Accordion Man - Andy Bakke is accepting bookings to play anywhere in the USA that needs an Oktoberfest Accordionist/One Man Band for the season, that will provide room and board and is open to suggestions on arranging a contract.

Andy has an Oktobefest Station on mp3.com and you can visit his webpage is at http://www.mp3.com/AccordionMan.

If you need an accordionist at your Oktoberfest, please feel free to contact him at: Accrdnmn@aol.com or call: (904) 824-9210.

"Charles and Diane First Edition" is the title of a new recording by Chuck Berger and Diane Hagen who have teamed up to bring you a masterful blend of MIDI and acoustical accordion music.

Chuck is a master on the MIDI accordion and Diane who has been an award winning artist since age 5 through high school, has after 23 years joined with Chuck to make this recording.

Their musical duets include Swiss Mountain Music, American Standards and Classical Music. The two Petosa Accordions blend together to the point of sounding like one although there is 23 years difference in the age of the instruments - a real tribute to Petosa Accordions in Seattle.

You will hear how Chuck and Diane phrase together and how even the minute nuances are apparent. A friend of theirs summed it up: "They play like they are joined at the hip." You will enjoy all 51 minutes of this recording with titles like Steiner Chilbi, Road to Basil, Waltz Allegro, Somewhere My Love, and many more favorites and exciting selections.

To obtain CD's or Cassettes call in the USA: 503 254 0996 or e-mail: Glevear@aol.com

Noted accordion philosopher and lecturer-in-residence of the AAA will act as moderator/curator. That, of course, is Dr. William Schimmel. In the Spirit of Kubrick (whose film scores scream out to us: Please adapt me! Please adapt me!) we have an excuse to play Rossini, Handel, Bartok, Ligeti, Beethoven and two Strausses – and we will. But, we’ll do other things as well – sort of related – more or less.

There will be a Master Class based on Sergei Eisenstein’s Filmic Fourth Dimension Applied to the Accordion; The Accordion in Silent Films (The Sky Pilot – 1922 – King Vidor, Music: Schimmel); Method Reality (Employing Method Acting to the Accordion); Telling a Story/Painting A Picture (The Accordion as Storyteller); The Silent Brechtian Commentator (Brecht without Weill); Silverspoon vs. Bellow Pleated Stomach (Class Struggle). Dr. Robert Young McMahan will deliver a lecture: How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Twelve Tone Row. Eminent choreographer and fitness expert Micki Goodman will present Accordio-Vascular Training. Sign up! Dick Cheney!

Our concerts will include: A staged version of Sophia Gubaidulinaís De Profundis; A song cycle by Paul Stein: They Did Bad, Bad Things about being mugged, bad politicians and bad karma. Mr. Stein will sing and play; The Lolitas, an all-girl group performing such former hits as Perez Prado’s Patricia, Rocco Granada’s Marina, and the Lee Hazelwood Masterpiece, Some Velvet Morning. They are all over 18 and promise to wear sensible shoes. Dr. Schimmel will join them. Ray Rue will give us a fresh approach to The Blues; Micki Goodman will present a new dance work Sarabande 2001 using the famous Handel Sarabande (Barry Lyndon). Goodman and Dr. Schimmel will present excerpts from two of their critically acclaimed theatre works: Road to Patagonia, a dark vaudeville, and Opera Fisarmonica, The Life and Works of Pietro Deiro.

There will be premieres of new works by Dr. McMahan and David First, plus performances of two AAA commissioned works: Salute to Juan by Paul Pisk (Dr. McMahan) and Curriculum Vitae by Lukas Foss (Dr. Schimmel). Lee McClure(Eclectix) will be back with his yellow cab and his digital flute; the K Trio, a brother and sister group will deliver some new Cinematic renditions. We’ll have cinematic originals from composer David Stoler; Cinematic commentary from Elsie M. Bennett; Actress and singer Kathleen Goodman; a back by popular demand performance by the Great Carmen Carrozza; a performance by Michael Schimmel age 21 with down syndrome; Rita Davidson; Frank Busso; Faithe Deffner; jazz accordionist Will Holshouser; William Komaiko; Dr. Carmelo Pino and others.

There will be a large discussion on "Crashing the Orchestra" featuring stories by various accordionists who appeared with symphony orchestras – what it was like – having to be overprepared – waiting the first "elusive" downbeat, etc. Mary Mancini and Mario Tacca will give us a Hymnfest; Walter Kuhr of Main Squeeze will bring his accordion and his bassoon; Allyssa Lamb will combine Schumann with Portuguese Fados singing and playing simultaneously; Godfrey Nelson and Lorraine Nelson Wolf will present a Spacework; there will be the King of Ragtime Dr. Mark Birnbaum; Belgium Blues artist, Renaud Patigny; a video installation work by Ray Rue and Estonian bassoonist Martin Kuuskmann (who will join Dr. Schimmel playing excerpts from their new CD Archipelago). Dr. Schimmel will play two tangos from Scent of a Woman and True Lies in which he appeared and performed as a member of the famed Tango Project.

