Though most venues are traditionally dark on Christmas Eve, Phil Lesh took the stage on December 24 at his San Rafael, CA club Terrapin Crossroads. The bassist hosted an afternoon of festivities at the space, including an appearance by Santa Claus, and capped the evening with a short set of music with the Terrapin All-Stars. In addition to Lesh, this version of the ensemble included his son Grahame on electric guitar, new Tea Leaf Green bassist Eric DiBerardino on acoustic guitar, venue regular Craig “CMAC” MacArthur on electric guitar and Terrapin Family Band/Midnight North drummer Alex Koford. The musicians, dressed in Christmas colors, performed in the bar space while illuminated by a glowing Santa. As first reported by Deadheadland.com, the group opened with a take the Grateful Dead adopted “Stagger Lee,” which recounts a 1948 Christmas Eve murder. From there the band moved into a take on Little Feat’s “Willin’,” Tim Bluhm’s “Squeaky Wheel,” Little Feat’s “Dixie Chicken” and the classic, “Viola Lee Blues.”

This evening Terrapin Crossroads will present Mark Karan & The Terrapin Allstars.