(File photo by Dion Ogust)
The Tenth Annual Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase will return to the Bearsville Theater complex and other venues around the town over the weekend of October 26-28, bringing an almost magical communion with wood and wires to the region that breathes music and reveres the finest instruments.
Entrepreneur Baker Rorick, who started the whole party a decade ago with a handful of guitar makers showing wares in the old Colony Cafe, has watched and worked to make it grow into one of the premiere showcases of fine art and craft in the world.
This year’s line up of guitar builders will be featuring women luthiers of note from around the world, as well as a prevalence of women performing artists and instructors. It will include renowned builders of international reputation such as Linda Manzer, Kathy Wingert, Joshia de Jonge, to younger up-and-coming makers dedicated to the craft, like Maegen Wells, Jayne Henderson.
Performing artists and clinic instructors will include Della Mae, Rory Block, Cindy Cashdollar, Michael Chapdelaine, Vicki Genfan, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Mary Flower, Jamie Stillway, Tony McManus, Julia Toaspern, Happy Traum, Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams, and many more.
There will be continuous live music, including luthier mini-concerts, demos and special appearances during show hours, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, by some of the world’s finest musicians, in the Bearsville Theater Lounge, included in the price of admission. There is a series of Instructional Clinics and Workshops for players, plus seminars and colloquia for builders, by separate admission. Off-campus concerts (separate admission) include a Thursday night Kick-Off Concert at The Colony, Woodstock, October 26, and our acclaimed annual String Sampler Concert of acoustic music featuring Della Mae, The Maria Z Ensemble and Michael Chapdelaine on Saturday, October 27 at the Woodstock Playhouse.
There will be Special Events and Special Exhibits on the Bearsville Theater Campus — all included in the price of admission. There will be a free class, Learn to Play Guitar in a Day, taught by Marlene Hutchinson at the Kleinert/James Center, 36 Tinker Street in the heart of Woodstock on Sunday, October 28 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. It is highly recommended that you register early for this event.
General Admission is $25 per day; a three-day pass is $60, all available at the door, or by advance purchase http://www.woodstockinvitational.com/, where you’ll also find much more information and schedules. Clinics are by separate admission; the cost is $35 per person per Clinic; pay at the door. More questions? write to info@woodstockinvitational.com.