The San Francisco Bay Area Accordion Club now meets on the first Wednesday of the month (except in Nov, because of its special concert with Stas Venglevski & Mike Alongi.

The San Francisco BAY AREA ACCORDION CLUB (BAAC) in celebration of its Tenth Anniversary and the tenth year since the declaration of the ACCORDION AS THE OFFICIAL INSTRUMENT OF SAN FRANCISCO ANNOUNCES A SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY CONCERT NOVEMBER 8TH AT 8:00 PM Stas Venglevski & Mike Alongi will play duets and solos in concert.

The BAY AREA ACCORDION CLUB is bringing together two of the country's finest artists and creating a phenomenal event by pairing two extraordinary exponents of the major traditions of the accordion. IT'S AN EVENING OF EAST MEETS WEST for some of the finest music you'll ever hear.

Stas Venglevski, a Moscow trained artist, from Moldava of the former Soviet Union (now living in Milwaukee) will play his Russian style accordion, the BAYAN, and display talent formed by the traditions of conservatories and Russian musical pedagogy. Mike Alongi, USA trained, playing the familiar piano accordion (which was practically invented in San Francisco) and one of the country's greatest players of the instrument, as well as a superb exponent of American Jazz will join STAS.

They will combine in duets, playing traditional and original music so well it will seem like a single artist with four hands. This will be one of the greatest concerts you'll ever hear, as well as a wonderful commemorative event.

The public is invited and seating is limited. All tickets are sold at the door on a first come, first serve basis. Tickets for BAAC Members are $5.00, $1000 for Non-Members. The event will be held at Patio Español 2850 Alemany Blvd., San Francisco.

For information contact: LOU SOPER, President (510) 792-765 www.BAACcordionclub.org.

The long-awaited English translation of the legendary book Die Kunst des Bajanspiels by Friedrich Lips -- world-famous Russian virtuoso and professor at the Gnesin Music Academy in Moscow, is now available.

212 pages, more than 100 sketches, musical notations, in an easy-to-read 6.5" x 9.5" format, this volume on Playing the Accordion Artistically is considered the Bible for classical accordionists as well as those who wish to improve their musical comprehension and proficiency. Hailed by educators as a fine educational tool for all grades. The original German version which first appeared in 1990, was considered a milestone in the history of music literature for accordionists. The publisher refers to the volume as "a Bible for classical accordionists as well as all others who wish to improve their musical comprehension and proficiency."

The contents deal with every aspect of accordion playing, including: Creating Tone (Bellow-Finger Coordination, Keystrokes, Bellows Techniques, Vibrato, Articulation, Registers and Combinations); Playing Technique; Interpreting a Musical Composition; Particulars of Concert Activities; and a wide variety of references, musical examples, a biographical register, etc. The editor notes that " the word bayan, which originates in the Russian language, can be used as a synonym for the word accordion."

Introductory price is $23.95 postpaid in US (plus $5 outside US). Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted.

ERNEST DEFFNER PUBLICATIONS
P.O.Box 608 Mineola, NY 11501
Tel 516/746-3100 Fax 516/746-7085a

Directed by Jeffrey Collins, the St. Louis based group presented a concert featureing Astor Piazzolla's compositions at Christ Church cathedral in St. Louis. Following in the footsteps of Piazzolla's own New Tango Quintet, Operation Tango continues the tango 'craze' set in motion decades ago by Piazzolla himself. truly multicultural, new tango synthesizes components of jazz, classical, and folk music into a single musical art form that transcends the limitations of contemporary music. In a day where most contemporary music is written 'by composers for compress,' tango's simplicity and poignancy appeals to the deepest heartfelt human emotions.

The quintet consisted of cello, violin, bass, bandoneon and piano. Guest artist, Ricardo Melo, from Bage, Brazil performed some of his original compositions with the group. Mr. Melo is currently attending Southern IL University - Edwardsville pursuing a second major in Composition, his first degree being in conducting. As a Bandoneonist in Brazil, he studied with Edgardo Pedroze (Uruguay) who was a very famous performer in the 'golden ages of the tango'. He also studied with Tulio Vivanco and Rene Marino Rivero, the later having had a career as a concert player and composer in Europe.

Next years ATG Annual Festival will be just as informative, interesting and entertaining as our last one. There will be competitions for all interested in that area of the accordion, again whether for beginners, young or old, or for young professionals. There will be exhibits to whet imaginations, and workshops to educate and encourage future improvement. And, yes, there will be ACCORDION MUSIC! Lots of it! The ATG has always featured some of the most outstanding, world-renowned soloists and groups at its annual festival. We welcome all types of accordions, button or keyboard.

The massed accordion orchestra rehearsals and performances have grown every year in popularity. This year there will again be guest conductors of the highest caliber who will introduce music to inspire and excite both players and audiences alike.

Last year's VIRTUOSO ENTERTAINMENT COMPETITION offering $1750.00 in prize money was truly stimulating and thrilling to everyone. This will once again be offered in July of 2001. And, because the need for such a competition in the USA exists for the player of classical repertoire and because the ATG wishes to honor the accomplishments of Anthony Galla-Rini, one of its founders, there will be a second competition: THE ANTHONY GALLA-RINI INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR CLASSICAL ACCORDION. This competition will also offer prize money totaling $1750.00 to the winners.

The ATG is offering both these events as a testimony of its faith in the future of the accordion and to continue its encouragement of young people to play the accordion!

For further information please visit the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International on-line at www.accordions.com/atg

At the recent Coupe Mondiale in Kragoujevac, Yugoslavia, the French candidates dazzled the audience, not only with their outstanding performances, but also with their bright instruments which spanned almost every color of the rainbow. Pictured here are just three of the popular range known as "Fun Flash".