International guitar stars reunite at the 6TH World Guitar Festival in
Abitibi-Témiscamingue

The one of a kind festival presents its program

ROUYN-NORANDA, QC, April 15 /CNW Telbec/ - The countdown is well underway: there are only 37 days left before the launch concert of the 6th World Guitar Festival in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. From May 23 to May 30, this one of a kind festival in North America offers all guitar lovers the possibility to see incredible guitar stars and to discover rising artists from around the word in the warm and cosy venues of Rouyn-Noranda.

A program filled with internationally renowned artists and promising stars

Once again, the Festival will offer music lovers a whole variety of excellent show who will energize the stages of the Agora des arts, the Petit théâtre du Vieux-Noranda and the Rouyn-Noranda Congress cente. Several shows are highly anticipated such as the return of Pavlo and of Rik Emmett, but this time, as a trio with Oscar Lopez. Thanks to the city's small theatres, the spectators will have the chance to assist to intimate concerts of international stars Andy McKee, Tommy Emmanuel or Pepe Romeros. Icons of Canadian music Randy Bachman, Liona Boyd, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Dan Hill will also be on site to perform and to assist to concerts. Also part of this rich and broad program is the great jazzman Pat Martino, the sizzling Julian Fauth and bluesmen Garrett Mason, son of the great Dutch Mason and winner of a Juno Awar. The very best of the rising musicians will also take part in the event such as promising young artists Dala, The Sultans of Strings and The Good Lovelies.

Festivalgoers will have a rendezvous with numerous selected musicians and winners of 12 Grammy Awards, 1 Oscar Award and 18 Juno Awards. Respecting its tradition, the Festival also holds a place for master classes, training workshops, free indoor or outdoor concerts for the general public, and diverse special events that will be unveiled in Rouyn-Noranda later in April.

A constantly growing Festival

Over forty companies of the milieu, five of which are new this year, fund this event, which is fully developed and managed by a team of people who are all volunteers. The rapid growth of the event is a vibrant testimony to the public's appreciation for this outstanding music fest that enlivens the beginning of summer.

The nine concerts of the first edition (2005) attracted 2 870 spectators. At the fifth edition in 2009, 16 700 spectators (14 % tourists from Quebec, Canada and the U.S.), attended the 36 concerts that brought together 184 musicians from 14 countries. This year, 107 musicians from 18 countries will be on part of the celebration.

A sincere THANK YOU goes out to the festivalgoers, our financial partners, the many and generous volunteer workers and the media who all take part and contribute to this splendid event that celebrates a festive and warm instrument, said Alain Vézina, the Festival's coordinator. The 2010 edition, which is of a unique kind, is evidence of the renown of the WGFAT on the Quebec, Canadian and international music scene.

For more details on the program or to buy tikkets, please see the Festival's Website at the following address: www.fgmat.com

For further information: To have more information, to book an interview, to assit to the Festival to for any media request, please contact: Véronique Gabrysz, [phone], Cell.: [phone], [email protected]