Accordion Club of the Redwoods

August 26, 2012

News, August 2012

Note from the Editor
I do not know if anyone noticed how few us stepped to volunteer to set up and break down the picnic? I noticed afterward how guilty I was for not asking if help was needed. We need to change that. We are depending to much on others doing the work and we just enjoy. Lets change that!

The Kids are Alright.
The ACR will honor it’s scholarship students at the September 17th meeting. Each scholarship student is required to show their progress twice a year. So this is a time for them to strut their stuff and show us just how much they have improved in the last several months. Please be sure to be there to show your support. Bring your friends along to show them the rising stars of tomorrow. Good luck Kids!

Mark Your Calendars!
Louisiana Gumbo Feed in October
In October we will be in for a real treat. Past ACR President Kris Nelson will be whipping up a Cajun Gumbo prior to the Ocotober 15th meeting.
Don’t worry that it will be too spicy for you. It’s a savory soup of chicken and smoked sausage that will tickle your taste buds, not burn your tongue. The door donation will be $5.00 if you want dinner ($3.00 if you don’t). You will get a ticket with your dinner donation. Which you will need to present to be served. Dinner will be served at 6:00pm and the meeting will start at 7:30pm.

ACR Band Update
The ACR Band will have its next meeting on August 20th, 6:30 before the ACR general meeting. All levels of players are welcome. It helps if you can read sheet music. Bring an accordion and a good measure of enthusiasm. If you would like to play in the band, please contact Steve Balich at 707-874-3494.

Cotati Accordion Festival
Mark your Calendars for August 18 & 19, 2012
9:30 – 8:30 both days.
Announcing the return of Dick Contino and a host of others.
Here is a partial list below (in no particular order).

Dick Contino, Santiago Jimenez & Chris Rybak,The Mad Maggies, Alicia Baker, Amber Lee Baker, Circus Finelli, Polkacide, THAT Damned Band, BlackEyed Dempseys, Chervona, The Sansa and Shiri Show, Gator Beat, MotorDude Zydeco, Copper Box, Roxanne Oliva & KAZAMOZe, Big Lou’s Dance Party, Chuck Berger, Tatiana Semichasnaya, Steve Albini, The Great Morgani, The Golden State Accordion Club Band, Future Accordion Stars (Marjorie Konrad’s students), The Steve Balilch Sr. Polka Band, Jim Gilman, The Accordion Babes Showcase, The Wild Catahoulas, Mark St. Mary, and Peter Robuffo.
Remember When you buy your CAF tickets through the ACR we get a donation from the festival!

Also Cotati Accordion Festival
We have a new ticket seller this year.
Don’t forget to get your tickets from Cathy Patton at (707) 792-0944 for this event, check out at
http://www.cotatifest.com/ for the entertainers and specials.

Filed Under: August 2012, Newsletter

July 28, 2012

The President’s Message

Dear Friends,

It’s ACR picnic time! Once again the time for our annual picnic has arrived, and this year we have a great new location for the event. This year’s menu will consist of home made Italian sausage served with bell peppers and onions, pasta al pesto, great rolls from the French bakery in Sonoma, salad and desert. Of course beverages will be provided as well. Soft drinks, bottled water and keg beer will be included while they last, and we haven’t run short yet. You are welcome to bring any other beverages of your choice.

Dancing will be on a large wooden dance floor in a completely covered barn with one end open to the air. There will be musical entertainment during the picnic and Steve Balich and his band will play for dancing. Come on in and dance and when you need a rest find a place to sit on one of the bales of straw which will surround the dance floor.

The new location has ample shade and ample parking spaces. It’s easy to get to – just off of Highway 116. The ground is flat and level and a great place to stroll around and greet your friends. This is a great opportunity to support your club and your club treasury while you have a good meal and a good time. Bring a guest or two. The picnic is open to all members and their friends and it is one of the three fund raising events we sponsor each year to help defray the clubs operational costs which cannot be covered by your annual dues alone. Your officers and board members are working hard to keep your club financially healthy. You can help by supporting these events and you’ll have a good time in the bargain. Officers and board members will be circulating throughout the day, so if you are a new member come up and say hello and let us know what you think of your club.

If you are a player and would like to perform at the picnic please give me a call and let me know. Next month is August and that means the Cotati Accordion Festival is here again. You can purchase your tickets for Cotati from club volunteer Cathy Patton. This will save you from standing in line and each ticket that we sell earns a donation to our club treasury, so be sure to see Cathy or one of her helpers for your tickets.

