This past Saturday, Dead communities from New York, Philadelphia, and everywhere in between joined together under the tent at 118 North in Wayne, PA for “Ron’s Flash Rumpus”: a live music benefit and raffle for Ron Colagreco, a beloved member of the Dead and RADFAM communities who was diagnosed in early 2020 with pancreatic cancer. The first benefit event titled, “Ron’s Rad Rumpus,” was held in February of 2020 just before most of the United States was put on lockdown. Many who attended the Rumpus this past weekend felt as though the event had opened their worlds back up again.

“Ron’s Flash Rumpus” was largely organized by fellow community member and friend of Ron, Amy Pipitone. Today, when we reached out to Amy about how she thought the event came together, she said “I was completely blown away at the outpouring of love and generosity. With two weeks-notice we had a huge turnout. Our community never ceases to amaze me. We all made this happen. Each and every one of us.” Amy would also like to extend a special thank you to 118 North for hosting the event.

Another community member, Sherry Black, organized an online effort called “Wraffle for Ronnie” which received 51 donations in total from charitable friends of the community. Yesterday when we spoke, Sherry said “I was so honored to be able to help Ronnie, and I was so astonished by the way his tribe came together; first by contributing all the amazing prizes, and then by making donations. The experience truly renewed my faith in humanity, and I will cherish the memory forever. The outpouring of love for Ronnie made my heart sing!”

The winners of “Wraffle for Ronnie” were called between the musical acts, which included an acoustic first set and electric second set from Dead cover band, ZenDog and two dance-worthy acts from Dead-Allman Brothers Fusion Band, Steal Your Peach.

ZenDog:

SET 1 (Acoustic):

 Don’t Ease Me In

 I Know You Rider

 Friend of the Devil

 Dire Wolf

 Beat It On Down the Line

Candyman>Cumberland Blues

 Deep Elem Blues

High Time

 Uncle John’s Band

SET 2 (Electric):

Dark Star>Saint Stephen>

William Tell>

The Eleven>

Alligator>

Drums>

Alligator

Steal Your Peach:

Set 1

One More Saturday Night

Don’t Want You No More>

It’s Not My Cross to Bear>

Shakedown Street

Dreams>Wharf Rat

Set 2

Seven Turns 

China Cat Sunflower>IKYR

Me & My Uncle>

Big River

Statesboro Blues

Bird Song>Blue Sky

Whipping Post 

If you were unable to attend the event and would like to support Ron Colagreco’s fight against pancreatic cancer, please visit his GoFundMe page which was organized and managed by friends of the community, Scott Mackenzie and John Hallowell.