It’s safe to say that many of us have never been given the opportunity to experience the true Grateful Dead experience. But on Wednesday night with Dark Star Orchestra performing at the McDonald Theatre, that can change. While it won’t be the same experience, it’ll be as close to the real thing as we can get.

Jeff Mattson, who plays the part of Jerry Garcia, said, “I try and pay homage to (Garcia’s) style and honor the music in that we are improvising … every night, (the Dead) were very much improvisational.”

“Trying to play it note for note would be a disservice to the music.”

It’s that improvisational spirit that characterized the Grateful Dead experience. And Dark Star works tirelessly to replicate that experience for both old Dead fans but also for the younger generations that never had the opportunity to see them perform. “I’ve been listening to the music for 40 years and playing it for nearly that long; It’s very engrained in my consciousness,” Mattson said. “Improvising within the context of the music is my way of honoring (Garcia’s) legacy but also bringing my own heart into it.”

Of course, Dark Star Orchestra isn’t the only group carrying on the Grateful Dead legacy. Furthur, comprised of founding members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh, join Dark Star in providing the Dead experience for fans today. But Dark Star does something unique; they play Grateful Dead set lists from the past matching precise instrumental specifications to recreate live shows performed by the Dead themselves.

“It keeps it fresh for us, keeps us on our toes and it keeps it fun,” Mattson said. “What we don’t want to play is anything similar to last time we were in Eugene.”

As for coming to Eugene, a hotbed for Dead fans, Mattson is excited for the opportunity. “I love going to Eugene, I’ve been going there way before Dark Star Orchestra,” he said. “It’s just exciting to go back and see all my friends.”

Dark Star Orchestra performs Wednesday, April 17 at the McDonald Theatre. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.