Adelaide Guitar Festival 2021 commences this weekend marking its return as annual event

Adelaide Guitar Festival 2021 commences this weekend with an impressive program of Australia’s top musicians marking the festival’s return as an annual event.

Adelaide Guitar Festival Artistic Director Slava Grigoryan advises “we are very fortunate to have so many extraordinary guitarists living right here in Australia, and this year is the perfect opportunity to celebrate their artistic excellence with a selection of inspiring performances and unique collaborations.

“As always, we will shine a light on the guitar’s ability to star in any genre of music – everything from classical and jazz to rock, blues and roots and flamenco. It’s going to be a spectacular few weeks as we explore all the magnificent possibilities of this instrument, and the musicians who have spent years and even decades honing their skills.”

Adelaide Festival Centre Chief Executive and Artistic Director Douglas Gautier notes “continuing Adelaide Guitar Festival’s growth, we are extending our ambition this year to become an annual event while also expanding our calendar of community engagement and outreach programs. We are committed to sharing our love of this wonderful instrument – and the great musicians who play it – with audiences across South Australia, and we greatly value their ongoing support.”

In light of interstate travel restrictions, the prestigious Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition has moved to an online format. The winner, to be announced on 25th July, will take home $10,000, a coveted Jim Redgate guitar valued at $23,000 and an invitation to perform at next year’s Adelaide Guitar Festival.

Friday night’s entertainment will feature the sold-out flamenco spectacular The Andalusian Guitar and Brink Productions’ The Bridge of San Luis Rey starring recent Adelaide Cabaret Festival Icon Award winner Paul Capsis in the Space Theatre until 24th July.

More than 50 guitarists of various experience levels have been taking part in the Guitar Winter School’s classical intensive this week, with tutorials and workshops culminating in a performance in the Dunstan Playhouse on Saturday.

A Classical Celebration will see the Adelaide Guitar Festival Orchestra join a line-up of world-class local musicians including Oliver Fartach-Naini, Slava and Sharon Grigoryan, Manus Noble, Mike Bevan and Alain Valodze.

The opening weekend’s free events include Yamaha Come & Try Sessions in the Dunstan Playhouse Station Foyer (9th-10th, 16th-17th and 23rd-24th July), while regional touring program On the Road will visit Edithburgh, Yorke Peninsula, on Saturday.

The Department for Innovation and Skills through the Music Development Office and the South Australian Tourism Commission through Events South Australia are the major sponsors of Adelaide Guitar Festival On the Road.

South Australian Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni highlighted that the Adelaide Guitar Festival was a fantastic component of South Australia’s world-class creative and cultural festival calendar and added that the State Government supported the opportunity for regional audiences to enjoy some of Australia’s finest musical talent.

Adelaide is the first and only UNESCO City of Music in Australia. As the leading winter guitar music event in Adelaide, Adelaide Guitar Festival is proud to celebrate and contribute to this status as a UNESCO City of Music. 

Adelaide Guitar Festival runs from 4th to 25th July, with full program information and tickets available at www.adelaideguitarfestival.com.au.

Image: Flik Freeman. Credit: Claudio Raschella - in the third and final week, Adelaide Guitar Festival will showcase some of South Australia’s most respected bassists with The Lowdown – a celebration of the bass guitar across funk, jazz, rock, experimental and country in the Dunstan Playhouse on Saturday, 24th July.