The HSGA Virtual Festival 2

July 13, 2021 • Roberto Alaniz • Festivals and Conventions

The Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association's (HSGA) 2^nd Virtual Festival is scheduled for October 9 and 10, 2021. Twenty three members are contributing new video performances, and Steel Guitar Hall of Famer Bobby Black will be the Special Guest Performer. Bobby's video performance will be presented on Saturday, October 9 at 8:00 PM (Eastern Time). Bobby has enjoyed a 70 year career as a professional musician and is a great fan of Hawaiian music and the Hawaiian Steel Guitar.

HSGA Member Chris Kennison, who has served as Master of Ceremonies at the Ft. Collins HSGA Festivals, will serve as the emcee for this Virtual Festival.

There will be one workshop included in the festival; Hawaiian Steel Guitar 101 lesson by Troy Brenningmeyer, on Sunday, October 10 at 5:30 PM (Eastern Time). Troy is a member of HSGA, a master steel guitarist and offers lessons via the internet

The Festival will highlight some of our HSGA scholarship recipients. These young people, students of master kumu (teacher) Alan Akaka, are very talented and hold promise to continue Hawaiian Steel Guitar music into future generations.

John Ely, Editor of the HSGA Quarterly Newsletter, will be honored during the Festival, as he retires from the job this year. John has brought many of us great enjoyment and information through the newsletter for the past 20 years, and HSGA will take this opportunity to offer thanks and best wishes.

HSGA will also honor HSGA member Herbert Hanawahine (who died last year), by sharing a video of his performance at the HSGA Convention in 2004.

A new member benefit of HSGA is our recent acquisition of rare videos from past years' HSGA conventions, taken by longtime member and videographer, Paul Weaver, now passed. These are going to be available through our member portal on our website. The festival will debut samplings of these rare videos, including a 1988 performance by Jerry Byrd at the HSGA Convention in Joliet, Illinois. Jerry played true to his recordings, demonstrating that his unique style and tone was all him and not studio enhancements.

More information regarding the festival will be available on the HSGA website.