A "shining weekend"; lots of "work" and "play" not a "dull" moment!

The event will take place at the Tenri Cultural Institute of New York, 43 West 13th St (Between 5th & 6th Avenues)

Master Classes 3:00 p.m. Concerts 7:00 p.m.
Reservations & Information 212-876-0827

Seven artists are to receive "Order of the Shield" diplomas under the tutorship of Dr. William Schimmel. The diplomas will be presented by the NEUPAUER CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, which sponsors this unique and prestigious private studies program.

It is granted to gifted students on graduate school level who complete all of the conservatory requirements yet make a significant contribution to artistic excellence and pluralistic original visions.

All of the artists are accordionists or they incorporate the accordion significantly into their art forms. All are cross-disciplined artists who combine aspects of performance, composition, theatre, stand-up comedy, acoustical research and development and writing into new territories.

The graduates are: PAUL STEIN, ALLYSSA LAMB, DAVID FIRST, WILL HOLSHOUSER, KATHLEEN GOODMAN, LORRAINE NELSON WOLF and RAY RUE.

The graduation will take place in New York this July. For further information please contact: GWILLIAMANDMICKI@aol.com

The new Ponty Bone CD, "FANTASIZE," is now available.

Our label, Loudhouse Records, has included a surprise gift in each and every copy, plus there are 12 great songs featuring Spencer Jarmon and all the rest of The Squeezetones.

CD release parties are planned for the fall, and will be advertised at a later date.

Born in Dallas, raised in San Antonio, lived 15 years in Lubbock and a huge part of the Austin scene the last 18 years, accordionist Ponty Bone is, after all, completely unique...just like Texas. To define his style of music in a word is a difficult task, but, describing his mastery of his instrument, the word most often used is "awesome". Playing the accordion all his life has given him chops enough to mix his Texas blues with Louisiana Zydeco and, then mix Mexican or Caribbean rhythms with his own wry originals.

Ask for "FANTASIZE" wherever good CDs are sold. Or, you may order direct, if you prefer, for $15:00 (US) each (checks only, made out to Ponty Bone) and this includes applicable taxes and handling charges. Please mail order and payment to:
Ponty Bone
PO Box 163421
Austin, Texas 78716
USA

Dr. William Schimmel will perform as a member of Ensemble Sospeso in a concert at the Whitney Museum in New York. It will be in Wolfgang Rihm's "Am Horizont for Violin, Cello and Accordion."

The concert will open two exhibits, one for Mies Van Der Rohe and the other for Wayne Thiebaud. The concert will take place on July 11.

On July 18 and 19th, Dr. Schimmel will appear as accordion soloist with the La Scala Ballet in Amarcord - music by Nino Rota.

The music is from the Federico Fellini film of the same title. The performances will take place at the New York State Theatre as part of the Lincoln Center Festival 2001.

For further information please contact: GWILLIAMANDMICKI@aol.com

Colorado accordionists Kim and Dan Christian have been invited to perform and adjudicate in China in early August.

They will be presenting a 20 minutes performance at the opening ceremony of the Chinese Accordion Festival, judging parts of the competition and will present a seminar on the accordion in the United States, and conclude with a performance at the closing ceremony.

ACCORDION DREAMS, an exciting new music documentary film captures yesterday's and today's accordion trailblazers.

"People thought that accordion music was for the old days…they didn't realize the potential of that little squeezebox…"

Carmen Marroquin, Conjunto Music Pioneer featured in Accordion Dreams Accordion Dreams, the newest documentary from acclaimed filmmaker Hector Galán brings the rich and diverse history of Texas-based Mexican American music to the forefront in an exciting way that includes performance footage, archival footage/photos, and heartfelt interviews, weaving a character-driven story that entertains as it educates.

Narrated by singer/songwriter Tish Hinojosa, Accordion Dreams captures the history and impact the European button accordion has had on the development of a unique American musical genre called Conjunto, a word that literally means, "harmony/union" in Spanish.

"With Accordion Dreams, I wanted to literally follow the button accordion's journey from Europe to Texas and explore its major role in the creation of this musical expression called conjunto- that is native to Texas," says Hector Galán. "To do this, we focused in on Central Texas, specifically the city of New Braunfels, which was settled in the late 1800's by German immigrants."

Featured in the documentary are Pearly Sowell, a German descendant who strives to maintain the German traditional music handed down to her in an environment that is rapidly changing. Baron Shlamaus, a historian and head of the New Braunfels Conservation Society, sheds light on the early beginnings of the accordion, how it was brought to Texas by German settlers, its Polish/Czech influence, and its impact on the Mexican communities of Texas.

The documentary also touches on the impact the Italian Immigrant community had on the popularity of the accordion in the United States. Eddie Chavez, a prominent accordion historian, whose book, The Golden Age of the Accordion, is considered one of the most comprehensive writings on the subject, is interviewed in Accordion Dreams.

