Master Guitarists Participate in Adelaide Guitar Festival, 11/25-28

The Adelaide International Guitar Festival kicks off tomorrow with the glitterati of the guitar world in Adelaide for four days. The Festival, a celebration of the world's most popular instrument, brings together some of the best guitarists from around Australia and the world showcasing their skill, musicianship and creativity on stage at the Adelaide Festival Centre.
 
The 2010 program features more than 90 artists from as far afield as the United States, Brazil, Spain, Austria, Tunisia and the local scene. There is a total of 30 events including 3 Australian premieres with styles ranging from flamenco, contemporary jazz, samba, choro, tango, blues/roots, classical Indian, Brazilian, bossa nova, pop, afro-beat, funk and traditional classical guitar.
 
Be inspired as the Festival opens tomorrow night with The Heart of Flamenco featuring renowned flamenco guitarist Oscar Guzmán performing with Pepe de Lucía, brother of the greatest flamenco guitarist of all time, Paco de Lucía. Whilst the perennial art of song writing is stripped to its troubadour origins by Grammy nominee Shawn Mullins and acclaimed local Cal Williams Jr in One Voice One Guitar. Master Guitarist Doug de Vries, Brazilian virtuoso Yamandú Costa and Caliente explore the rich guitar legacy of South America in  Retractos: Portraits of Brasil.
 
Artistic Director Slava Grigoryan says, "come and celebrate the guitar truly one of the most magnificent and most versatile instruments, this weekend you can hear some of the worlds' most acclaimed guitarists in unique settings at the Adelaide Festival Centre. I can't wait to enjoy the diversity of the artists in the program and taking to the stage in the sold-out 'Sunday En Masse' concert with my peers".
 
Sparks will fly on Friday night as Jeff Lang, Bobby Singh and Josh Bennett present a spicy blend of blues, slide, traditional Indian and contemporary Australian styles in Melbourne to Mumbai. In a new collaboration guitarist/composer Anthony Garcia and acclaimed violinist Niki Vasilakis take to the stage in Songs from the Divine Wilderness and in what will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the FestivAl Richard Bona, Dhafer Youssef and Wolfgang Muthspiel will blow you away in Other Worldly Sounds.
 
On Saturday prepare to be moved by the poetic intensity of  Karin Schaupp's virtuosic performance, the flamenco fire of Oscar Guzmán, and the ethereal voices of Adelaide Chamber Singers in Gypsy Ballads. Melbourne Guitar Quartet (MGQ) & Guitarissimo perform in a double bill The Art of the Ensemble. Enjoy some old school blues as powerhouse artists Christa Hughes and Ben Fink hit the stage in Hughes & Fink.  Don't miss two giants of the guitar world Manuel Barrueco and Yamandú Costa gracing the Festival Theatre stage in Música Latina.
 
Sunday sees the Festival draw to a close and features a sublime journey through four hundred years of exquisite music for voice and guitar by AleksandrTsiboulski & Jane Edwards as well as  the sold-out Sunday En Masse, an awe-inspiring celebration including the only on-stage appearance by Artistic Director Slava Grigoryan.
 
For those that like to stay up late Coopers Late Night Sessions features a number of artists across the four days in the Space Theatre. FGHR (Daniel Farrugia, Leonard Grigoryan, Luke Howard & Ben Robertson), a supergroup of seasoned musicians, will perform their original, atmospheric and expertly arranged compositions. Enjoy a late night beverage and the textured sounds of this contemporary jazz outfit. Lisa Miller, Shane O'Mara and Very Jane bring cabaret-style with a late night of blues, slide-guitar and songs of rare beauty.  The hit of the 2008 Adelaide International Guitar Festival is back, be prepared when The Mason Rack Band tear up the stage and get ready for something special.
 
Not to be missed is The Richard Bona Group on the final night in the Space Theatre, what better way to finish the Festival than with a performance fusion of high energy funk, jazz, afro-beat and traditional song.
 
And guitar lovers have the opportunity to engage with artists as they participate in a number of workshops, master classes, seminars and discussions.
 
'In Conversation With...' series, with artists such as Doug de Vries & Yamandú Costa discussing 'The World of Brazilian Music', a panel on song writing with artists such as Shawn Mullins, Lisa Miller, Shane O'Mara, Mason Rack, Cal Williams Jr and there will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear  a live, on-stage interview with Manuel Barrueco about his life and inspirations. Other sessions include a panel 'Is it time to stop calling it 'World Music'?" with panellists including Richard Bona, Dhafer Youssef, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Doug de Vries, Josh Bennett, Jeff Lang and Sarah Bleby and another one on one intimate interview with Richard Bona about his life and music.
 
Explore the craft of guitar making as internationally renowned Adelaide based luthier Jim Redgate discusses the elusive sound of musical instruments and their design. Jim has been crafting classical guitars for the world market since 1985 and is recognised for his innovative design and contribution to the ongoing development of the instrument.
 
Your 15 Minutes of Fame provides a platform for emerging guitarists to showcase their unique talents within the Adelaide International Guitar Festival.  27 entrants have honed their skills and will perform at various times over the four days (25 - 28 November) at the Fox Creek Bar located in the Space Theatre Foyer. Your 15 Minutes of Fame is sponsored by Amber Technology and DPA Microphones.
 
Don't miss the finalists at the International Classical Guitar Competition on 28 November.  This concert is free and audiences will be able to watch the final round perform, before the winner is announced that afternoon. With total prizes valued at over $35,000 and competitors travelling from Europe, Asia and all over Australia the standard is guaranteed to be very high, so come and see these masters in the making.
 
Adelaide Festival Centre CEO and Artistic Director, Douglas Gautier says, "Artistic Director Slava Grigoryan has programmed a brilliant Festival, - so music lovers do come and sample the outstanding line-up of musicians over 4 days, this weekend at the Adelaide International Guitar Festival. You won't be disappointed!".
 
The Adelaide International Guitar Festival is proudly sponsored by Coopers and Fox Creek Wines.
 
For full program / venue details and information on workshops and other events in the Adelaide International Guitar Festival go to www.adelaideguitarfestival.com.au
 
Good tickets are still available through BASS Dial n Charge 131 246 or online www.bass.net.au