 9th!

(Zen Focus Photography)

Hello everyone! Hot August Music Festival 2019 couldn’t have gone better! Thanks to everyone who supported the event! We had a tremendous turnout, and the artists were magnificent! As to what happens next with the festival, we’ll see in the upcoming months. For now, here’s one big beautiful photo album!

***CLICK HERE TO VIEW HOT AUGUST PIX 2019***

**Chance to Win a Limited Edition Hot August Music Festival Poster or T-Shirt!***

To be eligible, all you have to do is contribute $10 to the Foundation Fighting Blindness at this link: CLICK HERE TO CONTRIBUTE

You will be eligible for one entry for every $10 contributed

There will be 3 winners, where 1st place gets 1st choice of the 3 prizes, 2nd place gets 2nd choice of the 2 prizes left, and 3rd place gets the last prize left.

The 3 Prizes are:

  1. Limited Edition Official Hot August Music Festival 2019 Poster by One Drop Design
  2. Limited Edition Official Hot August Music Festival 2019 GRAY T-Shirt by One Drop Design Mens Large or Medium
  3. Limited Edition Official Hot August Music Festival 2019 PEACH T-Shirt by One Drop Design Mens Large or Medium

We will also be doing a separate random drawing of all tickets purchased online for the “Zeppelin Santana Tribute for the Foundation Fighting Blindness on Sat Nov 9th at the 8×10 with Electric Love Machine & Squaring the Circle”, where the winner will receive a Limited Edition Official Hot August Music Festival 2019 Poster by One Drop Design. ***CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TIX**

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Hot August Music Festival Founder Brad Selko Announces He Will Be Stepping Down After 27 Years

Since first starting Hot August Music Festival in his backyard twenty-seven years ago with two bands as a way to help raise money for the Baltimore Blues Society, Selko has grown it into an annual, award-winning festival that is one of the premiere independent music festivals in the country.  Over that time Selko has developed a family feeling that permeates the crowd, the staff, and the bands each year, and , and provides a unique, relaxed, atmosphere to the festival. Selko says it is all of the people who are part of that family and the joy they find at Hot August Music Festival that has kept him coming back each year. “At the end of the day watching people leave with a smile on their face. And knowing they hopefully had a happy day of live music has kept me going each year.”

This year’s Hot August Music Festival takes place August 17, and again returns to Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville, Maryland, it’s home since 2003.  This year’s lineup is topped by Baltimore’s own Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and as always features a diverse line-up scattered across three stages that runs the musical spectrum and features Turkauz, Billy Strings, Melvin Seals & JGB w/ John Kadelick, the Dirty Grass Players, Lil Smokies, Travers Brothership, Samantha Fish, Cedric Burnside, Larry McCray, Vanessa Collier, and the Old Part of Town.

Selko says he has had an amazing time running Hot August Music Festival for the last twenty-seven years. “I’ve had a great run and met some of the most amazing people in the world over that time.  It was and always has been fun,” but adds, “I think now the time is right to move on in my life.” As he has every year since he first started, Selko says, “I’m just focusing on the festival and then when it’s over, we’ll see where it goes from there.”

Selko is not completely closing the door on the Hot August Music Festival, saying, “We’ve been discussing and will continue to look into possibilities after the festival of someone coming in to take it over and continue what we have started.”

Tickets are still available.  https://hotaugustmusicfestival.com/tickets/

Questions/ Inquiries? Go to info@hotaugustmusicfestival.com

*Thanks to Tim Newby for helping with this press release*

Photo by Stuart Dahne Photography
Photo by Marc Shapiro Media
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Details on Hot August Music Festival 2019 & the Professional Vision ZEISS Stage!

This year’s Hot August Music Festival is stacked with incredible musicians! ***Click Here for Tix Before Prices Go Up Day Of!*** Hometown heroes Pigeons Playing Ping Pong come back 4 years later to headline! Power Funk masters Turkuaz (who headlined the Professional Vision ZEISS Stage a few year ago), play the main stage. 26 year old Billy Strings is already a living legend in the national bluegrass scene. For those that love the Grateful Dead, we have Melvin Seals & Jerry Garcia Band. The Dirty Grass Players open up the main stage. We are thrilled about blues guitarist/singer Samantha Fish headlining the Professional Vision ZEISS Stage! She was just nominated for “Best Blues Guitarist” by Guitar World. We have more bluegrass with the Lil Smokies. The lineup also includes: Cedric Burnside, Larry McCray, Travers Brothership, Vanessa Collier, & the Old Part of Town. Sat Aug 17th Cockeysville MD.