Our featured entertainer for the month of August will be great musician and all around good guy Ron Borelli. More about this in the next issue, but remember not to miss the August meeting.

Finally, I would like to send out a huge thank you to Hanna Sweet, widow of our late friend Norman Sweet for her generous accordion donation to our club. Thank you Hanna, we appreciate your generosity.

Tony Mustaro
President
Accordion Club of the Redwoods

Filed Under: July 2012, Newsletter

July 26, 2012

June 2012 Entertainment

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First up was the younger of the Steffan brothers, Christopher, on his Giulietti accordion. Christopher did an outstanding job on some ethnic numbers: a Tarantella, Mexican Hat Dance, Little Brown Jug, and closed with America The Beautiful. He gets better each time we hear him play.

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After his set, Christopher turned the Giulietti over to older brother William Marcus Steffan who gave us rousing renditions of Beer Barrel Polka (Rosamunda) and El Ranch Grande followed by a lovely treatment of Santa Lucia. William is a natural showman and always a crowd pleaser.

Performing after William was David Hayward who has been playing the accordion for five years. He plays a Silvertone accordion and he plays it very well. He performed two accordion classics Accordion Rhythm and Nola for his first two numbers and then went all Mozart on us with Rondo Alla Turca. David loves to play and the audience loves to hear him. Christopher, William and David will all be performing at Cotati this year at 10:30 AM on August 19th.

Our next performer of the evening was Olga Fensler who has been playing for about one and one-half years. Olga began lessons as an adult motivated by here love of accordion music which she tells us is very popular in Russia. She did an outstanding performance of three Russian folk songs. Keep us the good work Olga, and please come play for us again soon.

The last performers of the evening were Sheri Mignano, who was joined later in her set by John Covanelli. Sheri opened with a beautiful and sensitive rendition of Percy Faith’s theme from A Summer Place, followed by Vola Colomba and Le Retour des Hirondelles. John then joined her to duet with Tango Delle Rose to close out the first half of our program.

Our featured performer for the night was Joe Domitrowich. Joe began his set playing a wireless Petosa Milennium Reedless accordion as he moved around the room playing an Italian medley which included music from The Godfather, followed by Sunrise Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof, Just Because, Sentimental Journey and Comet Valse. He then put down his Petosa to pick up his Concerto and gave us Czardas, Habanera, Wien Du Stadt Meiner Traume, Moliendo Cafe, Jambalaya, In the Mood, a Medley of Standards, Mambo #5, Perez Prado’s Patricia, He Slavko, closing with Train Ride. It’s always fun to have Joe play his eclectic mix for us. We are looking forward to hearing him again.
Thank you Joe.

Filed Under: July 2012, Newsletter

July 25, 2012

News, July 2012

Mark Your Calendars!
The ACR annual Picnic is on July 21st
Directions: 4107 Hessel Road. Sebastopol.
From Highway 101 take the Highway 116 West Exit (Gravenstein Hwy towards Sebastopol) after about 3 miles you will see a sign for Hessel Rd and Blank Rd on the left. Go past this for about another mile and a half. You will see another sign for Hessel Rd on the left. Turn left onto Hessel Rd. Go about a quarter of a mile. You will see McFarland Rd on your right and just past this you will turn left onto a long driveway to Finn and Jeanie’s place.
Note: Please bring a table cloth for your picnic table

Cotati Accordion Festival Tickets.
We have a new ticket seller this year.
Don’t forget to get your tickets from Cathy Patton at (707) 792-0944.
Tickets are $15 for one day and $25 for two days.
Make checks out to The Cotati Accordion Festival.

Silence is Golden.
Out of consideration for the performers and your fellow members in the audience, please don’t talk during the musical part of the ACR meetings. The performers deserve our respect and attention. So be kind and reserve the chit-chat and discussions for the intermissions and breaks.

Play for the ACR, Get in Free.
The ACR board has voted to admit all performers into the monthly meetings for free. As long as the musicians sign up and perform a minimum of three songs, they will admitted without the normal donation at the door.

ACR Band Update
The ACR Band will have its next meeting on August 20th, 6:30 before the ACR general meeting. If you would like to play in the band, please contact Steve Balich at 707-874-3494.

