Mickey Hart is best known for his nearly three decades as an integral part of the extraordinary band the Grateful Dead. As half of the percussion tandem known as the Rhythm Devils, Mickey and Bill Kreutzmann transcended the conventions of rock drumming. Introducing the band's audience to an ever-growing arsenal of percussion instruments from around the world.

In 2002, Mickey established "The Endangered Music Fund" to return royalty payments from his many of his world music recordings to indigenous people and to further the preservation of sounds and music from around the globe.

In October 2011 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings released the Mickey Hart Collection to preserve the percussionists desire to cross borders and expand musical horizons. Festival Place is honoured to host Mickey Hart, a brilliantly accomplished artist for a weekend of conversation and performance.