Port Chester, N.Y.’s Garcia’s announced they will hold a celebration in honor of the life of Michael Winters, the former Operations & House Manager of The Capitol Theatre and a crucial figure of the New York live music scene, who passed away on July 1, 2018. The celebratory event will take place on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at 4:20 p.m., a day before what would’ve been Winters’ 57th birthday.
The staff and friends of The Capitol Theatre, which is adjacent to Garcia’s, decided to celebrate Winters’ life rather than his passing which is often referred to as “the heart and soul of The Cap” and titled the event With the Gold of Sunshine..Winters is also credited to helping name Garcia’s before retiring five years later. Before his time at The Capitol Theatre, Mike and his brother, Brad, were partners in Manny’s Car Wash, a renowned blues club in Manhattan.
“When Mike worked at the Cap, everyone was so kind, they were a tight-knit crew and became the original Capitol Family. After his passing, they have continued to make me feel like part of the Cap Fam,” said his wife, Lara Winters, in a press release. “It truly means the world to me that he had such a positive impact on the many he touched and that his memory will be honored with love in a meaningful way.”
The proceeds from the event will be donated to SongCatchers, a charity dedicated to fostering the next generation of music fans by providing affordable music education. The event will also feature a charity auction and raffle, including a collection of music memorabilia. Friends are encouraged to bring a photograph of Mike for the memorial display board.
“By gathering to enjoy his favorite songs and come together as a community, we will unite to make a difference in the lives of others, just as Mike made a difference in ours,” shared Garcia’s staff. “Let’s make this a night to remember and give back to the next generation of music lovers in our community.”
Tickets can be purchased online here
Read Relix‘s piece on the life and passing of Winters here.