Celebrate 60th anniversary of The Warlocks at Loretta on May 5

Loretta owner Ali El Safy announced today that the bar in downtown Menlo Park will commemorate the 60th anniversary of The Warlock’s first show on Monday, May 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Loretta is where Magoo’s Pizza Parlor once was (639 Santa Cruz Avenue).

Organized by Aidan Stone in association with Feldman’s Books, the event is a fundraiser for Jerry Garcia in the Lower Mission, a new musical written by  playwright Richard Montoya, set to premiere at San Francisco’s Magic Theatre from October 29 through November 23, 2025.

Running from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, the evening will feature live music from Effie Zilch alongside special guests Rory McNamara, Kyle Alden, and Wayne Osborne. Professor David Gans, noted Grateful Dead historian and musician, will also share music and stories about “the Grateful Dead’s early days in Menlo Park,” when the band was still known as the Warlocks and first performed at Magoo’s.

Jerry Garcia in the Lower Mission was first workshopped at the Magic Theatre in the autumn of 2023. A truncated version was later staged at Feldman’s Books in Menlo Park in October 2025, with a promotional event held shortly thereafter at Kepler’s Books featuring David Gans and Grateful Dead biographer Dennis McNally to celebrate the release of The Silver Snarling Trumpet.

All proceeds from the evening will go directly toward the production of Jerry Garcia in the Lower Mission.

Tickets are $40 in advance; $50 at the door (includes two drinks).

Photo shows The Warlocks at Magoo’s Pizza Parlor