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55. International Accordion Competition Klingenthal 2018 - Germanyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() ![]() The event features: - International competition categories for soloists and groups, for concert and entertainment music, for children through to open categories. Full competition rules and category information, entry forms at: 2018Kling.pdf The event also features concerts by famous performers and an international jury of well known teachers. Entry closing date is 31st January 2018. View the 2017 Daily Reports of results, pictures and video at: 2017 Klingenthal Klingenthal, is known as a city of music at the foot of the Aschberg mountain in the beautiful Vogtland region. Mayor of Klingenthal Thomas Hennig (picture right) invites accordionists of all nationalities and countries and their friends to the 2018 Klingenthal International Accordion Competition. |
Coba Honored by City of Castelfidardo - Italyby Holda Paoletti-Kampl |
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![]() Famous Japanese accordionist Coba and his Japanese band were performing on the 7th October evening at the Teatro Astra in Castelfidardo. Earlier in the day, Yasuhiro Kobayashi, stage name Coba was honored by the City of Castelfidardo with Honorary Citizenship for his musical achievements which include: - 37 albums with millions of copies sold; - collaboration and tours to the most prestigious venues with some of the worlds most famous performers and pop singers; - an innovator who has radically transformed the accordion image by inserting accordion so successfully into the pop world; - one of the most important Japanese musicians on the international stage. Mayor Roberto Ascani said: "We celebrate a star musician and also a model, a great one, who honors his presence with the simplicity and affection of a friend." Coba with glittery eyes thanked saying: "At the time when there were no smartphones, the internet or even the fax, the information was very little, yet when I saw the text made in Castelfidardo on the back of the accordion, I decided to come here. At 18, I arrived at Ancona Station. I waited two hours for Excelsior's agents to begin that day and I started to understand how things worked in Italy: I had to arrange them! By establishing a strong friendship with Peppino Principe, Valentino Lorenzetti, Wolmer Beltrami and Gervasio Marcosignori at the time on the crest of the wave, studying Adamo Volpi's music, this was an amazing period. Italy has changed my life and has given me everything, especially Castelfidardo, the homeland of the accordion where I built my musical culture." Picture below is Coba with his fan club and below that, Coba performing with his band. Also present was the Asian TV network Nhk who followed him on this trip. |
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Guy Klucevsek Performs with University Orchestra, Pittsburgh – USAby Rob Howard |
![]() The concert program included Guy Klucevsek’s compositions ‘Ratatatatouille’ for accordion and orchestra, ‘Wave Hill’, ‘Flying Vegetables of the Apocalypse’, ‘Stolen Memories’, and Anton Dvorak – ‘Largo: Variations and Theme’ (accordion solo). The program also included Igor Stravinsky's ‘Concerto in D’ for string orchestra and Johannes Brahms' ‘Variations on a Theme by Haydn, op. 56a’. Guy Klucevsek (born 1947) is a versatile musician, and frequently active in new music, jazz and free improvisation. He has released 20+ albums, and has recorded or performed with Kepa Junkera, Dave Douglas, John Zorn, Bill Frisell, Laurie Anderson, and many others. He is also a founding member of the international group Accordion Tribe. In 2010 Klucevsek won a United States Artists Fellow award. For further information email: gklucevsek@mac.com |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Ronnie Brown (1954-2017), Scotland – UKby Rob Howard |
![]() ![]() He was an accordion teacher, MD of the JR Brown Accordion Orchestra, member of the NAO Executive, and organiser of the NAO South of Scotland Area Festival. His JR Brown Accordion Orchestra regularly competed in the UK championships during the 1980s and 90s. Ronnie Brown passed away on October 10th 2017 after suffering for some time with Motor Neurone Disease. Our thoughts at this sad time are with his beloved wife Shelia, children Johnathan, Peter and Kristina. |
Alexander Sevastian’s JS Bach CD, Ontario - Canadaby Rob Howard |
