The Dargaville Museum proudly presents the
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  The Lighthouse Function Center in Dargaville, New Zealand was filled to capacity for the 14th Annual Afternoon of Music with Kevin Friedrich and Friends, a variety Show featuring accordionists and entertainers from different parts of New Zealand. Accordionist Kevin Friedrich hosted his popular fundraising concert this time called ‘An American Journey’, on 28 March 2021 at 1:00 PM. Presented by The Dargaville Museum - Te Whare Taonga o Tunatahi, the 14th Annual Afternoon of Music with Kevin Friedrich and Friends featured a variety of American or American inspired music. Covering a diverse array of genres the show included Vaudeville to Vegas, Ragtime to Rock n' Roll, Cajun to Country, Broadway to Bluegrass, the Golden Oldies to Gospel and more! Moving to the United States in 1980 to study accordion at the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) with renowned accordion teacher Joan Cochran Sommers, Kevin’s concert showcased a variety of musical styles and some of the popular pieces that pertain to his country of residence, the USA. Guest artists included the North Shore Accordion Orchestra (Auckland) under the direction of both Christine Johnstone and Heather Masefield, Roslyn Gilmour, Jone Yelcich, 'In Accord' a popular accordion ensemble from the greater Keri Keri area, pianist Thomas Koloi, Dargaville’s very own songsters, the Rivertown and Take 6 Singers, young vocalists Abby and Isaac Skelton and Cindy and Mark Vincent on fiddle and guitar. The popular annual Concerts, in addition to the newly added Holiday Shows, are a wonderful Variety Show for all ages, bringing the community and guests together for an afternoon of music and friendship. All proceeds are donated to the Dargaville Museum in support of their efforts to showcase the history of the community for future generations to enjoy. The Dargaville Museum hosts the only public accordion exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere “Accordion Gems, A Master Collection of Accordions Through Time”. Established and curated by Kevin Friedrich, the 140 instruments on display showcase the fascinating evolution of the instrument over its nearly 200 years. New Zealand is almost the only country in the world (2020 and 2021), that, due to no community cases of Covid 19 in the entire country, is able to hold live events with no restrictions. This unique situation enbabled full house concerts to be held as normal. This was the third such capacity audience concert Kevin held during his lengthy time back in his home country of New Zealand from March 2020 to March 2021. Concert photos by Harley Jones, Dawn Taylor, Lorraine and Finn Nielsen. |
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| North Shore Accordion Orchestra (NSAO) -
Christine Johnstone and Heather Masefield, Conductors - God Save the Queen - The Star Spangled Banner by John Smith, arr. Palmer & Hughes conducted by Christine Johnstone Orchestra members: Christy Chen, Kevin Friedrich, Catherine Giorza, Renee Jeffries, Alanah Jones, Harley Jones, Lian Jones, Dennis Lovatt, Mia Liu, Amber Masefield, Grayson Masefield (Concert Master), Jenna Murray, Jan Olsen, Sonja Palinich, Andre Samotoi, Valerie Tay, Annalise Verrall |
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| among the orchestra members were Harley Jones (CIA Public Relations Manager) and Grayson Masefield (CIA World Champion) |
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| - Orange Blossom Special by Ervin T. Rouse, arr. Gary Daverne conducted by Heather Masefield Gary's arrangement includes several light hearted moments between players, this one featuring Grayson Masefield and Kevin Friedrich |
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| - Sounds of the South, arr. Gary Daverne conducted by Heather Masefield Oh Suzanna, Yellow Rose of Texas, When the Saints, Jimmy Crack Corn, Waiting for the Robert E Lee, Steam Boat Bill, Deep in the Heart of Texas and Dixieland |
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Kevin Friedrich (Accordion) |
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Abby and Isaac Skelton (Vocals and Ukuleles) |
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| Roslyn Gilmour (Vocalist) - Basin Street Blues (1928) by Spencer Williams - Ain't Misbehavin (1929) by A. Razaf, Thomas "Fats" Waller & H. Brooks with Thomas Koloi (Piano) and Linda Emmett Litt (Percussion) |
