The public is invited to four music and visual arts events in the west wing of the historic Westclox building on Fri. and Sat., May 10 and 11. These include a gallery show and three events featuring the internationally recognized artist and musician/leader of the punk band, “The Mekons” (pronounced ME-cons). The Westclox building is at 400 Fifth St., Peru.
“Second Friday at Westclox: A Time for Music and Art” events on Fri., May 10, are sponsored by North Central Illinois (NCI) ARTworks and Music Suite 408.
· Art Exhibit – Laurie Ragan – local painter, illustrator and muralist – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Fine Arts Factory Paintbox Art Gallery, 408 Fifth St., Peru. Light refreshments; free-will offerings accepted.
· Art Exhibit – Jon Langford – Internationally recognized artist and musician/leader of the punk band, “The Mekons,” will be present and open an exhibit of his art from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Westclox ARTworks Center, 400 Fifth St., Peru. Langford is known both for incorporating folk and country music into punk rock and for the distinctive draftsmanship of his visual art, especially his paintings of country music performers, including Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Hank Williams. A collection of Langford’s art will be on display at the Westclox ARTworks Center. Artwork and other merchandise featuring Langford’s art will be available for sale.
NCI ARTworks’ “Films at the Factory” on Sat., May 11, will screen “The Revenge of the Mekons,” a documentary on Langford’s internationally renowned punk band, “The Mekons” (pronounced ME-cons). Langford and fellow band member, Sally Timms, will attend the screening and lead discussion afterwards. The screening is from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Westclox ARTworks Center, 400 Fifth St., Peru. Free admission; donations accepted.
Star Union Spirits on Sat., May 11, welcomes punk rock iconoclasts Jon Langford and fellow “The Mekons” band member Sally Timms performing, accompanied by guitarist John Szymanski. The concert will be at Star Union Spirits, 305 Fifth St., Ste. 135, Peru. Doors open at 5 p.m. Live music begins at 8 p.m. $20.00 admission.
Jon Langford is renowned for unique artistic touches as both as a punk rock and visual artist. Based in Chicago since the 1990s and born in Wales in 1957, Langford was the drummer and later a guitarist for “The Mekons” when the punk band formed in 1977 Leeds, England. He co-founded the Waco Brothers in Chicago in the mid-1990s and has released solo recordings and albums with other bands.
