Sunshine Daydream Credit: Courtesy of Networking is Dead
Two years ago, Dave Lowery and his friend Ken Vinikoff started Networking is Dead, a local networking group for fans of the Grateful Dead. The group has steadily grown and now has about 200 members.

Each year, it hosts a “major event” and hires a band to perform.

“Our goal is to bring like-minded people together — professionals who are fans of the Grateful Dead — to meet and share stories and make connections,” says Networking is Dead founder Ken Vinikoff in a press release announcing the group’s next major event. “We’ve been having a lot of fun meeting new people, and we’ve already seen a number of business relationships form.”

Dubbed Everything Delightful, the event takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 18, at the Bop Stop. It will feature live music from the local band Sunshine Daydream, a group that features singer-guitarist Thor Platter, singer-guitarist Tom Prebish, keyboardist Chris Hanna, bassist Alfredo Guerrieri and drummer Fred Perez–Stable.

The event will also include a cash bar, an auction and raffle items. Proceeds will go to Upside of Downs, a non-profit organization that provides “support, education and advocacy” for people with Down syndrome.

Early bird tickets are $15 through April 15 and can be purchased through the Networking is Dead website. There is no entry fee to join Networking is Dead.

This article appears in Apr 11-17, 2018.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.