Hamilton Guitar Association: December 2011

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Welcome ALL to the

Classical Christmas Meeting

Mon. Dec. 12 , at the Pheasent Plucker, 20 Augusta Street, Hamilton

7:30 sign in, show starts at 8:00

Hello Everyone,

Holiday time has come again. Time to play a tune, give best wishes, enjoy some music, food and cheer with your old friends at the Hamilton Guitar Association and SOFGA.

Dust off those Christmas tunes, (if you can remember them) , Enjoy some light refreshments and treats then sit back for an ensemble yuletide set from our resident classical crew.

Last time our feature set from John Harris and Andy Rock, (collectively known as Crazy Chester) proved to be a heart warming display of song, guitar technique and friendly ol music and manner from two of our favorite club members. Check out this clip of Deep River Blues . Thanks guys for being great musicians, club members and friends. (look..., I'm getting all mushy like... it must be Christmas time)

See you soon and...Dress Nice Damn-it , It's Christmass

S.O.F.G.A.

Southern Ontario Fingerstyle Guitar Association

Some five years ago, I typed finger style guitar into a search engine because that was the type of playing I wanted to explore. Mostly because I was tired of replacing all my lost guitar picks. What I found was the SOFGA, a club dedicated to this guitar style and encourageing new people to learn by providing a non competative performance environment. They met right here in Hamilton, I knew that this was something I had to check out.

What I found was a community of people enjoying each other's music, company and friendship. And the amazing music! Cutting edge acoustic, celtic, old blues , entire bands seems to leap from guitars held by one person. No fake effects or back tape. Each meeting, one great player after the next would play. Then, one of them would take some time to show you thier style.

This is where I found my guitar teacher and mentors and some realley good friends. Though I was just a beginner, these people seemed to have a genuine desire to hear my music. This encouragement was pivital, at a time when the rest of the world just wanted me to forget the whole guitar thing .

Some five years later, when it comes to music, I still don't have it all together most of the time, but I've come a long way, mostly thanks to SOFGA.

Now , it's called the Hamilton Guitar Association but the goal and spirit are the same. That's why I'm happy to slug all the gear up the stairs at the Pheasent Plucker every other week, set up the mics and board, then, watch it all unfold.

Mark V

Hamilton Guitar Association

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Merry Christmas

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Welcome ALL to the

Classical Christmas Meeting

Mon. Dec. 12 , at the Pheasent Plucker, 20 Augusta Street, Hamilton

7:30 sign in, show starts at 8:00