Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-04-06
Poster: Brain Flower Designs
Stella Blue’s Band is excited to announce the seventh annual Free Dead in the Park concert to benefit Riverkeeper, presented by The Capitol Theatre and Friends of Free Dead in the Park. Following in the footsteps of the Grateful Dead more than 50 years ago, Stella will take to the same stage at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park in New York City at 4:30pm on Tuesday, May 12, for two sets of music to raise awareness and funds to help clean up and protect the Hudson River and its ecosystem.
“With the passing of Bob Weir, this is a special year for the community to come together and celebrate the music of the Grateful Dead and support the environment – a cause we know Bob was passionate about,” said Peter Shapiro, owner of The Capitol Theatre. “We're very happy to be there again supporting Riverkeeper's mission and expect Bob to be there with us."
Free Dead in the Park began in 2018 when Stella Blue’s Band first played 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. In the years following, the show has grown to become a major event for Riverkeeper and its mission to protect, clean up, and advocate for the Hudson River and surrounding ecosystems.
"The Hudson River Valley has always carried something of the Grateful Dead's spirit: an appreciation of the power of community, the belief that what we protect together matters, and a love of the natural world. Free Dead in the Park is a celebration of that connection — brought to life by the incredible talent and energy of Stella Blue’s Band — and a reminder that defending the Hudson River is a labor of love that belongs to all of us,” says Riverkeeper President Tracy Brown. “We are incredibly grateful to the artists, sponsors, and attendees whose support helps power this critical work to safeguard clean water for generations to come.”
An exclusive commemorative T-shirt featuring an illustration by Kelley Wills of Brain Flower Designs (brainflowerdesigns.com), who also designed the event’s poster, will be given to everyone who becomes a Riverkeeper member at the event.
“Wow. It’s our seventh year and I continue to be amazed at how much support we get for this show from the NYC Parks Dept., our wonderful sponsors, clean-up crews, producers and fans,” said Steve Liesman, the band’s rhythm guitar player, a member of Riverkeeper’s board, and the senior economics reporter for CNBC. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going to be thinking of Bob Weir this year, but I feel pretty strongly he’ll be looking down at us and smiling from ear to ear beneath that bushy beard.”
The show is supported by a group of committed private and corporate contributors, including the Morgan Le Fay Dreams Foundation, Warner Bros. Discovery (wbd.com), the Lanza Family Foundation, The Zankel Music Fund, Grateful Guitars (gratefulguitars.org), the Blavatnik Family Foundation, the Schaevitz Family Foundation, Boston Investment Professionals (bostoninvprof.com), and others.
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 every year.
New York-based G4D Productions (g4dproductions.com) will be producing the show for the seventh consecutive year with support from Perry Winston and Garden Song and Atomic Pro Audio.
Riverkeeper (riverkeeper.org) protects and restores the Hudson River, and safeguards drinking water supplies through community partnerships, science, and law. Its core programs improve water quality, restore habitat for an abundance of life, and address the impact of climate change on area waterways.
Opened in 1926 and designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb, The Capitol Theatre (thecapitoltheatre.com) celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026. Long considered hallowed ground for Deadheads following the Grateful Dead’s legendary early 1970s performances, the venue holds a singular place in live music history. After a major restoration led by music entrepreneur Peter Shapiro, The Cap entered a new era while preserving its deep connection to its past. A century in, it remains both a cornerstone of music history and a driving force in its future.
Stella Blue's Band (stellabluesband.net), founded in 2009, recreates the experience of being at a Grateful Dead show. The band has been lighting up the tri-state area for more than a decade with its six-piece line-up, including two drummers, strong, soulful vocals, and high-energy performances.
More Information:
freedeadinthepark.com
riverkeeper.org/freedead
