FESTIVALS
Please Note: The 2026 AISGC Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival will be held July 23-25th, 2026, at the Winchester Towne Square Community Centre in Winchester, Indiana. Book your hotel room early. More information to come!
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We would like to say a big mahalo to everyone who attended the 2025 AISGC Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival! The festival was held July 24-26th, 2025, at the Winchester Towne Square Community Centre in Winchester, Indiana.
This year, for the first time, festival events began a day early as a seminar on the Hawaiian steel guitar was presented by Alan Akaka at the Winchester Public Library. Attendees had the chance to learn about the steel guitar's history and even try out a steel guitar! The seminar ended with a Hawaiian steel guitar jam session consisting of Alan Akaka, Bill Wynne, and Mark Prucha.​
On Thursday morning, Mayor Bob McCoy, gave a speech welcoming everyone to the city of Winchester. The festival then proceeded with performances by Alan Akaka, Mike Bonnice, and Troy Brenningmeyer. ​
Thursday afternoon began with a seminar by Mike Bonnice about finding various chords within the C6th tuning. A big thanks to Mike for all his printed seminar materials to help guide the attendees! The afternoon continued with performances by Dick Martiny, Vickie Van Fechtmann, Greg Wong, and special guest artist, Paul Kim.
The festivities continued on Friday with morning performances by Paul Kim, Nancy Beck, Ivan Reddington, and Alan Akaka. On Friday afternoon, Christo Ruppenthal treated the attendees to a great presentation about Hawaiian music from the golden age. The Friday afternoon program continued with performances by Ron Cabanada, Mark Prucha, Gerald Ross, The Williams Twins, Braxton Harshman (a first time performer and Winchester resident!), as well as Doug Smith and Barb Kuhns.
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Saturday morning was packed with more great performances by Sharon Denney, Grant Curless, Christo Ruppenthal, Joseph Zayac, Ian Ufton, and Mark Prucha. On Saturday afternoon, Alan Akaka presented a seminar about Hawaiian steel guitar technique. The afternoon continued with performances by Bill Wynne, Alan Akaka, and Paul Kim.
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Saturday night consisted of a fantastic luau show by guest artist Paul Kim, along with his backup band consisting of Bill Wynne (rhythm guitar), Alan Akaka (bass), Mark Prucha (backup steel guitar), and Ron Cabanada (ukulele). During the Saturday night luau, attendees were also treated to a special singing performance by Mayor Bob McCoy's daughter, Emily McCoy, with Winchester resident, Braxton Harshman, on steel guitar. The luau show ended with the song "Hawaii Aloha" as festival attendees bid there farewells until next year.
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We want to say a special thanks the city of Winchester for all they did to help make this festival one to remember. Thank you to all our attendees, donors, and supporters for making it happen. If you missed out on the 2025 festival, the 2026 AISGC Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival is set to take place July 23-25, 2026, at the Winchester Towne Square Community Centre. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
