Was it ever here at all? Was it a dream we dreamed one afternoon long ago?
Well, as Bob Weir once sang “Dreams are lies…. it’s the dreaming that’s real”. Or in this case, the streaming is real, proof that it happened.
I had March 8th marked on my 2012 calendar, as “Casual Opening” – somewhere I had gotten word that that is when Phil was going to open the restaurant we new he purchased, the former Seafood Peddler, and the adjacent Palm Ballroom (soon to be the Grate Room.) And yet I never saw an announcement, and I clearly didn’t know that sometimes at Terrapin things would happen without much notice… from day 1!
I was invited to the Ashkenaz Berkeley that night to see Deadicated Maniacs (a David Nelson Band tribute band) – and then I noticed Jay Blakesberg tweeting pictures and setlist… from Terrapin Crossroads! Instantly TxR FOMO became a reality – something that would affect myself and many others over the next few years. In 1999 when I missed Phil at the Warfield with Trey, Paige and Kimock, I made myself a promise to make as many Phil Lesh & Friends shows as possible from that point on, I never wanted to miss this magic again! When the TxR FOMO hit that night in 2012, I realized I messed up, and recommitted myself to see Phil as much as a I could, and that very clearly meant I needed to be at Terrapin Crossroads ALL THE TIME!
The next day I was in line early to get a spot up front… and spent a fair portion of the next 9 years in line, on the rail, and listening to Phil Lesh and all of his wonderful friends, and when i could, making videos or streaming it out to all of you on Deadheadland. I moved to Marin a month later, and as they say, the rest is history… my history and Terrapin’s were very intertwined. Until the very end of that final Ripple played by Stu Allen and Mars Hotel…
I haven’t seen Phil in 6 months (when he sat in with Midnight North in September, the last time he himself was publicly at TxR) – though so looking forward to feeling his bass bomb my nervous system at Skull and Roses in April!
Anyway, the streaming is real…. While I missed the 1st night, my good friend Photographer Stuart Levine was there, and shot these videos, the 1st official unofficial videos from Terrapin Crossroads “Casual Opening” on March 8, 2012. Phil is joined by Grahame Lesh, Jeff Chimenti, Tim Bluhm, Jackie Greene, Nicki Bluhm, Jordan Levine, and the one and only, Ross MF James!
Uncle John’s Band – 3.8.2012 Terrapin Crossroads Casual Opening
Bob Weir dropped by to play 3 songs with his Grateful Dead bandmate/brother Phil Lesh this past Saturday afternoon, May 1, 2021. It was his first public performance in about 14 months, since the pandemic began, and concerts and tours were all put on hold around the world.
While Bob Weir & Wolf Bros. has done several live-streamed shows from his TRI studios, with audiences watching and joining virtually via Fans.com, and he has made other online appearances during this time, this was Bob Weir’s first time with a real live audience since Wolf Bros. in Chicago, March 11, 2020.
Bob Weir had just announced 4 shows in Colorado, which promptly sold out. And while that was touted as their return to the public stage, the Weir-wolf himself has already made that return.
Phil Lesh and The Terrapin All-Stars resumed performing shows this Spring, socially distant pod-style dinner shows on Terrapin Crossroads Backyard Stage in Beach Park, San Rafael California.
The Terrapin All-Stars, are a rotating group of mostly (but not exclusively) local musicians who have frequently performed at Terrapin with Phil in the past. The line-up on Saturday featured Jackie Greene guitar, Grahame Lesh guitar, Jason Crosby keyboards, John Molo drums – and for 3 songs, Bob Weir.
Photos (and Setlist) by Ting Vogel | videos by Doug Clifton
SETLIST St. Stephen️ * Uncle John’s Band * Shakedown Street * Mississippi Half-Step Wharf Rat with Dark Star Tease Midnight Hour Jack Straw Lovelight Not Fade Away with Mountain Jam Tease Donor Rap
*With Bob Weir
Terrapin Crossroads began producing some outdoor, limited attendance, socially distant, pod-style dinner shows there last Summer, with the first lifting of restrictions, closed again when there was a Covid scare within their ranks; Reopened again in September 2020 – only to shut down again in December when all of California returned to “stay at home“.
