GUITAR PLAYERS, SHREDDERS, MUSICIANS OF ALL AGES, SKILL LEVELS, AND INTERESTS ARE WELCOME!

JPGU 4.0 is an event for players and music-lovers of all ages, levels, interests, and tastes! Whether you are a master player, a beginner, or just an enthusiastic fan, our four-day programs offer activities and workshops for you. Our environments are non-competitive and are strictly about immersing oneself in the joys of music and our lovely surroundings!

Your registration includes:

  • Non-stop rock n’ roll guitar for the entire time – all of our instructors, team leaders, and staff living and eating together for 4 days!
  • Daily master sessions with many of the biggest names in rock guitar history
  • Intimate breakout masterclasses with our faculty all day every day
  • Amazing concerts every night, with special matinee concerts every day too!
  • Jamming, shredding, and playing all day!
  • All backline provided – all you need is to bring your guitar!
  • Wonderful accommodations and food in Ft. Lauderdale
  • Beach time!
  • Photo op and signing session with our Faculty!

An Invitation from John Petrucci

Hello shredders!

I’d like to invite guitar players of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels to join me at John Petrucci’s Guitar Universe 4.0, taking place August 3-6, 2023 at the W Fort Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

We wanted to change up the location this year. We’ve done camps in New York and on the West Coast so we’re doing this one in Florida, right on the water at the W Fort Lauderdale luxury beachfront resort hotel. I always want the setting to be something special. I want everyone to have the feeling of a real camp experience.

As always, we’re going to have some of the world’s greatest guitar players, all gathered in one spot as guest instructors. Players who I truly respect what they’re doing on the instrument, people whose music I enjoy or maybe I was influenced by. We all have a blast – playing, teaching, hanging out. We try to make it the most fun you can have in four days. During the day there will be classes, instructed by all the different guests. Then at night we’ll have an event, something fun that you really can’t see anywhere else. Sometimes someone is featured, sometimes the instructors get together and jam, and then the week will culminate with a concert from my solo band. We like to keep it really interesting from night to night.

It’s really important to me to feature guitar players of different genders and different styles. It’s important to show different angles, to not only have people whose music I highly respect but also a diverse, international presence as well. The span of the players in this camp – stylistically, age, gender, nationality – represents a cross-section of the guitar community all in one spot. From jazz fusion and instrumental prog to death metal and shred, they all share a common sensibility towards playing guitar – highly energetic, acrobatic, on fire.

I’m especially excited to have Brazilian guitarist Lari Basilio and my wife, Rena Sands, join us. I really think it’s important to showcase more women at these events. All you have to do is go online and you see so many women, of all ages, shredding like crazy. They’re out there, but there’s very few women that attend the camps. I would love to see that change. My message to all the women out there playing guitar is, if you’ve ever thought about doing something like this, go for it. Don’t hesitate. It’s not just for guys.

I also want to encourage players of all different levels of ability to join us at Guitar Universe 4.0. No matter your skill level, it’s not anything to be intimidated by. You’re not going to show up and be forced to play solos on stage with Zakk Wylde. It’s not like that – any level on your path is encouraged! Some people even come that don’t play guitar, they’re big music lovers and they just want the experience. This is a whole different level of interaction. For most fans, the usual interaction with musicians is nil – you go see them play a concert and that’s pretty much it. But now, all of a sudden, they’re right there. You’re having lunch with one of your favorite players, you can ask somebody a question in the hall, at barbecues, whatever.

We’re all trying to do the same thing at Guitar Universe. We’re doing this because we love music. We love playing guitar. And we all want to learn more – me included! I enjoy these camps just as much as the campers. I always feel like I leave a better player, a more informed musician. And I get to meet so many nice people!

After the week is done, we all leave with such a feeling of community in the guitar world. People make lifelong friends at these things, I love it every time. It’s a really special event and I hope that you’ll join us!

John Petrucci

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Artists

John Petrucci

Zakk Wylde

Tosin Abasi

Fredrik Akesson

Lari Basilio

Doug Doppler

Ola Englund

Guthrie Govan

Tim Henson

Polyphia

Dave LaRue

Scott LePage

Polyphia

Mike Mangini

Aaron Marshall

Rena Petrucci

Plini

Jason Richardson

Joscho Stephan

Sample Schedule

JPGU 4.0 begins at 3pm on August 3 and ends late at night on August 6 with checkout on August 7. The camp schedule is subject to change. You will be provided with an updated schedule upon check-in. Also, we will post the daily schedule in the dining hall in case there are last-minute updates.

