On Saturday, May 20, “Original Rock Palace” The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY will celebrate 1000 shows since reopening in 2012 with a Dark Star Orchestra show - tickets here. Attendees will receive a “1000th show” button, marking another important milestone for the legendary venue. Music entrepreneur Peter Shapiro revived and renovated the iconic theater 11 years ago, which has welcomed every artist imaginable since its inception, from The Rolling Stones & Brandi Carlile to Janis Joplin & Kacey Musgraves – a true hub of culture & community in the northeast. On September 4, 2012, the Capitol reopened its doors to one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Bob Dylan, kicking off a decade of unforgettable performances from Ringo Starr, Skrillex, Bonnie Raitt, Snoop Dogg, The Strokes, Tom Petty, Cyndi Lauper, and Willie Nelson, as well as comedians like Kevin Hart and Amy Schumer.
Last Fall, the 2,000-capacity venue hosted a season-long toast to its 10 year anniversary by organizing community gatherings throughout Port Chester, NY, charity events, and concerts. Continuing in the celebratory spirit, this March Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh performed at The Cap for both his 83rd birthday and his 100th show at the venue. In the same month Jimmy Fallon surprised audiences on stage during Goose’s run (Rolling Stone).
Performing to critical acclaim for over 20 years and over 3000 shows, Dark Star Orchestra continues the Grateful Dead live concert experience. On any given night, the band will perform a show based on a set list from the Grateful Dead's 30 years of extensive touring or use their catalog to program a unique set list for the show. By recreating set lists from the past, and by developing their own sets of Dead songs, Dark Star Orchestra offers a continually evolving artistic outlet within this musical canon. Honoring both the band and the fans, Dark Star Orchestra's members seek out the unique style and sound of each era while simultaneously offering their own informed improvisations. "For us it's a chance to recreate some of the magic that was created for us over the years," keyboardist and vocalist Rob Barraco explains. "We offer a sort of a historical perspective at what it might have been like to go to a show in 1985, 1978 or whenever. Even for Deadheads who can say they've been to a hundred shows in the 90s, we offer something they never got to see live."
The Capitol Theatre’s "venue within the venue” Garcia’s (created in partnership with Jerry Garcia’s family) will also celebrate its ten year anniversary this May. You can expect performances by Finders Keepers, Mihali (of Twiddle), SoulShine, Liquorcake followed by Gimme Gimme Disco and Brown Eyed Women, and even a signature anniversary drink, the Cherry Jerry. Over the last ten years Garcia’s has presented an eclectic mix of exciting acts such as Dinosaur Jr., Black Pumas, Goose, Yola, Marcus King, Twiddle, Mihali, Melvin Seals, Warren Haynes, Orebolo, Keller Williams, Eric Krasno, Dopapod and many more. Tickets here.
