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CIA Congress Online A First - Finlandby Harley Jones |
The Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (CIA) was formed in 1935 and 85 years later in 2020 has 43 members, many being national accordion organisations. For the first time ever, because of Covid-19 travel restrictions, the CIA is holding a Congress using internet on Saturday evening central Europe time. The Congress led by President Mirco Patarini and Secretary General Kimmo Mattila will discuss the exciting concerts and other plans for the 2021 Coupe Mondiale in Munich, 13-17 October 2021. The host organiser Deutscher Harmonika-Verband e. V., (DHV), delegate Georg Hettmann (picture right), will report their plans to the Congress. The 2021 Coupe Mondiale rules, travel and accommodation details are going to be published before Christmas. Also to be discussed at Congress is the plans for another innovative World Accordion Day (May 6th) with various events around the world plus a major international online program being planned by CIA members in a number countries. A full report of the Congress and future plans for 2021 will be in published here next Friday. |
"Libertango" Aidar Salakhov Perform at International Tango Day, Yaroslavl - Russiaby Ivan Dyma, SaxAkkord Duo |
Video: Aidar Salakhov performing Winter, 1st Movement, from Vivaldi's Four Seasons "Libertango" will perform at the International Tango Day concert on December 4th, 2020. This year’s jubilee concert will be held at the Kino Concert Hall in Yaroslavl, Russia. "Libertango" includes Aidar Salakhov (accordion), Angelica Markova (vocals), Artyoom Fedotov (drums), Rinat Safargaliev (bass), Ilya Ershov (violin) and Oleg Anokhin (keyboards, arrangements and the group director). Their program will include music by Astor Piazzolla, the premiere of new works, a new arrangement of the well known composition Libertango with soloist Aidar Salahov and dancers. Aidar Salakhov is a former student of the Gnesins Russian Academy of Music in Moscow and studied with Prof. Friedrich Lips. He won the 2017 Klingenthal Entertainment Category VI, 1st place in the 2015 Moscow VI International Competition of Bayan and Accordion Players and his brother Lidar won 2nd place in the 2006 Coupe Mondiale. For concert details phone: 8 (4852) 66-25-11 |
AAA Cancels Festival 2021, Conshohocken - USAby Joseph Ciccone, AAA President |
It is with great disappointment that due to the current situation concerning the world pandemic (Covid 19) the AAA Executive Board and Board of Directors have made the necessary decision to cancel the AAA Festival July 14-18, 2021 in West Philadelphia. We are committed to public safety, including that of our many loyal attendees, guests and performing artists and to help support our nation’s strong efforts to help control the spread of COVID-19, we join a long list of events that have already been cancelled. Although the pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways, we always find a silver lining. Look for AAA's new digital ventures through online lectures, seminars, concerts competitions, and the AAA Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony/concert honoring Linda Solely Reed. It will make it easy for us to communicate without missing a beat. There's a wonderful world on Zoom waiting for you! We are looking forward to seeing all our fellow accordionists online. Be safe, stay well and keep the faith! Happy Holidays to All. Warm Regards, Joseph Ciccone, President of the AAA |
Report: Kevin Friedrich “Sounds of the Season” Concert, Dargaville – New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
New York based Dargaville born accordionist Kevin Friedrich, attracted a capacity audience at the Lighthouse Function Centre at the Dargaville Museum for the second time in four months, this time presenting a concert 'The Sounds of the Season' featuing a variety of festive Holiday Music. Full report and pictures: 2020DargavilleSounds All proceeds from the concert are proudly donated to the Dargaville Museum. The concert featured performances by Wendy Dunn, Jone Yelcich, Take 6, Linda Emmett Litt, Lionel Reekie, Rivertown Singers, Roslyn Gilmour, Alanah Jones, Mike Durney, Adrian Humm, Brenda Polwart, Nolene Osbaldiston, Lynn Walters, Sue Marmont, Mike England and Maurice Jones as well as some Pantomime acts offering a lighthearted comedy element. The concert Finale featured appearances by some of the more famous Holiday characters including Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Santa himself, finishing with a popular Christmas Carol Sing-Along. In addition to this second Christmas Concert, Kevin has presented annual fundraising concerts each March with the 14th Annual Concert scheduled to be held on March 28, 2021. Full report and pictures: 2020DargavilleSounds Pictures below: Kevin Friedrich and Lionel Reekie Alanah Jones and Maurice Jones |
