2009 Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase Announced

The Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase is an alternative guitar show, featuring fine, handmade acoustic guitars and stringed musical instruments exhibited by their makers. Show and sale with continuous live acoustic music performances and Luthier Demonstrations, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25, 2009, at The Bearsville Theater, 291 Tinker Street (Route 212), Woodstock, New York 12498. General admission $10 per day. Also included is a Special Exhibit of significant historic, vintage and contemporary acoustic guitars and stringed instruments loaned by major collectors. In addition, there will be two concerts and a number of instructional clinics and workshops, by separate admission. The Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase presents a gathering of handmade acoustic guitars and stringed instruments from around the world, the absolute finest expressions of the luthiers art. A luthier (from the word lute) is a stringed-instrument maker. Fine handmade instruments such as these are not usually available in music stores or other retail environments, and this is a rare opportunity for the public to see, play and experience the instruments, meet with their makers, discuss custom options and one of a kind creations, and order a dream guitar from over two dozen master builders, gathered together in one place. With the presence of two master luthiers from Istanbul, Turkey, the Woodstock Invitational has an international dimension. Nylon-stringed classical and flamenco style guitars, steel-string flattop and archtop guitars, crossovers and hybrids, mandolins, banjos, and Middle Eastern ouds, baglamas and sazzes will be on display. There will be continuous live music and Luthier Demonstrations on the Performance Stage throughout both days, with fine and famous musicians, international recording artists and music educators demonstrating instruments and performing on behalf of the makers. The Woodstock Invitational is projected to become an annual gathering and celebration. There are only a few similar shows in North America, none of them on the Eastern Seaboard. The best guitars ever made are being made today by luthiers such as these. Blending tradition with innovation, knowledge, experience, craftsmanship, new materials and exotic woods, gorgeous decorative inlays, refinements and bold new directions in construction and design, the sound and playability of such beautiful instruments are inspirational to the creative spirit of musicians fortunate enough to play or own them. The Woodstock Invitational has something for everyone, player, collector, aficionado, casual fan, educational for the general public, and great music for all. CONCERTS:

8:00 PM, Friday, October 23, 2009

La Bella Strings Presents:

Ara Dinkjian Trio and Sharon Klein

At The Colony Café

22 Rock City Road

Woodstock, NY 12498

(845) 679-5342

www.colonycafe.com

8:00 PM, Saturday, October 24, 2009

Vicki Genfan and KJ Denhert

At The Bearsville Theater

291 Tinker Street (Route 212)

Woodstock, NY 12498

(845) 679-4406

www.bearsvilletheater.com

CLINICS:

All clinics and workshops will take place at The Alchemy Café, 297 Tinker Street (Route 212), Woodstock, NY 12498 (right next door to the Bearsville Theater). Cost per clinic is $35, advance reservations recommended. Participants should bring their own instruments. Saturday, October 24:

Ara Dinkjian: Middle Eastern Oud Workshop

10:00 – 11:30 AM

John Hart: Jazz Guitar Workshop

12:00 – 1:30 PM

Vicki Genfan: Percussive Techniques for Acoustic Guitar

2:00 – 3:30 PM

Sunday, October 25:

Kinloch Nelson: Crossover Guitars, Crossover Music

10:00 – 11:30 AM

Paul Asbell: Fingerstyle Country Blues Workshop

2:00 – 3:30 PM

For the complete list of Exhibiting Luthiers, Performers' biographies, full schedule, directions, Lodging options, etc. please visit the Woodstock Invitational Website. The Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase is being made possible with the cooperation and support of our Sponsors: ACOUSTIC GUITAR Magazine/Stringletter Publishing; The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans/GUITARMAKER Magazine; J. D'Addario & Co./D'ADDARIO Strings/PLANET WAVES Music Accessories; FISHMAN Acoustic Amplification; Hudson Valley Land & Homes; LA BELLA STRINGS/E. & O. Mari, Inc.; and the Woodstock, NY Chamber of Commerce and Arts.