Cotati Accordion Festival
Mark your Calendars for August 18 & 19, 2012
9:30 – 8:30 both days.
Tickets are $15 for one day and $25 for two days.
Make checks out to: The Cotati Accordion Festival
Announcing the return of Dick Contino and a host of others.
Here is a partial list below (in no particular order).
August 18th
The Golden State Accordion Club Band, Steve Albini, The Sansa and Shiri Show, Big Lou’s Dance Party, The Great Morgani, Chervona, Lady of Spain-A-Ring, Alicia Baker, Dick Contino, Copper Box, Amber Lee Baker, BlackEyed Dempseys, THAT Damned Band, Polkacide, Cajun/Zydeco Dance Party, Steve Balich Sr. Polka Band
August 19th
The Golden State Accordion Club Band, Future Accordion Stars(Marjorie Konrads kids), KAZAMOZe, The Accordion Babes Showcase, The Great Morgani, the Mag Maggies, Lady of Spain-A-Ring, Tatiana Semichastnay, Santiago Jimenez, Alicia Baker, Circus Finelli, The Sansa and Shiri Show, Cajun/Zydeco Dance Party, Steve Balich Sr. Polka Band, The Wild Catahoulas.

Filed Under: July 2012, Newsletter

June 28, 2012

The President’s Message

Dear Friends,

I hope you were able to attend the pasta feed and hear some great accordion music at last month’s meeting. We have another evening of great music lined up for you again this month. After we hear a few of our members (maybe one of them will be you!) play during the first half of this month’s meeting we are fortunate to have Joe Domitrowich as our featured entertainer for our June meeting. For those of you who haven’t heard Joe play you are in for a treat. He blends acoustic accordion sounds with digital electronic technology for full melodic and complex musical arrangements. His repertoire runs the gamut of musical styles and ethnic musical genres which include Italian, French, Russian, Alpine, Slovenian, Gypsy, Latin, and Cajun along with some interesting novelty pieces. This would be a good night to invite your friends to come to the meeting and hear some great accordion music. Joe will have some of his CD’s available for purchase at the meeting.

On a less cheerful note, I have just spoken with Jerry Sbragia whose wife Eve Marie is feeling poorly and is currently staying at the Golden Living Center at 4650 Hoen Avenue in Santa Rosa. Phone: (707) 546-0471. Eva Marie is a professional accordionist, a past officer of our club and a very nice lady. She would welcome a visit from her friends while she is a resident at Golden Living Center. Eva Maria we send our wishes for a speedy recovery and hope to see you out and about soon.

Just a brief reminder regarding membership. If you have not yet submitted your yearly dues to John Pordon your membership has lapsed at this point and I urge you to attend to it. Our club is the best social and entertainment deal available and a great place to see old friends and relax and unwind and listen to good music and have a bite to eat all – at an incredible bargain price. Even if you can’t attend all of the meetings you will certainly get your money’s worth by renewing your yearly membership. As I mentioned last month we have a great new venue for our annual club picnic this year. Jeanie and Finn are hosting our picnic this year and we will have a much better facility than we have had in past years. Please try to get your reservations in as early as possible this year. It makes things so much easier for the wonderful volunteers who work so hard to bring you a good time, and saves waste by allowing us to prepare for the right number of attendees when purchasing food and drink. Please feel free to invite your friends to attend. We will have a great wooden dance floor and completely covered area for dancing. Remember there is no regular monthly meeting in July. I hope to see all of you at this months meeting as well as at the picnic in July.

Tony Mustaro
President
Accordion Club of the Redwoods

Filed Under: June 2012, Newsletter

June 8, 2012

Meeting May 21st, 2012

player-01a This month’s entertainment was led off by young Anthony Berger, a very talented young man who shows great ability a very short time after starting lessons. Anthony came to us after playing that same day for his school He performed Up and Down, Frank the Firemen, and Push and Pull Waltz showing a very good understanding of his instrument. We are looking for big things from this young man.

player-02b Our next performer was Joe Graverman who was joined by Dorothy Nadale on her harmonica after Joe’s first selection. Together they performed crowd pleasing renditions of Red River Valley and You Are My Sunshine. Thanks for sharing your music with us Joe and Dorothy.