Thursday August 03

  • 2:00 PM

    Registration opens

  • 3:30 PM

    JP welcoming remarks, Faculty introductions

  • 5:00 PM

    Zakk and Jason Sharick talk guitar

  • 6:30 PM

    Dinner

  • 8:00 PM

    Fredrik Akesson 3 songs to track.
    Jason Richardson 3 songs to track

  • 9:30 PM

    Zakk and JP (w band)

  • 11:00 PM

    Late nights with Maddi, Doug Doppler, Jason Shadrick, and more

Friday August 04

  • 9:30 AM

    Breakouts with Guthrie- beginner. Lari-beginner. Scott- beginner. Tosin- advanced. Fredrik- advanced- Aaron Marshall- advanced.

  • 11:00 AM

    JP Master class

  • 12:30 PM

    Lunch

  • 2:00 PM

    Breakouts w Tim- advanced. Joscho- beginner. Plini- advanced. Rena- beginner. Guthrie advanced. Lari- advanced. Aaron Marshal- beginner

  • 3:30 PM

    Breakouts w Tim & Scott- Fredrik- beginner. Tosin-beginner. Plini- beginner. Rena- advanced. Joscho advanced. Dave LaRue

  • 5:00 PM

    JP master class

  • 6:30 PM

    Dinner/Bourbon tasting

  • 8:00 PM

    Lari 3 songs to track.
    Tim/Scott 3 songs to track.

  • 9:30 PM

    Joscho- 30 minute set

  • 11:00 PM

    Late nights with Maddi, Doug Doppler, Jason Shadrick, and more

Saturday August 05

  • 9:30 AM

    Breakouts with Guthrie- beginner. Lari-beginner. Scott- beginner. Tosin- advanced. Fredrik- advanced. Aaron Marshall- advanced.

  • 11:00 AM

    JP Master class

  • 12:30 PM

    Lunch

  • 2:00 PM

    Breakouts w Tim- advanced. Joscho- beginner. Plini- advanced. Rena- beginner. Guthrie advanced. Lari- advanced. Aaron Marshal- beginner

  • 3:30 PM

    JP and Captain Fawcett and Bourbon

  • 5:00 PM

    Breakouts w Tim & Scott- Fredrik- beginner. Tosin-beginner. Plini- beginner. Rena- advanced. Dave LaRue

  • 6:30 PM

    JP master class

  • 8:00 PM

    Dinner

  • 9:30 PM

    Aaron 3 songs to track.
    Plini 3 songs to track.
    Guthrie- 30 minutes set to track

  • 11:00 PM

    Late nights with Maddi, Doug Doppler, Jason Shadrick, and more

Sunday August 06

  • 9:30 AM

    Breakouts with Guthrie- beginner. Lari-beginner. Scott- beginner. Tosin- advanced. Fredrik- advanced- Aaron Marshall- advanced.

  • 11:00 AM

    JP Master class

  • 12:30 PM

    Lunch

  • 2:00 PM

    Signing session

  • 3:30 PM

    Breakouts w Tim & Scott. Fredrik- beginner. Tosin-beginner. Plini- beginner. Rena- advanced. Dave LaRue. Joscho advanced

  • 5:00 PM

    Breakouts w Tim- advanced. Joscho- beginner. Plini- advanced. Rena- beginner. Guthrie advanced. Lari- advanced. Aaron Marshal- beginner. Mike Mangini

  • 6:30 PM

    Dinner

  • 8:00 PM

    Tosin 3 songs to track. Rena Petrucci.

  • 9:30 PM

    JP Set w Band

  • 11:00 PM

    Late nights with Maddi, Doug Doppler, Jason Shadrick, and more

W Hotel

Setting & Accommodations

Anchored at the epicenter of all that’s vibrant on Fort Lauderdale Beach, W Fort Lauderdale offers the ultimate luxury escape. This hotel features a variety of unique suites that cannot be found anywhere else. Indulge in five unique dining outlets with culinary by James Beard Award winning Restaurateur Stephen Starr. Soak up the sun with an epic escape to Fort Lauderdale Beach. During your stay at W Hotel, visit the WET Deck pool five floors above the ocean. Steal the scene with bold nightlife in W Hotel’s Living Room or revel in delicious, award-winning restaurants. Stay near the action at W Fort Lauderdale.

