World Guitar Festival Takes Over Rouyn-Noranda

Once again the town of Rouyn-Noranda will be the epicentre of the guitar world as it holds the sixth annual Festival des Guitares du Monde from May 22-30.

Since its inception, the festival has grown from a modest four-day event that attracted nearly 3000 people to an internationally acclaimed nine-day celebration of the stringed instrument with a possible 25,000 spectators expected to attend this month.

Musically, the festival features a wide range of genres that include rock, folk, jazz, Spanish and classical. The players range from veteran heavyweights to promising new talent hailing from Canada and aboard. In the last five years such artists as Al Di Meola, Ottmar Liebert, Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy and Bruce Cockburn have graced the stages.

This year’s line-up features Canadian rocker Randy Bachman, Cree singer Buffy Sainte-Marie, jazz strummer Stanley Jordan, classical guitarist Liona Boyd and Quebec chanteur Plume Latraverse. The closing show will be a tribute to gypsy guitar legend Django Reinhardt and will feature his grandson David Reinhardt as well as the Rosenberg Trio.

What makes this event so special is that the audiences can enjoy the shows in small, intimate venues.

For details on the program or to buy tickets, check out www.fgmat.com