Terrapin Crossroads

Terrapin Crossroads was a music venue, bar, and restaurant active from 2011 until 2021 in San Rafael, California, founded by former Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh.

Terrapin Crossroads
Phil Lesh & Friends performing at Terrapin Crossroads Dec. 6 2013. (left to right) Jimmy Herring, John Molo, Warren Haynes, Phil Lesh and Neal Casal.
AddressSan Rafael, California
United States
Capacity419[1]
Current usemusic venue
Opened2011
Closed2021
Website
www.terrapincrossroads.net

Concept

On March 29, 2011, Phil Lesh posted a statement on the Furthur.net site community message board that he was planning to open a new live music venue in Marin County, north of San Francisco, in the near future. Said Lesh, "We're taking the first steps to make a long time dream - a permanent musical home - come true. We are purchasing a building in Marin, and plan on remodeling it to feel like an old barn; we're calling it Terrapin Landing. We will continue with Furthur while making music at Terrapin Landing when we are at home. The music will be varied, featuring: Phil Lesh & Friends (continuing the tradition of revolving lineups, including old as well as new friends); West Coast Rambles, based on (and blessed by) Levon Helm's historic Rambles; Album night - we pick a favorite album or two to play live; Telstar night - we put together a band for free form improvisation; Sing-alongs to monthly Sunday morning gospel music; Trivia nights; Monthly big band night; Seminars with local musicians and artists; Our goal is to create a vibrant community gathering place: beautiful, comfortable, welcoming - for members of the community to commingle and enjoy good music".[2][3][4]

Fairfax proposal

In April 2011, Lesh disclosed more details about "Terrapin Landing", originally planned as a remodel of The Good Earth natural food store in Fairfax, California, which would then be used to host a variety of musical fare.[5] However, in July, 2011, this initial plan was changed from utilizing The Good Earth property to the construction of a brand new structure in the adjacent lot formerly occupied by a gas station and car repair shop.[6][7] On August 1 (Jerry Garcia's birthday), formal plans for what is now being called "Terrapin Crossroads" were submitted to the Fairfax Town Council for approval. The building was designed as a three floor, 16500 square foot structure (8250 square foot footprint), that would accommodate about 500 people, and which would host between 50 and 100 performances per year. If approved, construction would begin in the summer of 2012 and would be completed in the summer of 2013.[8][9][10][11]

The project was not without controversy, however, particularly among the local residents of Fairfax, who were concerned about the potential traffic, noise, trash, loitering, vagrancy, crime, and drugs that the venue might bring to the small, quiet town of about 7300 people (as of 2011).[12][13] A Fairfax town council meeting whose agenda was to include a discussion about the venue, including a proposal for a traffic study, was scheduled for Wednesday, August 17, 2011. However, the Leshes pulled the topic from the agenda after someone anonymously posted signs reading, "No Terrapin, Please", along Phil's normal morning walking route in his home town of Ross a day or two earlier.[14][15] The Fairfax Chamber of Commerce hosted a Town Hall meeting on the Terrapin Crossroads project on September 1.[16][17] Town Manager Michael Rock, Planning Director Jim Moore and Bruce Burman of Jazz Builders, the project manager for the proposed Phil Lesh-backed music venue, made presentations and answered questions. Given the ongoing controversy about siting the venue in Fairfax, the Leshes decided to ponder the situation during the month of September, and announce their ultimate decision sometime in October.[18][19][20][21][22]

On November 8, Bruce Burman released a statement from the Leshes: "After careful consideration we have decided not to move forward with Terrapin Crossroads in Fairfax. For all of you that have supported our efforts and helped to define the vision, we are extremely grateful. Phil looks forward to making music and creating a community gathering place sooner rather than later."[23][24]

San Rafael location
Terrapin Crossroads sign in San Rafael, California
Musicians warming up in the bar at Terrapin Crossroads

On January 2, 2012 Lesh announced that Terrapin Crossroads would open at the former location of the Seafood Peddler restaurant in San Rafael. Furthur did some rehearsal shows a couple years prior in their Palm Ballroom. [25]

On February 14, 2012, Phil Lesh and Friends performed a live webcast of a one-set performance at the new Terrapin Crossroads location.[26] The venue had a "soft opening" on March 8, 2012. The first official concerts at Terrapin Crossroads were a run of 12 shows by Phil Lesh and Friends, from March 17 to April 1, 2012.[27][28][29]

In addition to the music hall, dubbed "The Grate Room", Terrapin Crossroads consisted of a large bar (site of many free bar shows), a lounge, and large dining room on the first floor. The second story consisted of another large lounge/VIP area. Terrapin also had outdoor seating and dining outside alongside the canal and docks for those who boated to the restaurant/venue. Terrapin Crossroads was designed by Hulburd Design of San Francisco.

