The Woodstock Invitational is an alternative guitar show, featuring contemporary, handmade acoustic guitars and stringed instruments, exhibited by their makers.

Promoting the art of lutherie, The Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase is a low-key, laid-back event for the community of acoustic stringed-instrument builders, players, collectors and aficionados, presenting a gathering of handmade acoustic guitars and stringed musical instruments from around the world, the absolute finest expressions of the luthiers art. A luthier (from the word lute) is a stringed-instrument maker. Fine handmade instruments such as these are not usually available in music stores or other retail environments, and the Luthiers Showcase is a rare opportunity for the public to see, play and experience the instruments, meet with their makers, discuss custom options and one of a kind creations, and buy or order a dream guitar from dozens of master builders, all gathered together in one place.

Blending tradition with innovation, knowledge, experience, craftsmanship, new materials and exotic woods, gorgeous decorative inlays, refinements and bold new directions in construction and design, the sound and playability of such beautiful instruments are inspirational to the creative spirit of musicians fortunate enough to play or own them.

A small show (only 50 Exhibitors in two venues steps away from each other), the Woodstock Invitational is an intimate experience focused on ACOUSTIC instruments: Nylon-stringed classical and flamenco style guitars, steel-string flattop and archtop guitars, crossovers and hybrids, resonators, mandolins, banjos, ukuleles, and other stringed instruments from around the world will be on display. Past Showcases have featured makers of Middle Eastern ouds, baglamas and sazzes from Istanbul, Turkey, and makers of African koras, n’dungus and m’biras from Uganda.

Other vendors include tonewood dealers, parts and tool suppliers, string and accessories manufacturers, publications and instructional materials, lutherie services and lutherie schools.

There is also a Special Exhibit of rare and significant antique, historic, vintage and contemporary instruments loaned by major collectors and institutions, a mini-museum of the luthiers’ art.

The Woodstock Invitational features continuous live music, performances and luthier mini-concerts throughout both days, with fine and famous musicians, international recording artists and music educators demonstrating instruments and performing on behalf of the makers. There are also associated concerts of acoustic music featuring fine and famous musicians, singers and songwriters, plus instructional clinics, workshops and master classes covering numerous styles of guitar and stringed-instrumental music and techniques, taught by renowned players. The Woodstock Invitational has something for everyone, player, collector, aficionado, casual fan, educational for the general public, and great music for all

The Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase is nationally advertised in the guitar press, locally promoted in regional journals and papers, and draws attendees from the populous heart of the northeastern seaboard.

Woodstock, New York is an internationally known art and music community with a deep pool of notable local talent. Only a two-hour drive from New York City, convenient to Upstate New York and the New England region, October is peak autumn foliage season in the heart of the Catskill Mountains.

The Bearsville Theater is an historic venue built by music-impresario Albert Grossman as a part of his Bearsville Sound studio complex. The Utopia Soundstage was originally built for musician/producer Todd Rundgren. The two-day show is open to the public by admission. Proceeds benefit The John Herald Fund, Family of Woodstock, regional food banks and local soup kitchens.

Sponsors include ACOUSTIC GUITAR Magazine; D’ADDARIO & CO. (D’Addario Strings and Planet Waves Music Accessories); FISHMAN Acoustic Amplification; GUITAR PLAYER Magazine; GUITARMAKER Magazine and the Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans; Hudson Valley Land & Homes; LA BELLA STRINGS;  C. F. MARTIN & CO., Inc. and the Woodstock, NY Chamber of Commerce and Arts.

2013 EXHIBITORS will be listed on our website as they are confirmed. See our ABOUT page for Showcase dates, hours and ticket information, and our HISTORY pages for details of previous Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcases.

For more information, contact Baker Rorick,
tel. 845-679-9025, email info@woodstockinvitational.com

Exhibitor Inquiries: Please note, there is a waiting list for 2013.