Workshops and Open Stage
The Canadian Guitar Festival Workshops have been consistently one of the most popular events. We have been very fortunate to feature some of the most talented artists in the world and this year is no exception.
Saturday Aug 01, 11:00 am
Antoine Dufour placed 1st in the 2006 Canadian Guitar Festival Championship.
Prior to that, Antoine played at the 2005 Montreal Jazz Festival and at the 2005 Canadian Guitar Festival, where he was awarded 2nd prize in the Fingerstyle Guitar Championship. He placed third at the 2006 International Finger Style Guitar Championship in Winfield, Kansas.
Antoine has appeared in concert and given workshops throughout Quebec, produced a video in Fall 2003, and has released his 3rd CD in 2008 with Candyrat Records.
He has planned an instructional DVD release observing, "I have the project, but I haven't started yet. I almost know what is going to be on it, with all the suggestions I received. I will cover in details three songs and speak a lot about techniques that I use, open tunings, composition process, interpretation, practice tips and much more."
Saturday Aug 01, 12:00 pm
Previous Canadian Guitar Festival fans will be particularly pleased that Kristin Sweetland has agreed to make time in her busy schedule to give a workshop. Kristin's mastery of the stage will be fondly remembered from her appearances as a performer at the Festival. Click on Kristin's photo to open her web site in a new window.
Hailed as one of Canada’s “hottest young guitar players,” Kristin has been much-lauded for her intricate instrumental guitarwork, rich vocals and enchanting stage presence. A born performer and true road-warrior, Sweetland brings her wild tales of adventure to the stage in a stunning and compelling spectacle.
Her albums include “Own Sweet Time,” released in Fall 2007, and her critically acclaimed debut, “Root, Heart & Crown.” Both albums were produced by Juno award-winning multi-instrumentalist Ken Whiteley, and showcase Sweetland’s stellar guitar playing alongside powerful melodies and deeply intelligent songwriting.
Musically, Sweetland draws on broad influences from folk/roots, classical, flamenco, world music and rock-n-roll traditions in ways that are rich, delicious, utterly refined and unmistakably Sweetlandish.
"Powerful guitar and a true original" - James Keelaghan
"Great melodies, great lyrics, great musicianship, great voice and great attitude." -Alex Mason, producer, CBC Radio's Sounds Like Canada
Saturday Aug 01, 1:00 pm
Michael Manring is a bassist and composer known for his innovative approach to the instrument and his adventurous solo concerts. He has appeared on over 200 recordings and toured throughout the world. He has received Grammy and Bammie nominations, the Berklee School of Music Distinguished Alumni Award, two Gold Records, two Just Plain Folks awards and the Bassist of the Year award from the readers of Bass Player Magazine. He was also the subject of a recent PBS TV documentary, The Artist's Profile: Michael Manring.
Michael is best known for radically expanding the limits of the fretless electric bass. He was chosen as "Bassist of the Year" in Bass Player Magazine's reader's poll in 1994, and has been nominated for a Bammie and a Grammy. L.A. Jazz Scene says "Manring is creating musical history", and Jaco Pastorius called Manring "One bad mother****".
Building on the conceptions of his teacher, the late bass legend Jaco Pastorius, Michael has developed a new approach to the instrument that includes unorthodox tunings, techniques and methodologies. He has honed his skills on hundreds of recordings as a session musician and thousands of concerts throughout the world. Michael has worked with a surprisingly diverse collection of musicians from New Age keyboardist Suzanne Ciani to avant-improv guitar innovator Henry Kaiser to celebrated folk troubadour John Gorka to experimental post-metal rockers Tim Alexander (Primus) and Alex Skolnick (Testament) to electro-pop pioneer Thomas Dolby.
Saturday Aug 01, 2:00 pm
Kelly Valleau is a spanish fingerstyle guitarist hailing from the "Great White North", that's Canada if yeah didn't know eh!....the breeding ground for spanish fingerstyle guitarists. A performer, composer, arranger, transcriber, teacher, student and all around good guy. This multi-dimensional guitarist has forged a unique solo guitar style, firmly rooted in classical composition with modern guitar techniques.
As the title of Kelly's debut CD suggests, "Musica para la Guitarra" (Spanish for "Music for the Guitar") is a collection of nylon string instrumentals in a Spanish traditional sound.Nine of the 11 tracks are originals, with Velleau providing intriguing arrangements of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" and Queen's "We Will Rock You". These tunes on a nylon-string guitar give the listener another texture for these well-worn rock anthems, and Velleau does a fine job with each one. The darker tones Velleau employs at various places reminds one of some of Evan Hirschelman's work. Throughout "Musica para la Guitarra", Velleau displays solid technical skill and a fine sense of musicality. These compositions may not be classics, yet they are songs well conceived and played. © Kirk Albrecht
Saturday Aug 01, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Open Stage - hone those chops!
Sunday Aug 02, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Canadian Guitar Festival Guitar Competition
Sunday Aug 02, 4:00 pm
We have documented some of Don Alder's impressive achievements on his bio page so let us add some of what others in the business have said:
Picque News Magazin says this about Don, "Alder can make a single instrument sound like a 4 piece band. The Guy's like the acoustic Hendrix"
“We are extremely proud to have Don as a National Endorsee. Don chose our handbuilt L-Series flat tops as his weapon of choice. We recognize that Don is at the forefront of the ‘new fingerstyle’ movement and look forward to a long relationship with this mind blowing guitarist”. - Chris Seldon, Marketing Manager, Yamaha Guitars
Master Luthier, Matt Mustapick says "Don is an amazing guitarist, a one man moche-pit. If your within 100 miles of a performance, go see this guy"
"Guitar Hero" Penticton Herald
"Almost Unknown at home, Vancouver's Don Alder might be one of the best acoustic guitarists in the world" - Vancouver Courier Jan 1, 2008
His "WOW" factor has led to multiple endorsement deals including the creation of a "Don Alder G4" model guitar built by Greenfield Guitars. Alder also has international endorsements with Behringer, Seymour Duncan, Dean Markley strings, and Yamaha. Alder is also a top clincian for Yamaha in North America. In his spare time he also writes a column for B.C. Musicians magazine and shares tips and tricks with other aspiring guitarists.
See you at the lake!