The restaurant portion of the venue was temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2021, Lesh announced that Terrapin Crossroads had closed permanently.[30][31][32]

References
  1. "Private Events". Terrapin Crossroads. Archived from the original on 2016-08-04. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  2. Lesh, Phil (March 29, 2011). "Hey, Gang". Furthur.net. Archived from the original on 2011-04-08. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  3. "Phil Lesh's Terrapin Landing". jambands.com. March 30, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  4. Ross, Dan (April 1, 2011). "Grateful Dead Bassist Lesh Bringing Music Venue to Fairfax?". San Anselmo - Fairfax Patch. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  5. Rosen, Larry (April 18, 2011). "Will the Proposed Phil Lesh Music Venue Be Too Much for Fairfax". San Anselmo - Fairfax Patch. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  6. Dunleavy, Kelly (July 20, 2011). "Phil Lesh-Backed Music Venue Coming to Downtown Fairfax?". San Anselmo - Fairfax Patch. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  7. Liberatore, Paul (July 29, 2011). "Grateful Dead's Lesh moves ahead with plans for Fairfax music barn". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  8. "Terrapin Crossroads Plans" (PDF). Town-of-Fairfax.org. August 1, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  9. Dunleavy, Kelly (August 9, 2011). "You Be the Judge: Terrapin Crossroads". San Anselmo - Fairfax Patch. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  10. Dunleavy, Kelly (August 11, 2011). "Phil Lesh's Vision for Terrapin Crossroads". San Anselmo - Fairfax Patch. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  11. Liberatore, Paul (August 7, 2011). "Plans filed in Fairfax for Phil Lesh's Terrapin Crossroads music barn". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  12. Rosen, Paul (May 23, 2011). "Terrapin Landing: Another View". San Anselmo - Fairfax Patch. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  13. "Phil Lesh's vision for a Fairfax venue seems a good fit". Marin Independent Journal. August 16, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  14. Dunleavy, Kelly (August 17, 2011). "Lesh Pulls Music Venue Proposal After Angry Flyers Posted". San Anselmo - Fairfax Patch. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  15. Dunleavy, Kelly (August 18, 2011). "Terrapin Crossroads Still Volatile, Despite Delay". San Anselmo - Fairfax Patch. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  16. Halstead, Richard (August 17, 2011). "Grateful Dead's Lesh postpones discussion of Fairfax project after signs posted near his Ross home". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  17. Dunleavy, Kelly (September 1, 2011). "Phil Lesh's Terrapin Crossroads Community Meeting Tonight". San Anselmo - Fairfax Patch. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  18. Dunleavy, Kelly (September 1, 2011). "VIDEO: Terrapin Crossroads Community Meeting Part I". San Anselmo - Fairfax Patch. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  19. Dunleavy, Kelly (September 2, 2011). "VIDEO: Terrapin Crossroads Community Meeting Part II". San Anselmo - Fairfax Patch. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  20. Dunleavy, Kelly (September 2, 2011). "Terrapin Crossroads: Frequently Asked Questions". San Anselmo - Fairfax Patch. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  21. Halstead, Richard (September 1, 2011). "Supporters, opponents show up to discuss Phil Lesh's 'music barn' proposal". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  22. "Editorial: Phil Lesh deserves a fair shake in Fairfax". Marin Independent Journal. September 5, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  23. "Phil Lesh scraps plans for Terrapin Crossroads music hall in Fairfax". Marin Independent Journal. November 8, 2011. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  24. Dunleavy, Kelly (November 8, 2011). "No Terrapin Crossroads in Fairfax". San Anselmo - Fairfax Patch. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  25. Greenhaus, Mike https://relix.com/articles/detail/phil-at-80-phil-lesh-talks-terrapin-crossroads-in-2012/ Relix
  26. "Phil Lesh & Friends Webcast from Terrapin Crossroads", JamBands.com, February 15, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  27. "Terrapin Crossroads Opening News!", TerrapinCrossroads.com, February 18, 2102. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  28. Oksenhorn, Stewart (February 10, 2012). "With Phil & Friends, the Dead Live On" Archived 2013-01-17 at archive.today, Aspen Times. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  29. Liberatore, Paul (February 18, 2012). "$150 Tickets for Phil Lesh's Terrapin Crossroads Opening Has Fans Grumbling", Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  30. Liberatore, Paul (October 21, 2021). "Deadheads and Other Fans of Phil Lesh's Terrapin Crossroads Are Hoping for a Miracle". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  31. "Phil and Jill Lesh Officially Announce that Terrapin Crossroads Has Closed". jambands.com. November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  32. Bernstein, Scott (November 22, 2021). "Watch Final Terrapin Crossroads Concert Close with 'Ripple'". JamBase. Retrieved March 16, 2022.

37°58′5″N 122°31′0″W

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