DjangoFest Northwest 2010 gets Langley strumming

It’s time to party like a rock star. Or a gypsy, as the occasion would have it.

It’s time to party like a rock star.

Or a gypsy, as the occasion would have it.

The popular DjangoFest, which usually sells out all of the available hotel rooms of Langley for five days in September, gets ready to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year when islanders and out-of-towners alike will be treated to a stellar lineup of musicians. It also celebrates the centennial birthday of Django Reinhardt.

Nearly 60 years after his death, legendary guitarist Reinhardt, the icon for whom the festival is named, is still one of the most respected players of all time.

DjangoFest NW 2010, under the leadership of artistic director Nick Lehr and executive director Stacie Burgua, starts Wednesday, Sept. 22 and goes through Sunday, Sept. 26.

Headliners include the Angelo Debarre Quartet with Ludovic Beier, Paulus Schäfer with Tim Kliphuis, and the John Jorgenson Quintet.

Organizers say the festival is the premier showcase of gypsy jazz music in North America, having presented some of the biggest names in the genre to thousands of enthusiastic participants. This year’s concerts feature festival favorites in addition to some talented newcomers.

The lineup also includes Howard Alden with Bucky Pizzarelli and Bria Skonberg, Hot Club of Detroit, Pearl Django, Robin Nolan Trio, Gonzalo Bergara Quartet, Kruno with Ludovic Beier, Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan, Caravan (the Marc Atkinson Trio with Daniel Lapp), Van Django, Hot Club Sandwich, Billet-Deux, Douce Ambience, Doug Martin Avatar Ensemble with Annie Staninec and the Nick Lehr Quartet featuring David Seriff.

Many of these performers will be conducting workshops in the mornings and afternoons during the festival in such forms as gypsy jazz guitar, violin, waltzes, swing and “Dutch Style,” to name a few.

These are master musicians teaching technique — a coup of a lesson for any performer.

Also, the festival wouldn’t be the festival without a bit of “djamming” — spontaneous groups of musicians performing in and outside various locations in Langley — which will go on non-stop for the five-day celebration of music.

New this year is a “Biere Garden” on the Zech Rehearsal Hall lawn, featuring a specialty brew by Langley’s Old World Ales and a gallery of artwork by 20 Island County Fair award-winners in the lobby of the theater.

Tickets range from $24 to $60, and are available by calling 221-8268 or 800-638-7631.

To sign up for a workshop or to get festival information, including artist bios, music and videos — click here.