Kalamazoo Valley Museum Hosts 18th Annual Fretboard Festival March 3-4

Live performances & workshops keep stringed instruments' legacy alive

KALAMAZOO, Mich., March 2, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- For the 18th year, the Fretboard Festival returns to Kalamazoo to celebrate the city's stringed-instrument legacy and musical heritage. Enjoy in-person and virtual performances March 3-4, 2023, at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Anna Whitten Hall in downtown Kalamazoo.

This free event also invites visitors to meet instrument designers and learn about their trade, attend workshops for a variety of stringed instruments, and hear live performances from area musicians.

The Fretboard Festival Kickoff Event on Friday, March 3, 5:30-9 p.m., at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, will feature a musical performance from Bahar Ensemble and "The History of the Oud" presentation by Beau Bothwell. The festival continues on Saturday, March 4, from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., with workshops, vendors and performances from Joel Mabus, Dave Johnson, Crossroads Blues Band and many more at Anna Whitten Hall and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.

Those wishing to attend virtually can find the free preregistration for the link at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum website, kalamazoomuseum.org.

Here's the schedule:

FRIDAY, MARCH 3
5:30 – 9 p.m.

Festival Kickoff Concert with Bahar Ensemble
When: 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Where: Museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater

History of the Lute & Oud Presentation with Beau Bothwell
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater

SATURDAY, MARCH 4
9:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.    

PERFORMANCES:        

Mark Sahlgren & Darcy Wilkin
When: 10 - 11 a.m.
Where: Museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater

Kalamazoo Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra
When: 11 a.m. - noon
Where: Museum's Planetarium
For more: http://www.kalmando.com

Grace Theisen Band
When: 11 a.m. - noon
Where: Anna Whitten Hall
For more: http://www.gracetheisen.com

Dave Johnson
When: noon - 1 p.m.
Where: Museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater
For more: http://www.davejohnsonmusic.net

Luke Lenhart & The Green Valley Boys
When: 1 - 2 p.m.
Where: Anna Whitten Hall
For more: http://www.bobrowemusic.com

Kalamazoo Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra
When: 1 - 2 p.m.
Where: Museum's Planetarium
For more: http://www.kalmando.com

Selkie
When: 2 - 3 p.m.
Where: Museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater

Fareed Haque & Goran Ivanovic
When: 3 - 4 p.m.
Where: Anna Whitten Hall

Joel Mabus
When: 4 - 5 p.m.
Where: Museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater
For more: http://www.joelmabus.com

Crossroads Ressurection
When: 5 - 6 p.m.
Where: Anna Whitten Hall

WORKSHOPS:

Basics of Claw Hammer Banjo with Joel Mabus
When: Saturday, March 4, 1 - 2 p.m.
Where: Room 307, Anna Whitten Hall

Physical Health for Guitarists with Adam Main
When: Saturday, March 4, 3 - 4 p.m.
Where: Room 307, Anna Whitten Hall

SATURDAY SPECIAL EVENTS:

Guitar Care and Maintenance
When: 10:30 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. | 4:30 p.m.
Where: Vendor Booth 8, Kalamazoo Valley Museum

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees.

Media Contact

Bill McElhone, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, 269.373.7990, [email protected]

SOURCE Kalamazoo Valley Museum