Misericordia University to Host Guitar Fest

The Misericordia University Fine Arts Council will host “Guitar Fest 2020,” a series of free workshops and concerts for guitar aficionados and guitarists of all levels on Friday, March 20 beginning at 12 p.m.

“Guitar Fest 2020” kicksoff with a meet the artists luncheon from 12-1:30 p.m. in Alden Trust Room 219 of Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall. Misericordia Guitar Professor Patrick Temple, M.M., will give a talk and demonstration on the electric guitar. The program is free, but due to limited seating reservations are required. Please call the Pauly Friedman Art Gallery at 570-674-6250 to reserve your seat.

From 1:30-4 p.m., guitarists from the community will perform pop-up concerts around campus, with a new performer and location every half hour. The locations and times are 1:30 p.m.: Mary Kintz Bevevino Library lobby; 2 p.m.: Friedman Art Gallery; 2:30 p.m.: Chick Fil A stage, Banks Student Life Center; 3 p.m.: Banks Student Life Center lobby, and 3:30 p.m.: Mercy Hall lobby.

At 4 p.m., Temple will host a master class in the Friedman Art Gallery in Insalaco Hall. Performers and listeners are welcome. He will critique guitar pieces performed by participants.

From 5:30-6:30 p.m., the public is invited to “Guitar Across the Ages,” a concert of classical, blues and rock music performed by Temple and local guitarists Dustin Drevitch, and Teddy Young and Frog in Dudrick and Muth Rooms 216-217 of Insalaco Hall.

The day-long series of events is co-sponsored by Music Go Round music store in Wilkes-Barre, and owners Linda and Harry McDonnell. The store for buying, selling and trading instruments, sound equipment and accessories is located in the Triangle Plaza at 677 Kidder St., Wilkes-Barre.

Temple has a Master of Music degree in Guitar Performance from the University of Oklahoma. He has taught in the Wyoming Valley since 2001, through his studio, Patrick Temple Music Lessons, in Luzerne. Temple joined the Misericordia University fine arts faculty in the fall of 2019 and teaches an applied music guitar course.

The event planning committee includes Temple and Misericordia University Fine Arts Council members Lalaine Little, Ph.D., director of the Friedman Art Gallery, and Ryan Weber, Ph.D., associate professor and chairperson of the Department of Fine Arts.

All “Guitar Fest” events are free and open to the public. For information, please go to www.misericordia.edu/guitarfest, or contact Dr. Weber at rweber@misericordia.edu or 570-674-6182, or Alexandra Isaac, program coordinator, Friedman Art Gallery, at  aisaac@misericordia.edu or 570-674-6250.