This week we have updated the Annual Competitions and Festivals section of the Yellow Pages. Please check to see if your annual event is listed in this section and that the information is correct. As many accordionists around the world want to enter these competitions and events or attend them, we wish to keep this section up to date. If you would like to submit any changes or additions, please email: news@accordions.com

Wayne Knights Webmaster

• Lips Concerts and Masterclasses - Finland
• Accordion Club Celebrity Concert - England
• San Bernardo Concert - Argentina
• Texas Accordion Association Convention - USA
• Vienna International Accordion Festival - Austria
• Gala Orchestra Concert - Italy
• Australian International Accordion Championships and Festival - Australia
• Avellaneda Tango Quintet Concert - Netherlands
• Musical for Children - Italy
• Ukrainian Duo in Paris - France
• Accordionist Performs in New Musical - USA
• Charity Concerts - Russia
• "Fun on the Keys" Concert - China
• New Generation Dallapé "Mattia" - Italy
• Accordionist Performs with Cirque du Soleil - New Zealand
• Regional North Central Festival - England
• Accordionist Receives Positive Review - USA
• Jean Marc Fabiano and his "Three Ladies"! - France
• Benefit Concert for Seriously Ill Accordionist - USA
• Smolensk 2000 Competition - Russia
• Sylvia Pagni in the Mountains of Bormio - Italy
• Bayan Study - China
• The "Toids" Present Balkan Music - USA
• A Meeting with the Accordion - Italy
• New Sites
• Antique Accordion Information
• Accordion Information Required

Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions

Friedrich Lips had a successful stay in Finland recently, giving masterclasses in Kokkola and at the conservatory of Jyväskylä. In Kokkola he also performed "Seven Words" (Gubaidulina) with the Ostrobthnian Chamber Orchestra at the Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival.

In Jyväskylä Lips performed new pieces by Schnittke, Gagnidze, Cholminow, Podgaiz and Ledenov, which should be recorded in Moscow soon. Lips also discussed future CD projects with Finnish accordionist Mika Väyrynen.

Contributed by Heather Smith

The Kingston upon Hull Accordion Club will hold a "Celebrity Concert" on March 20th at the Dorchester Hotel, Kingston upon Hull, Yorks. Guest performers include Jorgen Sundequist and Oivind Farmen. For further details email: heather@accordions.karoo.co.uk

Accordionist Florencia Herrera will perform in the summer holiday city of San Bernardo, Buenos Aires during February. Florencia will entertain holiday makers by playing a variety of themes from Italy, Germany and Spain to classical music in the streets of the city. For further details email: fiobergi@infovia.com.ar

Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

The 2001 National Accordion Convention will be held from March 8th to 10th at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Plano, Texas. The theme this year "Breaking the Mold" aims to inspire us to look beyond our traditional ways of making accordion music and challenges us to experiment with different types of music and playing styles!

Festival highlights include a convention orchestra (conducted by Gary Daverne), entertainment by Santiago Jimenez, Jr, "K" Trio, Professor John Dujka, Rita Davidson, Debra Peters, Nick Ballarini, Jim Rommel and others as well as jam sessions, folk music workshops, "Dealers Showcase" and accordion swap meet. For further details email TAA President Norman Seaton: nns5522@dcccd.edu

The Vienna International Accordion Festival will be held from February 24th to March 25th in Vienna. The event will include over 50 artists from 11 countries playing at 14 different venues. Performers include Otto Lechner (Austria), Yann-Fanch Perroches Quartett (France), Simon Thoumire & Kevin Mackenzie (Scotland), Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas (USA), Elina Leskelä & Trio Fratres (Finland), Karen Tweed (England), Riccardo Tesi & Banditaliana (Italy), Alfredo Marcucci with "Cuarteto Tango Al Sur" (Argentina), Sheik Taha & Band (Egypt), Klaus Paier Trio (Austria), Dobrek Bistro (Poland), Cathrin Pfeifer Group (Germany), Joseph Petric (Canada) and Guy Klucevsek & Alan Bern (USA). For further information email: friedl.preisl@chello.at

On February 4th, a gala orchestra concert was held at "CA' dei Carraresi" in Treviso by the "Armonia" Accordion Orchestra (conducted by A. Smeazzetto) with soloist Vladimir Zubitsky. The capacity crowd enjoyed a program dedicated to Ukrainian accordionist and composer Vladimir (who presented his own compositions) "2nd Jazz Partita" and jazz-transcriptions "From Fancelli to Galliano". The concert was also dedicated to the orchestra, who performed folk music, works by Verdi and Suppe as well as "Rossiniana" with Vladimir.

The concert was recorded live and an audio-cassette will be available in the near future. For details email Fisorchestra Armonia: ifind@tin.it

The Australian International Accordion Championships and Festival will be held from May 25th to 27th at the Polish Club in Ashfield, Sydney. The event will include contestants from China, New Zealand and Australia as well as a testimonial dinner for a surprise guest and a variety of entertainment.

