Presentation

ACOUSTIC GUITAR MEETING 18th edition
2015, May 27-28-29-30-31
Firmafede Fortress, historical centre of Sarzana

The AGM18 will take place inside the Firmafede Fortress and in the streets and squares of the historical centre of Sarzana (La Spezia). In this way more areas of the city will be involved in the event, offering all visitors the opportunity to live the ospitality and beauty of Sarzana.
The event is today considered one of the great international appointments of the acoustic guitar universe, not to be missed by luthiers, companies, artists and guitar lovers, and is able to bring the public closer to very high quality musical ideas.

The first 3 days of the AGM, Wednesday 27, Thursday 28, Friday 29 will be dedicated to the Lutherie, Guitar Didactic and Ukulele Courses. Morning and afternoon fulltime workshops for all those who wish to learn or improve guitar making techniques and playing techniques. Courses will be held by established international teachers.

All program and subscription details will be published on the dedicated page of the website.

Friday May 29, Saturday May 30, Sunday May 31, from 11am to 7pm, will be dedicated to the Lutherie, Import, Vintage Guitars and Accessories Exhibition, which will fill all the rooms and spaces inside the Firmafede Fortress, with the best luthiers, guitar makers and companies coming from all over the world. (123 stands in 2014).
On display will be all the creations of the lutherie, the best guitar brands and the latest market news, with demonstrations, presentations and conferences. All the most important guitar organizations in Italy will be present and will organize events. The visitors will also find stands dedicated to guitar publications, magazines, collectors, CDs, Vinyls, DVDs and an area for private exchange market.
From the success of the last years,  the special area ”Ukulele Village” will be confirmed again, with Ukulele exhibitors, performances and events.

Subscriptions to reserve the stands are now open. All the information on the dedicated page for exhibitors.
Visit also the accomodation list page of Hotels, B&B, etc. for staying in Sarzana.

Wednesday May 27 at 9pm concert with the best local acoustic players, selected by the Music Schools and the Music Associations of the Provence of La Spezia

Thursday May 28, the first part of the evening concert on the main stage, at 7pm, will be dedicated to the “NEW SOUNDS OF ACOUSTIC MUSIC” –  Mogar-Ibanez 2015 Award “In the memory of Stefano Rosso”, a young guitarists contest which every year discovers new talents in the guitar music. A jury of journalists, artists and experts in the field will choose the winners, both in the fingerstyle and songwriting field.
The second part of the concert, at 9pm, will present some of the best international guitar players.

Friday May 29 and Saturday May 30, starting at 9pm, the best international guitar players, both in solo and in ensemble, will perform on the main stage: usually unforgettable concerts!

Inside the Saturday night concert will be presented the City of Sarzana-Liguria Region Award “STRINGS & VOICES for DIALOGUE & CIVIL RIGHTS”, 7th edition.
A celebration of the popular song as a prominent instrument of social commitment, for dialogue and civic progress, and its interpreters par excellence: the voice and the acoustic guitar.
The Award will be presented to the winner artist by the Major of the City of Sarzana. (1st edition attribuited in memory of Woody Guthrie, 2nd edition to Jackson Browne, 3rd edition in memory of Victor Jara and Violeta Parra, 4th edition to Francesco Guccini, 5th edition in memory of Miriam Makeba, 6th edition to Bob Geldof).
Martin Guitars-Eko partners of the event.
dedicated page

Concerts and performances of the best guitarists on the main stage will go on all day Sunday May 31st.

There will be very interesting conferences during the AGM, located inside the Firmafede Fortress and addressed to luthiers, guitar makers and interested public. The full program can be seen on https://acousticguitarvillage.net/en/workshops-various-events/

Seminars, workshops, events will fill all the rooms and corners of the Firmafede Fortress and also the historical center of the City of Sarzana will be a location  for concerts and jam sessions, involving all the City in the nice atmosphere of the AGM.

The entrance area of the Fortress, prepared by the traditional sponsor “Heineken”, will present concerts every morning and will welcome all the visitors. To visit the AGM in Sarzana is an opportunity for deepening guitar culture, a moment of business, but also a time of fun and joy, in a beautiful location and in a nice and welcoming town.

Thanks to all partners and sponsors that make this possible.
Have a good trip to Sarzana on 2015, May 27-28-29-30-31!

