After celebrating its 25th anniversary last year, the New York Guitar Festival launches into its second quarter-century with an all-star lineup and an expanding range of venues.

South African guitarist Derek Gripper and the Iraqi-American oud virtuoso Rahim Al-Haj offer a kind of musical family affair, as the Arab oud is generally considered to be the ancestor of the modern guitar.

“Think global, act local,” the saying goes, and the NYGF has done just that, putting together an eclectic night of guitar music from various parts of the world on July 3.

A celebration of America’s own rich blues tradition on July 4.  Guests range from the well-known, like Louis Cato, leader of The Late Show Band, to the emerging, like the 16-year old phenom Marel Hidalgo.   Both events will be hosted by John Schaefer, host of WNYC’s New Sounds.