(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- The Strand Theater will be host to a very special evening celebrating the music of Jerry Garcia on Friday, August 26. Proceeds from the evening will benefit The Strand Theater and The Jerry Garcia Foundation.  Performers include Rainbow Full of Sound, with a special reunion of the Jerry Garcia/Merl Saunders Band rhythm section, featuring Bob Steeler (former member of Hot Tuna) on percussion and Merle Saunders’ son, Tony Saunders, on bass. Tickets are only $15 (plus $5 fee per ticket) and are available at the Strand’s website.

Mr. Saunders, according to his website, “graduated from the prestigious Conservatory Of Music in San Francisco as a piano player, but soon after began honing his skills on the bass. He was influenced by the sounds of James Jamison, Stanley Clark, Jack Cassidy and others.”

Plan on arriving by 7:00pm for a pre-party in the Gallery, featuring acoustic performances from members of Musicians On A Mission, and a raffle of three museum quality Jerry Garcia original art prints donated by the Jerry Garcia Foundation. Raffle tickets are $10 or 3 for $25. The Main Stage concert will be general admission and begin at 8:00 PM.

Live entertainment for the pre-party from local guitar heroes Mark Diomede of Juggling Suns and Solar Circus and Kevin Hill of Secret Sound.

The Jerry Garcia Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, serves to support meaningful causes through the beauty of art and music. The Foundation was established in 2015 as an expression of gratitude, by family members, Manasha and Keelin Garcia, in honor of musician, artist, and visionary, Jerry Garcia. "Staying true to Jerry's values, we embrace the idea that music and art bring great healing to the world."