International Archtop Guitar Music Festival
ARVADA, CO April 19, 2022 – Olde Town Arvada announced today that the world’s only archtop guitar festival and the famous Blue Guitar exhibit formerly on display at the Smithsonian will be coming to Colorado September 9-11, 2022.
“For one weekend in September, Olde Town Arvada, will become the center of the archtop guitar universe,” festival organizer Peter Henriksen said. “This unique music festival is the only one of its kind and features more than 30 of the world’s premier guitar builders showcasing their work, along with world class players, teachers and clinicians offering workshops and concerts. Over 60 hours of music and more than 30 different workshops and clinics will be hosted by various local businesses in Olde Town Arvada, all within walking distance, creating the most unique guitar-focused music festival in the world.”
The archtop guitar, from its unlikely beginnings to its current various incarnations, is arguably the most difficult to build and the most rewarding to play of all the guitar styles. Traditionally embraced by jazz guitar players, the archtop guitar’s versatility has also made it a staple instrument across genres for more than a century including country, folk and western swing music. Even some progressive rock players have relied on the archtop’s unique voice for their sound. The creators behind these special instruments, and the players who love them, can be found at luthier shows around the world, but the upcoming Rocky Mountain Archtop Festival is the only show dedicated just to these special guitar builders and musicians.
Joining the Rocky Mountain Archtop Festival are three exciting attractions:
· The famous Blue Guitar Collection will be making its first ever touring appearance at the Rocky Mountain Archtop Festival. In 1995, famed guitar collector Scott Chinery commissioned 22 of the world’s premier luthiers to build a blue archtop guitar. The collection has been on exhibit at the Smithsonian and was most recently purchased by The Archtop Foundation, whose mission is to promote the art, understanding and continued development of the archtop guitar. The Archtop Festival will feature a performance and discussion forum with the attending luthiers whose work is a part of this historic collection. More information available at https://archtop.org/ Follow the Blue Guitars on Instagram @theblueguitars
· The film “The Chisels Are Calling” will have its Colorado premier at the Harkins Arvada movie theater during the Archtop Festival. This feature-length documentary film featuring David Grisman, Ben Harper, Mark Knopfler and others, is a profile of John Monteleone, one of the world’s greatest guitar builders and a living artist on permanent exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
“It was like meeting Stradivari,” recalls acclaimed musician Mark Knopfler who partakes in the film alongside the likes of musical luminaries David Grisman, Ben Harper and Frank Vignola, among others. John Monteleone: The Chisels Are Calling looks beyond the technical aspects of the cherished lutherie and examines the life, passion, talent and unique approach Monteleone takes to his art.
· In the week leading up to the Archtop Festival, Frank Vignola is bringing his Big Jersey Guitar Camp to Colorado for the first time ever! Join Frank Vignola and friends at the Hilton Garden Inn in Arvada for a 4-day guitar intensive to improve your playing, immersed in ensemble jams, master classes and Q&A sessions with the pros! Beginner, intermediate and advanced students are welcome. There are still some spots available, details at https://www.bigjerseyguitarcamps.com/denver-2022
Guitar Luthiers who will be in attendance include: Ken Parker Archtops; Ribbecke Guitars; Benedetto Guitars; Thorell Fine Guitars; Tad Brown Guitars; Maegen Wells Guitars and Mandolins; LHT Guitars; Mirabella Guitars and Restorations; D'Ambrosio Guitars; Galloup Guitars; Denny Kopp; Sadowsky Guitars; Zimnicki Guitars; German Guitars; Manzer Guitars; Koentopp Guitars; Wilkie Stringed Instruments; Comins Guitars; Sonntag Guitars; Eastman; Tim Bram; Steve Grimes; Tim Frick; Mario Beauregard and more.
Artists and Clinicians Who Will Perform and teach during the Festival include: Bobby Broom; Jimmy Bruno; Frank Vignola; Fareed Haque; Sean McGowan; Bruce Forman; Corey Christiansen; Sid Jacobs; Ted Ludwig; Donovan Raitt; John Storie; Wayne Wilkinson; Tim Lerch; Pat Bergeson; Zakk Jones; Paul Ricci & Mafalda; Jim Nichols; Beth Marlis; Alicyn Yaffee; Perry Smith; Will Brahm; Davy Mooney; Mark Tonelli; Lisa Liu, Howard Alden, and more.
Tickets to the 2022 Rocky Mountain Archtop Festival are on sale now-https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rocky-mountain-archtop-festival-tickets-323304220627 and cost $30 for the guitar exhibit and film, $150 for the all access workshop pass (limited to 200 attendees), with many concerts and events also free to the public. Festival sponsorships are also available. For details, email info@archtopfestival.com
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