By age 21, Ricky Skaggs was already a recognized master of one of America's most demanding art forms, but his career catapulted him to popularity and success in the mainstream of country music. Now the road has brought him back to where it all began: bluegrass music, where he's known as the music's official ambassador. Marty Stuart is country music's renaissance man. He’s scored countless hits and awards, and has made lasting music as a front man and in collaboration with major roots music figures from Lester Flatt to Bob Dylan.

Guitarist/composer Leni Stern (whom The New Yorker described as “Fleet and Lyrical” and LA Weekly classified “one of the world’s most fully realized songwriters and guitarists”) performs live music to accompany a screening of the 1934 silent film The Goddess. Written/directed by Yonggang Wu, the film stars legendary actress Ruan Lingyu, who plays a single mother whose only hope for supporting her son is to submit to a life of prostitution. Also on the bill, guitarist Brandon Ross, and bassist Stomu Takeishi, will perform music to  accompany the surviving reel of “Lotus Blossom” from 1921.

Guitarist Dominic Frasca, winner of the First Annual Guitar Player Magazine Guitar Hero Competition, will perform an evening of original compositions for solo 6-and-10-string electro/acoustic guitar. Time Out New York wrote, "Fans of classical minimalism, the hypnotic counterpoint of early 80's King Crimson, and the peerless techniques of the late Michael Hedges will find much to admire in his rich, propulsive, polyphonic works. It's like New Age music for people who grew up listening to Black Sabbath."

Andre LaFosse calls his live performance style 'turntablist guitar': a cutting-edge cut-up of hip-hop, avant-garde, funk, and left-field dance music... which just happens to be played completely live with only a guitar, an Echoplex, and a tiny smattering of effects. Andre will be returning to both the NYGF (where he shared a bill with David Torn in 2004) and The Monkey (where he presented a highly successful run of shows in March ‘05) for a one-night performance, exploring his concepts for the role of a six-string electric guitar in a non-linear, post-DJ world.

Mississippi John Hurt (1893- 1966) was an amazingly lyrical and refined fingerpicking guitarists, who sang with a warmth and gentleness unique in the field of blues. Classic songs such as "Frankie," "Louis Collins," "Avalon Blues," "Candy Man Blues," "Big Leg Blues," and "Stack O' Lee Blues," were highly influential on subsequent generations of musicians. Four distinctive artists will honor his musical legacy in this special tribute concert.

Wielding its unique, Malian influenced "Afro-cowboy-ninja-surf" music, Toubab Krewe has been attracting enthusiastic crowds to venues that have included Bonnaroo Music Festival and the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. The instrumental quintet's members developed their fusion sound over the course of extended trips to West Africa, where they immersed themselves in the local culture and studied and performed with masters such as Lamine Soumano, Madou Dembele, and Koungbanan Conde.

Classical guitar students at the Manhattan School of Music will perform for the renowned guitarist Pepe Romero. The audience will have the opportunity to see and hear the fascinating process which normally takes place behind closed doors. An intimate view of a master's technique and unique way of teaching.

The eminent American photographer, who began his career as an apprentice to Dorothea Lange and Robert Frank, Ralph Gibson is known for his highly distinctive vision in still photography. His photographs are in major collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. To celebrate his 67th birthday, he’ll give a powerpoint presentation of his work. Guitarists Dominic Frasca, Chuck Zwicky, Brandon Ross and Ralph himself (!) will perform compositions & improvisations inspired by the photographs. | www.ralphgibson.com

Our 3rd biannual Guitar Marathon at the 92nd Street Y’s Kaufman Auditorium is co-curated by Pepe Romero and the NYGF’s David Spelman. The guitar’s rich history in Spain will be explored, from renaissance, baroque, and classical repertoire to newly commissioned works. Featuring Pepe Romero, Eliot Fisk, Bill Kanengiser, Paul O’Dette, Hopkinson Smith, Martha Masters, Jason Vieaux, Ana Vidovic, Gyan Riley, Dominic Frasca, Bryce Dessner, and others!

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the classic Bruce Springsteen album, a distinctive roster of singer-songwriters, bands and instrumentalists perform their own arrangements of the album’s songs from start to finish. Performers will include Michelle Shocked, Laura Cantrell, Dan Zanes, Vernon Reid, The National, Otis Taylor, Chocolate Genius Inc., Mark Eitzel, Martha Wainwright, Jesse Harris, Kevn Kinney, Lenny Kaye, Gary Lucas, Marc Ribot, Harry Manx, and others.

Legendary modern photographer, book artist, and guitarist Ralph Gibsonshares his work and discusses how Apple technology has helped him create in multiple areas.

American Music Club front man Mark Eitzel gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the making of his latest solo album, Candy Ass, including how it was conceived, recorded, and mixed entirely on his PowerBook.

For 15 years photographer/filmmaker Danny Clinch has captured pop musicstars for album and magazine covers. Learn his secrets, including how hisPowerBook helped make it possible.