Big Thanks to ZEISS Better Vision!!!


Marc Shapiro Media
Stuart Dahne Photography
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ic! berlin Screwless Eyewear Now Available at Professional Vision Timonium & Carney!

Professional Vision Timonium & Carney are excited to announce that we now carry ic! berlin Screwless Eyewear! “ic! berlin produces eyewear from 0.5mm thick stainless spring steel sheet metal, using a patented hinge design which avoids the use of any screws, welds, or glue in the construction of their frames. The combination of materials and techniques allows their products to be light and flexible.” (from Wikipedia)

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Tips for Multifocal Contact Lens Patients: Seeing Well At Near into Your 40’s & Beyond

Hi everyone! I’ve been practicing optometry for almost 25 years, where there have been tremendous advances in technology with multifocal contact lenses. At
Professional Vision Timonium & Carney, we’ve had a lot of success in fitting multifocal contact lenses. There are many reasons for this, which include improved mutifocal contact lens technology, along with much more comfortable multifocal contact lens options. At our practice, I’ll explain to patients that we can really shine & help them when they start to have challenges at near, as they get into their 40’s. Another reason for our success with multifocal contact lens patients, is that we try to “hold patients hands” through the process, while going over what to expect when being fit for multifocal contact lenses. Just about all of these patients want 2 things: 1. To be able to see at distance and near without glasses for most things. 2. Wearing contact lenses that are comfortable. Below, I’ve listed some important points that we will discuss with patients that are being evaluated for multifocal contact lenses.

1. There’s nothing perfect about multifocal contact lenses: People expecting perfection, will likely be disappointed. If someone’s desire to see at distance & near without glasses for most tasks, then multifocal contacts may be for you.
2. It tends to be a process when fitting multifocal contact lenses: We’ll explain to patients that, with multifocal contact lenses, the fitting tends to be a process, where we have a starting point, and then try to fine tune from there.
3. When you 1st put the lenses in, try not to over-analyze the vision right away, as it takes time for the lenses to settle, and for your eyes and brain to adapt: We’ll explain, that when first trying the initial multifocal contacts, the less you think about them the better.
4. For near tasks, generally try not to hold things to close. (Like your phone)

There’s a lot more to it than what’s listed below, but I thought this would be a good glance to get an idea of what to expect. Thanks & have a great day!

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Visuals/Lights/Music: 10 Questions w/ Pigeons Playing Ping Pong’s Lighting Designer, Manny Newman

mannyjaJordan August Photography

I had the honor of sitting down with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong’s Lighting Designer, Manny Newman, on Thanksgiving weekend. The “high-energy psychedelic funk” band from Baltimore has soared to new heights, selling out shows coast to coast at ~1,000-2,000 capacity venues. They’re getting excellent slots at major festivals like Bonnaroo, Peach, & Lockn, in addition to gigs at legendary venues like Red Rocks. Over the years, I’ve developed great friendships with the guys, which is extra special, being that they’re also my favorite band! I even wrote an article on them back in 2015, which also addresses their visuals during a live performance. (Visual Tips for Aspiring Musicians.) Most of us die hard Flock fans (Pigeons Playing Ping Pong’s Facebook Group Fan page) know that 2019 will be HUGE for them! Lighting Designer Manny Newman has been an integral part of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong since 2015. Anyone that’s ever been to a Pigeons show, knows how much Manny CRUSHES it on lights!!! Manny opens up on his experiences and influences as a lighting designer for one of the hottest bands out there! We love you Manny! Enjoy! Dr. Rich Barnstein Professional Vision

1. Where are you from? Staten Island, NY

2. Who are your favorite music influences? Definitely Phish! Phish is the 1st band that got me into the jam scene. They showed me what a live show’s really all about. So Phish is definitely my biggest one. The next one would probably be Rush. I love Rush. Progressive rock, & the canadian holy Trinity! They can make a lot of noise for 3 people, and obviously time signatures on Neal Pert are really badass. So, yes…Phish & Rush were definitely big when I was growing up.

