Photo: Dino Perrucci

Last night, a wide-ranging collection of accomplished players gathered at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y. for the opening of Unbroken Chain: A Celebration of The Life and Music of Phil Lesh, which will extend through Sunday. Helmed by Grahame Lesh, both sets leaned into a hefty batch of late 1960s and early ’70s Grateful Dead standards before resolving into playful picks that spotlighted fan favorites.

Thursday’s lineup of participating musicians included Daniel Donato, Luther Dickinson, Trevor Weekz, Aron Magner, Cory Henry, John Molo, Alex Koford, Amy Helm, Reid Genauer, Mikaela Davis and Lesh, who engaged in an impressive exchange of Grateful Dead knowledge, exuded through their choice of songs and intricate display of solos. From the jump, the full stage of admired artists cozied up to the folksy ballad “Ripple,” with the lyrics “It’s a hand-me-down” seemingly underscoring Bob Weir’s oft-described goal of ensuring 300 years of face-melting music.

After the heartwarming opener, they turned up the tempo on “Viola Lee Blues,” with both Weekz and Dickinson seizing the opportunity to demonstrate the best of their talents on bass and guitar, respectively. Eventually, the group carved a path that led to a lively “Cumberland Blues,” and capped the “blues” batch with the American Beauty standard, “Operator,” coaxed by Dickinson’s Hill Country tone. After working through the confines of time – songs from the original band’s inceptive tenure – the Grahame-led group moved into danceable renditions of fan favorites “Deal” and “Althea.”  The Bob Dylan original, turned Dead cover, “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” then encouraged reflection before the group moved into “Loser,” led by Reid Genauer. “Bertha” was another high-energy offering and featured a “Viola Lee Reprise” for good measure.

The latter half of the event started out slower and spacier, beginning with “Dark Star,” on through “Mason’s Children” and “Mountains of the Moon.” During this sequence, Mikaela Davis’ control of the harp often hearkened back to Tom Constanten’s whimsical touch during his tenure with the Dead in the late 60s. After this extended sequence, the band presented sister tunes “Help on the Way” and “Slipknot!” but rather than moving into the standard “Franklin’s Tower,” the group offered a cathartic “China Doll” and then a “Slipknot!” reprise.  Coming out of this elaborate pairing, the band rejoiced during a fired-up “Franklin’s.” “Cold Rain and Snow” came next and included a tease of Phish’s “Simple” from Daniel Donato, who also delivered a steady offering of Garcia-inspired licks throughout the night. Andy Frasco joined the group for the final feature of set two, a high-energy “Turn on Your Love Light.” 

Frasco remained for the encore’s first piece, a collectively sung “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad,” which preceded band introductions. In a clever and subtle play, the music dropped, and an acapella rendition of “And We Bid You Goodnight” emerged, complete with claps. As the song went on, light instrumentals returned, and Donato gave his absolute best take on the Garcia-projected “Walking in Jerusalem” interlude, similar to what was seen during the Dead’s Feb. 28, 1973, stand in Salt Lake City. Listen here. 

Following night one on The Capitol Theatre stage, Unbroken Chain: A Celebration of The Life and Music of Phil Lesh returns tonight. Tickets are sold out. 

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Grahame Lesh & Friends 

The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, N.Y.

March 12, 2026 

Set I: Ripple, Viola Lee Blues > Cumberland Blues, Operator, Deal, Althea, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Loser&, Bertha > Viola Lee Blues Reprise

Set II: Dark Star > Mason’s Children > Mountains of the Moon, Help on the Way > Slipknot! > China Doll > Slipknot! Reprise, Franklin’s Tower, Cold Rain and Snow$, Turn On Your Love Light#

Enc.: Going Down the Road Feeling Bad# > And We Bid You Goodnight&#%

Notes:

& With Reid Genauer

$ With Phish “Simple” tease from Daniel Donato 

# Andy Frasco 

% “Walking in Jerusalem” quotes by Donato a la Jerry Garcia