Town's guitar delights

GUITAR enthusiasts from far and wide have visited Lewes this week for the town's 4th International Guitar Festival.

They have been drawn by a rich variety of concerts embracing the span of acoustic guitar styles, free lunchtime concerts, workshops and demonstrations and an exhibition of the work of the town's guitar makers.

It is this group which has given the town a growing reputation as a centre for high quality hand-made guitars and which has provided the impetus for the festival.

This year's event has triumphed in defiance of an early funding crisis. A bid by the organisers for a lottery grant had failed and there was a serious question mark over the festival, as festival director Laurence Hill told guests at the opening ceremony on Monday.

Happily a generous donation by an anonymous benefactor, sponsorship from a number of local businesses, and the commitment of 30 volunteers rescued the festival.

The outcome, added Laurence, was that more than 4,000 people would enjoy performances by 25 different musicians.

Lewes MP Norman Baker, who was coached into strumming the opening chord of the festival, paid tribute to the organisers. They had proved, once again, the town's ability to 'punch above its weight' in providing cultural events.

He noted that the festival was taking place for the fourth time without any financial support from local councils, and he hoped such support would be forthcoming next year.

Festival events continue today (Friday), tomorrow and Sunday.

TODAY: Lunchtime concert in Lewes Castle gun garden by singer-songwriter Caroline Kendall, beginning at 1pm; Class covering the basis of flamenco guitar technique, by Paul Aguilera, Subud Centre, 25 (basic guitar skills needed); Demonstration of baroque guitars and lutes, 5.15pm, Star Gallery, Fisher Street, 2.50; Asere, seven-piece Cuban salsa group, 8pm at Corn Exchange, Town Hall.

SATURDAY: Lunchtime concert in Southover Grange Gardens by flamenco group Alahaima, 1pm; Flamenco class at Subud Centre (as for Friday); Finale concert by gypsy flamenco prodigy Jeronimo Maya, Gardner Arts Centre, Sussex University, 15.

SUNDAY: Lunchtime concert at Southover Grange featuring South African steel string guitarist Tony Cox and support, 1pm; Film screening of Latchmo Drom, unique documentary following Romany gypsies from India to Spain, All Saints Centre, 7.30pm, 4.

The exhibition of work by Lewes guitar makers continues today and tomorrow at the Star Gallery from 10am to 5pm, admission free.