Workshops

We have kept you waiting long enough - this year's Workshops are being given by none other than Kelly Valleau who took 2nd Place in the 2006 Canadian Guitar Festival Fingerstyle Guitar Competion and South Side Blues wonder Denny Synder.

12:00 noon - 2:00 pm

Open stage presented by the Toronto Fingerstyle Guitar Association courtesy of Association President Randy Finney.

Randy Finney from the Toronto Fingerstyle Guitar Association hosts our first open stage at the CGF from 12- 2. We know this will be a great feature this year and thereafter - nothing competitive, just great vibes and groovy tones! We have a small covere d stage that is completely acousitic and intimate for this very thing! Contact Randy for more info. Workshops are free to ticket holders of course. Tune up your skills with these fine performers and instructors.

2:00 pm Workshop Stage

'Slide blues' and the music of Denny Snider

Born and raised in South Bend, Indiana at the end of the rust belt just an hour and some minutes from downtown Chicago, Illinois. Denny picked up his first guitar at the age of twelve, met and learned from the best bluesmen Chicago had to offer. Playing with Luther Allison, Lefty Diz, Johnny Dollar and a host of others, he was inspired to always give his best.

Leaving Indiana for Phoenix, to Chicago, them back to his home state of Indiana, he found himself with seven CD’s to his credit. Five electric guitar releases as Southside Denny, and a great acoustic guitar inspired him to record two original acoustic albums.

With Southside Denny & the Skintones, two CD’s were released, one of which featured Sugar Blue, a harp player whose career included playing for the Rolling Stones. The third electric release highlights one of Chicago’s best rhythm sections, and the tour which spanned a big chunk of the US of A and Canada, and also garnered much praise.

In 2007, Denny relocated twenty minutes from the east side of Montréal, the coolest city in North America. He is currently working on the next album, while continuing to play throughout North America.

3:00 pm

Workshop stage with Kelly Valleau

Kelly Valleau

Guitarist, composer and educator Kelly Valleau has over 15 years experience performing throughout much of Eastern Canada/ U.S in a wide variety of styles including Spanish/Latin, classical and rock.

Kelly began playing guitar at the ripe age of fifteen and taught himself to play by listening to his favorite artists. At 19 Kelly entered Wilfrid Laurier University and studied music composition, theory and performance. After Laurier he spent several years performing and recording with Eye Rhyme, Passion Over Reason, The Weight, Dynamic Steven, Fused and others.

In recent years Kelly has focused on teaching at Pinnacle Music Studios and developing his many musical influences into a unique solo guitar style. Recently, he placed 2nd at the 2006 Canadian Finger style Guitar Competition and competed at an international level in Montreal. Kelly is currently busy writing material for his first solo guitar cd to be released sometime in 2008.