3. How did you get started in Lighting Design? Originally I was working at the place B&H in the city. I was working in the Pro Audio department, selling recording equipment, and I decided to open up my own recording studio in Queens…and I found out a few months later that market was pretty flooded. That anyone with an audio interface could open up a recording studio. So I wasn’t getting too many clients. That year that I opened up the studio, I was going to see a lot of Phish shows, which was 2010-11. Phish inspired me to buy some lights and see what the lighting world was all about. I would say 2011 MSG New Year’s was the time where I pointed to Chris Kuroda, and was like, “I want that guy’s job!” I kind of went head first into the world of lighting design where eventually I ended up getting more phone calls for lights than I did for sound. So I sold my recording studio in Queens, and went all in for lighting. Then, my first festival I had to work, I actually had to pay to work. It was a festival at a hotel in upstate New York, and I was getting paid like 80 bucks to work the smallest stage. They were charging artists a discounted price on the hotel rooms, which wounded up costing like $160 which was more than I made to work the festival. But at that festival, I got scouted by my friend Evan Antel, who got me a bunch more festival gigs that summer. Basically I was the lighting guy in all of the east coast for all of the festivals pretty much, in the small jam scene world…and then that’s where I met Pigeons Playing Ping Pong.
46683159_10156745136465688_9045486147995697152_oJordan August Photography

4. How did you cross paths with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong? The first festival I met them at was I think Wormtown or Strangecreek..one of those, because it’s the same location & hard to tell which one it was. They were doing a late night set and their previous LD Aaron Kovelman AKA Ronny RedRocks, came in with this console, and he was programming while I was running another show, & I was worried that he was going to get all of his work done on time, but he got it done, the show went, & I was like “Wow” he really knows how to run a show…and I went over to him after the show, & I was like “Wow you really know your shit! I’ve seen a lot of LDs and there’s not too many that actually get it” and he was definitely one that got it. And I was like “Yeah we should definitely be in touch” and we basically kept in touch…and I was seeing Pigeons shows anytime they were playing locally, like Brooklyn Bowl, or Garcia’s, which is part of the Capitol Theater. Then eventually, Ronny got the phone call to do Tritonal, & Cash Cash, & The Chainsmokers, and he asked me if I wanted to do Pigeons, and of course I was like “Yeah!” I love their shit & I would be honored. At that time I was also out of a job, because I was working with this band previously called FiKus. They’re from Nayack New Jersey, and they put out an album, and as soon as they put out the album they decided to part ways. So I was pretty much out of a job. Also I was working with Electron, but that was only part time so it was only like a couple of gigs here and there. It wasn’t filling up my space. Summer was the time I’d make the most money because of freelance festival gigs. So when I got the phone call to do Pigeons I was really excited. I was like this was going to take up all of my time and I actually believe that these guys can take it all the way, so I invested my full time in them.
46458131_2276622819216820_3669637297701126144_oBrady Cooling Photography

