Guitarists kick off Midwest tour at McHenry Tree of Life Congregation

Internationally-touring guitarists Bert Lams and Tom Griesgraber are slated to perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Road in McHenry.

This concert will be the first of their 2014 Midwest tour.

As a member of the renowned California Guitar Trio, guitarist Bert Lams blends musical styles as diverse as Beethoven symphonies, progressive rock, surf guitar, and spaghetti western themes together with his own compositions. An honors graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Belgium, Lams recently released his first solo CD, "Nascent," which features the music of J.S. Bach adapted for steel-string acoustic guitar.

Tom Griesgraber is one of the world's most active players of the Chapman Stick, a 12-string guitar/bass hybrid. An honors graduate of Berklee College of Music, he has performed across the U.S. and Europe as a soloist and with his groups Marotta/Griesgraber and Agent 22. "Sketchbook," his latest solo CD, journeys from instrumental rock to jazz to classical music with original compositions and unique takes on well-known covers.

Opening for Bert Lams and Tom Griesgraber will be the Greater Midwest Guitar Circle, an ensemble of acoustic guitarists from throughout the Chicago area.

Tickets are available for $18 in advance or $20 at the door.

For information or to order tickets, visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/783714.