Western Illinois Museum presents Macomb Unplugged: Revisited on Sunday, January 4th, from 1:00 to 3:30 pm. Featuring founder Bill Maakestad, the program explores the history and legacy of the beloved local performance series that ran from 1993 to 2003, celebrating its lasting impact on the Macomb community through live music, poetry, dance, food, and conversation.
Doors open at 12:30 pm. A suggested $5 donation at the door helps support the Museum’s community programming.
Macomb Unplugged was a concert series created in 1993 by Bill Maakestad, inspired by MTV Unplugged. What began at the Bailey House as a living room–style event eventually outgrew its original space and expanded to other venues around Macomb.
Over the years, the series featured musicians, dancers, poets, and visual artists, accompanied by thoughtfully evenings that blended performance with conversa- tion and gathering. Many Macomb Unplugged events also raised funds for local nonprofit causes.
The program at the Museum will recreate many elements of the Macomb Unplugged evenings in a single afternoon. Beginning at 1:00 pm, a short documentary on the history of the series will be shown.
Music performances begin at 1:30 pm and will feature Bill Maakestad, Willie Jones, Brian and Jeanie Davenport, Randy Smith, Dan Eilers, Dick Marcott, Eric Ginsberg, and Brett Dougherty.
At 2:00 pm, Tom Joswick will offer a poetry reading, followed by a community conversation bringing together key figures from Macomb Unplugged’s history, including Bill Maakestad, Steve Larimer, Tom Carper, and Suzan Nash. Moderated by Rich Egger, the discussion will reflect on the series’ cultural significance and community impact. The program will conclude with a final set of music at 2:45 pm. Refreshments will be served throughout the afternoon.
Plan Your Visit
Located at 201 S. Lafayette Street, just a block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square, the Western Illinois Museum is a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating the history, culture, and traditions of McDonough County. The building is fully accessible, and there is free parking available.
Visit wimuseum.org for a full schedule of events, or follow us on social media @wimuseum.
For questions, call 309-837-2750, text 309-837-2613, or email [email protected].
This program is funded in part by grants from the Illinois Arts Council.
About Bill Maakestad
Bill Maakestad is Professor Emeritus of Management at Western Illinois University, where he taught from 1978 to 2009. Alongside his academic career, he has been a driving force in Macomb’s cultural and community life, founding both the Al Sears Jazz Festival and Macomb Unplugged.
In recognition of his leadership and service, he has received the Performing Arts Society Community Service Award and the Illinois Humanities Council’s Studs Terkel Service to the Humanities Award.
A passionate advocate for music’s power to bring people together, he has long supported initiatives that use the arts to advance community and social change and currently presents Final Fridays concerts at The Wine Sellers to introduce local artists and raise money for regional causes.
