Welcome to the
13th Ards International Guitar Festival 2009

We're back for another year!

Booking Free Events & using this site

For tours of the Avalon Factory or any other item which doesn't require payment but does require booking, contact Ards Arts Centre: + 44 (0)28 9181 0803. Throughout the site, you'll see pink boxed areas - these are info boxes containing details and points of contact. At the bottom of every page you'll find the Ards Arts Centre's details. Happy browsing!

One of this year's Festival musts!

The Ards Guitar Festival is now in its 13th year and we can guarantee that this year's Festival line-up and events are not to be missed! We have artists from the world over playing concerts and taking workshops. The free Avalon Factory Tour returns to show their impeccable quality and intricate process. Last Standing - The Battle of the Bands is also back as well as the Avalon Singer/songwriter competition and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Festival Compère John Kearns

Born in Belfast, based in London, John has been fine tuning his songwriting skills to pen 'The Exotic'.

He has worked with some of the music world's biggest names and still works for MTV and various channels producing documentaries and music videos.

John also holds a place on the airwaves at Belfast Citybeat 96.7FM.

Catch John @ Citybeat:
The John Kearns Show
Weekdays: 10 am - 2 pm
GET YOUR GIG ON!
Get your Festival Tickets: GIG GUIDE »
View who, when, where...then click BUY!

New for 2009

Ards Guitar Festival 2009 featuring local and international guitarists
click image to enlarge »
For the duration of the festival we have the amazing 'Pictures In Rock' Photography Exhibition by Fin Costello - a showcase of fantastic 'In the Moment' pieces of some of the most iconic rock stars of all time.

The Classical Guitar Society will put on an unmissable performance with Special Guest Patricio Zeoli!

On the last day of the festival is officially the WEEKEND WIND DOWN and starts at 3pm, Sunday 4th October. Put it in your diary!

Competitions galore! Fancy yourself as the next Fin Costello? Then send your Festival photos to us and let our panel of experts decide a winner! To find out more, go to the competitions section.

Get the latest updates on our Facebook and mySpace (links below). Buy your tickets online in the Gig Guide and also check the Resources section for the AGF Link Bus info, venue locations and contact details. Remember that we thrive off your comments so be sure to tell us what you think of the festival - both during and after!

We're all very excited about this year and look forward to seeing you there!

Let's make it the best year yet!

Acknowledgements

Special Thanks

Festival Co-ordinators
Emily Walsh & Tania Calvert
Progarmming Consultants
Paul McMordie & Adele Ingram Magee
Press/Marketing
Kirsty Atkinson
Stage Manager
Stevie Wright
Programme Artwork
Tandem »
Web Design
Sinful Design »
Lest We Forget...

Special Thanks also to the staff at Ards Arts, Marty Coney et al at the Ivy Bar, Ernie McMillen of Avalon, Paul O'Neill & Darren Porter. We would like to thank the following organisations for their time, energy, dedication and very generous support of the 2009 festival:

  • Ards Borough Council
  • The Arts Council of Northern Ireland
  • Our Media Partners Citybeat
  • Newtownards Chronicle
  • Ards Arts Committee
  • The Ivy Bar
  • Avalon
  • Ossia Music
  • One A Chord Music Promotions

Sponsors

Sponsors of the Ards Guitar Festival 2009 Visit our media partners Citybeat at www.citybeat.co.uk Visit Ards Chronicle at www.ardschronicle.co.uk Visit Ossia at www.ossiamusicschool.com
some logos are linked - Citybeat, Ards Chronicle, Ossia (updated 05.09.09)

Features

Sing/Song Application Gig Guide Venue Map
Click to download the Ards Guitar Festival 2009 singer/songwriter entry form in pdf Click to download the Ards Guitar Festival 2009 programme/gig guide in pdf Click to download the Ards Guitar Festival 2009 venue map in pdf
Re-visit AGF 2008 myspace facebook
Click to visit the Ards Guitar Festival 2008 (post festival thank you) Click to go the Ards Guitar Festival profile at myspace Click to go to the Ards Guitar Festival profile on Facebook

Top Ticket!

Purchase your ACCESS ALL AREAS ticket for just 40 quid!

Awesome Avalon - WIN!

Enter the ballot to win an Avalon guitar!

Competitions

Click to enter the Photography Competition

Spread the Festival Fever

Click to tell a friend about the festival

Festival Finale

Ards Guitar Festival 2009 - Join us for the Sunday Weekend Wind Down Sunday 4 October
click image to enlarge »