International Guitar Night at Villa Montalvo

For Valentine's, Inna decided to treat me to a fun evening of guitar music at International Guitar Night at the Villa Montalvo.

International Guitar Night (IGN) is a celebrated touring acoustic guitar festival that showcases some of the world’s most inventive and expressive guitarists. Founded in 1995 by Brian Gore, IGN brings together a rotating lineup of virtuosos from diverse countries and musical traditions — playing solo sets, duets, and ensemble pieces that span fingerstyle, classical, jazz, flamenco, world music, and more.

📅 Upcoming 2026 IGN Concert at Montalvo

• Date & Time: Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 7:30 PM

• Venue: Carriage House Theatre inside the Montalvo Arts Center

• Featured Artists:

  • Thu Le — acclaimed classical guitarist from Vietnam blending Eastern and Western traditions

  • Lucas Imbiriba — Brazilian guitarist mixing flamenco, classical, Latin rhythms, and rock influences

  • Alexandr Misko — Russian fingerstyle innovator known for percussive techniques and custom instruments

  • Taimane — Hawaiian ukulele star expanding the instrument’s musical range (genre-blending performance)

This lineup reflects the 26th anniversary North American IGN tour and highlights both technical mastery and genre-defying creativity.

Solos

Thu Le

• Quizás, quizás, quizás (Osvaldo Farres)
• Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Francisco Tarrega)
• Tango en skai (Roland Dyens)

Lucas Imbiriba

• Canción del Mariachi (Desperado)
• Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
• Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits)

Taimane

• Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin) with Fur Elise (Beethoven)

Alex Misko

• Star Wars March

Duets

Lucas Imbiriba & Thu Le

• Malaguena

Taimane &  Lucas Imbiriba

• Another Brick in the Wall (Pink Floyd)

Taimane & Alex Misko

• E Ala E (Hawaiian)

Finale

Thu Le, Taimane, Lucas Imbiriba, Alex Misko

• Beat It (Michael Jackson)
• Hotel California (Eagles)

IGN Concert Review

Highlights

• Excellent guitar playing, especially by Lucas Imbiriba, Thu Le, and Taimane
• Favorite performances
• Canción del Mariachi (Desperado) by Lucas
• Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits)
• Malaguena
• Hotel California

• Small, intimate venue at Villa Montalvo
• Excellent choice of music (many popular songs)

Lowlights

• None