Kalamazoo Valley Museum Hosts Fretboard Festival March 3-4

Live performances & more keep stringed instruments' legacy alive

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - For the 18th year, the Fretboard Festival returns to Kalamazoo to celebrate the city's stringed-instrument legacy and musical heritage. Enjoy in-person and virtual performances March 3-4, 2023, at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Anna Whitten Hall in downtown Kalamazoo.

This free event also invites visitors to meet instrument designers and learn about their trade, attend workshops for a variety of stringed instruments, and hear live performances from area musicians.

The Fretboard Festival Kickoff Event on Friday, March 3, 5:30-9 p.m., at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, will feature a musical performance from Bahar Ensemble and "The History of the Oud" presentation by Beau Bothwell. The festival continues on Saturday, March 4, from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., with workshops, vendors and performances from Joel Mabus, Dave Johnson, Crossroads Blues Band and many more at Anna Whitten Hall and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.

Those wishing to attend virtually can find the free preregistration for the link at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum website, kalamazoomuseum.org.

Here's the schedule:

FRIDAY, MARCH 3
5:30 - 9 p.m.

• Festival Kickoff Concert with Bahar Ensemble
  When: 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.
  Where: Museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater
  
  
• History of the Lute & Oud Presentation with Beau Bothwell
  When: 7 p.m.
  Where: Museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater
  
  

SATURDAY, MARCH 4
9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

PERFORMANCES:

• Mark Sahlgren & Darcy Wilkin
  When: 10 - 11 a.m.
  Where: Museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater
  
  
• Kalamazoo Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra
  When: 11 a.m. - noon
  Where: Museum's Planetarium
  For more: www.kalmando.com
  
  
• Grace Theisen Band
  When: 11 a.m. - noon
  Where: Anna Whitten Hall
  For more: www.gracetheisen.com
  
  
• Dave Johnson
  When: noon - 1 p.m.
  Where: Museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater
  For more: www.davejohnsonmusic.net
  
  
• Bob Rowe & The Green Valley Boys
  When: 1 - 2 p.m.
  Where: Anna Whitten Hall
  For more: www.bobrowemusic.com
  
  
• Kalamazoo Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra
  When: 1 - 2 p.m.
  Where: Museum's Planetarium
  For more: www.kalmando.com
  
  
• Fareed Haque & Goran Ivanovic
  When: 3 - 4 p.m.
  Where: Anna Whitten Hall
  
  
• Joel Mabus
  When: 4 - 5 p.m.
  Where: Museum's Mary Jane Stryker Theater
  For more: www.joelmabus.com
  
  
• Crossroads Blues Band
  When: 5 - 6 p.m.
  Where: Anna Whitten Hall
  
  

WORKSHOPS:

• Basics of Claw Hammer Banjo with Joel Mabus
  When: 1 - 2 p.m.
  Where: Room 307, Anna Whitten Hall
  
  
• Physical Health for Guitarists with Adam Main
  When: 3 - 4 p.m.
  Where: Room 307, Anna Whitten Hall
  
  

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees.