'Rollercoaster' book-signing slated at fundraiser

Phil Lesh and band will headline Sept. 19 benefit barbecue in San Rafael to aid cancer care

Phil Lesh

A Marin County family-style barbecue and music festival that spotlights Grateful Dead co-founder Phil Lesh and The Terrapin Family Band will benefit cancer care.

The 75-year-old star rock 'n' roll electric bassist-vocalist had performed with the psychedelic Dead for three decades after meeting Jerry Garcia in 1961 — despite the fact that he had never played bass before joining Garcia's group (called The Warlocks before being re-dubbed). 

The event, which also will feature a silent auction and sports memorabilia, will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Terrapin Crossroads, the restaurant/music venue at 100 Yacht Club Drive, San Rafael, owned by Lesh and his wife, Jill.

Proceeds of the fundraiser will go to the CPMC Foundation, "to help innovate, expand and elevate the quality of cancer research and care."

Stan Cohn

Organizers are Stan Cohn of Kentfield — in celebration of his 60th birthday — and his wife, Roxanne, a breast cancer survivor who was treated at the California Pacific Medical Center, a Sutter Health affiliate in San Francisco.

Stan is a regular attendee at Marin Man to Man, the weekly support group for male caregivers that I, Woody Weingarten, have led for 20 years.

At the event, I will be selling copies of my VitalityPress book, "Rollercoaster: How a man can survive his partner's breast cancer" — and signing them.

Fifty percent of the "Rollercoaster" selling price will go to CPMC Cancer Care. I also am donating signed books for the auction.

The Terrapin Family Band, the restaurant-club's house band, includes Lesh's two sons, Brian and Grahame.

Jill and Phil Lesh

Other scheduled entertainment — for which suggested donations are $60 per individual, $100 per couple, $150 per family — will be It's a Beautiful Day, an outgrowth of San Francisco's Summer of Love, and the Whitecliff Rangers, a blues and rock ensemble.

Sponsors of the event include the San Francisco Giants, Anchor Steam Beer, Double Rainbow ice cream and Neiman Marcus.

Lesh's website notes that "with the opening of Terrapin Crossroads in 2012, Phil has signaled his intent to keep playing with friends old and new for many years to come."

This is a chance to hear some of them — now.