Stella Blue’s Band is excited to announce the 4th annual Free Dead in the Park concert to benefit Riverkeeper, presented by The Capitol Theatre and RYTHM Cannabis. Following in the footsteps of the Grateful Dead over 50 years ago, Stella will take to the same stage at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park in New York City at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, for two sets of music to raise awareness and funds to help clean up and protect the Hudson River and its ecosystem.
“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,” said Peter Shapiro, owner of The Capitol Theatre.
“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,’’ said Steve Liesman, the band’s rhythm guitar player, a member of Riverkeeper’s board and the senior economics reporter for CNBC. Free Dead in the Park began in 2018 when a fan of Stella Blue’s Band obtained a $25 permit for the band to play in the bandshell to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s epic free concert there with Jefferson Airplane and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. It’s since blossomed into a major fundraising event for Riverkeeper.
“Free Dead in the Park is such an exciting and significant event each year because it connects music fans with the environment and gives them the opportunity to make a difference in their community by helping protect the Hudson River,’’ said Tracy Brown, President of Riverkeeper.
“Green Thumb is excited to continue our support of Riverkeeper and its invaluable work to preserve the Hudson’s ecosystem. Giving back to local communities is core to our mission, and what better way to do so than while celebrating the music of the Grateful Dead,” said Ben Kovler, Founder and CEO of Green Thumb Industries, a leading national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and producer of RYTHM Cannabis.
The show also has support from a group of committed private contributors — the Morgan Le Fay Dreams Foundation and Friends of Free Dead in the Park.
The event would not be possible without the dedication, commitment, and support of staff at the NYC Parks Department, which has helped to make the concert a success in years past.
The show will be produced by G4D Productions with support from Best Instrument Rentals.
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