 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13th Annual Cotati Accordion Festival - USA
 Contributed
by Jon
Hammond
 The
13th Annual Cotati Accordion Festival was held at La Plaza Park
in Cotati, California on August 23rd & 24th. Attendance was
very high and the famous "Lady Of Spain-a-ring" had more
participants than ever before! This began with a flock of white
doves being released. Two choruses of Lady Of Spain followed by
a rousing group version of "Beer Barrel Polka". One lady
did the bellow shakes through the entire Lady of Spain (2 choruses)
and Beer Barrel Polka!
 "The
Great Morgani" entertained with accordion favorites such as
"I Can't Give You Anything But Love Baby" and "Theme
From The Godfather" in a full black "Accordion-Man"
suit complete with black gloves. A feat even in comfortable weather,
but even more so in 90 degree F temperatures!
 Jazz
accordionist Jimmy Hillman & Friends played a program of standards
including Duke Ellington's "Take The A Train", Angel Eyes,
All Of Me, and a Bossa Nova "Watch What Happens".
 Over
3,000 people enjoyed over thirty accordion acts running continuously
on 2 stages, a Polka Tent running daily and a variety of vendor
booths.
 Entertainers
included The O'Grady Family, Golden State Accordion Club Band, Marcelo
Tango (Odile Lavault), Lou Jacklich with Jeremy Jeans, Fancy Pans
Steel Drums, Sev Garcia, The
K Trio, Alex Meixner, The Great Morgani, Jimmy Hillman &
Friends, Jim Boggio Scholarship Presentation, Tocanto, Guy Klucevsek,
Those Darn Accordions, Mark Growden & The Electric Pinata, Salaam
Shalom, Jason Webley, Len Wallace, Trio Paradiso (Rich Kuhns), Janet
Todd, Patricia Bartell, Daniel Thonon & Les Temps Des Cerises,
Georges Lammam Ensemble (Elias Lammam) and Dr. Loco & Sus Tiburones
del Norte (Jose Cueller).
  In
addition there were plenty of used accordions for sale plus music,
recordings, cases/gig-bags, and all types of accessories. Steve
Balich Polka Band & Friends entertained daily in the Polka Tent
which had a huge wooden dance floor and Al Rapone's Zydeco Express
performed both days in the Cotati Community Center for the "Cajun/Zydeco
Dance Party".
|
| |
|
|
|
3rd Pakefield International Accordion Festival
- England
  The
3rd Pakefield International Accordion Festival will be held from
September 12th to 16th at Pontins Holiday Centre, Kessingland, near
Lowestoft, Sussex, presented by the "Accordion Profile"
monthly magazine and organized by co-Editor Heather Smith.
The event will include performances by international
accordionists such as Giancarlo Caporilli (Italy), Claude Thomain
(France) and Duo
Paris-Moscou (France/Russia). UK artists will also entertain
such as Norvic Concordia, Charlie Watkins, David Lukins, Gary
Blair, Heather Smith, Bert Santilly and Peter Ayers.
A variety of workshops will be given by Gary
Blair (Scottish), Bert Santilly (Jazz & Beginners), Peter
Whiteley (Elementary Orchestra), Brian Jenkins (Intermediate Orchestra),
Johnny Coleclough (Buskers), David Lukins (Latin American), John
Nixon (Big Band), Heather Smith (Vintage Accordions) and Peter Whiteley
(MIDI).
Gary Blair will also play for Scottish Dancing
and Peter Whiteley & Adrienne Sharpe will play for Ballroom
Dancing.
Other events include daily "Free &
Easy" sessions with Adrienne Sharpe, Late Night 'Jazz 'n' Jam'
with David Lukins, auction of accordions with Frank Swindell &
Johnny Coleclough. "Songs of Praise" on Sunday with Adrienne
Sharpe and trade stands by WEM (Charlie & June Watkins) and
The Accordion Shop (Bev Lovell).