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| Take 6 and Rivertown Singers - Down to the River to Pray, trad. arr. Daniel L. Chunko - Old Time Religion Medley, trad. Spirituals, arr. Mark Hayes Old Time Religion, Standin’ in the Need of Prayer, Down by the Riverside, Do Lord Rivertown Singers: John Bennett, Ian Stoddart, Ming Ming Edgar, Geoffrey Prentice, Ray Sofio Take 6: Hilary Herd, Anneke van der Putte, Lynley Clements, Mariann Warne & Rachel Kidd |
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| - Summer Sunshine by Stas Venglevski One of the many spectacular and coloful sunrises on the family farm near Baylys Beach, New Zealand |
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| A Kingfisher admiring the perfect reflection of one of the many swans making their home on the Lake Kevin Friedrich (Accordion) - Summer Sunshine by Stas Venglevski |
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| The masterpiece web of the tiny Spider |
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| - The Entertainer (1902) by Scott Joplin |
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| Cindy and Mark Vincent (Fiddle and Guitar) - Comes A Time by Neil Young - Sweetest Waste of Time by Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson - I am a Pilgrim (1864) trad. Hymn - You Ain't going Nowhere (1967) by Bob Dylan |
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| Ros Presley (Vocalist) - The King and I Medley with Thomas Koloi (Piano) and Linda Emmett Litt (Percussion) |
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| ‘In Accord’ - I've Been Working on the Railroad, trad. Folk - Kentucky Waltz by Bill Monroe - Sloop John B/Heart of My Heart/Marching Through Georgia by Wilson/Ryan - Moon River by Henry Mancini Marie Kerr, Debbie Raphael, Netty Vermeulen, (Accordions), Reg Hamilton (Guitar) |
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| Maurice Jones (Accordion) and Alanah Jones (Vocalist) - Georgia On My Mind by Hoagy Carmichael & Stuart Gorrell - Rockin’ Robin by Leon René (Jimmie Thomas) |
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| Jone Yelcich (Vocalist) with Take 6 and Rivertown Singers - Ol’ Man River (1927) from “Show Boat” by Jerome Kern with Thomas Koloi (Piano) and Cindy Vincent (Violin) |
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| Kevin Friedrich (Accordion) - American Waltz Medley When I Grow Too Old To Dream (1934) by S. Romberg Sidewalks of New York (1894) by Charles B. Lawlor & James W. Blake Let Me Call You Sweetheart (1910) by Leo Friedman & Beth Slater |
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| Kevin Friedrich (Accordion) - Adios Nonino (1959) by Astor Piazzolla (New York, in memory of his father) - performed with a Tango Exhibition Multi Media Presentation. |
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| Thomas Koloi (Piano and Vocals) - Bring It On Home to Me by Sam Cook |
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| Jone Yelcich (Vocalist), Thomas Koloi (Piano) - My Mammy/Sonny Boy by Donaldson, Young, Lewis/Henderson & Brown |
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| Kevin Friedrich (Accordion) - The Roarin' 20s Happy Days are Here Again (1929) by Milton Ager Sweet Georgia Brown (1925) by Ben Bernie & Maceo Pinkard If You Knew Susie (1925) by Eddie Cantor |
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| - Star Wars by John Williams For Star Wars, to add the symphonic touch, young Annalise Verrall was enlisted to provide the cymbal crashes. Annalise is assisted by her grandmother, accordionist and Weekend Manager at the Dargaville Museum, Christine Johnstone, |
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| - Jambalaya (On the Bayou) by Hank Williams with Roslyn Gilmour (Vocalist) and Linda Emmett Litt (Percussion) |
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| Kevin Friedrich (Accordion), Take 6 & Rivertown Singers - American Trilogy by Mickey Newbury Dixie by Daniel Decatur Emmett All My Trials, trad. American Gospel Song The Battle Hymn of the Republic by William Steffe with Jone Yelcich and Linda Emmett Litt (Timpani/Percussion) |
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In introducing the work "Summer Sunshine" composed by friend Stas Venglevski, a well known concert artist, teacher and composer in the United States, Kevin explained that he had been inspired by the music to offer some visuals during the performance.