A passion project six years in the making, Garcia’s Chicago will finally open on Friday, March 21st at 1001 W. Washington Boulevard in Chicago, IL. For jam fans, the opening of Peter Shapiro and Dayglo Presents‘ latest bar/restaurant/music venue—an offshoot of the original Garcia’s, which adjoins The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY—will be well worth the wait: the initial slate of Garcia’s Chicago shows includes performances by Grahame Lesh & Friends, LaMP, Sam Grisman Project, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, and Dogs In A Pile scheduled through the fall [ticketing information].
In a fitting nod to the Grateful Dead and its guitarist Jerry Garcia, who gave the venue its name, Garcia’s Chicago will open with a three-night run by Phil Lesh‘s son Grahame Lesh & Friends featuring Daniel Donato and Nicki Bluhm from March 21st–23rd. Other highlights of the initial calendar include Scott Metzger, Russ Lawton, and Ray Paczkowski‘s organ trio, LaMP (4/4–4/5), Eric Krasno and Stanton Moore‘s Krasno/Moore Project (4/12–4/13), Grace Potter (4/24), Sam Grisman Project (5/2), BALTHVS (5/16–5/17), Hot Buttered Rum with special guest Allie Kral (5/25), Holly Bowling (5/30–5/31), Preservation Hall Jazz Band (6/19–6/21), Mikaela Davis (6/25), The Travelin’ McCourys (7/27), George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners (9/5–9/6), and Dogs In A Pile (11/6, 11/13, 11/20).
The 300-capacity venue will also host intimate concerts by members of major touring bands. Greensky Bluegrass’ Dave Bruzza (5/3), Umphrey’s McGee’s Brendan Bayliss and Trey Anastasio Band’s Jennifer Hartswick‘s Hartliss (5/8), Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s Tom Hamilton (5/10), Greensky Bluegrass’ Paul Hoffman (6/14), and Widespread Panic’s JoJo Hermann (8/31) will all play solo shows this year at Garcia’s Chicago. Additionally, when Phish comes to town for three nights at the United Center (7/18–7/20), Garcia’s Chicago will host We Are Everywhere after-parties each night.
“Our venue reflects the things that Jerry loves—his connection to tradition, his spirit of exploration, and his appreciation for good, honest experiences,” Shapiro said in a press 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.”
Beyond the stage, the new venue will celebrate Jerry Garcia’s legacy with a menu featuring some of the guitarist’s favorite foods. Executive chef Ivy Carthen worked with the Garcia family to develop a menu with influences from San Francisco to Spain. The kitchen will offer buttermilk-brined fried chicken and cod and milkshakes, as well as lighter options that won’t weigh fans down from dancing at the show.
“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 added 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.”
Find tickets to the opening slate of shows Garcia’s Chicago here. Click below to view the full calendar.
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