PARTNERS E SPONSORS:

Città di Sarzana – Regione Liguria – Ministero dei Beni Culturali, Soprintendenza per i Beni Architettonici e Paesaggistici  della Liguria – Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca, Direzione perla Liguria, CSA La Spezia- Università di Pisa,  Facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia,  Corso di laurea in Cinema Musica Teatro – Fondazione Campus Studi del Mediterraneo, Università del Turismo, Lucca
Heineken Italia spa – Arinox gruppo Arvedi
Eko Music Group – Martin Guitars – Fishman Pickups – Mogar Music spa distr. Ibanez Guitars – Taylor Guitars – Santa Cruz Guitar Company – Lowden Guitars – Collings Guitars – Bourgeois Guitars – Mayson-Martinez Guitars – Gold Music distr. Breedlove, Alvarez, Tanglewood, Alvarez, Cole Clark Guitars – Aramini, distr. Larrivée, Lakewood, Sigma Guitars, DR Strings – Yamaha Guitars – Domus Musica distr. Dogal Strings, Shadow – National Reso-phonic Guitars – Deering Banjo Company – John Pearse Strings – B-Band Transducers
Sound & accessories by FBT Elettronica – Acus-sound – Shure by Prase – Bespeco

“Cremona Mondomusica” – “Mondomusica New York” – Dismamusica – Fingerpicking.net – Accademia di Chitarra “LIZARD” – A.D.G.P.A. of Italy
Magazines: “DismamusicaMagazine”,  “Chitarra Acustica”, “Guitar Club”,  “Chitarre”, “Strumenti Musicali”, “Big Box”, “Suonare News”, “Seicorde”, “Buscadero”, “Il Blues”,  “Pagine Musica”, “Big Box”
Media partners: Fingerpicking.net – MEI-AudioCoop – Folk Bulletin – Mentelocale.it – Radio Babboleo – Blue Liguria

As always, in January 2015 we will visit the NAMM Show in Anaheim, Los Angeles US, and in April the Musikmesse in Frankfurt.
We will be available and happy to meet you there.

Program

LUTHERIE, GUITAR DIDACTIC, COURSE-SEMINARS

(Wed 27-Thu 28-Fri 29 May)

The first 3 days of the AGM, Wednesday May 27, Thursday May 28, Friday May 29 will be dedicated to the Lutherie, Guitar Didactics, Ukulele Courses. Morning and afternoon fulltime workshops for all those who wish to learn or improve guitar making techniques and playing techniques. Visit the dedicated page

LUTHERIE, IMPORT, VINTAGE GUITARS & ACCESSORIES EXHIBITION
(Fri 29-Sat 30-Sun 31 May, 11am-7pm, free entrance)

-CD, DVD, Vinyls, rarity collection, publishing and magazines Exhibition
-Conferences, Workshops, concerts, events, etc. full program
-Seminars and meetings
-UKULELE VILLAGE
info exhibitors

CONCERTS on Main Central Stage, Firmafede Fortress

Wednesday May 27th, 9pm (free entrance):

concert with the best local acoustic players, selected by the Music Schools and the Music Associations of the Provence of La Spezia.
Performances of:

IN SOUL DUO  presentato da Sunmusic Management
INKONAPIN  presentato da Armadillo Club
THE CAGE  presentato da Dialma Ruggero
TERESA PLANTAMURA  presentata da La Clinica Dischi
LA VOCE LIVE  presentato da Accademia La Voce
ANDREA GIANNONI & ENRICO GASTARDELLI  presentazione nuovo CD “Da Fiume a Fiume”
SHECAN  presentato da Armadillo Club
JAIME DOLCE ACOUSTIC TRIO  presentato da Armadillo Club

special guest:
PIETRO NOBILE (IT)

Thursday May 28th, 7pm:

“NEW SOUNDS OF ACOUSTIC MUSIC”, Mogar-Ibanez 2015 Award in the memory of Stefano Rosso

participants:
LUIGI DE CICCO, MARCO TOMBESI, SAMUELE PUPPO, GIANFILIPPO FANCELLO, ALESSANDRO LEPORE, GIORGIO MARIA NAPOLEONE, LUIGI TREVISAN, FRANCESCO TECCA, FABRIZIO FANINI, JOHNNY FISHBORN 

Jury:
Stefania Rosso (Stefano Rosso’s daughter), Andrea Carpi (journalist), Giovanni Unterberger (Lizard), Reno Brandoni (Fingerpicking.net), Marino Vignali (ADGPA), Roberto Ragazzo (Mogar-Ibanez), Giovanni Ravaglioli (Heineken), Alessio Ambrosi (Armadillo Club), Dick Boak (luthier), Alex De Grassi (guitarist)

The best performers will be awarded by MOGAR-IBANEZ, JOHN PEARSE STRINGS, KYSER CAPOS

Thursday May 28th, 9pm:

TIM SPARKS (US)

ALEX DE GRASSI (US)

EUGENIO FINARDI QUARTET “Parole & Musica” feat. Paolo Gambino, Giovanni Maggiore, Federica Goldberg (IT)

during the concert:
“Strings & Voices for Dialogue & Civil Rights Award”, 7th edition
attributed to GIOVANNA MARINI special guest and in concert with Francesca Breschi

