Sixth Annual Fall Fesitval of the Guitar

 

Dix Hills Performing Arts Center and Five Towns College announce the marquis for the
Sixth Annual Fall Festival of the Guitar
Oct. 20-23, 2011

A series of performances and technical workshops will illuminate “the diverse possibilities of crafting a career as an independent guitarist in the 21st century”

 

Dix Hills, New York –Five Towns College and The Dix Hills Performing Arts Center are pleased to announce the line-up for the Sixth Annual Fall Festival of the Guitar, featuring a series of star-studded performances and expert technical workshops from October 20 to 23, 2011 right here at the center on Long Island.

“This year’s festival will feature a weekend of guitar performances, workshops and master classes, designed to educate, celebrate and entertain,” said Sanford Hinden, Executive Director of the Center. “With something for everyone, this annual favorite will feature Jazz, commercial and classical guitar styles, presented by some of the industry’s most revered professionals.”

The Festival will feature:

• Inside the Jazz Guitarist Studio with guitar legend Jack Wilkins hosted by Dr. Steve Briody, a Five Towns College Music Professor, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage. Tickets are $10 for this performance.  Wilkins has been on the International jazz scene since the early 1970's. His flawless technique and imaginative chordal approach have inspired collaborations with Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, Bob Brookmeyer, and Buddy Rich among many others. A native of Brooklyn, Jack began playing guitar at age thirteen. His mentors included Johnny Smith, Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Bill Evans, Clifford Brown and Freddie Hubbard. 

• The Olson/DeCari Duo will perform a workshop entitled “Elements for Voice and Guitar”, on the main stage Oct. 21 at noon. This event is free.

• The world renowned Frank Vignola Trio with special guest Michele Ramo, will celebrate the Centennial of the late Django Reinhardt, a seminal in the history of both Jazz and guitar playing, on the main stage, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this event are $20. Author of 18 books on guitar, Frank Vignola is one of the most accomplished, multi-dimensional players on the scene today. A monster player, composer and improviser, Frank plays proficiently in every genre, from jazz to bluegrass. Born on Long Island and raised in the New York area, Frank started playing the guitar at the age of five.

• Frank Vignola will also present a workshop Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. in Room 601 at Five Towns College. This event is free.

• Guitar legend David Burgess will present “An American Master in Recital”, featuring the guitar sounds of Brazil, Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. on the main stage. Tickets for this event are $10.  A post-concert reception and master class with Burgess will follow his performance in Room 601 at Five Towns College.

• In addition to these headlining performances, esteemed Five Towns College faculty members will present free workshops as part of the festival:

• Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. in the Downbeat Café, Professor Peter Rogine will present “Tools for the Jazz Guitarist.”

• Oct. 20 at 4:30 p.m. in the Downbeat Café, the Tony Romano Trio will present a program on “Jazz Composition” featuring the nylon string guitar with special guests Steve Laspina on bass and Matt Kane on drums.

• Oct. 21 at 3 p.m. in Room 601, Professors Gerry Saulter and Michelle LaPorte will feature “The Art of Ensemble.”

This Festival is partially funded by the Suffolk County Executive’s Office and by the following sponsors: The Suffolk County Office of Cultural Affairs, through a New York State Decentralization Grant, the D’Addario Music Foundation, Five Towns College Student Government, the Grand Hyatt Hotel of Hauppauge, New York, Savage Classical Guitars of Bay Shore, New York, and Alhambra Guitars, U.S.A.

The Dix Hills Performing Arts Center

The Dix Hills Performing Arts Center is located at Five Towns College, 305 North Service Road, Dix Hills, New York, 11746-5857. For more information and ticket sales, please contact the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center box office at (631) 656-2148 or visit online at www.DHPAC.org *Become a fan on Facebook (Dix Hills Performing Arts Center).