5. Who are your biggest lighting designer influences? ​Number one..Chris Kuroda..the wizard…jedi…he’s my biggest influence. A Phish show in 2011 MSG…was the 1st time I had a different view on the whole way of operating lights. I became more present in understanding actually what he’s doing and why he’s doing it as opposed to just flash and trash and just “oh things go wide and things go big and things change colors.” I actually understood why he’s doing it. So Chris Kuroda is definitely someone I study. I watch so many videos. In 2011 through 2012 I was studying all of those videos from that tour. So he’s actually a huge influence on my work. Number 2 probably Jefferson Waful with Umphrey’s McGee. His color theory is just on point. His execution…very precise, and he’s someone that knows how to hold back for a 2nd set and that taught me to not just blow your load on the 1st set, and like “here’s all of your tricks.” Save it for the 2nd set, because that’s when things get weird, and you gotta keep the show interesting. That evolution of the show, Jefferson taught me, just by watching his shows. Number 3 I would go with Saxton Waller who used to do lights for STS9. His programming was so clean. His operating was top notch. I wish he was still with STS9 because he hit a really nice peak, and kind of went off after that to do his own thing. Then I would say number 4 would probably be Candace Brightman of the Grateful Dead, which I only saw her work with the Fare Thee Well. Which was when Trey played with the Grateful Dead, which was awesome for me. I was like 10 feet in front of Trey every night, which was an awesome experience. She showed me the way to be a little more delicate with the way you run your show. It’s not just pop-pop. Try to get transitions. Also the same idea with evolution, where it leads into the set to get a little more intense. Luke Stratton of Dopapod…he was a pioneer in the midi lighting world. I remember seeing him at my 1st Catskill Chill. He was by front of house, and he had all of his APC setups, and I go over to him, and I’m like, “Are you using Ableton behind here?” And he’s like, “No.” And I just think for a second, & I’m like, “What is he doing? What could he possibly be doing?” and I’m like “Lights?” And he’s like, “Yeah!” and that kind of blew my mind. I’d never seen anyone operate lights, with midi controllers. It proved the concept of where you could actually afford to be a lighting designer without having to buy a $60,000 console, which was my biggest deal. I can’t afford a $60,000 console. Most people can’t. So, to find out that you could actually just buy the node, and then connect your midi controllers to a laptop…a little programming…you have the power of a $60,000 console. That opened the whole world for me, so Luke Stratton is a pioneer in that sense, and he is also my teacher for grand MA. I took 2 days of lessons at Eli Winderman’s parent’s house, and he taught me grand MA in 2 days. He’s a fantastic teacher. His lighting design work plays a huge part in the way I operate. All of those lighting designers, are a culmination of what I do right now. I try to take what I like from everyone, and that’s a Pigeons light show. (laughs)
31416915_10156401268503336_3411128713713025024_oDV Photography