For further details email Heather Smith at:
heather@accordions.karoo.co.uk
|
| |
|
|
|
Successful 7th Annual Festival of La Cumbre, Córdoba
- Argentina
 Contributed
by Angel Russo
The 7th Annual Festival of La Cumbre, was held
successfully in front of a large audience on August 16th in Córdoba,
Argentina. Each year accordionists from the whole country perform
a variety of musical styles (classical and popular) at the festival.
The event organizer gave thanks to the following performers Italo
Conti (Córdoba), Beatriz Rossi (La Falda), Acordeorama (La
Cumbre, Conjunto de Cinco Acordeones) Alberto Bielewicz (Córdoba),
Coqui Soria (Capilla del Monte), B. Llabres Yn Gimenez (Córdoba),
Pablo Molina y su Trío (La Falda), Florencia Herrera (Paraná),
Aldo Taborda (Paraná) and Raúl Varelli (Paraná,
Trío de Acordeones).
 Representing
the Asociación Internacional de Acordeonistas (A.I.D.A.),
(International Association of Accordionists)Ernesto Scelza (President),
Anibal Gomez (Vice President) and Mateo Arcuri (Treasurer) attended
the festival. At the end of the show, 20 accordionists who interpreted
popular songs performed a grand finale.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Trophée Mondial de l'accordéon
National Qualifications - France
 The
Trophée Mondial de l'accordéon national qualification
competitions took place at Selle sur le Bied in Loiret earlier this
month. Organized by Frederic
Deschamps (Trophée Mondial de l'accordéon delegate),
the event attracted large numbers of accordionists who competed
in a variety of traditional and contemporary categories with variety
and jazz pieces.
The event finished with an accordion musette
ball evening with entertainment by Jerome
Richard and his orchestra.
The City Council, the Regional Council and the
committee for the event, were a little unsure about an accordion
event at the beginning, but quickly changed their minds after discovering
what the accordion is capable of. They have already confirmed a
date for next year.
Results:
Traditional Senior:
Aude Giuliano
Mathilde Royet
Traditional Junior
Simon Barbot
Senior Variety
Amélie Castel
Phil Bouvier
Junior Variety
Guy Giuliano
|
| |
|
|
|
Hot Tango Show a Success - Australia
The hot tango show "Estampas Porteñas"
was successfully on stage at the Sydney Opera House Studio from
August 12th to 16th. Prior to this, residents in Christchurch (New
Zealand) were given the opportunity to attend the show from July
29th to August 2nd.
Estampas Porteñas traces the history
of tango, from its origins in the red light district of Buenos Aires
(Argentina) to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties; and its evolution
to the world of contemporary ballroom and the music of Astor Piazzolla.
The shift in mood is achieved through changes in costume, lighting,
music styles and dance steps, offering a panorama of tango through
the ages. The show was created in Buenos Aires in 1996 by the distinguished
Argentine ballerina and choreographer, Carolina Soler.
Bandoneonist Hugo Satorre performs with Estampas
Porteñas. For future performance information email: hugosatorre@hotmail.com
|
| |
|
|
|
 Jyderup
Festival - Denmark
 Over
3,000 people daily attended the Jyderup Festival, held in Jyderup,
Denmark from August 15th to 17th. Many popular performances were
given by international guests and local accordionists. Performers
included Reerso, Fladsa, Gladsakse, Karlebo, Ebeltoft, Brondby &
Jyderup Harmonikaklubs, Oleg
Sharov (Russia), Alexandre
Poeluev (Russia), Roman Jbanov (Russia) and Domi Emorine (France)
- Duo Paris
Moscow, Tunnbybâlgene, Leif Linderoth, Broderne Lindqvist,
Alf Hagedal, Broderne Fârm, Scaniasextetten, Staffansorps
and Dalby Dragspelklubs, (all from Sweden), Ivar Th. Dagenborg,
Happy Skvett and Bjørn Fredriksberg, (all from Norway), Vincenzo
Abbracciante (Italy), Mogens Baekgaard, Carlo Haas, Lille Palle,
Bjarne Gru Knudsen, Aase & Preben Olsen, Lordag Formiddag, Arne
Morsing & Hermann Gerring, Tre pâ Kassen, White Wables,
Henrik Jensen, Kristian Jesper & Jens Peter and Bornrod Trio
(all from Denmark).
