Wisconsin’s Wilson Center hosts the seventh annual Guitar Festival from August 15 to August 17 this week. The fest features a ticketed show from the John Scofield Trio, Steve Swallow and Bill Stewart, as well as many free events, such as a family guitar art workshop, concert experiences with Rene Izquierdo, Shane Hennessy, and the Troy Stetina Project, and panel discussions and lectures with music industry leaders. Other free events also include an upcycled guitar art exhibition, a festival beer garden featuring performances by Guitars for Vets artists, and masterclasses in all five genres led by John Scofield and other guitar greats.
Live competitions take place on Friday and Saturday in blues, classical, fingerstyle, jazz, and rock, featuring 60 competitors from 50 cities around the world in five genres, with a total of $40,000 in cash prizes for the winners and a chance to perform at Milwaukee Irish Fest.
While visiting, guests can peruse a vendor hall filled with guitar gear and take part in free acoustic yoga.
