We have received many emails from our readers, asking us where they can buy the CD recordings listed in our Yellow Pages and also those reviewed by Tania Lukic-Marx in the CD Reviews section. We are now happy to announce the opening of a new section in the Accordions Worldwide Yellow Pages "CD Recordings for sale", where we will list the CD title, performers, tracks and sale contact details. For more detailed information on listing your CD see: http://www.accordionworld.com/form_cds_comm.cfm

Wayne Knights Webmaster

• Mlawa Accordion Festival - Poland
• 9th International Accordion Prize "Stefano Bizarri" - Italy
• "Di Naye Kapelya" Tour - Holland
• First Concert for 2000 Sold Out - South Africa
• Season 2000 at the Harmonica Museum - Germany
• European Festival of Accordion Orchestras - Czech Republic
• World Champions to attend ATG 60th Anniversary Festival - USA
• "Amigo" Performs in Tokyo - Japan
• Carlotta Accordion Meeting - Argentina
• "Accordion Dreams" Documentary - USA
• Accordion International Competition 2000 - Switzerland
• Successful Accordion Tour - China
• North American Premiere - USA
• Tunbridge Wells Concert - Great Britain
• New Sites
• Articles
• Antique Accordion Information

Contributed by Lech Puchnowski

The Mlawa Accordion Festival and Competition took place from January 26th to 29th in Mlawa, Poland. Over 70 accordionists and ten ensembles (including duos, trios & quintets) from twenty-six music schools and four music academies participated in the event.

The aim of the competition was to select candidates for the Klingenthal and Castelfidardo Competitions later this year. The Jury (with President Lech Puchnowski) chose candidates in a selection of categories including soloists, professional players, chamber groups, accordion with other instruments and duos. The Ministry of Culture and Polish Accordionists' Association will sponsor 18 accordionists in the Klingenthal Competitions in May.

Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif Manager of Friedrich Lips Productions

Entries for the 9th International Accordion Prize "Stefano Bizarri" (held in Morro D'Oro from July 26th to 29th) close on June 1st. Accordionists of any nationality can take part in the event, which is organized by the Morro D'Oro City council, the Musical Association "Stefano Bizzarri", the Abruzzo Region and the local Administration of Teramo.

Categories include classical and variety classes for 12 & under, 14 & under, 16 & under and open age groups as well as an open class for chromium-plated accordions.

For any further information please email: bizzarri@ulisse.org

Hungarian based Klezmer band "Di Naye Kapelya" will tour Holland from February 10th to 27th performing in Leiden, Leeuwarden, Leek, Nijmegen, Utrecht, Breda, Tilburg and Druten among others.

The group consists of Christina Crowder (accordion), Bob Cohen (violin), Janos Bartas (clarinet), Magyari Feri (cimbalom) & Hungaria Kostya (contrabass). Their repertoire includes "Odessa Bulgar", 'Old Time Jewish Music and pieces played by Max Yankowitz.

For details email: crowderc@codec.ro

The first concert this year by Duo 2000 which includes Sergio Zampolli (accordion) and Amarillie Ackermann (harp) on February 5th in Emmarentia, Johannesburg was a sell out! Their popular program included "The Blue Danube" (Strauss), "Amore Scusami" (Mescoli), Prelude to La Traviata (Verdi), "Ebb Tide" (Maxwell) and "In a Monastery Garden" (Ketelbey). The duo will perform this concert series regularly on the first weekend of every month.

Since the end of the 19th century the Hohner company has been working on a globally unique collection of harmonica instruments which is now on display.

On March 26th, the opening day of the new season, modern glass cases will be inaugurated which mean an important improvement in the area of bellow instruments - in terms of quality as well as quantity. A larger amount of accordions and harmonicas can now be presented more attractively. Due to the gift by the Hohner company and private donations, the more recent past, up to the 1990's will now be documented. The focus is on the German orchestra scene, however soloist and export models are also presented. Altogether 180 years of accordion history is being displayed in a representative manner.

In the course of the season films will now be available on DVD. That is a great advantage for visitors who will now be able to access special films and choose between fictional films, documentaries and cult films. Also the film program on the production of harmonica instruments is new and up-dated. Sometimes it will even be possible to see instruments being produced "live".

Contributed by Pavel Svarc

The European Festival of Accordion Orchestras Prague 2000 organizers have confirmed that over 40 orchestras from 14 European countries including the "Stanko Mihovilic Accordion Orchestra" (Croatia), "Accordion Orchestra of National Musical Academy" (Ukraine), "St. Petersburg Concert Orchestra" (Russia), "Daugavpils Accordion Orchestra" and two orchestras from Ireland will attend the event. The festival, which will be held from June 22nd to 25th will include a "Gala Accordion International" concert on the 23rd, a Folklore show, orchestra competitions and a grand opening concert in the famous Smetana Hall in the Municipal House in Prague.