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Huntsville Music Festival - USA
Accordionist Dr. William Schimmel will perform
with the Tango Project at the Huntsville Music Festival in Huntsville,
Alabama on September 5th. The following week (September 14th), he
will perform with the jazz group "Odeon" at the Lake George
Jazz Festival in Lake George, New York.
Dr. Schimmel's master class and concert series
sponsored by the American
Accordionists' Association "Bad Renaissance People"
is currently underway until August 31st at the Tenri Cultural Institute
of New York, where he will sign autographs for his new book "The
Best Of The Accordion E-Newsletter".
For further details on the festival performances
email: gwilliamandmicki@aol.com
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Tribute Dinner for Accordionist - New Zealand
Contributed by Heather
Masefield
The Musicale Accordion Orchestra held a tribute
dinner for member and lead accordionist Campbell Bettridge (3rd
prize winner - 2002 Coupe
Mondiale Piano Accordion Class) on August 26th at Pillinis Restaurant
in Takapuna, Auckland.
The tribute was held as Campbell will marry
Han on August 30th in Auckland and the orchestra wanted to send
the couple their best wishes for a happy future.
After the dinner President of the NZAA,
John Statham read a formal tribute from the NZAA. This was followed
by messages of support from Accordions
Worldwide Director Harley
Jones (Fiji), Bernadette
Conlon (Australia) and Accordions Worldwide USA representative
Kevin
Friedrich.
Campbell's accordion students then sang one
of Campbell's favourite teaching pieces: "Charlie the Chimp"
(from Palmer Hughes Book 1) accompanied by Roseanne Rosario, except
they changed the words to "Campbell the Champ" with 4
verses about his teaching.
To round off the evening accordionists Stephanie
Poole & Stephen Vincent provided a great deal of entertainment
with an item based loosely on Gary
Daverne's "Land of Maui" that had been performed on
the tours that Campbell had made with the Air
NZ Accordion Orchestra.
Campbell then stood up to reply, thanking all
involved for the time & organization of the evening. He said
he & Han were looking forward to their life together, mentioning
his 20 year involvement with the accordion.
|
| |
|
|
|
End of Year Concerts at "Voglia D'arte"
Music Academy - Italy
 The
"Voglia D'arte" Music Academy, directed by Renzo
Ruggieri concluded the 2003 school year with two important events:
examinations and an end of year performance by the students in Roseto
degli Abruzzi (TE).
 Four
young artists, Luca Perletta, Donato Santoianni, Mario D'Amario
and Davide Tulli, presented a repertoire ranging from modern music,
to jazz and entertainment. This was followed last month by final
examinations and a performance involving all the students.
The board of examiners was composed of prestigious
names such as Mirco
Patarini, Romina Guarino and Renzo
Ruggieri.
Exam results:
Luca Perletta was admitted to the advanced courses
Mario D'Amario was admitted to the advanced courses
Donato Santoianni graduated in Entertainment
Davide Tullii graduated in Modern Music
Mario D'Amario won a prize for "Best Interpretation"
|
| |
|
|
|
Jazz & Tango Accordion Workshop - Liechtenstein
 Klaus
Paier will tutor a Jazz & Tango Accordion Workshop at the Liechtensteinische
Musikschule in Vaduz on September 20th and 21st. Paier is currently conducting
a similar workshop at the Musikschule Wolfsberg in Austria until August
30th.
For details on the Liechtenstein workshop email: Klaus.Beck@lms.llv.li
|
|
|
Accordionist
Alan Hess and the "Stationary Willberries" played at an
open air concert in Oberglatt on August 23rd. Other band members
Al Lawrence and Mike Williams, flew over from the Isle of Man especially
for the event. The successful concert was recorded on DVD.