Photo: Capitol Theatre

The Capitol Theatre and the Village of Port Chester, N.Y., will honor the late Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh with a street dedication this spring. This special event will take place on March 14, coinciding with the start of Unbroken Chain: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Phil Lesh, a four-night concert series in tandem with Lesh’s 85th birthday. 

As a nod to Lesh’s impact and beloved status, the corner of Westchester Avenue and Broad Street will officially be renamed Phil Lesh Lane. The location–in front of The Capitol Theatre–holds special significance as the venue’s stage door, or “Door 12,” the entrance Lesh used during his 106 performances at the historic venue since 2012. 

“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,” Grahame Lesh imparted. “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 dedication will kick off the four-night Unbroken Chain concert series, centered around Grahame Lesh & Friends and featuring guests. Shows will begin on March 14-15, with help from Lesh’s collaborators and friends, who will pay homage to his everlasting impact, including Rick Mitarotonda, Eric Krasno, Oteil Burbridge, Jason Crosby, John Molo, and Jennifer Hartswick. 

The guest lineup will shift on March 16, with arrivals from Jackie Greene, Larry Campbel,  Teresa Williams, Steve Molitz and John Molo. A final concert tribute on March 17 will pull together Phil Lesh Quintet members:  Warren Haynes, Jimmy Herring, Rob Barraco and John Molo.

Lesh’s Capitol Theatre history extends back to his roots with the Grateful Dead and the band’s 18 performances at the venue from 1970 to 1971. Following The Capitol Theatre’s 2012 reopening, Lesh took part in 106 stagings at the historic location, making Port Chester, N.Y., a city associated with love and respect for Lesh. 

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

Previously, Lesh’s importance in the Village of Port Chester was certified when he received the Key to Port Chester and was named an Honorary Firefighter by the Port Chester Volunteer Fire Department. The street dedication provides another venerable layer to Lesh’s eternal impact. 

The official street dedication ceremony will be held on March 14 at 4:00 p.m., kicking off a four-night musical celebration at The Cap. More information is available here.