6. How do you approach each show strategically? (Some of the basics between venues, themes, & festivals) When we’re on tour, our light rig is broken up into 3 possible packages, depending on all of the lights and the structures we have. Called the “A”,”B” & “C” package. “C” being the smallest, “B” being medium, and “A” being the full large one where we have the space. Every venue we go to, as soon as we get there, we take a look at the ceiling height / the clearance…if we could fly a truss or do we need to stack things on the ground? So as soon as we get there, we know whether we need to do the “C”, “B”, or “A” package. “A” package is obviously the best package we could possibly do, and it’s always a treat to do it, but the C package is also a very powerful package. We have our spots, washes, and strobes. It’s pretty much what you need to run a show. With festivals, it’s a little different, because we don’t always have the time to set up light rigs. Sometimes we do, but the times we don’t, what they do is send us a light plot, which is what they’re going to have at the festival. I get this light plot, and usually a week before the festival, I go in my little programming room, and I build the stage in 3D…and I program and clone the Pigeons light show to the fixtures that the festival is going to have, and try to make it look as much as the current programming as possible. When I do it in 3D it usually takes about a day or 2 to get it really nice and tight. Then when I go to the festival and plug in my console, it takes a little updating here and there, and everything is pretty much up to looking good and I’m happy with it…most of the time. (laughs) I would say 98% of the time it works all the time. (laughs) Which doesn’t make any sense. So that’s how we build our rigs at festivals.
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7. Flock fans consider you to be one of the band. Did you ever envision Pigeons to be where they’re at, where they’ve come from, and to where many of us think they’re going? Yeah definitely! I think I came to a realization where this could be the future and the next generation of jam bands. I remember when one of my friends, Asaf Weiss, came over to me, where he was big into Phish at the time, and he was like, “Dude! You gotta see Pigeons!” and he had that face, the UFO meme guy, where it’s just like “UFO’s…Pigeons!” and I was like, “Okay, you seem like you’re tripping right now.” and he was completely sober…and something struck me as like maybe I should really go delve deeper into this band and see what they’re about. So when I started seeing shows I was like, “Okay! This is a lot of fun!” and I remember this one moment at the Chameleon Club when I was working with them. I had this flashback where it was this same feeling as when I was at a Phish show, and I was like, “Oh wow! I haven’t felt that in a while!” And that kind of also was like, “Okay this could be it! We have something here!” I know everyone has really good chemistry, and we have a really well oiled machine. So I definitely thought and believed that they could take it all the way. I had that vision, and that’s why I took the job, because I felt that they could do it. I don’t like to take jobs from bands that sound generic where they don’t have their own sound necessarily which okay sounds a little bad that I’m not going to be taking jobs for every band, but I really have to believe in what they’re doing. And the music that they’re putting out there instead of generic stuff, they have to have an original sound…2 guitars no keys..it’s unique. I remember when we did the Dead Phish set at Domefest, we played “Slave to the Traffic Light”, and there’s this one piano part that Page usually plays, and I’m wondering, “who’s gonna do this?” and Greg puts on his Flanger pedal, and just plays Page’s part perfectly, and I’m like, “Ahhh that’s how he does it!” They know how to adapt, and make it sound like Pigeons, because of that. That’s what give it their sounds. I love how unique they are, and the music they put out there. I definitely think they can that they can take it all the way, and that’s why I’m working with them. Rich: “Nice! We (The Flock) feel the same way!”
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8. And speaking of the Flock, did you ever think you would be part of a band with such loyal, obsessed passionate fans? Over 17,000 (*as of 11/23/18) on the Flock Facebook fan page and rising! No, I didn’t. I remember when I first joined Facebook in high school, groups weren’t big. (Laughs) Nobody cared about groups. Okay, you’re in a group for some funny memes every so often, and even when I joined the band, I was like, “What is this Flock thing? What’s this gonna be? Just people like saying dumb things?” and little did I know that it was going to turn into something more than that, a community. They developed a very loving community, that is just amazing, to see grow. I remember when there wasn’t that many fans of the Flock, and now I think there at 17,000 or something? A lot of active members, and it’s just beautiful to see the love out there that fans can provide to each other and the band. It’s really good to see that it grew to what it is, because I did not think (Facebook) Groups were a thing til I saw the Flock!
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9. As a Lighting Designer, what are some of your goals, tour to tour, year to year, with Pigeons? I’m gonna basically say that, Chris Kuroda had this interview. I listen to all of his interviews, and the biggest thing with the band is evolution, and I also feel the same way. I want the band to evolve musically obviously, and production. I don’t wanna gung ho it, where I’m gonna go like the best lights and the best everything I can right away, because if you do like the best all the way and give it all you got, you don’t leave room for improvement. Obviously you could improve from where you are, but you gotta leave that space you know how to spread out throughout the years, so you can see the evolution. I always try to, every couple seasons, make the rig a little better, a little more programming, and switch my operating, to where it becomes interesting to me, because I’ve been to the most Pigeons shows ever. The show has to be interesting to me. I always strive to entertain myself, which is probably the hardest thing, because I see the same thing all the time. Although no show is the same. I don’t have one song pre-programmed. There’s no play button on anything. I play everything. So if you see a mistake, it’s because it’s live. (laughs) But I tend to do a lot of the same things for certain parts of the music, but every so often I just feel like, “You know what? I’m going to try something different” to push this evolution, that I really believe in, and to make a different flow happen. Every so often I always draw out some designs and see what the future light rigs could possibly look like. We have a couple in the bag. I have a couple of ideas for future rigs. “A” packages, and I’m excited to bust them out eventually.
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10. From a visual lighting designer perspective in connecting with live music, what’s your advice to other bands and artists trying to make it in the live music scene? I would say you have to really want it, and you have to keep working, because as soon as you feel comfortable, that’s when I think you fail, honestly. You really have to always be hungry. Sometimes you gotta hustle, but usually if you have talent, people will notice. So, keep working, and always learn…constant education…never feel like you know everything…never plateau…leave room for evolution….to keep doing you…you do you! (Laughs) Rich: Thank you!
46479873_2275008952711540_1599685076478590976_oBrady Cooling Photography

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Happy Holidays from the Professional Vision Timonium & Carney Team!

IMG_9058Photo by Craig Weiman

Our team at Professional Vision Timonium & Carney would like to wish you happy holidays and new year!

