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Highlights |
Beltango Quinteto: World Premiere Balkan Tango - La Bombonera - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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The Beltango Quinteto will perform the world premiere of Balkan Tango - La Bombonera at the Halle Marcadieu in Marcadieu, Tarbes, France on August 17th, 2023, at 9.30pm. The La Bombonera show refers to a mythical football stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina where the atmosphere is exceptional. Dancers and the Beltango musicians will “give you this experience”. Band members are Aleksandar Nikolic (bandoneon, Artistic Director), Ivana Nikolic (piano & vocals), Antonija Barna (violin), Bogdan Pejic (guitar) and Petar Holik (double bass). For details email: info@beltango.com |
Fleadh Cheoil Irish Music Festival – Irelandby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() ![]() The festival includes live music events by musicians of all ages as well as competitions. This event is the world’s largest annual celebration of Irish music, language, song and dance and attracts in the region of 500,000 visitors to the host town every year. An opening concert will be held on August 6th, by The Fureys (picture above right) at the Mullingar Arts Centre For The Performing Arts. The Fureys are one of Ireland’s “all-time most acclaimed and influential middle of the road, folk and traditional bands.” Other groups featuring the accordion include “Drops of Green”, “Four Men & a Dog”, Quartet of Dave Munnelly (accordion), Enda Scahill, Mick Conneely and Shane McGowan and “SEOID” (picture below). Competitions will be held for dancing and all instruments including classes for concertina, melodeon and accordion For details email: info@fleadhcheoil.ie |
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34th Carrefour Mondial de l'accordéon - Canadaby Christine Johnstone |
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The 34th annual Carrefour Mondial de l'accordéon international music festival will take place in Montmagny, Chaudière-Appalaches, Quebec, Canada from September 1st to 3rd, 2023. The festival program will present artists from Canada and abroad on indoor and outdoor stages. Download the extensive program: 2023Carrefour.pdf |
Milwaukee Irish Festival - USAby Christine Johnstone |
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The Milwaukee Irish Festival will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA from August 17th to 20th, 2023. Daily concerts will be held at the Henry Maier Festival Park stages including Miller Lite Stage, Lakefront Brewery Stage, Theatre Pavilion, Gaeltacht Stage, Celtic Roots Stage, Vizzy Hard Seltzer Stage, The Snug Stage, John Byrne Stage and Dance Pavilion. Accordion performers include Skerryvore, Henry Girls, Gaelic Storm, Goitse (picture below), Scythian, Leahys Luck and Boxing Banjo. |
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“Chaika Band” at Sydney Folk Festival 2023 - Australiaby Christine Johnstone |
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“Chaika Band” (which includes accordionist Emily-Rose Šárkova), will entertain at the 2023 Sydney Folk Festival. The winter event will be held at Surry Hills, Sydney New South Wales, Australia from August 18th to 20th, 2023, and is a “celebration of folk music, culture and community”. Chaika band’s accordionist Emily-Rose will be making her final guest appearance with the group at this festival. For further concert information email: info@chaikaband.com |
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Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
"Erling Grönstedt 100 Years" Celebrations in Kramfors - Swedenby Jörgen Sundeqvist |
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![]() ![]() Erling Grönstedt is one of Sweden´s most famous and legendary accordionists and one of the first who began playing classical music on the accordion. He was also the first to introduce and teach accordion as a serious instrument in the music schools. The 100th anniversary celebrations began with a VIP ceremony, with 65 invited guests such as important local politicians, artists, cultural personalities, media and press. The official event was arranged at Gudmundrå Hembygdsgård where our famous accordion archive also is located. Many international guests took part in the celebration, including Mirco Patarini (Italy - pictured above right), Kimmo and Aino Mattila (Finland), Active Accordion Orchestra (from Kokkola Conservatory under the direction of Raimo Vertainen - Finland), Pasi Raukola and his three students Samuel, Annabel and Rafael Heikola (from Palmgren Conservatory - Pori, Finland), and Kjell-Harald Langhaug (Norway). Many of Sweden´s leading accordionists also took part in the event such as Esbjörn Ferm (who was Erling Grönstedt´s most prominent student), Nils Fläcke, Håkan Andersson, Tommy Nilsson, Leo Florin, Axel Nordberg, Conny Rehnstedt, Jörgen and Päivi Sundeqvist, Kramfors Dragspelsklubb and others. |