Chavez reminisces with fondness about the "Golden Age" when the accordion was at the top of its popularity in mainstream America, and acknowledges that it is today's conjunto musicians who are "keeping accordion music alive."

Conjunto has expanded beyond the Texas Border, as migrant farmworkers have taken this music from coast to coast. "Wherever there is a Mexican-American presence in the United States, the strains of the button accordion can be heard- whether on Spanish language radio or live performances", says Galán. "This is a music so rooted in the culture that it has survived the test of time and is enjoying a resurgence among Mexican-American youth. They have taken the music of their past and have really embraced it. To Mexican-American youth with Texas connections, the button accordion is what the electric guitar was to rock-n-roll during its renaissance in the 60's. The same thing is happening today."

Accordion Dreams takes a fresh look at women in conjunto music. Before, women were not accepted as conjunto musicians because this traditional music was associated with cantinas and not "appropriate" for women. Featured artist Eva Ybarra broke down the barriers that existed against women and has become one of the legends of the genre.

Today, more women accordionists such as fifteen year old Victoria Galvan (pictured to right) and twenty year old Cecilia Saenz are challenging stereotypes and taking the music to a new level. From lively polkas to smooth waltzes, Accordion Dreams captures an exhilarating musical style that is rapidly gaining fans worldwide.

"This film is going to dispel any misconceptions people may have about accordion music," says filmmaker Hector Galán. The documentary looks at today's young rebel accordionists who have expanded this musical style to the fringes of rock, blues, and pop, while paying homage to its pioneers.

Some of the featured artists include Flaco Jimenez, Oma and the Oompahs, Tony De La Rosa, Valerio Longoria, Ruben Vela, Paulino Bernal, Eva Ybarra, Albert Zamora, up and coming accordion whiz Jesse Turner, and fifteen-year-old sensation Victoria Galvan.

Funding for Accordion Dreams was provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AT&T, the National Endowment for the Arts, Southwestern Bell Foundation, Texas Council for the Humanities, and the Texas Commission on the Arts. Accordion Dreams is a production of Galán Incorporated in Austin, Texas and is presented to PBS by Latino Public Broadcasting.

National PBS Broadcast Date: Thursday, August 30, 2001 10 p.m. Eastern Time, please check your local listing.

The 24th Annual International Polkafest Designated, a top 100 event in North America for the year 2001 by the American Bus Association, and a Top Group Tour Festival for 2001 - 2002 by the Minnesota Festivals & Events, was held in June, in Chisholm, MN.

This annual celebration featured non-stop music with appearances by more than 30 of the nation's greatest polka bands, performing on four stages. Other festival highlights included daily dance contests, a colorful Welcoming Ceremony, Ironworld's Polka Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, a Sunday Polka Mass, a variety of delicious Iron Range ethnic foods, and much more.

Performers included LynnMarie & the Nashville Squeeze, the first female to be nominated for a Grammy (2001) award in the history of the category of "Best Polka Album." The Casuals, KICK, Don Lipovac and Hank Thunander.

In the lifetime Achievement Category, Matt Anzelc, Mr. Button Box, received recognition. During Word War II, Anzelc entertained fellow soldiers on the front lines. He was instrumental in forming the Polka Chimes with whom he recorded three tapes and entertained crowds across the iron Range for many years. Anzelc still contributes to the polka community by playing at local venues and sharing his talent and techniques with several younger players.

Also In attendance displaying items from the World of Accordions Museum, was director of the Accordion Concertina Music School, ATG Board of Director - Dr. Helmi Harrington from Duluth, MN.

For information on next years festival, please contact the Ironworld at: (218) 254 7959 or visit www.ironworld.com

Concert accordionist Henry Doktorski (founder of The Classical Free-Reed, Inc.) and American Airlines flight attendant Mary Kay Welter (Accordionist in the Sky) celebrated their wedding on June 27th.

Henry first heard about Mary Kay while reading an article titled "Accordionist in the Sky" which appeared in the Summer 1997 issue of the Closet Accordion Players of America newsletter (CAPA Times). He said, "My first impression after seeing her photo was that she might be a little on the spontaneous and free-spirited side. . . . just my type of girl! When I finally met her in person, I was not disappointed."

The couple coincidentally met one month later at a classical accordion festival in New York City, the Bach! Vegas! Dog! masterclass and concert series organized by Dr. William Schimmel and sponsored by the American Accordionists' Association.

Mary Kay said, "It was love at first sight!" She wishes to thank her mentor and former teacher, Minnesota accordion professor Dr. Helmi Harrington as well as AAA president Faithe Deffner, who both strongly encouraged her to attend the event. Mary Kay continued, "I had no idea that my attendance at this festival would result in a lifetime of squeezing!"

Congratulations to the happy couple! All communications may be directed to: Webmaster@HenryDoktorski.Com