The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin. Those are just a few of the iconic artists who have played at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. This year, the beloved theatre celebrates a big milestone.

"Music has this ability to bring people together," said Emily Schmalholz, head of special events at the theatre.

The theatre turned 100 years old on Aug. 18.

"The Capitol Theatre opened Aug. 18, 1926. The story is that hundreds of people were turned away on opening night. We had about 2,000 people here in the theatre for a silent film. The show started with a 10-piece orchestra doing the Star-Spangled Banner," said Stephanie May, marketing director at the Capitol Theatre.

Since then, the theatre has had many iconic musicians perform on its stage, including Mick Jagger, Santana and the Grateful Dead.

"The Grateful Dead played 18 shows from 1970 to 1971. Jerry Garcia is quoted with saying that the Capitol Theatre and the Fillmore in California are like his two favorite places to play," May told News 12.

Those shows left a lasting imprint on Port Chester.

"The Grateful Dead are very much a part of the fabric of Port Chester," said May.

Back in 2025, a street outside the theatre was renamed in honor of Phil Lesh. Aside from the Grateful Dead, the history in the theatre runs deep.

"In 2012, Peter Shapiro reopened the venue and kind of restored it back to its glory days as like a rock n' roll palace," said May.

Inside, there is intricate art on the walls that includes a lot of squirrels.

"There are more than 200 squirrels carved into the walls here. Nobody knows why," May explained.

As for what's in store for the next 100 years at the theatre, leaders there say it's about continuing to do what they have been for years.

"Certainly in the next 100 years, we hope to do a thousand more shows at least and keep bringing together artists that might not otherwise play together," said Kiley Williams, General Manager at the Capitol Theatre.

You can read more about the history of the theatre and upcoming events HERE.