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Accordion for the First Time at Hyvinkää Festival - Finlandby Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions |
![]() ![]() The accordion was featured for the first time in the history of the Hyvinkää Festival in Finland, on July 20th, 2023. The festival is led by renowned violinist Manfred Gräsbeck. Accordionist Jukka-Pekka Kuusela (picture above left) gave the Finnish premiere of Kalle Välimaa’s solo work “Sonata da Camera”. At the same concert Manfred Gräsbeck played the world premiere of Välimaa's “Violin Sonata no 2” with pianist Mariko Furukawa. This concert was the public success at the festival this year. Both Kuusela and Välimaa are graduates of the Gnessins' Academy of Music (class of Friedrich Lips). |
Halsway Manor “Folk Summer School” - Englandby Christine Johnstone |
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![]() The piano accordion tutor is Paul Hutchinson (picture left), who is a regular tutor and musician at Halsway Manor, and the accordion tutor for EFDSS at Cecil Sharp House. The Folk Summer School will celebrate its 10th birthday this year, so there will be music, dance and song for adults of all abilities. Throughout the week, they will “work towards a full-group ensemble piece which includes the whole summer school cohort; a powerful way of bringing everything and everyone in one shared experience, allowing you to learn about how to structure a performance, work together, use all levels of skills (in small and large groups), and create something that’s amazing and all-inclusive!” For details email: office@halswaymanor.org.uk |
Regional Youth Accordion Orchestra Event - Switzerlandby Christine Johnstone |
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The Youth Accordion Orchestra (JAO) invite interested accordionists aged between 12 and 18 years old, from German-speaking Switzerland to an orchestra event this year with Rade Mijatovic. Rehearsals will begin in August, where the group will practice a concert program of 20 to 30 minutes, with the final performance at the 18th Youth Music Festival St. Gallen, Switzerland on September 16th and 17th, 2023. Rehearsal dates as follows: • August 20th, 2023: Rehearsal day • September 2nd and 3rd, 2023: Rehearsal on the 2nd (in the evening) and 3rd rehearsal day • September 15th Rehearsal evening • September 16th to 17th, 2023: performance at the 18th Youth Music Festival St. Gallen, Switzerland Download event information here: 2023JAO.pdf |
Future events |
Antonio Figueroa Trio Concert - Argentinaby Christine Johnstone |
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Accordionist Miguel Figueroa and his band Amanecer Campero, and the Antonio Figueroa Trio will perform in concert at the Club San Martín, San Jaime de la Frontera, Entre Rios, Argentina on August 5th, 2023, from 9pm. See poster for details. |
Akkordeonorchester Schwanenstadt Concert at 2023 Gartenzeit Wolfsegg - Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
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The Akkordeonorchester Schwanenstadt will perform at the 2023 Gartenzeit-Bühne Wolfsegg in Bavaria, Germany on August 5th, 2023 at 3pm. Their program will include a variety of oldies, hits, current hits to listen to and sing along, from Elton John to Die Toten Hosen (German punk rock band). Entry is free of charge. |
C.J. Chenier & Red Hot Louisiana Band Concert - USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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Video: CJ Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band: "Jambalaya" (July 3rd, 2022; Fitzgeralds, Berwyn, IL, USA). Accordionist C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band will perform at Natalie’s Grandview in Colombus, Ohio, USA on August 5th, 2023, at 8pm. Creole-born C.J. Chenier (Clayton Joseph (CJ) Chenie) is known as “the King of Zydeco and Swamp Rock”, performing “soulful vocals along with masterful accordion-driven Zydeco and Blues.” |
“Cherish the Ladies” Perform at O’Carolan Harp Festival - Irelandby Christine Johnstone |
