The Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase

While the fall foliage this season was a bit short, the list of local attractions always remains long.  The Woodstock Invitational Luthier’s Showcase took center stage October 25 thru 28.

Predominantly held at the Bearsville Theater as well as Utopia Soundstage next door, these facilities provided well-lit displays during the Friday thru Sunday days.

Tables of guitars (most of exotic woods and a few made of stainless steel), mandolins, fiddles, banjos with additional merchants selling clear grained spruce woods for bodies and exotic imported figured hardwoods for fingerboards. While cruising through the Luthier’s exhibits, the exquisite craftsmanship, beauty, detail was breathtaking!  Many hailed of local Woodstock fame, others from Italy. Switzerland, France, England and Canada… but all shared a passion to seek ‘tone’ matched with ‘inherent’ beauty.

A musical kick off concert at Colony Woodstock, a newly renovated popular venue, featuring Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, Mary Flower, Tony McManus, Julia Toasperne, got things rolling Thursday evening.  While Friday was opened to the Luthier’s exhibits inside the Bearsville Theater.

Saturday continued with exhibits. While the evening continuing at the Woodstock Playhouse with classical and Flamenco styles melded in a String Sampler Concert, featuring Della Mae plus Special Guests, and the Maria Z Ensemble with Michael Chapdelaine.  The Sampler promotes musical diversity and stringed-instrumental artistry.

Sunday offered Play Guitar Right Away with a one day five hour FREE workshop taught by Marlene Hutchinson.  The closing show was back at Bearsville, featuring Cindy Cashdollar, with a finale by Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams…. ALL national talent treasures!

Woodstock have reaped the benefits of many long-time ongoing grants from many institutional endowment funds that assisted and fueled this program as well as the Woodstock Film Festival, the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guilde, Maverick Concerts and many others.  I’ll continue to track upcoming events.

Respectfully, At Large... Craig McCornock