![]() The CD includes ‘Prelude and Fugue a-minor BVW 543’, ‘Chaconne BVW 1004’, ‘Toccata and Fugue D-minor BVW 565’, ‘Passacaglia and Fugue c-minor BVW 582’, and ‘Badinerie’, Choral f-minor BVW 639 and Air’. Born in Belarus, now living in Canada, Alexander Sevastian has won several international competitions, most notably the CIA Coupe Mondiale in Washington DC in 2007. He has performed throughout Canada, the USA, and also Serbia, Italy and Russia. Order the CD at Alexander Sevastian. For further information email: sevastian2004@gmail.com |
Vishtèn Trio Tour of New Zealand - Canadaby Harley Jones |
![]() Pastelle LeBlanc: accordion, piano, percussive dance, vocals Emmanuelle LeBlanc: whistles, octave mandolin, bodhrán, piano, jaw harp, percussive dance, vocals Pascal Miousse: fiddle, mandolin, guitars, vocals The band has performed thousands of shows at international events and venues in Canada, USA, UK, Europe, New Zealand and won a number of awards. New Zealand tour dates: 08 October: Cafe One2One, Ponsonby 11 October: 4th Wall Theatre, New Plymouth 12 October: St Peters Village Hall, Paekakariki 13 October: Kokomai Creative Festival, Wairarapa 14 October: Wellington Museum, Wellington 15 October: Nelson Arts Festival, Nelson |
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2018 Accordion Babes Pin Up Calendar, California - USAby Rob Howard |
![]() Renee de la Prade, the organiser, writes: “Our theme for next year is Calling All Muses. The front cover features Meredith Pangrace of Cleveland, Ohio. In the 2018 edition we'll have artists from the USA, Canada, Germany, France and Portugal. We're an international crew now and I have to say it feels very exciting to not just be a local project anymore...”. The accordionists pictured are all professional players, and not models, and the calendar comes complete with a CD featuring each of them. For further information email: squeezeboxgoddess@gmail.com |
Corey Jeffries Entertaining at Accordion Musuem, Dargaville - New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
![]() On Saturday October 7th, Corey was busking outside the local supermarket playing a variety of well known melodies and much to the delight of shoppers, many of whom could be seen dancing the Birdie Dance in the car park area. The following Monday Corey (picture right) was entertaining locals and visitors in the Accordion Gems area of the Dargaville Museum, which includes a collection of over 200 accordions largely organised by Kevin Friedrich. |
Future events |
Bristol Cajun & Zydeco Festival, England – UKby Rob Howard |
This year’s Bristol Cajun & Zydeco Festival takes place from October 13th to 16th. The venue is The Folk House, 40a Park St, Bristol BS1 5JG The chief festival guests this year are The Po’ Boys, Rough Chowder, Acadian Strings, The Cajun Roosters, and The Flatville Aces. The festival includes Cajun dance tuition with Dennis & Liz, and Zydeco dance tuition with Kay, and jam sessions in the bar. Home cooked food will be available during lunchtimes and early evenings. For further information, tickets, etc, google the Bristol Cajun & Zydeco Festival website. For further information email: lists@simplicityweb.com |
‘Soiree Accordeon’, La Châtaigneraie - Franceby Rob Howard |
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The ‘Soiree Accordeon’ is week-long event, from Saturday October 14th to Saturday 21st at the holiday village La Châtaigneraie, Cantal, in south-western France. The event offers lots of accordion music, dancing, culture, aperitifs, excursions, relaxation activities, from 620€. The price includes accommodation in full board, dinner on Saturday 14th to breakfast on Saturday 21st, all evening entertainment, daily dance aperitifs, access to the Spa, an excursion to Jacky Carles (restaurant and transport), discovery of museum of the Vénazès (transport and entry), archery, aqua gym, orientation course, etc. Accordionists performing include Lionel Beluard, Benedicte Gamba, Patrice Jounier, Florian Lagarde, and the brothers Mickael and Jerome Richard. |