Travel Directions

W Hotel

Address
401 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard,
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, 33304

Website
W Hotel

Contact
Contact Us

Open Resort Location In Maps App

Instrument Travel

FAA Rules - Bringing Musical Instruments on Flights

Pricing and Registration

Pricing

  • Commuter Package
    1,999

    The commuter package gets you into all workshops, concerts, meals, and activities. This package does not include lodging, and cannot be downgraded from a room – for new registrations only. Pricing is per person.

  • Shared Room With Two Beds
    2,599

    Standard Room with two beds and a roommate. You may either name a fellow registrant as your roommate or one will be assigned by Dreamcatcher Events. Roommate matches are based on age and gender. If signing up with a roommate in mind, please enter their name in the “Roommate” field as you continue registration. Roommate must also register for Guitar Universe. All attendees must stay at W Hotel. Pricing is per person.

  • Single Room With One Bed
    3,699

    Standard room with one bed. All attendees must stay at W Hotel. Pricing is per person.

  • Bring Your Loved One With One Bed (2 people)
    4,799

    If you would like to have your loved one join you at W Hotel but not participate in workshops, we recommend this price point. You both share the accommodations, dine together with the group for all meals, and attend all evening concerts together. During the days, while one of you is participating in workshops and living out your guitar virtuoso dreams, your loved one can enjoy the wonderful accommodations and interesting things to do in the Ft. Lauderdale Beach area.  The room includes one king bed. Pricing is for one participant and one non-participant.

  • Bring Your Loved One With Two Beds (2 people)
    4,799

    If you would like to have your loved one join you at W Hotel but not participate in workshops, we recommend this price point. You both share the accommodations, dine together with the group for all meals, and attend all evening concerts together. During the days, while one of you is participating in workshops and living out your guitar virtuoso dreams, your loved one can enjoy the wonderful accommodations and interesting things to do in the Ft. Lauderdale Beach area. The room has two queen beds. Pricing is for one participant and one non-participant.

  • Bring Your Loved One Suite (2 people)
    5,799

    If you would like to have your loved one join you at W Hotel but not participate in workshops, we recommend this price point. You both share deluxe accommodations, dine together with the group for all meals, and attend all evening concerts together.

    During the days, while one of you is participating in workshops and living out your guitar virtuoso dreams, your loved one can enjoy the wonderful accommodations and interesting things to do in the Ft. Lauderdale area. Pricing is per couple.

    *Please Note: All payments and deposits are non-refundable.

What's Included

  • All workshops, activities, and entertainment for 4 days and nights
  • Daily concerts and performances by our teams!
  • Accommodations
  • The beach!
  • Wonderful Lunches and Dinners
  • Wi-Fi
  • Jam rooms stocked with backline and gear

What's Not Included

  • Transportation to the event
  • Breakfast
  • Alcohol and snacks
  • Sightseeing excursions in the area
  • Personal musical gear

Pricing and Registration Policy

  • Registration & Payments
    • All rates are per-person, unless stated otherwise.
    • All prices subject to change. Prior sales excluded. Dreamcatcher Events reserves the right to change any price, package or offering at any time without prior notice.
    • All rates are subject to 9.9% surcharge, which includes all local, state, and occupancy taxes.
  • Installment Payment Plan – Upon checkout, you have the option to pay in full or one 50% installment.
    • Upon registration, a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total purchase amount is charged to your credit card.
    • The remaining balance will be automatically charged to the credit card on file on July 1, 2023.
  • Cancellations
    • All payments and deposits are final and non-refundable.
  • Dreamcatcher Events LLC reserves the right to re-schedule any event if there should be an “Act of God,” pandemic, natural disaster, or any other circumstance which makes an event impossible to hold. In this circumstance, Dreamcatcher may issue full financial credit in the amount paid to all registrants who have paid. These “Credited” funds may be used solely for the specific event to be rescheduled. The financial credit shall last two years from the dates of postponement. Registration refunds will not be distributed in the event that an event has to be rescheduled due to circumstances beyond Dreamcatcher’s control. This also applies to any registrant who may not be able to attend an event due to Covid and/or Force Measure.

If you have any questions, please call our customer service number (+1) 800-852-9277, or send us an email at info@dreamcatcher-events.com

For complete details please see our Registration and Payment Policy