Dallas International Guitar Festival and Musicfest
Dallas, Texas

When: mid-April

Where: Dallas Market Hall at 2200 Stemmons Freeway

Revered by music lovers as the birthplace of guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughn, the city of Dallas is a fitting locale for a six-string shindig deemed the world's longest-running guitar show. During the three-day spectacular, aficionados can fine tune their skills in workshops, search for vintage Fender, Gibson and Gretch guitars or check out the latest audio equipment inside America's largest privately-owned exhibition hall.

Whether you're an avid guitar enthusiast or simply an air guitar virtuoso, you'll enjoy the musical menagerie of rock, blues and country performers that take the mic on five indoor and outdoor stages each afternoon before a roster of regional and national headliners rock the hall in a Friday night concert and Saturday Night All Star Jam.

Check out the musical mastery of fledgling guitar heroes at The Texas 10 Under 20 Contest, and flick your Bics in appreciation for the artists who pour their soul out in song during the guitar solo contest.

For more information:

• visit www.guitarshow.com