Music Compound to Host Cigar Box Guitar Workshop

June 9, 2021 – Sarasota

Families seeking fun and creative options for their students this summer will enjoy this opportunity: On Saturday, July 10, Music Compound and the Suncoast Blues Society are partnering to present a Cigar Box Guitar Workshop, led by noted local blues musician Steve Arvey. Ages 8-18 are invited to participate in the fun-filled morning, with each child/teen building their own cigar box guitar.

The workshop takes place from 10 a.m.-noon at Music Compound’s Cattlemen location (1751 Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota). Reclaimed woods and recycled materials are used to build the handcrafted cigar box guitars; the workshop includes all materials, a history lesson, and a jam session. The event is free – thanks to the sponsorship of the Suncoast Blues Society – but attendance is limited to the first 10 registrants.

The Suncoast Blues Society is dedicated to celebrating and promoting the musical genre known as the blues, preserving its history and traditions, supporting blues musicians, and sharing blues music with current and future generations in the Tampa Bay area. The Society’s mission statement for “Keeping the Blues Alive” is seen through its support of live blues music as well as through its community outreach programs, such as this workshop.

“The Suncoast Blues Society is thrilled to be able to offer programs like this, for all ages, throughout the region,” said Terri O’Brien, Society president. “The blues is a genre to which many younger people may not have enjoyed extensive exposure; through workshops like this one, they can enjoy a creative activity while learning about the history of and getting an opportunity to play the blues.”

“We are so excited to host this workshop and bring awareness and enjoyment of this activity and the music to area children,” added Jenny Townsend, owner of the Music Compound. “Cigar box guitars have a rich history and we’re confident the participants will enjoy learning about as well as playing them!”

Workshop facilitator Steve Arvey began his career playing the Chicago blues circuit during the 1970s. During that period, he shared the stage with many of the legendary blues masters from the Windy City. Now living in Florida, Arvey is a fixture at major festivals and nightclubs throughout the South, Europe and the Caribbean. He is also considered by many to be one of the top cigar box guitar players in the world today.

To reserve your student’s spot for the workshop, call 941-379-9100 or visit musiccompound.com/blues.