Stella Blue’s Band has announced the fourth annual Free Dead in the Park concert to benefit Riverkeeper. Presented by The Capitol Theatre and RYTHM Cannabis, the gathering will occur in New York City’s Central Park at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16. Stella Blue’s Band will follow take after the Grateful Dead by performing at the fabled Naumburg Bandshell.
The forthcoming event will consist of a two-set performance to raise awareness and funds to help clean up and protect the Hudson River and its ecosystem. Steve Liesman, the band’s rhythm guitar player, a member of Riverkeepers’ board, and the senior economics reporter for CNBC, offered, “We’re honored to follow in the footsteps of the Dead at this amazing location and focus on the vital cause of cleaning up the mighty Hudson River.”
Free Dead in the Park began in 2018 when a fan of Stella Blue’s Band acquired a $25 permit so that the band could play in the bandshell to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s legendary free concert at the location. Since the initial event, it has become an annual fundraising endeavor.
The occurrence pays homage to the Grateful Dead’s highly regarded May 5, 1968, free concert, which included Jefferson Airplane and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. “The music of the Grateful Dead, the spirit of social action, and the energy of New York City all go hand in hand every year at Free Dead in the Park,” offered Peter Shapiro, owner of The Capitol Theatre, via press release.
In addition, celebrated photographer Jay Blakesberg has shared a picture of Jerry Garcia and Bobby Weir performing on stage and reproduced it onto a t-shirt. The item commemorates the musicians and the music they created and will be on sale at the event.
For more information, visit stellabluesband.net.