Lomond Ceilidh Band Countdown to 2021 Live Online - Scotlandby Christine Johnstone |
Due to popular demand, the Lomond Ceilidh Band will present their “Countdown to 2021 Live” online show on New Year's Eve December 31st, 2020. Ticket holders will have the option of watching live or if more convenient the show will be available for up to one week after the event. They encourage you to send in your special requests and dedications as early as possible (or by December 28th at the latest) to guarantee they're included as they will be trying to fit as many in on the night as possible! They also plan to do some live requests as well. The band was nominated in the Scots Trad Music Awards for online performance of 2020, with results due to be announced on December 12th, 2020. Tickets are now on sale. For details phone: 07967384009 |
Reports for Concerts, Masterclasses, Competitions, Festivals, etc. |
Unique Accordion Competition for Christmas – Franceby Christine Johnstone |
Maugein Accordions have designed a unique accordion competition to help you celebrate Christmas with music. They ask you to become a “designer and show your creativity!” Use their accordion pattern at: ChristmasAccordion.pdf And create your finest Christmas accordion decoration to hang on your Christmas Tree. This could be a family activity during Covid-19 lockdowns for young and old. Email your creations and they will share them on social media. For details email: maugein.accueil@orange.fr |
Video: Balada de Fuego by Paolo Bertoli - Italyby Christine Johnstone |
A lively, rhythmical video by Paolo Bertoli playing his own composition "Balada de Fuego" for your enjoyment. He is accompanied by Marianna Parcianello and Ilaria Coratti (violin), Veronica Solimei (viola) and Marta Salvi (cello) and studio backing track. |
“Vintage Accordion” New Initiative – Spainby Christine Johnstone |
The Orquesta Sinfónica de Acordeones de Bilbao (The Bilbao Accordion Symphony Orchestra) invites you to join ''Vintage Accordion", a free initiative for our beloved instrument, the accordion, which we all embrace with passion. For this you just need to send a photo of yourself with a vintage accordion to: info@bilbaoacordeon.org They will post it in their Vintage Accordion gallery. |
Karen Tweed Online Workshops – UKby Christine Johnstone |
Karen Tweed is running online workshops every fortnight, which she began on November 13th, 2020. The workshops cover lyricism, bellows and techniques to make tunes sing. Karen explores ideas using the tunes: 'O Sole Mio' and Gilles Chabenat's 'Baudimic'. Participants will receive additional notes after the workshop. Karen has also been running Live Slow Sessions online each Monday. For details email: karenstweed27@gmail.com |
Historical Video: Yvette Horner Live on Television 1956 - Franceby Christine Johnstone |
French accordionist and composer, Yvette Horner (1922 to 2018) performs live "Les Triolets" accompanied by the Raymond Lefevre Orchestra on French Television in 1956. She was known for performing with the Tour de France during the 1950s and 1960s. During her 70-year long career, she gave more than two thousand concerts and released around 150 records, selling a total of 30 million copies. For further career details see: Yvette Horner |
Cancelled: 2021 Northern Ireland Open Accordion Championships - UKby Christine Johnstone |
Organisers of the 2021 Northern Ireland Open Accordion Championships regret to announce that the event, which was due to be held in February 2021 has been cancelled due to uncertainties arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. For 2022, the venue, Loughshore Hotel Carrickfergus, has been provisionally booked for 26th February, 2022. Clyde Johnston (picture right) thanks you all for your support and understanding and hopefully the event will be back bigger and stronger in 2022. |