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We were pleased to have Ed Burgle play for us this month. It’s been too long since you came over to play for us Ed. Ed was performing on his new Roland FR-7 V accordion. He has a very nice touch with his instrument and he gave us three great numbers: Beer Barrel Polka (Rosamunda), Peg O’ My Heart and 12th Street Rag. We hope you won’t wait so long to come play for us again Ed.

player-04c-kieth-church

Our next performer was our own Keith Church who also played a Roland FR-7 V accordion. Keith was in a kind of Bluesy mood this month and he gave us Alabama Avenue Blues, House of the Rising Sun and Just Strollin’. Keith keeps exploring musical choices and we thank him for sharing his voyages of discovery with us.

players-01a-steve-and-carlo The final performer of the first half was a surprise visitor, Carlo Solivan, an old friend who has a marvelous voice which he is always willing to share. Carlo, whose range goes from baritone through tenor was accompanied by Steve Albini on his Roland FR-7x for impromptu arrangements of Con Te Partiro and Torna a Surriento. As usual Carlo wowed us with his vocal skills. He also joined our club after the meeting so I welcome him and look forward to seeing and hearing him at our meetings.

players-03c-tatiana-and-steve Our featured performers of the evening were Roland artists Tatiana Semichastnaya and Steve Albini accompanied by Jim Lehmann on percussion. The trio performed a variety of musical and vocal selections using a variety Roland V accordions which have brought digital accordions to a new level. Tatiana is a virtuoso player who studied at the prestigious Moscow Conservatory and Steve is well known to us as a past club president and professional accordionist and vocalist. Their selections included Astoria, Por Una Cabeza,Light and Shadow, Libertango, Maruzzella, Sway (Quien Sera), Guaglione, Guarda Che Luna, Fly Me to the Moon, and Besame Mucho. It was a great show featuring some great new instruments and some great musical talents. We hope you folks will let us know when you can come and play for us again.

Filed Under: June 2012, Newsletter

June 5, 2012

News, June 2012

Mark Your Calendars!
The ACR annual Picnic is on July 21st
Directions: From Highway 101 take the Highway 116 West Exit (Gravenstein Hwy towards Sebastopol) after about 3 miles you will see a sign for Hessel Rd and Blank Rd on the left. Go past this for about another mile and a half. You will see another sign for Hessel Rd on the left. Turn left onto Hessel Rd. Go about a quarter of a mile. You will see McFarland Rd on your right and just past this you will turn left onto a long driveway to Finn and Jeanie’s place.

Bring in a New Member.
Spread the word and tell your family and friends about the Accordion Club of the Redwoods. We could always use more fine folks like you! Bring in two new members and get a one year membership for free.

Lets wish her Well
Eva Marie Sbragia used to be our Secretary many years ago. Well she is having a somewhat serious health issue. She is in rehabilitation at Golden Living Centers on 4650 Hoen Ave Santa Rosa Ca 95405, 707-546-0471. If you could find the time to visit, she would really appreciate it.

Play for the ACR, Get in Free.
The ACR board has voted to admit all performers into the monthly meetings for free.
As long as the musicians sign up and perform a minimum of three songs, they will admitted without the normal donation at the door.

ACR Band Update
The ACR Band will have its next meeting on June 18th, 6:30 before the ACR general meeting. If you would like to play in the band, please contact Steve Balich at 707-874-3494.

Remember Eddie Blazonczyk
Remember Grammy Award-winning polka great Eddie Blazonczyk, who began playing the lively music in the 1950’s and went on to earn the nickname “Polka King” after starting his own band and label, has died. He was 70.

Cotati Accordion Festival
Mark your Calendars for August 18 & 19, 2012
9:30 – 8:30 both days.
Announcing the return of Dick Contino and a host of others.

Here is a partial list below (in no particular order).
Dick Contino, Santiago Jimenez & Chris Rybak,The Mad Maggies, Alicia Baker, Amber Lee Baker, Circus Finelli, Polkacide, THAT Damned Band, BlackEyed Dempseys, Chervona, The Sansa and Shiri Show, Gator Beat, MotorDude Zydeco, Copper Box, Roxanne Oliva & KAZAMOZe, Big Lou’s Dance Party, Chuck Berger, Tatiana Semichasnaya, Steve Albini, The Great Morgani, The Golden State Accordion Club Band, Future Accordion Stars, The Steve Balilch Sr. Polka Band, Jim Gilman, The Accordion Babes Showcase, The Wild Catahoulas, Mark St. Mary, and Peter Robuffo.

Remember When you buy your CAF tickets through the ACR we get a donation from the festival!

Filed Under: June 2012, Newsletter