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International Guitar Night back with masters of music

The world’s premier touring guitar festival is back in Duncan.
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Guitarist Brian Gore is back in Duncan with his much-loved International Guitar Night show on Thursday

The world’s premier touring guitar festival is back in Duncan.

International Guitar Night (IGN) — a special evening of contemporary guitar music from around the globe — returns to the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre is on Thursday, Jan. 21 starting at 7:30 p.m.

A unique event, it is a must-see for many Valley music fans.

“This musical treat has been so popular over the years, we had to bring them back to kick off our 2016 season with a bang,” said Kirsten Schrader, manager of the CVRD’s Arts & Culture Division.

Each show brings together interesting and innovative acoustic guitarists to exchange musical ideas in a concert setting, feeding a dynamic spontaneity that is the catalyst for magic.

For 16 years, IGN founder Brian Gore has invited a new cast of guitar luminaries to join him for exceptional evenings of solos, duets, and quartets that highlight the dexterity and diversity within the world of acoustic guitar.

Joining him this time are gypsy jazz legend Lulo Reinhardt, grand-nephew of the legendary Django, contemporary fingerstyle innovator Mike Dawes and multi-genre showman Andre Krengel.

Gore is a poet with his guitar, a musical romantic who is influenced by both myth and modern literature.

Reinhardt is a third generation master from Germany, first taught by his father at the age of five. At 12, he played in the Mike Reinhardt Sextet and later co-founded the group, Django Reinhardt and the Heartbreakers. In 1991, he founded I Gitanos with his father Bawo and cousin Dege touring throughout Europe where he first established a national reputation.

Dawes released his debut single with Candyrat Records in June 2012, and since then the 24-year-old’s international profile has exploded.

Krengel is mainly self-taught, and his unique style of playing has made him one to watch in Germany. His parents loved classical music. So, as a child, he became influenced by the many recordings of composers like J.S. Bach.

Later, he was inspired by the jazzy blues-rock stylings of Mark Knopfler.

Tickets are $30 for adults and $27 for students and Cowichan Folk Guild members.

Contact the Cowichan Ticket Centre at 250-748-7529 to book your seats or go to www.cowichanpac.ca to book them online.