Starving Musicians, The Fretboard Festival Play-In Is December 9th

If you play a stringed instrument, listen up. This contest is for you. Kalamazoo's Fretboard Festival is having a play-in contest, just like a basketball tournament, but with longer shorts and with stringed instruments.

Here's what the organizer, the Kalamazoo Valley Museum says:

• Bands must submit their applications completely, including an active website link to their music, bio, and photo or demo CD. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• The first round of judging will take place during the week of December 12, 2016. The first round is not a live event. Judging is based partly on a fully-completed application with access to an active web link to music, bio, and photo or demo CD. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

• The second round of judging includes the top entries chosen in the first round. These top entrants will perform live on Friday, January 6, 2017, in the Play-In Contest at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Entrants chosen for the Play-In Contest must be available from 3 to 9 p.m. on Friday, January 6.

All the rules are here.

Like it says, the play-in contest is January 6th, and the Fretboard Festival is March 4th.

The Fretboard Festival is a series of performances by stringed instrument virtuosos, but it's also instructional workshops for those who want to play and learn. The organizers say they especially want to focus on Michigan made instruments.