School hosts Guitar Fest

2/15/2007

Last year's Percussion Festival at the Toledo School for the Arts has become this year's Guitar Fest.

The school hosts its first Guitar Fest '07 Saturday featuring Dan Faehnle, former guitarist for jazz pianist Diana Krall; acoustic artist Nathan Montgomery; singer-songwriter Crystal Bowersox; and Toledo bluegrass performer Don Flick.

Faehnle became Krall's guitarist in 2000 and was an integral part of her band for three years. He recently recorded a jazz CD that is a mix of originals and standards.

Each of the featured performers will conduct workshops during the all-day festival. Among the topics that will be covered are technique, songwriting, and digital editing and recording.

Participants also can record and mix their own two-track demo with sessions designed for home recording techniques.

The Guitar Fest will be held at the Toledo School for the Arts, 333 14th St., and is open to the public. The cost is $25 and includes all performances, workshops, and lunch. Registration opens at 9 a.m.; events will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 4 p.m.

Participants also can attend a free open-mic jam session at Mickey Finn's Pub, 602 Lagrange Ave., from 6 to 9 p.m.