A truly unique and extremely rare San Francisco collectible from the Psychedelic era–an original program from the legendary January, 1966 TRIPS FESTIVAL at the Longshoreman's Hall in San Francisco. This 3 night event was the first true psychedelic event in the bay area, and has been written about extensively. SOLD The three nights featured different events, each intended to expand the consciousness of attendees and in some way simulate the psychedelic experience. The first night featured "America Needs Indians" and the "Open Theatre." The Second night had "Options and Contracts" and "The Sound-Light Console," which included BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY, and most importantly, at 10:00 PM "The Acid Test" run by Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, and including performances by THE GRATEFUL DEAD and BIG BROTHER. The third night was titled "We Don't Know" and included numerous participants "besides yourself" , films by artist and filmmaker Bruce Conner, BIG BROTHER again, THE LOADING ZONE, and others. The 8 page program also has full credits (the mandala on the cover was by Bruce Conner, and the festival, "produced in association with Bill Graham," marked Graham's entry into the "rock" business.) This ultra rare program originally belonged to Ralph J. Gleason, arguably the most important rock critic ever, music editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, co-founder of Rolling Stone Magazine, and author of "The Jefferson Airplane and the San Francisco Sound" where he wrote about the Trips Festival extensively. On one page, Gleason has jotted down a quote that he heard, and which he refers to in his Airplane book's chapter on the Festival– "This is a drag even on acid, so let's go to the car and play the radio." Gleason was an early and very important promoter of the San Francisco bands, and was the conduit in bringing them to the Monterey Pop Festival (this is written about extensively in a recent issue of MOJO Magazine.)(br)The program measures 7" square when closed, and is in near mint condition, with a faint vertical crease across the middle. This is extremely rare, and in beautiful condition–and from an incredibly important collection. Gleason died in 1975 and we obtained this directly from his family (It had been stored in his files for over 40 years.) Guaranteed authentic, in writing, with no time limit. Also included is a signed letter of authenticity from Ralph J. Gleason's son, Toby Gleason.