The rules for the "Australian Solo Accordion Championship" class are now aligned with the new International Piano Accordion Class being held for the first time at the 2001 Coupe Mondiale in London in October. The winner of that class will be sponsored to perform concerts at the 2002 Australian International Accordion Championships in Sydney and the 2002 South Pacific Accordion Championships in Auckland (New Zealand). The closing date for entries is April 24th, 2001. For further details email: tlukic@jigsaw.net.au

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The Avellaneda Tango Quintet held a concert on February 3rd at the Tango Academy in Amsterdam. This international ensemble includes musicians from Argentina (piano), Russia (cello), Holland (double bass), Switzerland (violin) and accordionist Anne Landa (Spain). Their repertoire consists of traditional tangos as well as works by Astor Piazzolla, all arranged by Marcelo Costas. Future events include a series of concerts in Holland and Spain. The Quintet, whose last few performances received high praise from critics, work on a pure version of tango, trying to go back to its authentic roots.

The collaboration between Renzo Ruggieri and the "Scenari Paralleli" theatre company continues with a musical for children, based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic fable "The Emperor's New Clothes". The games of light and shadow, slide projections, choreography and costumes by Caterina Filippini enabled the young actors to take a professional approach to acting in front of a large audience. The show, directed by Paolo Perelli, was staged at the Teatro Centrale in Ostia from January 5th to 22nd, a season which had to be prolonged due to its success among the audience. A demo of the show can be listened to at http://web.tiscalinet.it/ruggieri/teatro/teatro.html

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Ukrainian Duo Youri & Ludmila Fedorov will give free concerts of traditional classical and sacred Ukrainian music in Paris in March. The duo are both soloists of the Kiev Philarmonic, Youri on bayan and Ludmila a soprano who also plays the bandoura.

Their first concert was held at the Saint-Paul de Montmartre Church on February 4th. They will repeat their program on March 4th at the Sainte-Rosalie Church.

Accordionist Joe Soprani will perform in a new musical "Charlotte - life or theatre" at the Prince Theatre in Philadelphia from February 24th to March 18th. Rehearsals begin on February 18th with preview performances at the end of that week.

"Charlotte" is based on a true story about the life of a woman whose artistic vision and will to live are an inspiration. The show covers the South of France during World War II where a twenty year old Jewish painter Charlotte Solomon has been in hiding only to find the meaning of life filled with persecution and distress. The song filled score is devoted to music from the 1930's.

Soprani has been assisting composer Gary Fagin in developing viable accordions parts that compliment the essence and flavor of the show. For ticket information phone: + 1 215 509 9700

Contributed by Olga Kopylova

In February Sergei Voitenko will perform a series of charity concerts at children's musical schools in Samara and surrounding regions. The concerts will also feature Dmitry Khramkov (winner of the 2000 Coupe Mondiale), the quartet "Non Stop" and the "Harmonica" ensemble (tutored by Sergei and Dmitry). Proceeds from the concerts will go to a children's hospital fund to benefit children with serious diseases. For further information email: servoit@hippo.ru

Contributed by Li Cong

A "Fun on the Keys" concert was held at the Youth Center, Jinan District, Shanghai last week. A variety of pianists, accordionists and keyboardists played solos, duets and ensembles to over 300 people. All players were from the Youth center, with the youngest only 5 years old, tutored by Cao Yi, who also performed "Carnival of Venice".

The concert was well received, as the audience especially enjoyed performances by combinations of the different instruments joining together.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

The Dallape & Son Accordion Factory was founded in 1876 in Stradella (near Pavia, Italy) by Mariano Dallapé. Mariano was succeeded by his son Onorato and followed by Giuseppe (son of Mariano's brother). Since 1969 the company has been directed by his three sons Mariano, Fabio and Amleto who has just recently become a grandfather. Baby "Mattia" is already practicing!

Contributed by Heather Masefield

Accordionist Suzie Gagnon (Canada) toured New Zealand in January with the Cirque du Soleil "Alegria" as part of a two year Asian Pacific tour. The show has 56 artists, 6 musicians and 2 vocalists. Suzie not only plays the accordion but also has special stage makeup, an extravagant costume, acts and takes part in difficult choreography for 10 performances a week! She travels with 6 accordions and plays piano, chromatic and diatonic instruments.

After Auckland the group will perform in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane (Australia) before going to Taiwan, Singapore and China.

On February 4th, the NAO (National Accordion Organisation of the UK) hosted the Regional North Central Festival organized by Harry Hinchcliffe. Adjudicators were Gary Blair, Raymond Bodell and Raymond Jones. The festival attracted over 180 entries from Scotland to London.

The "Highest Mark" of the day (91 marks) went to two competitors, 15 year old Larysa Bodell who competed in the "Open Solo" section and Justin Ryan. The Tameside Junior Accordion Orchestra (under MD Collette Ainscow) won the award for the highest orchestral mark (88).

