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18th Annual Las Vegas International Accordion Convention Report - USAby Heather Masefield |
The 18th Las Vegas International Accordion Convention ran from 23rd to 26th October 2017 at the Gold Coast Hotel. Full report with pictures at 2017LasVegas Attendees were from many parts of the USA, Canada, Brazil, Austria, France, New Zealand, Australia and Switzerland. This event used the ballroom for meals and concerts, has a store where music, accordions, clothing and CDs are sold and has 2 large rooms for masterclasses along with a smaller concert venue. All lighting, sound and technical equipment is trucked from Utah in a Uhaul truck. Before the convention began, a group of Concerto players had a dinner and a class on Sunday 22nd October. Providing masterclasses and concerts were (alphabetical order): Gina Brannelli, Kim and Dan Christian, Liz Finch, Gordon Kohl, Grayson Masefield, Cory Pesaturo, Joan Sommers, Mary Tokarski, Stas Venglevski and Michael Zampieni. 2017 Honorees were: Gordon Kohl, Prof. Joan Sommers, and picture left, Accordion Leadership Award to Paul Pasquali. Tributes to Dick Contino were made by his son Pete and wife Judy and throughout the event by many players. Orchestra rehearsals under the baton of Joan Sommers were held daily and their performance closed the event with Lady of Spain. Thank you to Paul Pasquali. I look forward to next year - 15th to 18th October 2018. Picture below: Cory Pesaturo, Grayson Masefield and Stas Venglevski Full report with pictures at 2017LasVegas |