Professional Vision Timonium & Carney:

-Boutique Designer Eyewear
-Superior Family Eyecare
-In a Personable Environment
-With Better Lens Technology by ZEISS

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Photos: Dead Phish Allman Bros Tribute for the Foundation Fighting Blindness at the 8×10!

thumbnail_IMG_1827Photo by Jordan August Photography

Hello everyone! Our 2nd benefit concert is in the books, where we had a tremendous night at the “Dead Phish Allman Bros Tribute for the the Foundation Fighting Blindness!” I had the honor of organizing this event that took place on Saturday November 10th. What I learned as much as anything, is that the team of people involved was the key to making this such a special night! At the end of this, I once again list some of the people that we give thanks to for making this happen. As many of you know, I’ve always been passionate about live music. Over the course of my 24 years of service in eyecare, one of my dreams was to organize a benefit concert for a great cause within the field. We wound up raising almost $3,800 for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, breaking last year’s total of ~$3,000! The Dirty Grass Players started off the evening with a fantastic Grateful Dead / Allman Bros themed set! Then Phoam – A Tribute to Phish followed with a spectacular Phish set! We had the one and only Jack Thomas on lights for the 2nd year in a row! The Foundation Fighting Blindness’s national headquarters is based in Columbia Maryland. They were founded in 1971, with a mission to drive research providing preventions, treatments & cures for people affected by blinding retinal diseases. If you did or didn’t make this event, but want to support a great cause, please click here on our Professional Vision Timonium & Carney team donation page www.fightblindness.org/ProfessionalVisionTeam to contribute to the Foundation Fighting Blindness. We’d like to give a big thanks to: The 8×10, Phoam – A Tribute to Phish, the Dirty Grass Players, Missiontix, Depth Perception, Brad & Tricia Selko & Hot August Music Festival, Bausch & Lomb, ZEISS, WTMD, Maui Jim, Ed Early Printing, Kenny Liner & Believe in Music, Chip Watkins, Dave Rather & Mother’s Grille, Matsuri Restaurant, ABB Optical Group, Ben Greenwald, Dr. Sonny Goel & Lasikplus, Katzen Eye Group, Select Eye Care, National Retina Institute, Heller Kowitz Insurance Advisors, Maryland Optometric Association, Anne Arundel County Optometric Society, Specialized Eye Care, MacQuaid Eye Institute, Jellyfish/Digital Global Marketing Agency, Stuart Dahne, Chris Gamber, Jordan August, & Fairgrounds Discount Beverages! Dr. Rich Barnstein

**CLICK HERE FOR MORE PIX**

46724531_10218470477059494_5401135221141667840_oAbove: Photo by Stuart Dahne Photography
Barnsteinsbenefit11102018 3Above: Photo by Chris Gamber Photography
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Dead Phish Allman Bros Tribute for the Foundation Fighting Blindness Sat Nov 10th at the 8×10 in Baltimore!

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Hello everyone! As many of you know, I’ve always been passionate about live music. Over the course of my 24 years of service in eyecare, one of my dreams was to organize a benefit concert for a great cause within the field. I’m very excited to announce that we’re having our second annual benefit concert! The “Dead Phish Allman Bros Tribute for the Foundation Fighting Blindness” kicks off on Sat Nov 10th at the 8×10 in Baltimore! Phoam – A Tribute to Phish (Jon Wood, Jon Brady, Paul Weinberg, & Ryan Porter) will play a Phish set from ~10:30-12:30. The Dirty Grass Players will perform a Grateful Dead / Allman Bros themed set from ~8-10pm! *Chance to Win a Free Pair of Non-Prescription Maui Jim Sunglasses When Ordering Tickets Ahead Online Through Missiontix.com! Winner Gets to Choose the Style!” Click here for tix while supplies last! **LAST YEAR’S EVENT SOLD OUT AHEAD!** The Foundation Fighting Blindness’s national headquarters is based in Columbia Maryland. They were founded in 1971, with a mission to drive research providing preventions, treatments & cures for people affected by blinding retinal diseases. If you can’t make the event, but want to support a great cause, please click here on our Professional Vision Timonium & Carney team donation page www.fightblindness.org/ProfessionalVisionTeam to contribute to the Foundation Fighting Blindness. We’d like to give a big thanks to: The 8×10, Phoam- A Tribute to Phish, The Dirty Grass Players, Missiontix, Depth Perception, Brad & Tricia Selko & Hot August Music Festival, Bausch & Lomb, WTMD, Ed Early Printing, Kenny Liner & Believe in Music, Chip Watkins, ZEISS, Dave Rather & Mother’s Grille, Matsuri Restaurant, ABB Optical Group, Ben Greenwald, Dr. Sonny Goel & Lasikplus, Heller Kowitz Insurance Advisors, Katzen Eye Group, Select Eye Care, Maryland Optometric Association, Anne Arundel County Optometric Society, Specialized Eye Care, MacQuaid Eye Institute, Jellyfish/Digital Global Marketing Agency, Charm City Bluegrass Festival, & Fairgrounds Discount Beverages! Dr. Rich Barnstein