Terrapin Crossroads 1st outdoor dinner show of 2021 was on April 1st, and they have done a dozen or so since then, as well as 2 shows by Grahame Lesh‘s band Midnight North.
“Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo “>”Wharf Rat”>”In the Midnight Hour”
Terrapin Crossroads leases Beach Park from the city, the property is adjacent to their restaurant, and in the pre-pandemic days would be regularly open to the public, as well as a frequent home to concerts, both free and ticketed, by Phil, his friends, and various other bands. Originally they were required to do at least 7 free concerts each year, and Phil easily fulfilled this part of the deal and beyond. While these outdoor shows have been very limited tickets, and therefor on the expensive side ($112.50 per person, and purchasing of pod-tables of 2, 3, and 4 adds up!) – as restrictions are lifted, perhaps we can expect some lower prices and even free events later in the year. Phil said from stage one night that he expects Terrapin to be going at full force by Fall.
Jack Straw”>”Lovelight”>”Not Fade Away” Phil Lesh and the Terrapin Allstars (Phil, Jackie Greene, Grahame Lesh , Jason Crosby , and John Molo] Terrapin Crossroads Backyard San Rafael, CA 5/1/2021
___________ Listen to Bob Weir & Wolf Bros. Chicago 3.11.2020:
An e-mail went out yesterday, to a select group of Terrapin Crossroads patrons, those of us who had purchased tickets the last two Backyard shows that had been cancelled (Working Man’s Dead and Festival Express tributes- I had tickets for both nights), and we were offered an opportunity to buy tickets to this show, which rapidly sold out, hence no larger Public announcement.
With only 36 tables of 2; and a skeleton staff on hand (yes, they dance), masks required, and stay within the square taped around your table… Terrapin put it together and gave us a show.
When we got to the lot, we were greeted by Terrapin Manager Christina, who let us know we had to wear a mask the entire time. If we were eating or drinking we could remove it but we were required to sit down then. If we stand to dance or move, we must wear it. We have to stay at our table and dance area, unless we are using the restroom or going to get a drink. These were the rules we had to follow, and they were reinforced with a flyer, and later by Phil.
We had food waiting at our table, in little to go boxes. This way there was minimal contact, and no servers. I lucked out and scored a table right on the side of the stage , as you can tell by my pictures and video.
Terrapin’s event coordinator, Nica, came by to let us know that special guests would be arriving, and that we would need to get up and move away from our table while they came through, so that they could safely make their way to the backstage area. I immediately realized that Phil would be the special guest, although I didn’t connect that he was going to play.
We did as asked and moved away for a few minutes, and Phil and his lovely wife Jill Lesh made their way to the backstage area. As we return to our table, we noticed Phil getting on the stage, and then his bass was all set up. And there were four mics… I guess we weren’t paying attention and we missed this detail when we first arrived.
The show was originally built as being Stu Allen, Grahame Lesh, and Jason Crosby. And I was more than happy to see and hear the three of them play. When I heard the first few notes of Phil’s bass, I got pretty emotional. It was just about a week before this whole thing started that we had last heard him play. When I realized how much this music resonates in my life, and it means so much to me, and how grateful I am for Phil, and all he brings.
After the first song, Phil gave us the rules, and said we’re going to have to follow them if we want to keep doing this. And don’t forget to vote! And then also asked us to give him some space when the show is done, so he could get back to his car without any bother.
I would do anything I could to protect Phil’s well being. Wouldn’t you?
The short but very sweet setlist…
Phil Lesh and Friends Wednesday September 23 2020 Terrapin Crossroads Backyard Beach Park, San Rafael California
Uncle John’s Band all Mask rap pl Eyes of the World sa Jack Straw sa gl Half Step Mississippi Uptown Toodleloo pl China Cat Sunflower > sa Playin in the Band all Ripple all
Stu Allen 🎸, Jason Crosby 🎹, Grahame Lesh 🎸, Phil Lesh bass 🎸
SETLIST 
St. Stephen️ *
Uncle John’s Band *
Shakedown Street *
Mississippi Half-Step
Wharf Rat with Dark Star Tease
Midnight Hour
Jack Straw
Lovelight
Not Fade Away with Mountain Jam Tease
Donor Rap
