Craig Chaquico, renowned lead guitarist of Jefferson Airplane and Starship fame and acclaimed solo contemporary instrumental artist, will perform at a dinner benefiting the Molly Baber Research Fund at The Scripps Research Institute on Sunday, Aug. 13, from 6 to 10 p.m.
The intimate evening will feature a multi-station dinner under the stars at the Bernardo Heights Country Club as well as the auction of a Craig Chaquico Model Carvin Guitar.
All proceeds from the evening will go to the Molly Baber Research Fund for Diabetes and Transplantation Medicine. The fund, which was created by Mark Baber in honor of his wife, enables the improvement of health through the research of Daniel R. Salomon.
The Salomon laboratory focuses on the latest technology to advance genomic medicine in transplantation. Transplantation of organs such as kidneys, livers, hearts and lungs save the lives of thousands every year. Salomon’s studies involve patients with kidney and liver transplants and diseases such as diabetes, hepatitis and cancer.
According to Eliot Wolf, marketing development associate at The Scripps Research Institute, Baber met Mark and Mari Kiesel of Carvin Guitars when they were neighbors. Through the Kiesels, Baber and his late wife Molly were introduced to Chaquico. After Molly’s death, Chaquico sent a letter to Baber expressing his feelings about Molly; Salomon read that letter at the funeral service, he said.
“For this particular event, Mark Baber spoke to Mari Kiesel to see if Craig would perform, and he graciously accepted,” Wolf said.
Chaquico is known for his work as lead guitarist and principal songwriter for Jefferson Airplane/Starship, earning him 20 gold records combined among those groups. He has recently reinvented himself as an award-winning solo contemporary instrumental artist, songwriter, producer and bandleader.
Ticket prices range from $175 to $275, with a portion tax deductible. To purchase tickets by credit card, call Ginny Deary, (858) 784-9367, or Jennifer Rothrock, (858) 784-8921. Tickets purchased via check must be sent by Aug. 4 to The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Road, TPC-2, La Jolla, CA 92037 ATTN: Ginny Deary/Jennifer Rothrock.
For additional information, visit www.scripps.edu/philanthropy/mollybaber.html.