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“Cherish the Ladies” will perform at the closing concert of the O’Carolan Harp Festival, held in St Ronan’s Hall in Keadue, County Roscommon, Ireland on August 6th, 2023 at 9pm. The song and dance ensemble includes accordionist Mirella Murray and Kathleen Boyle (accordion and piano). |
Classical Musicians Scotland Concert, England - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() • August 9th, 2023 from 1.30pm to 2.30pm - ADlibitum (Andrea Gajic - violin and Djordje Gajic - accordion - picture left) at St Wilfrid's Church in Kirkharle, Northumberland, England Classical Musicians Scotland provides emerging and established professional performers for any kind of event across the UK. All musicians are from or based in Scotland, and perform regularly on the classical music scene. For details phone: 0141 942 0023 |
Paul Chamberlain Performs at Edinburgh Festival Fringe - Scotlandby Rob Howard |
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Accordionist Paul Chamberlain will perform with Michael Haywood (saxophone, violin, whistle and clarinet) at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in St Andrews and St George’s Church West in Edinburgh, Scotland on August 11th, 2023. The duo will “perform their unique take on world music…with another thrilling, virtuosic musical journey around Europe and South America.” “Sit back and enjoy the sultry sounds of the tango, Balkan rhythms, Gypsy melodies, French jazz and one or two classical numbers”. |
“Bayan Tonic” Entertains on Dinner Cruise - Swedenby Christine Johnstone |
![]() “Bayan Tonic” which includes accordionists Lars Karlsson and Øivind Farmen will entertain on a Bohuslinjen Dinner Cruise on August 18th, 2023. The cruise will take place on the Gothenburg Archipelago and include a special menu featuring shrimp. The duo has been together for over 15 years performing internationally and on television and radio shows. |
Yegor Zabelov Performs at Culture Festival "Musical Industry" - Polandby Christine Johnstone |
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Accordionist Yegor Zabelov will perform at the 13. Festiwal Kultur "Okno na Swiat" (13th Culture Festival Window to the World) which features an exhibition of works by Rita Staszulonok entitled "Musical Industry". The event will be held at the Nadbaltyckie Centrum Kultury (Baltic Cultural Center) in Gdansk, Poland on August 18th, 2023. Admission is free. On August 26th, 2023, Yegor will perform at the Bydgoskiego Przedmies´cia Cultural Centre in Torun, Poland. For details email: natasha@morezvukov.nl |
2023 Villegenon Accordion Festival – Franceby Rob Howard |
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The 2023 Villegenon Accordion Festival will be held in Villegenon, Centre-Val de Loire, France on August 20th and 21st, 2023, organised by the Villegenon Festival Committee. See poster for details. |
“Accordions Around the World” in New York City – USAby Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor USA Accordion News |
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“Accordions Around the World” will take place at Bryant Park in New York City, USA, on August 25th, 2023 at 7pm. This year's festival curated by Ariana Hellerman features three global bands, women-led projects: Diana Burco's Colombian vallenato, Finland’s Suistamon Sähkö, and an all-female Ragini Ensemble in partnership with Brooklyn Raga Massive. The Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America showcases live and in-person music, dance, and theater events produced in partnership with a diverse and storied lineup of New York City’s performing arts institutions. All performances are free to the public and designed to be enjoyed casually – no tickets required—with ample seating available and free picnic blankets to borrow. Over the past few years, Picnic Performances has grown into one of New York City’s foremost outdoor celebrations of music, theater, and dance. Last summer more than 75,000 people attended the series, and nearly half a million watched the free performance livestreams. For further information: info@bryantpark.org |
Orchestre Pascal Barbaro Entertains at Dancing Trip – Portugalby Christine Johnstone |
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The Orchestre Pascal Barbaro will entertain at a Dancing Trip in Portugal from October 13th to 21st, 2023, organised by the Decouverte Agency Group. The trip will include a cruise on the Dourno and five dance evenings. For details email: contact@decouverteengroupe.com |