No 1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra Concerts, Liverpool - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() Saturday October 14th, 9pm – The Baltic Social, Parliament St, L8 5RN Sunday October 15th, 2.30pm – The Nordic Church, 138 Park Lane, L1 8HG Founded in 2010 by Karen Tweed, The No 1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra has 16 members, all passionate accordion players from around the UK, with a shifting line-up of up to sixteen performers. This all-squeezing, cake-loving, tea-drinking band of lovely talented ladies has enthralled audiences across the country, in village halls, ballrooms, festivals, fetes, parties, piers and pavilions. With the unexpected sounds of multiple accordions played with sensitivity, versatility and a unique style of charming idiosyncrasy, many an accordion-phobe has been made to think twice! For further information email: no1ladiesaccordion@gmail.com |
Ezequiel Tatich Concerts, Paso Del Rey, Tigre - Argentinaby Rob Howard |
![]() On Sunday October 15th in Paso Del Rey, Ezequiel Tatich is one of the entertainers at The Gran Festival Norteno, a one day celebration of Norteno music and culture. |
Richard Galliano’s October Dates – France, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Switzerland, Hungary, Czech Republicby Rob Howard |
![]() October 14th – 22nd International Guitar Festival, Montpellier, France October 15th – New Jazz Musette, Roubaix, France October 21st – Concerto, Yerevan, Armenia October 24th – Mare Nostrum, Tbilissi, Georgia October 25th – solo and with symphony orchestra, Baku, Azerbaijan October 26th - New Jazz Musette, Ermatingen, Switzerland October 28th – solo and Mikael on Opale Concerto, Budapest, Hungary October 31st – concerto, Prague, Czech Republic For further information email: solathierry@gmail.com |
Monheim-Bamberg Accordion Orchestra Concert, Baumberg - Germanyby Rob Howard |
![]() The concert includes ‘Revirado’, ‘Fuga 9’ and ‘S'il vous plaît’ - Astor Piazzolla, ‘Sway’ – Pablo Ruiz, ‘Summertime’ (variations) – George Gershwin, ‘Frank Sinatra in Concert’ – arranged by Hans-Günther Kölz, and ‘Classic meets Fööss’ arranged by Matthias Hennecke. |
Stockport Accordion Club’s Anniversaries Concert, Cheshire - UKby Rob Howard |
![]() The first Stockport AC was formed in 1937, disbanded during WW2, reformed in 1948 and disbanded again in 1953. In 1956 there was another revival with the formation of the Clifford Wood Accordion Orchestra, disbanded in 1974 and revived in 1987. This band morphed into the present club in 1994, hence the double anniversary. In conjunction with these anniversaries a high quality fully illustrated hardback book, ‘Stockport Accordion Club through the years’ has been written, tracing the club's history, and loaded with members' anecdotes and memories. The concert programme includes Rob Howard – Selection from ‘Oliver’ Stockport Accordion Band - 'Liberty Bell', 'Amapola', 'My Way' Brennan Wilson & vocalist Stella - Piaf songs 'L'accordeoniste', 'Autumn Leaves', 'No regrets' Accordion Spice (quartet) - 'Harmonica', 'Amazing Grace', 'Katyusha' John Curvis & Adrienne Sharpe - 3 Scottish reels Chris Green & Helen Rich - 'Ashokan Farewell' Helen Rich - set to be announced Interval and raffle - with entertainment with John Jones MBE Pearl Fawcett-Adriano - set to be announced Dorothy Brincat - a Scottish medley Phil Watson - set to be announced Dennis Pepler – ‘Gourmand Polka’ (Waldteufel) Chris Green & Betty Molloy - 'Unity March', 'Granada' Scottish Quartet - set to be announced Stockport AC Band - 'Wien bliebt Wien', 'Simple Gifts', 'La Chipanecas' For further information email: robaccord5@hotmail.com |
‘World Café’ Concert, Western Cape – South Africaby Rob Howard |
On Sunday October 22nd, 12.30pm-1.30pm, the trio World Café performs their programme of European music, including some of Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’, at Mountain Shadows Country Manor, Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa. The members of World Café are Stanislav Angelov – accordion, Petrus de Beer – violin, and Schalk Joubert - bass guitar. Stanislav Angelov studied the accordion in his native Bulgaria, and received a degree in accordion in 1991, after which he taught at the ‘Constantine Preslavsky’ University, Shumen. In 1992 he moved to Cape Town, South Africa, where he performs, records and teaches. For further information email: music@goodmusic.co.za |
Milwaukeeby Harley Jones |
![]() Next Regular Meeting October 23, 2017 At Knights Of Columbus Hall, 1800 S. 92nd St. West Allis, WI 6:15 pm Doors Open 6:15 pm Pre Meeting Entertainment -Ralph Novacek 7:30 pm “Polka”Joel Kiekhaefer Band Admission: • Members $3 NonMembers $5 |
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