Southern Guitar Festival and Competition, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

Southern Guitar Festival and Competition takes place in Winston-Salem, NC, USA. It is held every year.

Location: Winston-Salem, NC, USA
Type: Competition
Frequency: annual

Official website

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Visiting? A guitarist's guide to Winston-Salem

For classical guitar enthusiasts, a trip to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, offers the chance to attend the Southern Guitar Festival and Competition, an annual event that draws players and audiences alike. This city, one of the three that make up the Piedmont Triad, blends its rich Moravian heritage with a modern, thriving arts scene, providing a welcoming backdrop for a musical holiday.

Getting there

Winston-Salem is readily accessible for travelers. The most convenient airport is Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO), located about a twenty-minute drive east of downtown, between Winston-Salem and Greensboro. For those flying private or via charter, Smith Reynolds Airport (INT) is just three miles northeast of the city. While Winston-Salem does not have direct rail services, Amtrak offers several daily connections to nearby Greensboro, from which regional PART buses can bring you into the city. By car, Winston-Salem is well-connected via Interstate 40, U.S. 421/Salem Parkway, Interstate 77, Interstate 85, and U.S. Highway 52. Greyhound and PART buses also serve the city, stopping at the Campbell Transportation Center, which doubles as the hub for local bus services.

Compare trains, buses & flights to Winston-Salem on Omio →

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Where to stay

Winston-Salem offers a range of accommodations, allowing visitors to choose between historic charm and modern convenience. Consider staying near the West End Historic District, known for its late 19th and early 20th-century homes, dining, and shops, all easily explored on foot. Old Salem Museums & Gardens also offers proximity to a beautifully preserved historic district, providing a unique atmosphere. The city’s bus system, operated by the Winston-Salem Transit Authority, offers an affordable way to navigate local attractions for just $1 a ride, with transfers free, making it easy to reach festival venues and explore.

What you'll hear

The Southern Guitar Festival and Competition is an annual event showcasing emerging talent in the classical guitar world. Attendees can expect to hear a range of repertoire performed by young guitarists vying for top honors, making for an engaging and inspiring musical experience.

The city itself offers a vibrant cultural scene, with institutions like the Diggs Gallery and Delta Arts Center hosting musical performances, dance, and other arts programming. The Downtown Arts District (DADA) is a hub for creative expression, reflecting Winston-Salem's broader commitment to the arts, which extends to its several higher-education institutions.

The local table

Winston-Salem’s dining scene is diverse, with options ranging from casual eateries to more upscale restaurants, many of which are concentrated in areas like the West End Historic District and the Downtown Arts District. While specific local dishes are not highlighted in the sources, visitors can expect to find a range of American cuisine, often with a Southern influence. Exploring the varied offerings in these vibrant districts provides ample opportunity for good meals throughout your stay.

Fancy a guided taste? Food and wine tours in Winston-Salem →

While you're there

Beyond the competition, Winston-Salem boasts a wealth of historical and cultural attractions. A visit to Old Salem Museums & Gardens is a must; this beautifully restored historic district and living history museum allows you to step back in time to an 18th and 19th-century Moravian settlement, complete with costumed interpreters demonstrating traditional trades. The district includes the Salem Tavern, where George Washington once stayed. Just outside the city, Historic Bethabara Park marks the site of the first Moravian settlement in North Carolina, featuring a restored 1788 church and a French/Indian War fort. Art lovers can explore the Charlotte and Philip Hanes Art Gallery at Wake Forest University, which has hosted works by artists like Picasso and Warhol, or the Diggs Gallery at Winston-Salem State University, known for its extensive collection of African and African Diaspora arts. The Downtown Arts District (DADA) offers an eclectic mix of working studios, galleries, shops, and restaurants, perfect for an afternoon stroll.

Tours, tickets and day trips in Winston-Salem →

Need a place to stay?

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This map centers on Winston-Salem in general, so the venue may be elsewhere in town. Check the competition's official website before booking.

More guitar events in USA: Appalachian GuitarFest and Competition · Austin Classical Guitar Composition Competition · Boston GuitarFest Academy Competition · Brevard Classical Guitar Institute · Denver Guitar Festival - Tuason Competition · ECU Guitar Festival and Workshop

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