April Brings Grateful Dead Shows To Garcia's In Port Chester

PORT CHESTER, N.Y. -- If you missed "The Original Wetlands DeadCenter All-Stars" in January, no worries. The band will be playing at Garcia's at The Capitol Theatre for a second show on April 15.

Rocking out at Garcia's at The Capitol Theatre.
Photo Credit: *Submitted*

Jeanne Muchnick

04/01/2015 4:00 a.m.

For those not aware of its history, “DeadCenter" was synonymous with Tuesday nights at the Wetlands Preserve club in New York City when the program was “Deadicated” to bands performing music of The Grateful Dead and related styles.

DeadCenter All Stars was an idea born of this Wetlands tradition when club music director Chris Zahn and guitarist Rob Wolfson came up with the idea of periodically putting together combinations of outstanding musicians from the DeadCenter bands to experiment with varieties of musical chemistries, true to the spirit of Grateful Dead music.

After a couple of years of successful shows, Wolfson started to branch out the DeadCenter concept with various “All Star” band combinations to play beyond the Wetlands club and so, even when Wetlands closed after the 9/11 attacks, the spirit of the club continued, at least for a while.

"These are the guys who were the blue-collar musicians behind Wetlands, the musicians that powered the club on the legendary Tuesday DeadCenter nights....and those were the nights that definitely were instrumental in making Wetlands become Wetlands," said Pete Shapiro, owner of The Capitol Theatre as well as all three Brooklyn Bowls. "They reeked of heart and soul, and good tunes."

Shapiro, who was the second owner of The Wetlands from 1997-2001, said he's thrilled to see the tradition continue and travel to Westchester DeadHead fans.

Garcia’s will be presenting one of the best editions of DeadCenter All Stars on April 15 including project co-founder Wolfson (guitar / vocals), "All Star" Ronnie Penque (New Riders of the Purple Sage, Ronnie Penque Band), Michael Falzarano (guitar / vocals - NRPS, Hot Tuna, Memphis Pilgrims), Mark Mercier (keyboards / vocals - Max Creek) and Alan Lerner (drums / percussion - Illuminati, Zen tricksters).

Along with The Original Wetlands DeadCenter All-Stars, Garcia's at The Capitol Theatre will feature a different Grateful Dead or Jerry Garcia tribute every Wednesday in April.

Go to www.thecapitoltheatre.com/garciasatthecap/ for information. These shows start April 1.

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