The best sounding electric guitar in my possession will turn 33 years old in November.

According to the serial number located on the back of its headstock, my Gibson Les Paul Custom was manufactured on Nov. 30, 1981, in Nashville, Tenn.

This is an interesting fact for me to know as I plan for another jaunt to Corry, Pa., with the Joint Effort band, where I will be playing at the Library Bar and Grill tonight. For the past three years, I’ve provided rhythm guitar and vocals for the band that once served as my father’s main source of gigs through the late ’80s into the mid-’90s.

Even though I don’t play out with Joint Effort as often as I do with my other project, The Elektra Kings, I have learned a lot as a musician; and I have undeniably honed my skills as a competent rhythm player on a right-handed instrument.

The guitar itself is extremely durable, bearing only slight scuffs and scratches administered through more than three decades of use (and possible abuse). And the tone is phenomenal to the extent that most of what I know regarding guitar effects and tonality was acquired solely through tinkering with the knobs that adorn the lower corner of the guitar body.

I may not be a guitarist at heart, as my true passion lies in the lower frequencies of the bass guitar, but I am unquestioningly grateful for the stability and reliability my Les Paul has brought to my musicianship and career in music performance.

And then there is the matter of its age.

Being that my guitar is six years older than I am, I can’t help but wonder at the sequence of events that brought that particular 10-pound, tobacco sunburst-colored instrument into the hands of a kid from Jamestown. How many venues has my faithful friend appeared in through the years? How many people has it serenaded through late nights and smoke-filled rooms? And how many owners have had the pleasure of knowing such a well-crafted guitar?

Those questions will likely never be answered for me, but all I can say is that I’m glad to have such a trusty companion by my side when the opportunity presents itself.

And now, here’s what you can expect to find in the area this week.

HIGHLIGHTS

“Acoustics On The Lake” Kicks Off Today: The second installment of “Acoustics on the Lake,” the annual summer concert series held at Long Point State Park’s Ready About Sailing, will kick off today at 6 p.m. The first performer of the year will be Dan Vogan, who will play until 9 p.m. Admission is free, and food and beverages will be available.

Ready About Sailing is located at 4459 Route 430 in Bemus Point. For more information, search “Acoustics on the Lake” on Facebook.

Big City Free Summer Concert Series Begins Friday: The Big City Free Summer Concert Series, sponsored by Landmark Chevrolet and Arthur R. Gren, returns Friday, with a live performance by The Bogarts from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena. In its third season, the summer concert series has consistently drawn crowds to the arena for a fun, free night out. The Bogarts, summer concert series veterans, are an Americana/roots band from Jamestown. As the concert series’ name suggests, admission is free.

The Jamestown Savings Bank Arena is located at 319 W. Third St. in Jamestown. The concert will be held on Lafayette Street between Second and Third streets. For more information, call 484-2624, or visit www.jamestownarena.com.

“Pink the Park” To Be Held Friday: The second annual “Pink the Park” baseball game, co-sponsored by WCA Hospital and the Jamestown Jammers, will be held Friday at Russell Diethrick Park. WCA and the Jammers will pay tribute to breast cancer survivors before the ceremonial pitch. All breast cancer survivors are invited to gather near the Jammers dugout along the third base line at 6:45 p.m. before being honored on the field. The first pitch will be at 7:05 p.m. WCA Hospital will also be conducting a special basket giveaway/silent auction and 50/50 that will benefit local breast cancer care. Tickets are $5 general admission, and $7 for grandstand seating.

For more information, or game tickets, call 664-0915, stop by the Jammers box office at the park, or visit www.jamestownjammers.com

Melissa Etheridge To Perform Sunday: Rock icon Melissa Etheridge will perform a solo acoustic set at the Seneca Allegany Events Center at 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $50.

The Seneca Allegany Casino is located at 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd. in Salamanca. For more information, call 945-9300 or visit www.senecaalleganycasino.com.

Annual Chautauqua County Historical Society Picnic Is Tuesday: The fourth annual Chautauqua County Historical Society picnic and speaker program, co-sponsored by the Busti Historical Society, will be held Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Busti Mill. For this year’s picnic, the county historical society will be partnering with the Busti Historical Society to present a discussion on the renovation of the Historic Busti Mill. In addition to the picnic and discussion, which will be led by the Busti Historical Society’s Norman Carlson, a tour and live demonstration of the renovated mill will also take place. There is no cost to attend, but everyone who is on hand is encouraged to provide a dish to pass for the picnic.

The Busti Mill is located at 3443 Lawson Road in Jamestown. For more information, call the historical society at 326-2977, or visit www.mcclurgmuseum.org.

Call For Submissions In Space Art Show Next Month: The fourth annual Space Art show will take place in The Forum at Galactic Systems Headquarters on July 16 at 7 p.m. At this time, the Forum is calling for submissions from artists for space-related art.

Space-themed science fiction-inspired works, with both serious and absurd viewpoints are encouraged. Also welcomed are historical tribute artwork and depictions of real space achievements. There is no limit to the number of works that can be submitted, and there are no size restrictions. Submissions will be taken through July 10, and must be emailed to contact@galacticsystems.info.

HAPPENINGS

To include an upcoming show or event in this column, email gpaterniti@post-journal.com or call 487-1111, ext. 243 by Monday.

Tonight

Bluegrass Jam: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Joint Effort with Doug Neckers: 7:30 p.m., The Library Bar and Grill, 203 N. Center St. in Corry, Pa.

Friday

Greg Ford: 6 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Toucan Jam: 6 p.m., The Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

First Annual Hoedown: 6 p.m., House That Jack Built, 3041 Route 430 in Greenhurst

Velvet Cabbies: 6 p.m., Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Hootenanny with Doc and Bill: 7 p.m., Infinity Visual and Performing Arts, 115 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Dave Issler: 7 p.m., Hadley House, 3328 Haley Bay Road in Stow

Jules-R-Us: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Free Pool and Jukebox: 8 p.m. Murdock’s, 100 E. Main St. in Sherman

Brian Chase: 9 p.m., Yesterdays, 103 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Whiskey Playground: 9 p.m., The Swamp, 250 Jones and Gifford Ave. in Jamestown

DJ Griz: 10 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Derek Davis and the Tasty Groove: 10 p.m., Village Casino, 1 Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point

Black Pearl: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Saturday

“Muppets Most Wanted” Screening: 10 a.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Warren and Tim: 6 p.m., The Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

Brian Chase: 7 p.m., Hadley House, 3328 Hadley Bay Road in Stow

Happy Days: 8 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Matt Homan: 9 p.m., Murdock’s, 100 E. Main St. in Sherman

Smokehouse: 10 p.m., Village Casino, 1 Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point

DTO: 10 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Saloonatics: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Sunday

Claire Stuczynski: 2 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

“Muppets Most Wanted” Screening: 2 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Big Tone Blues: 2 p.m., The Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

American Legion Band of the Tonawandas: 2:30 p.m., Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater, 1 Ames Ave. in Chautauqua

Amanda Barton and Bill Ward: 4:30 p.m., Hadley House, 3328 Hadley Bay Road in Stow

Tuesday

Greg Ford: 6 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville