Announcing the Fourth Vancouver International Guitar Festival, Sept. 24-25, 2022
With three successful festivals behind them, Vancouver International Guitar Festival (VIGF) organizers are excited to announce they’ll be back in September with a two-day event combining the best of the 2017, 2018 and 2019 festivals, and more!
“One of the positive lessons we’ve learned from the pandemic is that the desire to play a guitar can’t be shut down,” says festival producer Shaw Saltzberg.
“On the contrary, we’ve seen an incredible surge in sales over the last two years here and around the world, with guitar manufacturers and luthiers chalking up record sales to players at all levels, all price points.
“Just like Rolling Stone asked, ‘did everyone buy a guitar in quarantine or what?'”
VIGF’s answer to that question is the most ambitious event yet.
The organizing committee is already hard at work gathering creative talent, technical support and marketing resources for a two-day festival hosted at Creekside Community Centre in Olympic Village. The venue on Vancouver’s beautiful False Creek has proven to be a destination in itself with its state-of-the-art amenities, award-winning design, and stunning city and mountains views.
As in previous years, the main event will be on the exhibition floor, with more than 60 master luthiers displaying some of the world’s finest handmade instruments, including electrics, acoustics, ukuleles, and basses. Private demo space will be provided. All instruments on display will be available to purchase, and commissions are always welcome. The exhibition will include vendors supplying tone wood, tools, and accessories to the luthier trade.
The 2022 program will feature an expanded curriculum of guitar-building workshops taught by world-class luthiers. The educational program has been a major draw in previous years, with many workshops selling out early.
The popular Time Out Bar will also be back in 2022. The beer and wine bar will be open all weekend offering festival goers rare up-close concerts by VIGF’s international roster of guitarists. Expect even more performances this year, free with admission.
Anyone interested in exhibiting is urged to apply soon, as exhibition space is likely to sell out fast. Click here for the application form.
The annual Luthier Industry Award will be presented at the conference on September 25. Previous winners were Jean Larrivee (2017) and Michael Dunn (2018) and Robert Godin (2019).
RSVP on Facebook here!
Tickets available soon.