Links to Previous News Still Current |
Past News List of Linksby AWW |
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Release of 2023 Coupe Mondiale Rules and Regulations 2022 Coupe Mondiale, October 04 - 09, Switzerland Daily Reports from 05 October |
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2023 AAA Festival Daily Reports 2023 AAA Festival Daily Reports |
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PIF Castelfidardo 2023 Competition Information PIF Castelfidardo 2022 Daily Reports |
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2023 ATG Competition and Festival Photo Report 2023 ATG Competition and Festival Photo Report |
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XXXIV International Festival, Moscow Daily Reports |
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Information 2023 World Accordion Day, 6th May each year |
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2023 Accordion Cruise, Finland Information, News article |
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Accordion Reed Production Article Link |
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Chronology of Production of Italian Accordions Article Link News article about Beniamino Bugiolacchi Article Link |
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Serenellini Know the People Interview News Link |
New and Updated Sites |
Ars Spoletium Acquires the Publishing Rights of Physa Editions - Italyby Harley Jones |
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An important announcement for the accordion has been made: Physa Editions was founded and managed by Francesco Visentin, accordionist and teacher. Scores, books, disks, a very large catalog with intense activity, which then very sadly stopped when Francesco suddenly passed away in 2016. Memorial information: Francesco Visentin Edizioni Musicali e Discografiche Ars Spoletium directed by Mirco Patarini and Gianluca Bibiani, has acquired the rights under an agreement signed with the heirs of the late Francesco Visentin to publish the Physa Editions catalog. Many composers are involved and there are many titles in the catalog that make up a varied repertoire, divided between classical, contemporary to folk genres. There are also numerous teaching methods and book publications, including those by Salvatore di Gesualdo and Aleksi Jercog. Soon it will be possible to purchase scores, in the paper version still in stock, directly through the e-commerce site arspoletium.com (under renovation). While waiting for the platform to be updated, it will be possible to buy the products listed in the three types of catalog below, by contacting Ars Spoletium directly at the following e-mail address: info@arspoletium.com PhysaFormatoA3.pdf PhysaFormatoVerticale.pdf PhysaOrdinate.pdf |
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Photo Report of Accordionists & Teachers Guild International (ATG) Festivalby Harley Jones |
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The Photo Report of the very successful 2023 Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International (ATG) Festival will be published on Wednesday, August 2. This was the 81st Competition & Festival by the ATG and was held in Lisle, IL (Chicago) last week. Report Link: http://www.accordions.com/atg/2023report.php |
Daily Reports: AAA 85th Anniversary Festival - USAby Harley Jones |
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Video: Grayson Masefield two Baroque works. 2023 AAA Festival Color Journal (47 pages): 2023AAAJournal.pdf Gala Banquet & Lifetime Achievement Award Program (20 pages): 2023AAA-GalaProgram.pdf The 85th anniversary celebrations of the American Accordionists' Association! (AAA) festival was held at the Marriott Philadelphia West in Conshohocken, PA, from July 12th to 16th, 2023. Videos have now been added to the Online Daily Reports: 2023AAA85th |
CNIMA August 2023 Workshops – Franceby Christine Johnstone |
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The CNIMA directed by Nathalie Boucheix will hold August accordion workshops with tutors Jacques Mornet and Nathalie Boucheix as follows: • August 7th to 12th, 2023 • August 14th to 19th, 2023 The workshops will cover instrumental work based on the Jacques Mornet method, approach of the accordion as a wind instrument, management of the air column and the bellows, and finding a balance between body and instrument. Participants will work on touch and articulation. For further details email: cnima@orange.fr |
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