This award aims to recognise artistic expression in both musical and social fields, and the extraordinary commitment in the fight for civil rights.
The Award, the sculpture made by Master Luigi Mainolfi, will be presented  by the Major of the City of Sarzana. dedicated page and motivations

Friday May 29th, 9pm:

MARK JOHNSON & EMORY LESTER (US)

RUSS BARENBERG (US)

CRISTINA DONA’ ACOUSTIC DUO (IT)

DJAMBOLULU’ SWING TRIO & ITALIAN MANOUCHE ALL STARS feat. Maurizio Geri, Jacopo Martini, Matteo Anelli, Augusto Creni, Tolga During, Dario Napoli, Miraldo Vidal

Saturday May 30th, 9pm:

WATERMELON SLIM (US)

TAMATRIO (IT) feat. Mauro Palmas, Nando Citarella, Pietro Cernuto

ALEX DE GRASSI (US)

LUCA BARBAROSSA & RON (IT) feat. Mario Amici, Giovanna Famulari

Sunday May 31st, from11am to 7pm (free entrance):

PIETRO POSANI (IT)
DAVIDE SGORLON (IT)

“LADIES & GUITARS” feat.  CAMILLA CONTI (IT), MILENA PIAZZOLI (IT), JACKIE PERKINS (US), GIULIA MILLANTA (IT)

SCOTT FORE (US)
LA ZATTERA DELLA MEDUSA (IT)
MASSIMO VARINI (IT)
UKUS IN FABULA & UKUKELE ALL STARS feat. Paul Moore (UK), Ukulollo (IT)

Exhibition and daily events in the Firmafede Fortress, from 11am to 7pm, evening concert of Wed28 and day concert of Sun31: free entrance
Evening concerts Thu28-Fri29-Sat30: Tickets € 20 – Advance ticket sales on www.happyticket.it (€ 20+2) – Discount tickets (Armadillo Club members, students, over 70) € 15 – (no advance ticket sales)
Three nights subscription (Thu28-Fri29-Sat30) € 55, reserved seats, 2nd and 3rd lines, adavance sales at  info@armadilloclub.org

WELCOME CONCERTS – Fossato stage Firmafede Fortress

DAILY CONCERTS – Tower stage Firmafede Fortress

Friday May 29 – Saturday May 30 – Sunday May 31, from 11:30am to 6:30pm
coordinated by Max Avallone – palcodellatorre@gmail.com

performances of: ANDREA ABRAMI, ANDREA CASACCIO, “NEIGHBORS” CON EMILIANO ESPOSTI, GIANLUCA TOMEI, ROBERTA TORRESI, PAOLO MARI, MARCO IELPO, GIULIA MILLANTA, MARCO LEGNANI, LUCA BARBI, VIRGINIO BERTONE, LUCA MASPERONE, SIMONE ROTA, MASSIMO BEVILACQUA, “10CORDE”, ALBERTO MONS, ALEX WILDING, ALBERTO LOMBARDI, FRANCO RESSA

on Saturday May 30 from 2pm to 6:30pm, performance of the teachers and the students of ScuolacusticA, a didactic organization present in all Italy
performances of the teachers: DANIELE BAZZANI (Roma), GIUSEPPE TROPEANO (Sarzana), GIORGIO VERDEROSA (Torino), STEFANO BARBATI (Lanciano), MICHELE LIDEO (Padova), GIANFILIPPO FANCELLO (Fermo), GAVINO LOCHE (Bologna)
of the students: CLAUDIO CIRILLO (Roma), MATTEO TRINEI (Roma), ALDO D’ELIA (Sarzana), PIERO ANGELO LEGARI (Sarzana), LUCA SCAPIN (Sarzana), GIULIA PERAZZO (Sarzana), BRUNO DE ROSSI (Torino), FEDERICO CIABURRO (Lanciano) CATERINA CALABRESE (Lanciano), SILVIA PICELLO (Padova), ANDREA DE MARCO (Bologna)
special guest RENO BRANDONI

UKULELE VILLAGE on the terrace, Fortezza Firmafede

Saturday May 30 – Sunday May 31, from 11:30am to 6pm
Perfomances by Lorenzo “Ukulollo”, Paul Moore, Ukus in Fabula

CONCERTS IN THE HISTORICAL CENTRE OF SARZANA

Friday May 29 – Saturday May 30 – Sunday May 31: Performances of Miraldo Vidal “Hot Club d’Italie Quintet” – Dodo & Gluck – Ol’ Donky Blues

Buy tickets to win a Taylor Guitar and another guitar made by the Italian luthier Roberto D’Elia!

Tickets on sale at the reception, cost 5 euros

Conferences – Workshops – Events

Program of the conferences – workshops