Virginia Beach will host almost 500 harmonica lovers Aug. 9 to13 at the 48th annual Conference for the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica. This international nonprofit group will hold seminars geared toward visionary harmonica enthusiasts who are passionate about the harmonica and its relevance to contemporary and future music.
The conference invites Virginia Beach residents to the Holiday Inn Virginia Beach Norfolk Hotel at 5655 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach to play or listen to harmonicas during an open mic session from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 10, or attend a free concert the same day at 7 p.m.
This year's headliners will include Buddy Greene, international classical virtuoso Robert Bonfiglio, Harmonicamento, Buzz Krantz, Peter Madcat Ruth, Winslow Yerxa and Tuula Cotter, Blues/Swing masters Dennis Gruenling and Steve Guyger, Pat Bergeson, Stan Harper, The Sgro Brothers, Jimi Lee, Jelly Roll Johnson, Steve Baker and more!
About 100 kids, some from the city’s Out-of-School Time Summer Program at Ocean Lakes Elementary School, will participate in a Children’s Lunch and Learn: Harmonica Lesson and Parade at the Holiday Inn at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 12. In addition, a free concert will be held at 10 a.m. and noon Saturday, Aug. 13, for assisted living residents and senior citizens.
Schedule of Events at the Holiday Inn:
Wednesday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m. - Free concert, open to all
Friday, Aug. 12, 9 a.m. - Children’s Lunch and Learn: Harmonica Lesson and Parade (registration required, ages 7-12)
Saturday, Aug. 13, 10 a.m. and noon - Free concert, only for assisted living residents and senior citizens
For more information about this conference or organization, visit www.spah.org.
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