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70th
Birthday Celebrations for Besfamilnov - Ukraine
 Contributed
by Tania
Lukic-Marx
 On
December 6th a concert will be held at the "Lisenko" Ukrainian National
Philharmonic Hall dedicated to the jubilee of famous Ukrainian accordion
concert artist and Professor at the Ukrainian National Music Academy
- Vladimir
Besfamilnov. Besfamilnov, who was awarded the title of "Peoples
Artist of Ukraine" by the Ukrainian Music Council (the most prestigious
award and title given to any artist in the former Soviet Republic),
will be celebrating his 70th birthday and 65 years of his performing
career.
  Performances
will be given by famous Ukrainian accordion artists such as V. Murza
and S. Grinchenko, as well as Besfamilnov's present and past students
Hovrun, Padij, Kistenev and Hruschevich.
As a part of the concert, recordings of Besfamilnov
performing will be played to the audience including "Czardas" (Monty/Yashkevich),
"Rumanian Dance" (Rizolj), "Flight of the Bumble Bee" for the accordion,
violin and bass (Zubitsky).
Over 300 people are expected to attend this concert. Following this,
a banquet will take place with 100 of Besfamilnov's colleagues,
fellow musicians, family and friends.
 The
next day (December 7th) a concert in the honour of Besfamilnov will
be held at the Ukrainian National Music Academy. Besfamilnov dedicated
his whole life to the accordion, performing, teaching and promoting
it. He was the first Soviet representative at the Coupe
Mondiale (together with Galkin in 1956), where they both shared
the 3rd Prize. Since then, Besfamilnov has tirelessly worked on
promoting the instrument. He was a pioneer in the area of playing
with symphony and chamber orchestras, organ and piano and was always
keen to promote new repertoire and composers for the accordion.
Amongst his students are Vladimir
Zubitsky, F. Guerouet, Tania
Lukic-Marx, G. Tirnanich, D. Modrushan, Mamliga, Hovrun, Padij
and many, many more. You can read more information on his new website.
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Successful Pakefield Accordion
Festival - England
 The
first Pakefield Accordion Festival held from November 14th to 19th
at the Pontins Holiday Centre in Pakefield, nr. Lowestoft (organised
by Heather
Smith, Editor of "Accordion Profile" magazine), was a huge success.
Performers included Vladimir Ushakov & Svetlana Stavitski (Russia
& Latvia), Barbara Ann Martindale (Canada), Gregory
Frenard (France), Djorge Gajic (Yugoslavia), David & Anjie Lukins,
Andy Anderson, Heather Smith, Charlie Watkins, Johnny Coleclough,
Larysa Bodell, Norvic Concordia and Colchester Accordion Showband.
  A
variety of workshops were conducted by Vladimir Ushakov & Svetlana
Stavitski, David Lukins, John Leslie, Bert Santilly, Heather Smith,
Johnny Coleclough, Brian Jenkins, Ray Bodell and Peter Whiteley.
Adrienne Sharpe organised "Free & Easy" sessions and "Songs of Praise",
while Harry Hussey played after hours jazz sessions in the Queen
Vic Pub, as well as delighting diners during their meals with his
request sessions.
 The
"Enid Mitchell's Do-Si-Do Ceilidh Band" (under the direction of
MD Peter Whiteley), provided music for dancing during and after
the concerts. Trade stands were displayed by WEM, Electronic Accordions,
Accordions of London and Geof Holter Accordions.
The event was so successful, that future annual
festivals are planned.
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John MacDonald's 50th Album - Australia
 John
MacDonald, Australian based Scots accordionist/entertainer reached a milestone
in his career this week when he released his 50th CD entitled "Years Apart".
The 16 track CD features some of his personal favourites as well as his
most requested numbers from his Live performances. Tracks include "Tritsch
Tratsch Polka", "Lift the Wings" (from River dance), "Under the Double
Eagle", "The Bluebell Polka" plus a variety of popular Scottish and Irish
Jigs and Reels.
The album was produced by John himself, and features
both acoustic and MIDI accordion. For further details email: scotlandthebrave.m@scotland.com
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Sacramento Jazz Festival - USA
The "Jazz in Nevada County" festival took place
in Nevada County, Sacramento, California on November 23rd and 24th.
The event featured "Odeon" (with accordionist Dr William Schimmel),
Wynton Marsalis (trumpet) and Ted Nash (saxophone & clarinet) who
performed two "sell out" concerts. Over 2,000 people enjoyed their
program, which included Duke Ellington's "Ahmad", Debussy's "Premiere
Rhapsody", works by Ted Nash and a blues jam. Following these concerts,
jam sessions were held at Kirby's Creekside Restaurant and Bar,
which continued late into the night. The band played many jazz standards
and blues.
Workshops were also given by Wynton Marsalis,
Wycliffe Gordon, Ted Nash and Dr. Schimmel for hand picked young
local jazz students.
Prior to this festival, Dr Schimmel performed
at the Sonic Boom Festival on November 11th in New York. His program
included "Small Hotels", written, performed and sung by himself
to lyrics by George W. S. Trow, with dramatic direction by Micki
Goodman. New York times critic Paul Griffith called the work
"sharp and cynical". The Sonic Boom Festival is considered by
many to be the world's most prestigious contemporary music festival.
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Accordion Teaching Report Concert
- China
 Contributed
by Li
Cong
Shi Zhengming's Accordion Teaching Report Concert
was held in the Little Concert Hall, Shanghai Music Conservatory
on November 3rd. This was 7th teaching report concert held by the
Association. Shi Zhengming graduated from the Affiliated Middle
School of Shanghai Music Conservatory. From 1973 to 1983, he was
the accordionist in the Military Band of China People's Liberation
Army and was very active in Beijing. Since his return to Shanghai
in 1983, he became the Vice Director of the Library of Shanghai
Music Conservatory.
At this concert, five of his students gave performances
of Chelny's 740 Studies, Chopin waltzes and duet pieces. In attendance
were Li Cong (President of the Shanghai Accordion Association),
Pan Li (Vice President of SAA), committee members, accordion teachers
and students.
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Contributed
by Carlo Fortunato
University
Freiburg in Freiburg, Germany will offer degree studies in accordion
from April 2002, tutored by Teodoro Anzellotti. Students wishing
to take part in this course must sit an entrance examination. Applications
must be submitted in writing. For further details email: 
Concertina
player Simon Thoumire performed at the Celtic Colours Festival held
on the island of Cape Breton (East coast of Canada) last month.
A variety of concerts were held each evening in different communities.
Colombian
Accordionist Lácides Romero, will perform at the Montería Cathedral
in Montería on December 1st. The concert will take place to celebrate
the appointment of the new Bishop, Julio Vidal. Romero's program
will include "Allemande and Gigue in G Major", "Pasacalle con Variaciones"
(Handel), "Saltarella" (Leybach) and Slavonic Dance No 8 (Dvorak).
For further details email: 
Contributed
by 
Antique
Accordion Information