THE 2023 Ards International Guitar Festival will take place from April 19 to 23 at various venues around Newtownards.
Now in its 27th year, the festival will bring together top guitar talent from Ireland and beyond under the curation of guest programmer Anthony Toner.
Opening the festival on Wednesday April 19 at The Web Theatre, Neil Ó Briain and Paul McMordie will perform original and new scores to silent movie favourites at the Comedy Classic Soundtracks event.
The internationally renowned Aquarelle Guitar Quartet will present Cinema Paradiso at The Web Theatre on Thursday April 20, a sweeping celebration of the silver screen with music from films such as Chocolat, The Piano and Schindler’s List. Formed at the Royal Northern College of Music in 1999, the quartet studied with renowned guitarists Sérgio Assad, Oscar Ghiglia and Scott Tennant and have performed in major concert halls throughout Europe.
The Belfast-born, multi-award-winning bluesman Dom Martin and Band will play The Queen’s Hall on Saturday April 22, while a trio of Europe’s most talented guitarists, Karlijn Langendijk, Judith Beckedorf and Sophie Chasée will perform at The Queen’s Hall on Friday April 21.
Other highlights of this year’s programme include Jim Mullen Trio in Concert at Ards Arts Centre on Friday 21 April, this year’s Classic Brunch with broadcaster and Irish News columnist Ralph McLean paying tribute to Fleetwood Mac’s Rumour’s at Ards Arts Centre on Sunday 23 April. Ralph will also be in conversation with local legendary luthier George Lowden and his son Aaron on Saturday 22 April, taking a look back over George’s extensive career and hearing about the next generation of Lowden guitars.
This year's Weekend Wind Down event will take place on Sunday 23 April at Falls’ Bar with a performance by guitarist and songwriter Rodney Branigan, supported by Belfast singer-songwriter teen Ben Cutler.
Festival director Emily Crawford comments “We have a great line up in store for you this year at venues across Newtownards with jazz, blues, bluegrass, classical and world music to be experienced. We are particularly excited to welcome back the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet and to introduce the legendary Dom Martin to the stage for the first time - we’ve been patiently waiting for this one since 2020.”
For ticket details or to view the full programme please visit ardsguitarfestival.co.uk or call Ards Arts Centre on 028 9181 0803
