I gamble at Tuscany Suites in Las Vegas, and I noticed in recent months that occasionally, lines and lines of young people were on hand, and a sign pointed those young people to “Shakedown.” I had never heard of Shakedown and went on my way. Last week, with a camera in my purse and trouble finding a parking space, I decided to delay the gambling and follow the arrows.

Up the long escalators to the Tuscany’s second floor. I saw a number of hallway booths selling t-shirts, photographs, hats, coasters, sculpture, etc., all very colorful. A young woman, Amanda Best, was carrying a large sign and seemed to smile at me. I introduced myself and asked her what “shakedown” is all about.

She explained the name “Shakedown” comes from A Grateful Dead song, “Shakedown Street” first performed in 1978. Long ago, people who wanted tickets to a Grateful Dead concert started selling hand-made items and food in the parking lots before the concert to earn money for tickets. The concept of pre-show sales grew ad grew among fans and became “Shakedown”.

Today, a younger generation loves “Dead” music and Shakedown continues around the concerts of Dead & Company, a band formed in 2015 with two former members of the Grateful Dead. (Amanda knows the names of all the band members, past and present, and all the artists and photographers who are part of Shakedown.) Dead & Company has a residency at the Las Vegas Sphere, and Shakedown Las Vegas has appeared on the weekends Dead & Company appeared at the Sphere. (Last scheduled appearance next weekend.)

OK, so I got the story. The Sphere residency began May 13 and since then, Amanda explained, over 500 small businesses have been a part of Shakedown Las Vegas. Typically, she said, about 120 to 140 businesses from all over the country would be involved any one weekend. The producers of Shakedown Las Vegas are Molly Henderson, Robert Shatzer, with Jay and Lora Solidly.

So I walked down the hallway. The vendors were quite friendly and their goods were popular. I turned a corner and saw a huge room filled with vendors and customers. Wow. I made the rounds and took photos, really a wonderful time. I gather almost all of the vendors travel with the band and though they make enough money to live, they enjoy their life of travel and music and wouldn’t change a thing. (I was told only one of the vendors is from Las Vegas, The Honeypot, with a store in downtown as Vegas.) In one corner of the large ballroom was a small band playing. Later in the Tuscany Piazza Lounge another band was playing to a full crowd.

The people attending Shakedown Las Vegas appeared to be having a great time shopping for souvenirs. (Incidentally a free shuttle bus was available to bring them to the Tuscany.) Even as a senior citizen, I had a wonderful time walking the aisles and seeing so many smiling faces. My photos are below: