Contributed by Alan Powell

The 44th Annual Sidmouth Festival was held from July 31st to August 7th in Sidmouth, Devon. From a small get together of families it is now believed to be the largest festival of its kind in the UK.

At this year's festival, the vast range of free reed instruments was very much in evidence, including concertinas, melodeons and accordions. On the professional stage, accordions were well represented and accompanied a troupe of Ukrainian and competition dancers.

Trade stands were busy and there was much interest in microphones with long standing discussions on the various problems, options and preferences.

Contributed by Frédéric Deschamps

A popular festival week was held in Alcobaça, Portugal from July 18th to 26th organised by Annibal Freire. During the festival concerts were given by accordionists Friedrich Lips (Russia), Viacheslav and Natasha Semionov (accordion and domra, Russia), Frédéric Deschamps (France) and J. Marroni Inaki Dieguez (Spain). These were all well received by the enthusiastic audience.

Contributed by Christine Adams

Music, fun and sun was the call for the North Shore Musicale Accordion Orchestra (Auckland, New Zealand) trip to Brisbane and Cairns, Australia. The 8-day tour included concerts, accordion social events and lots of sightseeing. On August 9th, the orchestra performed at the Albert Waterways Community Hall, Surfers Paradise to a capacity audience of over 300 people, organised by the Queensland Accordion Club. Also performing were John Cave, John Colville, Peter Crawford Quartet, Maurice Jones and Erica Knights (vocals), Grant "Yogi" Martin, the Leo Mazzei Quartet and Lionel Reekie.

The orchestra then traveled to Cairns where they performed at an outdoor concert on August 14th to an enthusiastic audience. This popular concert was organised by the Cairns Italian Club who also provided dancing and singing. The following evening, Lionel Reekie and Maurice Jones entertained diners at "Damari's" Restaurant. This event was so popular that people were queuing for tables.

Contributed by Franz Hochwimmer

The Salzburger Akkordeonverein Saalfelden (Austria) recently completed their three-week around the world concert tour. Their first stop was Los Angeles (USA) where the musicians, gave the first of their 15 concerts at the "Old German Village".

They then traveled to Hawaii to play at a concert organized by Pepi Pesentheiner, who was born in Saalfelden and now lives in Hawaii. Their next stop was the Fiji Islands, where they gave first ever accordion orchestra concerts in Nadi and Suva to enthusiastic audiences, including members of the Fijian government.

Two days later they arrived in New Zealand to meet old friends and perform at two sell-out concerts organised by the North Shore Accordion Orchestra, Auckland, where they received standing ovations at both concerts.

Their final 8 concerts were held in Australia. They performed in Melbourne, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Perth and Sydney where they took part in the ASA championships, winning the "Showmanship" and "Classics" categories.

Contributed by Dennis Gurwell

On August 14th, Bennie & the Swamp Gators Zydeco Band performed a successful concert at the South Pasadena War Memorial Hall, South Pasadena. Their next performance will be at a benefit dance for Jo Jo Reed on August 23rd in Gardena. Also performing will be Bonne Musique Zydeco, Jon Grant and Friends, Bonnie Thomas, Joel Breaux and Friends and David Souza. All proceeds will go to the Jo Jo Reed Medical Trust Fund.

Following this the group will play at the African Market Place Cultural Fair, Rancho Cienega Recreation Center Park, Los Angeles. Their 2-hour concert will be held at the Amphitheater Stage on Sunday August 30th.

For further information email: cozey@ix.netcom.com

Contributed by Frédéric Deschamps

From August 1st to 15th Frédéric Deschamps held a 2-week course in Saint Etienne. Thirty students practised for an average of 8 hours a day in preparation for competitions and examinations which will take place in autumn. These will include the finals of the National APH Competitions, entry exams for the Paris Conservatory, Trophée Mondial, Coupe Mondiale, and International Competitions in Castelfidardo. Students who took part included Marielle Roy, Vincent Peirani, Jérôme Richard and Arnaud Guimard.

The Irish Times included an article recently about the annual Aonach Paddy O'Brien Festival, which will be held from August 20th to 25th in Nenagh. Over 20,000 traditional Irish music fans are expected to attend the event which will be focusing on the accordion.

Contributed by R. Vincent

The Golden State Accordion Club, California held their August meeting on the 11th in Vacaville. A variety of music was performed including polkas, ballads, quadrilles, jazz and contemporary music. The club is a social organisation, which aims to encourage interest in accordion playing, promotion and education of all bellows driven instruments. They currently have over 170 members performing on accordions and melodeons.

Contributed by John Dickson

The recently formed Perth Accordion Club held their first meeting on August 16th at the Inglewood Civic Centre, Inglewood, Perth. Sixty three people attended this function with entertainment provided by more than a dozen accordionists. Regular meetings will be held on the third Sunday of each month and anyone with an interest in accordions is most welcome to attend. Future plans for the club include the formation of an accordion orchestra.

For further information email: jdickson@global.net.au

Contributed by The Classical Free-reed

The weekly newspaper "Flagstaff Live!" (Arizona) recently featured an article about a movie directed by local filmmaker Morgan Boatman entitled "Princess Isabelle". The movie is about a woman's quest for a special accordion named Princess Isabelle. The film is due to be released in early 1999.