Guy Klucevsek received a positive review from entertainment critic Lloyd Sachs, for his recent performance with the quartet "Charms of the Night Sky" (Dave Douglas) at the Chicago Cultural Center. Their concert was part of the 23rd Jazz Fair, one of the best-attended music events ever held at the Chicago Cultural Center.

Sachs described the "rich, wizardly playing of accordionist Guy Klucevsek" whom he refers to as the "nerve center" of the band.

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Accordionist Jean Marc Fabiano is a proud dad as his wife Anne, gave birth to a baby daughter, Emma recently. Their 4 year old daughter, Pauline, is already following in her dad's footsteps as she was the youngest participant in the Competition Prix Azzola 2000.

Contributed by Jon Hammond

A benefit concert was held at the Longfellow School Auditorium, Berkeley, California on February 4th for Donald "Don" Haas, who has been diagnosed with liver and lung cancer. Don is an accordion teacher and a respected educator and performer.

Performers included members of the Mike Vax Big Band and special guests who played classic arrangements of "When Sunny Gets Blue" and "Stompin' at the Savoy". The full house also enjoyed many testimonials delivered by some of Don's students and fellow musicians. Don was too weak to attend the concert, but the event was recorded for him to watch at home.

Don is undergoing chemotherapy treatments and remains hopeful that he will be able to return to teaching his dedicated students in his home studio. A fund was set up by Mike Vax and the friends of Big Band Jazz. If you would like to make a donation please email Mike Vax: vaxtrpts@aol.com

The first Accordion competition for College students was held in Smolensk at the end of the year 2000. This competition was organised by the Ministry of Education of Russia, Moscow State Pedagogical University, the Smolensk Committee of Education and Smolensk Pedagogical College. Students from various areas of Russia participated in solo and duo classes.

Head of the jury was Victor Rodin (Professor at the Moscow Pedagogical University). Yury Kazakov, as well as being a judge, was a "spiritual patron" for the competitors and his award was given to the most musical performer from Murom.

Many well-known performers took part in Gala concerts, including the ensemble "Capriccio" with Elena Aleshina (cello) and Dmitry Makeev (bayan).

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Accordionist Sylvia Pagni will hold two concert series' at the Aurora Hotel in Bormio from February 9th to 20th and from March 15th to 30th. Bormio is one of the most well-known skiing resorts in Italy, visited by tourists from all over Europe with annual World Cup events.

Contributed by Li Cong

Chinese accordion teachers and enthusiasts have recently learnt about the bayan (button) accordion. This is because there has been an increase in the number of international exchange visits for international competitions and workshops. Also, more recently some top bayanists have been to China to perform concerts.

Now Chinese accordion teachers are keen to study bayan playing and teaching techniques. Some Chinese accordion factories are also trying to produce a different range of button accordions. To help develop the Chinese button accordion, the Chinese Accordion Society will set up a button accordion teaching training course during July and early August at the Beidaihe holiday resort. The course will introduce the button accordion's history, mechanism, playing etc. and supply some teaching material and information to teachers. For more information, please phone Cheng Shi Huan at: +86-13701124067

Contributed by Joyce Clyde

The "Toids" performed in San Francisco and Berkeley this week, presenting evenings of dance lessons and Balkan music to enthusiastic crowds. The group includes Dan Cantrell (accordion), Ryan Francesconi (strings), Jerry Summers (skins), Lila Sklar (violin), Bill Lanphier (bass) and Pilar Diaz (vocals).

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

Ivano Battiston, lecturer of accordion at the "Cherubini" Music Conservatory in Florence, will hold a conference entitled "A Meeting with the Accordion: Technical-phonic characteristics and contemporary literature" . The event, which is open to composers, musicians and enthusiasts alike, will take place on February 10th at the Sala Spettacolo in Collesalvetti, near Livorno. For further information please email: massimo_signo@hotmail.com

http://www.accordions.com/taa Updated information on the Texas Accordion Association 2001 National Accordion Convention held from March 8th to 10th in Plano, Texas.

http://www.accordions.com/casarzalig Updated information on the 7th International Trophy "Citta di Casarza Ligure" from June 2nd to 9th 2001

http://www.accordions.com/ruggieri Updated information on accordionist Renzo Ruggieri in Italian and English

http://www.accordions.com/cantus Updated information on the Cantus Accordion Quintet from Lithuania

Matt Michaelson would like information on an accordion with "Atlas" and "Sterling" on it, made in Italy and is a pearl white color. Email: michaelson@accessgate.net

Richard would like details on a Kazeto accordion, made in Czechoslovakia, with a picture of a lion and the word "lignalone" on it. Email: rwallace@nci1.net

Marci Rose would like information on an old Carmen accordion? Email: MarceRose@msn.com

Paul Kruijswijk would like information on an accordion with the name "Ocohek2" that may possibly be Russian. Email: paul@kruijswijk.nl.com

A reader is seeking information about the life and career of American accordionist Nick Condos during the 1940's and 50's. email: Bern6336@aol.com

A reader would like information on self-playing accordions. Email Seniorenkreis Bremen: Ganesh30@aol.com