Capitol Theatre, Port Chester dedicate street to Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh

“See, there’s only two theaters, man… that are set up pretty groovy all around for music and for smooth stage changes, good lighting and all that – the Fillmore and The Capitol Theatre. And those are the only two in the whole country.” — Jerry Garcia, The Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead and The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester have, as the saying goes, some history. The Dead played The Capitol 18 times in 1970 and ’71. The smaller, nightclub-like venue at The Cap is even called Garcia’s. No one has done more to keep the association going than Dead bassist Phil Lesh. Since The Cap’s renovation and reopening in 2012, he’s done 106 shows there, drawing hundreds of thousands of deadheads and helping to fuel the village’s economy.

Now The Cap and Port Chester are saying, “thank you.”  On Friday, March 14, the day before Lesh’s 85th birthday, the corner of Westchester Avenue and Broad Street outside the historic venue will officially be renamed Phil Lesh Lane. (Broad Street holds special significance as home to The Cap’s Door 12 stage door – the entrance Lesh used for those 106 performances and the spot where his tour bus was regularly parked.)

Lesh’s deep ties to the village have been recognized over the years in other ways:  He received the key to Port Chester and was named an honorary firefighter by the Port Chester Volunteer Fire Department. Now, with Phil Lesh Lane, the community is solidifying his legacy with a permanent landmark. “Landmark” is a word often used about The Cap itself. Built in 1926 by legendary architect Thomas Lamb as a vaudeville house/movie palace, the venue is on the National Register of Historic Places.

“Phil was like a father to The Capitol, and performed there more times than any other musician in the theater’s history,” said music entrepreneur Peter Shapiro, the venue’s owner. “We are thrilled that he will now be with us, on the same street, for every show the theater has moving forward, forever.”

The street dedication ceremony will take place at 4 p.m.,  kicking off a four-night celebration  featuring Lesh’s son, Grahame, grandson Levi and a lineup that  includes Rick Mitarotonda, Eric Krasno, Oteil Burbridge, Jason Crosby, John Molo, Jennifer Hartswick, Jackie Greene, Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams, Steve Molitz, Warren Haynes, Jimmy Herring, and Rob Barraco.

Added Grahame Lesh:  “The Lesh Family is so honored that the many magical nights that Phil spent at The Cap will be commemorated with Phil Lesh Lane. Phil loved The Cap and the entire community that came to his shows here, and our whole family will always feel the love that reflected back to him and all of us. It is extra special for this commemoration to happen on his 85th birthday weekend, as we all spent so many of his birthdays with deadheads who traveled from near and far to celebrate with him and our family.”

The March 14 and 15 shows are sold out. For tickets to the March 16 and 17 shows, click here.