For more information email the director: wintercom@aol.com

Contributed by Toru Katou

On August 23rd, a "Remembrance Concert" for the late Ms Kazuko Watari will be held at the Zentokuji Temple, Minami ward, Hiroshima at 1 pm. Guest accordionist Go Akagi from Kitakyushu, will perform at the event. For further information phone: + 81 82-255-2910

Contributed by Linda Lewis Lieberman

The "2nd Annual Central Iowa Traditional Dance and Music Festival" will be held at the Memorial Union, Iowa State University Campus, Ames, Iowa from September 18th to 20th.

The festival will include a tribute to the Squeezebox with music and workshops by Mike Briggs (Contra, and Scottish tunes), Dan Newton (Cajun, swing, and jazz) and a band workshop with "Pig's Eye Landing". There will also be lots of jamming and private lessons will be available.

For further information email: lindasuzan@aol.com

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

On July 16th Renzo Ruggieri's School of Accordion and Keyboards celebrated the end of this year's courses with final examinations and performances by the students in Roseto degli Abruzzi, Teramo. Successful accordionists were Daniele Di Luca, Osvaldo Guarnieri, Moreno Straccialini and Enrico Massi. The board of examiners included well-known musicians Cesare Chiacchiaretta and Giuseppe Patriarca.

On July 19th students and their families went on a pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Saint Gabriel, Teramo, where they attended a ceremony officiated by Father Nike (a friar who is also a popular dancer and a rap singer). At the end of the service Father Nike blessed the students' instruments.

Contributed by Rolf Hutter

The accordion seminar "Unterägeri" 1998 will be held from October 30th to November 1st at the Seminar Hotel, Ägerisee Lake, Unterägeri. This seminar is for accordionists and accordion orchestra directors and conductors, with lecturers by Wolfgang Russ, Stefan Hippe and Roman Christoffel.

For further information phone: + 41 1 860 78 55

Contributed by Suzy Thompson

On September 26th and 27th the California Cajun Orchestra will perform at the 2nd Annual Cajun-Zydeco Experience at Ardenwood Historic Farm organised by the East Bay Regional Park District. Also appearing at the festival will be Motor Dude, the Aux Cajunals, Tee Fee, Zydeco Magic, Tete Rouge, Zydeco Flames, and special guests Joe Simien and George Broussard.

Orchestra members Danny Poullard (accordion), Suzy Thompson (violin), Eric Thompson (guitar), Sam Siggins (bass) and David Hymowitz (drums) play traditional Cajun music, zydeco tunes and many unusual tunes that accordionist Danny Poullard learned from his father, John Poullard Snr., who was an old-style Creole accordionist.

For further information phone Maryanne: + 1 510 635-0135 Ext 2513

Contributed by Heather Smith

The Prestatyn Accordion Festival will be held from September 18th to 21st at the Pontin's 'Sands Hotel', Central Beach, Prestatyn, Wales organised by International Accordion Festivals - UK. The event entitled 'Best of Accordion Music' has been designed to suit all age groups and will feature Harry Hussey (Jazz & Swing), Ray Bodell (Raymond's Technique Review), Douglas Muir (Scottish Accordion Techniques), Ken Farran & Wendy Beautement (Band & Group Formation) and Heather Smith (Vintage Accordion Orchestra - 'Vintage' being the age of the instrument, not the player !!)

There will also be Scottish dancing with music played by Douglas Muir, and ballroom dancing with music played by Heather Smith.

For further information email: ThomasDuncan@compuserve.com

Contributed by Paul Rogers

"Those Darn Accordions" have planned a "Wild Weekend in Oregon"! On September 10th they will be performing at Viva Downtown, Redding, California. The following evening they move onto Oregon where they will play at Berbatti's Pan, Portland and on the 12th at Ashland Creek Bar & Grill, Ashland.

Contributed by Chris Timson

Concertina players Anne Gregson and Chris Timson recently performed at the Folkfestival Gutenbrunn in Austria. During their performance, the Austrian TV channel ORF filmed them playing a waltz, which they followed up by interviewing them on the subject of concertinas. This was then shown on Austrian TV that night.

The duo perform a mixture of traditional songs from England and America, together with contemporary songs, many written by Anne. They have just returned from performing at the 44th International Sidmouth Festival.

Contributed by Toru Katou

On August 23rd, the third "Summer Concert" will be held at the Takatsuki City Shogai Gakushu Center Hall, Takatsuki, Osaka at 1pm. Accordionist Ryuji Horibe and his students will perform at this event and admission is free. For further information phone Mr Horibe: + 81 6-386-5554

Contributed by Karen Gerlovich

The Wendinger Band have an "Alpine Adventure Tour" planned from September 21st to October 1st. Band members include Peter and Paul Wendinger on concertinas. The group perform a wide variety of music for all occasions including dance music. Following their September tour, they will be travelling to perform in Ireland in October.

For further information phone: + 1 507-359-9014

Dear Wayne,

I have read the background, history, etc. on Accordions Worldwide. I am impressed with the wealth of information and with how widespread interest in the accordion is. I am proud to be able to play, especially in light of all the people I see throughout your site.

Harry Stumpf

Thanks for the nice comments Harry. We are always looking to provide the accordion world with an excellent resource!

Best wishes,

Wayne Knights
Webmaster
Accordions Worldwide
http://www.accordions.com