Hohner Conservatory Courses Now Fully Booked – Germanyby Christine Johnstone |
Two Hohner Conservatory Courses are now fully booked. The first is the Certificate course “Styrian Harmonica” with Alexander Maurer (picture left) which is due to begin on November 28th. The second is an online course “Arranging and Music Editing” with Hans-Günther Kölz which starts on December 7th. The Conservatory wishes all participants a lot of fun! |
Cancelled: Milwaukee Accordion Club 2020 Meetings - USAby Christine Johnstone |
The Milwaukee Accordion Club regret to announce that due to the still increasing spread of the COVID-19 virus in Wisconsin, the Board has voted to terminate all indoor meetings until the epidemic subsides, or until members get vaccinated against this virus. They have made this decision with regard to the safety of all members and hope to be able to resume as soon as possible in the New Year. |
Future events |
Online Skerryvore Friday Night Lockdown Live Showby Christine Johnstone |
Video: Skerryvore - An incredibly poignant moment for the band when they performed 'Everyday Heroes' for the first time together during their 'Live Across The World' livestream in September, 2020. Skerryvore (which includes brothers Daniel on accordion and Martin Gillespie on pipes, whistles and accordion) will appear on the weekly online show Friday Night Lockdown Live with Alec on November 27th at 7pm (November 28th 9am UTC+13). The event will include the first exclusive live performance of the new single by the band entitled “You and I”. The group will also perform several other Skerryvore classics as well as cover songs and requests from you all. For details email: info@skerryvore.com |
Mr Accordion Man Performs at 2020 Rotary Jacaranda Festival, Perth - Australiaby Christine Johnstone |
Mr Accordion Man (Frank Miranda) will entertain at the 2020 Rotary Jacaranda Festival at the Applecross Village Shopping Centre in Perth, Western Australia on November 28th, 2020. The festival is a celebration of all things “community” and is a family-friendly day of fun and entertainment with over 150 stalls. Entry is free, although donations are accepted. For details email: events@applecrossrotary.org |
Scythian Online Album Release Show – USAby Christine Johnstone |
Scythian Band, which includes accordionist Dan Fedoryka, will perform an online concert to celebrate the release of their new album “Roots and Stones” on November 29th at 6pm Central Time. This concert is one in an online series entitled “Aoibhneas Sessions” held in conjunction with the Milwaukee Irish Fest, which was begun because Covid-19 had led to many musicians having to cancel concerts and are in need of support now more than ever. For details email: scythianmail@gmail.com |
Jeremiah McLane Online Presentation at Brooklyn Accordion Club - USAby Christine Johnstone |
The next online meeting at the Brooklyn Accordion Club will be held on December 6th from 2pm to 3pm (EDT). This will include Part Two of a presentation by Jeremiah McLane of Breton Larides, a follow up to part one: La Cadence in French Traditional Dance Tunes. For details email: brooklynaccordionclub@gmail.com |
Canterbury Accordion Association Jam Session, Christchurch – New Zealandby Christine Johnstone |
The Canterbury Accordion Association will hold a Jam Session at St Stephen’s Church in Christchurch on November 29th at 3pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Bring your instrument or just come along and enjoy the music. A plate of finger food is appreciated. For further details email: jkperry@xtra.co.nz |
2021 Fairbridge Festival, Marmion – Australiaby Christine Johnstone |
Tickets are now on sale for the 2021 Fairbridge Festival which will be held in Marmion, Australia from April 9th to 11th. The family friendly festival organisers have announced the first group of artists has been announced which will include The Beez (picture left), a “zany and hilarious, oompah-driven, Aussie-pop-classics show that will have you belting out all your favourites”. All tickets purchased for the cancelled 2020 event, will be honoured at the 2021 festival. For details email: hello@fairbridgefestival.com.au |
New and Updated Sites |
Site Updated: Harley Jones Site Updated with New Picturesby Harley Jones |
Harley Jones Site Updated with New Pictures and album information in English and Chinese |
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