Dayglo Presents Unveils Garcia’s Chicago Venue and Restaurant with Shows from Grahame Lesh & Friends, Keller Williams, LaMP and More
Photo Courtesy of Lenn Dell’Amico
On March 21, the Windy City will welcome a new entertainment and culinary landmark with the opening of Garcia’s Chicago, an intimate venue and restaurant honoring the legendary Jerry Garcia. Established by esteemed promoter and Relix publisher Peter Shapiro and Dayglo Presents (which operates Brooklyn Bowl, The Capitol Theatre, Bearsville Theater and more), the new music space brings together some of the city’s best talent to honor the spirit of the Grateful Dead’s beloved co-founder.
“Our venue reflects the things that Jerry loves – his connection to tradition, his spirit of exploration, and his appreciation for good, honest experiences,” Shapiro shared in a release. “This is a place where Jerry’s essence is felt, not forced – a tribute to his life, without reducing him to a caricature. It’s celebrating the man behind the music, in a space that honors his spirit with respect, thoughtfulness, and creativity.”
Garcia’s Chicago will land in the heart of the West Loop as a 350-capacity stage and eatery, with innovative acoustics courtesy of Meyer Sound and a food and beverage program from Lowder-Tascarella Hospitality Group. The gourmet menu is tailored to reflect Garcia’s experiences and legacy with a “Spain meets San Francisco” theme, led by Executive Chef and Chicago native Ivy Carthen. To preview how its tribute will be reflected in its music programming, developed in partnership with Deep Cut’s Michael Berg, the venue has shared the initial lineup for the year ahead.
From March 21-23, Garcia’s Chicago will host a three-night grand opening with a stacked salute to the Grateful Dead from jam torchbearer Grahame Lesh & Friends, featuring Daniel Donato and Nicki Bluhm. On March 30, the space will feature the tremendously acclaimed gospel choir Blind Boys of Alabama, then steer back into its jam roots with a double-header from LaMP on April 4 and 5.
A shower of further celebrated acts like Dave & Dave (Simonett and Carol of Trampled By Turtles), Keller Williams, Krasno Moore Project, Octave Cat, Grace Potter and the Grateful Dead String Band will carry on through April. Garcia’s Chicago to full bloom in May, when exciting outfits like Sam Grisman Project, Greensky Bluegrass’ Dave Bruzza, Hartliss (leftfield duo of Umphrey’s McGee’s Brendan Bayliss and TAB vocalist Jennifer Hartswick), Shitty Limo (another duo of Bayliss and UM bandmate Jake Cinninger), Tom Hamilton, Benmont Tench, BALTHVS and Holly Bowling assume the close-quarters spotlight.
Further performers through the fall include Greensky Bluegrass’ Paul Hoffman, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Mikaela Davis, Town Mountain, The Travelin’ McCourys, Jojo Hermann, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, God Street Wine, Dezron Douglas Quartet, Dogs in a Pile and many more.
“Our father had envisioned a space where he could be off the road and close to home- a place he was going to call ‘Casa Garcia,’” Trixie Garcia reflected in a release. “The idea was to create a live music club with a comfortable atmosphere for artists and guests. A place where Jerry could get his musical fix without going on the road. In that spirit, we are pleased to collaborate with Pete Shapiro on the opening of ‘Garcia’s’ where together we will build community, create memories and, above all else, make music! We invite you to relax and enjoy our version of ‘third space.’”
Find tickets and more information on Garcia’s Chicago at garciaschicago.live. Read on for the venue’s full show calendar.
GARCIA’S CHICAGO 2025 LINEUP:
March 21-23, 2025: Grahame Lesh & Friends feat. Daniel Donato
March 30, 2025: Blind Boys of Alabama
Apr 4 – 5, 2025: LaMP
Apr 8, 2025: Dave & Dave (of Trampled by Turtles)
Apr 10 – 11, 2025: Keller Williams
April 12 – 13, 2025: Krasno Moore Project
Apr 19, 2025: Octave Cat
Apr 24, 2025: An Intimate Evening with Grace Potter
Apr 25, 2025: The Grateful String Band
Apr 26, 2025: The Travelin’ McCourys
Apr 29, 2025: Joey Alexander (2 sets)
May 2nd, 2025: Sam Grisman Project
May 3rd, 2025: Dave Bruzza (of Greensky Bluegrass)
May 8th, 2025: HARTLISS (Brendan Bayliss of Umphrey’s McGee & Jennifer Hartswick of Trey Anastasio Band)
May 9th, 2025: Shitty Limo (Brendan Bayliss + Jake Cinninger of Umphrey’s McGee)
May 10, 2025: Tom Hamilton (of Joe Russo’s Almost Dead)
May 11, 2025: Artemis (2 sets)
May 15, 2025: Benmont Tench
May 16 – 17, 2025: BALTHVS
May 22, 2025: Cris Jacobs Band ft. Luther Dickinson
May 23, 2025: Frank Catalano Band
May 25th, 2025: Hot Buttered Rum with special guest Allie Krall –
May 30-31, 2025: Holly Bowling
June 4th, 2025: Drayton Farley
June 6-7, 2024: Matteo Mancuso (2 sets per night)
June 14, 2025: phoffman (of Greensky Bluegrass)
June 19-21, 2025: Preservation Hall Jazz Band
June 25, 2025: Mikaela Davis
June 29, 2025: Town Mountain
August 31, 2025: JoJo Hermann (of Widespread Panic)
September 5-6, 2025: George Porter Jr & Runnin Pardners
September 18, 2025: Susto
September 12-13, 2025: God Street Wine
October 25, 2025: Dezron Douglas Quartet
Nov 6, 13, & 20, 2025: Dogs In A Pile (3 week residency)
