Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician Richie Furey, New York’s Les Paul Trio, Rusty Paul, and Sammy Llanas will headline upcoming festivities to celebrate Waukesha, the birth and resting place of Les Paul, as the latest Gibson GuitarTown. The events will showcase the finalized guitar art created by 27 visual artists. The public kick-off events and Les Paul birthday celebration will occur June 1 and 2 and most events are free, unless otherwise noted.
June 1
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. ▪ Club 400 owner Dan Pokwinski to share and discuss Club 400’s Les Paul memorabilia.
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ▪ Rusty Paul, son of Les Paul will be at Les Paul memorial site at Prairie Home Cemetery to share memories and answer questions about his father.
11:30 – 1:00 p.m. ▪ Lunch & Learn with Bob Jacobson, author of the book Les Paul Guitar Wizard to be at the Waukesha County Museum $8 admission includes lunch, opportunity for book signing and discussion on book (book cost additional). Pre-registration required by May 31st. To register call 262-521-2859 ext. 224. Limited seating available.
5:30 p.m. ▪ Opening ceremony for Waukesha Gibson GuitarTown – unveiling of 10 ft guitars, 17 playable guitars will be on display at their final locations in downtown Waukesha.
6:00 p.m. ▪ Les Paul Trio to play with former Buffalo Springfield music legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Richie Furay on the big main stage set up in downtown Waukesha.
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. ▪ Bob Jacobson, author of Les Paul Guitar Wizard, to sign books at Martha Merrell’s Books/Cuddles
6:45 p.m. ▪ Freeman Friday Night Live featuring six stages of live music at stages at the following locations in downtown Waukesha:
Martha Merrell’s Books/Cuddles ▪ Mike & Kathy G-Man Music
Allo Chocolat ▪ Chad James & Mike Westendorf
Rockin' & Poppin' On Broadway Stage ▪ The Notebenders
Mia's ▪ Peter Llanas
Steaming Cup ▪ Barefoot “N” Bluejeans
Magellans ▪ L`onley Hearts
Freeman Friday Night Live is held at 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. every Friday from June until October in downtown Waukesha.
8:30 p.m. ▪ Sam Llanas Band and Rusty Paul to perform on main stage in downtown Waukesha.
June 2
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ▪ Waukesha Farmer’s Market featuring a Les Paul trivia and song tribute and limited edition collectors’ cards.
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ▪ Bob Jacobson, author of Les Paul Guitar Wizard to be at the Waukesha County Museum booth at the Farmer’s Market signing and discuss his book.
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ▪ Rusty Paul son of Les Paul will be at Les Paul memorial site at Prairie Home Cemetery to share memories and answer questions about his father.
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. ▪ Live music in downtown Waukesha; guided tour with artists.
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.▪ Live music in downtown Waukesha.
About Waukesha GuitarTown
The Waukesha GuitarTown Project is a public arts endeavor that will feature a display of ten 10-foot tall fiberglass Gibson Les Paul model guitars and 17 playable Les Paul guitars. The guitars will be artistically designed by visual artists from Southeastern Wisconsin. Finished guitars will be displayed as part of a walking tour of downtown Waukesha landmarks June 1, 2012. Funding from the project is provided by the Gibson Guitar Foundation and many local sponsors. Net proceeds raised will benefit Waukesha school music and art programs, the new Waukesha County Museum Les Paul exhibit, and the new Waukesha Community Health Center. Other Gibson GuitarTown cities include Hollywood, Cleveland, Miami, Orlando, London, Austin and Nashville. Visit waukeshaguitartown.com for more information.