20 June 2026
Mary Winspear Centre
2243 Beacon Ave.
Sidney, BC
SHOWCASING BC'S FINEST LUTHIERS
About VGS
The VGS is a great opportunity for instrument makers to showcase their finest work and for musicians, music lovers and enthusiasts to discover, celebrate and purchase some of the best hand-made guitars available, including classicals, flamencos, steel-string acoustics, electrics, basses, pedals, amps, hardware and wood.
This year VGS is organized by Bernard Funston (Funston Guitars) and Reuben Forsland (Joi Guitars) in collaboration with the Seaside Music Festival. The Seaside Music Festival will be presenting master classes, workshops and performances by talented artists in Sidney and at other venues from 19-21 June 2026.
Whether you’re a seasoned musician, a novice strummer or someone who appreciates a well-built piece of art, the VGS guarantees that you won’t be disappointed by this unique display of musical instruments featuring talented builders from Vancouver Island alongside other premier luthiers from throughout Canada.
The Event
Meet the Makers
Meet the people who craft some of the most unique, inventive, and decorative instruments used by some of the world's premier musicians. The public will have the chance to chat to luthiers, repair techs and industry vendors to gain invaluable knowledge on a plethora of boutique instruments.
Test the Gear
Private rooms will be available for builders and customers to chat about an instrument's unique specifications and test its abilities in a welcoming environment. Whether you're looking to purchase the instrument or commission a custom build of your own, this is great opportunity to try before you buy!
Purchases & Orders
Many of the instruments at VGS 2026 are available for purchase. Custom-built instruments can also be ordered from luthiers. Guitar makers will be pleased to answer your questions and discuss their building processes with you.
Please visit the 2026 Exhibitors page for bios and galleries!
Simon Farintosh – classical guitarist
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 12:00 pm
Room 3, Mary Winspear Centre
Visit Seaside Music Fest for tickets to this workshop
Simon Farintosh is an award-winning guitarist, composer, and educator based in Victoria, British Columbia. Named one of CBC’s “30 Under 30 Classical Musicians” in 2023, Simon leads the guitar department at the University of Victoria and operates ReVamp Guitar Academy. He is President of the Victoria Guitar Society and founder of Coastline Concerts. Simon is a leading arts advocate. In 2026, he served as Festival Director for the Northwest Guitar Festival, marking the event’s first return to Canada in decades.
"Guitar Tasting": Guitar Demonstrations & Luthiers Panel
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 1:15 pm
Room 3, Mary Winspear Centre
Imagine putting some excellent guitar players in a room with some guitar makers, who give them some of their favourite instruments to try out. Seaside Music Fest hosts will guide the discussion about the relationship between performers (their needs and wants) and instrument makers (the architecture of instruments and the demands of their trade).
Luthiers Panel: Robert Anderson, Dan Vincent and Emmet McCusker
Guitar Demonstrations: Ella Korth, Patrick Murray and Tyler Lieb
Friday & Saturday Afternoon FREE SHOWS
Venue: Beacon Park Bandshell
FREE ADMISSION
Friday 19 June Program
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11:30am – Opening Ceremony
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12:00pm – Tia Greenwood & Co.
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1:00pm – Max Francis, featuring Adam Dobres & friends
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2:00pm – Ella Korth
Saturday 20 June Program
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12:00pm – The Haven
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1:00pm – Bagatelle
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2:00pm – Dana Sipos
Check out the full lineup and schedule of the Seaside Music Festival!
The VGS 2026 will be held in Room 2 of the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney, BC.
Free parking is available at the Centre and there is convenient access to Room 2 from the parking lot, including wheelchair access. Washrooms are available for visitors.
MARY WINSPEAR CENTRE
2243 Beacon Avenue
Sidney, BC, V8L 1W9
Ph 1 (250) 656-0275
DIRECTIONS TO THE VENUE
Mary Winspear Floorplan
Doors Open 10am-4pm
Free Admission