To close the festival, a "Moldau-Boat trip" will be held which will feature a music and dance program, with accordion and folklore entertainment by orchestras and soloists.

Representatives are invited to a "Day of Delegates" at the National House in Prague on April 15th where they will be taken on a tour of the city and given the opportunity to meet festival committee members. For details email: cta@iol.cz

Contributed by Kevin Friedrich

In addition to the 1995 CIA World Accordion Champion Vitali Dimitriev (son of renowned performer and teacher Alexander Dimitriev from St. Petersburg, Russia), the winner of the CIA Virtuoso Entertainment Category, Frederic Baldo (France) will also be appearing at this exciting national accordion convention.

The ATG will celebrate its 60th (Diamond) Anniversary from July 20th to 23rd, at the Lisle/Naperville Hilton, located in the Chicago area. For information on attending, competing or performing at the ATG Competition and Festival, please email ATG President Joan Sommers: SommersJ@umkc.edu

Contributed by Toru Katou

On February 27th "Amigo" (which includes accordionist Ken Ikeda) will perform at the "Kinshicho Hall", Sumida Ward, Tokyo. Their program will include works by Astor Piazzolla and "Brandenburg Concertos" (Bach). For further details phone: + 81 42-320-1931

Argentinean accordionist Florencia Herrera will perform at an accordion meeting "Primer encuentro de acordeones" in La Carlotta, Cordoba Province on March 13th organized by the Italian Association. The event will include guest accordionists Julio Erman "Gasparin" (Buenos Aires) and Ildo Patriarca.

Florencia's repertoire will include "Zorba el griego" (Zorba the Greek), "Lluvia de estrellas" (Rain of Stars Tango), "La Trotola" (polka) and "Marcha Turca" (Turkish March).

Contributed by Evy Ledesma

Documentary filmmaker Hector Galan is currently producing a documentary intended for national PBS broadcast in the USA entitled "Accordion Dreams". This documentary will trace the journey of the accordion from Germany to South Texas, where it became the driving force behind a unique American musical genre called conjunto, a music with German and Mexican influences. This program looks at today's young rebel accordionists who have expanded this musical style to the fringes of rock, metal, and pop, while playing homage to its pioneers.

Galan has already produced "Songs of the Homeland", a documentary featuring the accordion. For further details email: galan@galaninc.com

Contributed by Peter Frey

The Accordion International Competition 2000 will be held from September 22nd to 24th in Reinach AG, Switzerland. The event will include new competition categories this year. Information on competition regulations and test music are now available. For details phone: +41 62 771 79 81

Contributed by Li Cong

American accordionist Betty Jo Simon has held successful concerts in Beijing and Shanghai during her tour of China. Her first concert at the Beijing Accordion Association Annual Meeting included an hour of well received Midi accordion pieces. Following this Betty Jo flew to Shanghai to perform to over 600 Shanghai accordion students at the Teenager's Center in Jing'an District.

Peter Soave will perform with the Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra (directed by Felix Resnick) at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Hall, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan on February 13th. Their program will include the North American premiere of "Suite De Castelfidardo" for bandoneon & strings by Venezuelan composer Aldemaro Romero, and "Oblivion" (Astor Piazzolla). For details phone: + 1 313 438-0780

Accordionist Andy Cutting performed at the Trinity Arts Centre, Tunbridge Wells on February 11th with Kate Rusby and John McCusker. Their next concert will be in Manchester on February 13th. For details see Future Events.

Andy (who is also a member of the "Two Duos Quartet" with fellow accordionist Karen Tweed) released a CD "Sleepless" with Kate Rusby in 1999.

http://www.accordions.com/aata Updated information on the Australian International Accordion Championships and Festival held in May 2000

http://www.accordion.co.nz Updated information on the New Zealand Accordion Association South Pacific Accordion Championships held in June 2000

http://www.accordions.com/scheibenreif/sp_index.htm Information on accordionist Herbert Scheibenreif now available in Spanish

A new article "What I Learned from Accordion Lessons - besides how to play the accordion" by Cheri Thurston, President and founder of Closet Accordion Players of America (CAPA) is now online.

Ronald Baxter would like some information on a Contello piano accordion purchased in the 1960's. If you can help please email: baxter@pop.ucr.edu

Harry would like some information on his "CARMEN" piano accordion that he believes was manufactured between 1938 and 1944. Please email: H20PIGRET@aol.com

Bill Gardner wants details on a Neronde Floatone accordion that he has had since the 1950's. Please email: billgard@aol.com

Andy Levandowski is after information on the Italian made "Sonart" accordion line. Please email: awaterfield@earthlink.net