Oct. 3 ,2011, One leg in the nylons, followed by banjo music kinda night

      We had a great musical open mic night with some extra songs from a few of the usual suspects. This was our first club with videography. (Thanks to Mackenzie for doing the taping.)

     You can see two clips this week. Emma Rush's  second number (below),  a Spanish piece and  a new song from recent member, Stephan Guschewski, entitled Let it Bloom. Both of these play excellently and are much better looking than many of our members. (who are a rather funny lookin bunch on the by and large)

     At the next meeting you can view last meeting's recordings, so bring a memory stick to tote yours home in full glory.

Emma Rush Oct. 3, 2011

Mon. Sept. 19 , HGA... Sofga meeting

          

   Hey everyone, me again. Last year was very exciting as we started to figure out together exactly who we were going to be as the new H.G.A.  The glowing performance from Mike Anderson, who we've  all watched develop into a gifted performer and artist  finished the year on a high for the coming summer.

 I hope you had a great summer playing at drunken festivals and nude beach parties each and every night,  till  the  morning light,......     like me. But now  the summer is all over but  the paternity suits.

   We have another exiting year of great solo performance of guitar music from beginners , students, artists and masters. This year, we'll continue to build a community where the art of solo guitar performance can thrive.

   In eager anticipation, and to come down from the summer hangover, I'll see you this Monday, and we can all detox together.

Hair of the Dog,

Markis

First Meeting Of the 2011-2012 season

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

   It was great to reconvene after a summer away and see all our friends again. Everyone played a few tunes, we got a feel for how the year was going to play out and also a great discussion on aching body parts. Allot of enthusiasm was shown for our visits to the Alexander Place palliative care centre and we hope to return soon for another song circle.

At the next meeting, we'll hand out full schedules for the year and plan some future events and concerts.



    Take Care , Mark

David Gillis At HGA

This week, May 30,  the Pheaesnt Plucker, 8:00 to 10:00, HGA is proud to present the return of, multiple award winning finger style guitar (...and ukulele) player,  long standing member and friend to HGA /sofga David Gillis.

 I've always admired David's ability to display his amazing  guitar technique, vocal and song writing while building an increasingly close connection to everyone in the audience. It makes for a dazzelling, unique and uplifting musical experience.

You can spend an afternoon watching clips of super talented musicians going under the handle "Gillis", ( Ariana and Briar for example)  Here's a clip of David on his own, doing a favorite to many , one super-cool (as well as documented and published) arrangement of... Spiderman.

Another Season Begins and Changing Of The Guard

Shawn and world famous fingerpicker Noah Trotter

Hey Guitar Players!

Hope you all had a great summer, just wanted to let you know what’s going on with the Hamilton Guitar Association. 

1.)  The season opener meeting will be next Monday, September 20 at 7:30. Same place, the 2^nd floor of the Pheasant Plucker, 20 Augusta street, Hamilton. Make sure you bring those guitars! www.pheasantplucker.ca

2.)   As you know I started the guitar association (originally the Southern Ontario Fingerstyle Guitar Association) back in 2002, and have been running it ever since. I have hosted hundreds of meetings, held workshops, concerts, maintained web sites, sent tons of emails, lugged gear up and down stairs, the list goes on and on. It’s been an honour to hear all of you great players and getting to watch people grow and get better and better. Mostly, I’ve enjoyed hanging out, talking guitar and sharing a few laughs. 

Unfortunately, all good things eventually come to an end, and I am no longer able to run the club. Time has come for me to move on, and pass leadership of the association. So, with that being said, The meetings will continue on under the leadership of: Liam Trotter, Alfie Smith and Mark Vanderheyden. I wish Liam, Alfie and Mark all the best and I am confident that under their leadership the association will thrive. 

This is my final posting, so please allow me to say to you all; Thank you, for without you there is no guitar association.

Take care,

            Shawn Trotter

            www.shawntrotter.com