Share
by Rob Howard
|
![]() ![]() Something for Everyone at Caister Accordion Festival – England Contributed by Mike O'Regan From November 10th to 13th the Haven Holiday Camp in Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk, England, became the focus of accordionists and accordion fans from the UK and abroad. The Caister Accordion Festival is fast becoming a major world event, and this year certainly added to its fame. The weekend was a mixture of contrasts. At one time the stage was occupied by Serge Duchesne (Canada), playing the latest in technology, an electronic, radio-controlled accordion, while later a band solely consisting of “vintage” accordions performed. There were numerous concerts by international competition winner Frédéric Langlais and Italian Vincenzo Abbracciante and later the same stage was used by amateur players, some of whom were playing for the first time in public! The “age” contrast came from 5 year old Andrew Lukins, playing with his mother and father (both professional accordionists). Andrew’s grandfather was a very well-known broadcasting accordionist in the 40’s and 50’s. At the other end of the time scale was “Mister Jimmy”, at the age of 88 and still a performing professional. On Saturday morning an attempt was made to break the Guinness Book of Records figure for accordionists playing simultaneously. A group of 201 played a short medley of Scottish Airs. The weekend had something for everyone, with workshops, impromptu bands and orchestras and even meals were eaten to the accompaniment of Harry Hussey. Guest of honor was Giancarlo Borsini, head of the Italian firm that bears his name. |