Wirral International Guitar Festival returns next week with celebration concert to remember late guitarist Brendan McCormack

Oct 28 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

NOVEMBER is the month of the guitar in Wirral!

The borough’s 21st International Guitar Festival of Great Britain launches next week with a special concert celebrating the life of Brendan McCormack, one of the festival’s founders.

Mr Cormack, who also founded the Summer Serenades series of concerts at the Williamson Art Gallery, died in March.

The full line-up for the Brendan McCormack Celebration Concert, which takes place at Pacific Road Arts Centre on Tuesday, November 3, is Blue C, John Harper & Les Bolger, the Anne Jackson Quintet, Mdjango, Capo Fiasco and Rikki & the Redstreaks.

There will also be a pre-show performance from the Liverpool Ukulele Orchestra.

Festival director Rob Smith said: “It was during a conversation that I had with Brendan in 1988 about events and festivals and how they contribute to the cultural identity of an area, that he suggested a guitar festival in Wirral.

“Brendan’s contribution to the festival and its development over the years cannot be underestimated, and at last year’s festival he agreed to be an Honorary Ambassador, joining Woody Mann, John Williams, John Etheridge, Galina Vale, Lucky Ranku and Gary Murphy as our Global Ambassadors.