Gesa Power House Theatre welcomes the 24th Anniversary American Tour of International Guitar Night XXIV to the stage on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 7 p.m. This show will feature Italy’s Luca Stricagnoli, Vietnam’s Thu Le, Brazil’s Marco Pereira, and Australia’s Minnie Marks. Additionally, this programming is supported in part by the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) and the National Endowment for the Arts.
International Guitar Night is the world’s premier touring guitar festival, each show bringing together the most interesting and innovative acoustic guitarists to exchange musical ideas in a public concert setting. For each tour, IGN founder Brian Gore brings together a new cast of guitar luminaries for special evenings of solos, duets, and quartets that highlight the dexterity and diversity within the world of acoustic guitar. Brian founded IGN in 1995 as a forum for the world’s finest guitarists/composers to play their latest original songs and share musical ideas and talent with their peers.
Luca Stricagnoli (Acoustic Rock Interpreter): Using up to five guitars in the same piece, modified capos, and self-conceived stratagems, Luca continually leaves his audiences in awe and wondering what’s next for the up-and-coming guitarist. In addition to his musical abilities, Luca brings an enthusiastic energy to the stage that makes him a true entertainer.
With music videos surpassing over 100 million views, his latest invention—a custom Triple Neck Guitar—obtained once again viral success with over 40 million views online. His performances with this instrument have been featured in magazines everywhere and even grabbed the attention of famous bands such as “Red Hot Chili Peppers.” Luca has played in more than 20 countries and in front of audiences of up to 12,000 people.
Thu Le (Award-winning Classical Guitarist): Thu Le is an international award winning classical guitarist and certified guitar teacher. Her love affair with the guitar began at the age of four thanks to her father, Le Hanh. She passed the entrance examination for the National Conservatory of Music, Hanoi at the age of only seven, making her the youngest ever student to be admitted to this prestigious establishment.
She hosts successful master classes across the globe and stays close to her cultural roots by performing regularly in Vietnam. Thu Le performs regularly at the famous Joaquin Rodrigo Guitar Festival in Spain and the renowned International Guitar Festival in Kolkata, India and collaborates and performs with orchestras, string quartets, vocalists, violinists, flutists and in guitar duo.
Marco Pereira (Brazilian Composer, Guitarist & Professor): Marco Pereira is an internationally renowned Brazilian composer, guitarist, and university professor. He has performed and recorded with many top popular Brazilian singers/composers like Tom Jobim, Milton Nascimento, Edu Lobo, Paulinho da Viola, Gilberto Gil, and Wagner Tiso. He has performed in North America on several occasions with International Guitar Night. His compositions and playing have won awards in important international contests, such as Spain’s Concurso Andrés Segóvia in Palma de Mallorca and Concurso Francisco Tárrega in Valencia. He has recorded over a dozen albums.
Minnie Marks (Blues Slide Guitarist & Singer): Performing across the globe, equipped with an old Goldtop and a revolutionary Farmer Foot Drum, Minnie Marks consistently pushes musical limits with her dynamic guitar wizardry and her powerful voice. And, if that’s not enough, she simultaneously creates bone marrow shaking grooves with spare limbs on her Foot Drum kit.
From winning the world renowned ‘Bluesfest Busking Competition’ in 2011, to taking out the People’s Choice Award’ at both Blues At Bridgetown and Nannup Music Festival, plus earning the winning place of ‘Best Guitarist’ for the Open Arms Festival competition, Marks is no stranger on the block.
Reserved seating tickets are $40 for adults, $25 for students, and are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500. To join our +Power Club, learn more and click here.