CLICK HERE FOR PIX FROM LAST YEAR’S SOLD OUT EVENT!
Below: The Dirty Grass Players Perform “Blue Sky”

Photos by Willy Palmer, Shantel Breen, & Eye of the Storm Photography
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Below: The Dirty Grass Players: Photo by Willy Palmer
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Photos of the Professional Vision ZEISS Stage & More at Hot August Music Festival 2018!

Untitled design (10)(Above: The Revivalist’s David Shaw)

Hi everyone! We had a great day at Hot August Music Festival 2018 presented by Stages Music Arts! We’d once again like to thank Better Vision With ZEISS for sponsoring the Professional Vision Stage! Check out some amazing photos from the event! Enjoy!

Click here to view photos of the Professional Vision ZEISS Stage at Hot August Music Festival!

(Below: View of from the main stage during the Revivalist’s set)
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(Below: The Dirty Grass Players! Who also play our benefit concert on Nov 10th! Photo by Willy Palmer)
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(Below: Psycho Killers (Talking Heads Tribute) on the Professional Vision ZEISS Stage)
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(Below: Dr. Rich Barnstein Introducing Psycho Killers (Talking Heads Tribute) Photo by These Subtle Sounds)
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(Below: View of the Main Stage: Eye of the Storm Photo)
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Vinylize Eyewear, ZEISS, & Pigeons Playing Ping Pong’s Alex “Gator” Petropulos!

Below: Photo by Craig Weiman
_CWP5489-EditABOVE: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong’s Alex Petropulos, w/ Dr. Richard Barnstein (Proud member of the Flock!)

Hello everyone! Those who know me are well aware of how much I love Baltimore’s own funk masters, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong! (Check out my article from a few years ago: “Visual Tips for Aspiring Musicians“) They’re currently selling out ~1,000-1,500 capacity venues coast to coast, where it looks like they’re just getting started in terms of really turning people onto their music! They have a beast of a drummer in Alex “Gator” Petropulos! He also couldn’t be a nicer guy! At Professional Vision, we carry Vinylize eyewear, which is hand crafted eyewear made from vinyl records. (We’re currently the only optical in Maryland who carries them.) “Flock” fans know that Alex typically wears glasses when he performs. We were excited about setting up an endorsement for Alex, with Vinylize Eyewear & better lens technology by ZEISS! Here are the full details on Alex’s new eyewear!

FRAME: Alex wears the Vinylize Harris: The new Holly. Thinner and cleaner. Riveted 5 barrel hinges on sculpted temples last forever. This ultra durable frame is prescription ready and comes with a 2 year guarantee. No two Vinylize are ever alike. Handcrafted in Budapest.
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LENS TECHNOLOGY: Alex’s lens have the ZEISS DuraVision Platinum. These lenses have a more cosmetically pleasing, blue residual reflex color that reduces reflectance by over 20% compared to conventional green AR coated lenses. A lens surface that is three times tougher than the previous generation of ZEISS AR. No other AR coating offers better scratch protection. ZEISS I.Scription Technology: A more customized Hi-Def lens that tends to be better for colors, contrast, & night vision. ZEISS Single Vision Aspheric 1.67: An extremely thin single vision lens in the range of plastic lenses available from ZEISS. It is extremely light & a very special lens in many ways.

Be sure to catch Pigeons Playing Ping Pong at a show near you! Click here for tour dates!

Alex ABOVE: Photo by Craig Weiman
IMG_5524-1-2 ABOVE: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong’s Alex Petropulos Sportin’ Vinylize Eyewear! Photo by Xigency Media

Posted in boutique designer eyewear, designer eyewear, musician, vinyl eyewear, vinyl record eyewear, vinylize eyewear | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment