November
Last Updated
22/12/2000
Club Accord November 2000 Newsletter
Our A.G.M was very well attended, 30 members, plus two Ladies
who came to see what Club Accord was all about and have decided to
join after really enjoying their evening with us. We always try to make
sure the A.G.M. does not last too long so that we can enjoy an evening
of club members playing their accordions. The committee is pretty similar
to last year except for a couple of changes, Neil Lauder has replaced Alf
Clay, and Terry has stood down (but remains on the committee) after two
years as Chairperson. Tracey is now Chairperson, Paul Lewis is Vice Chairperson
as well as Treasurer, and Angela remains Membership Secretary.
Fees for Club nights (only, not guest nights) have gone up by 50p to £2 for Members and £2.50 for non-members. Guest nights are still £2.50 for Members and £3 for non-members. Thanks should go to all those that have donated raffle prizes over the last year, and helped organise the club, and thank you to those of you like Joan Davis who have helped advertise the club. The club would like to thank Terry for her role of Chairperson for the last two years.
After a short mass busk Tracey started the evenings entertainment off with a few English folk tunes, “Mount Hills, “Dr Vincents Delight”, and some lively reels by Pat Shaw, after having not played at club for some time. Andy continued with some more folk tunes and ended with the ever popular “Dark Island”. Erica, who is one of our newer members, played a lovely Chinese Folk Song. She has only been playing for a short time so it was lovely to hear her play in public, ‘Well Done Erica’. It is always our aim to encourage new talent.
Next came Neil our new committee member, to play a medley of Scottish Reels, and “Maries Wedding”, and “Highland Hornpipe”. Neil was followed by Stephan who entertained us with “Summer Time”, and “Maigret”. He handed over to Nancy who began with a Beatles number “Yesterday”, and “Yesterday when we were Young”. She finished off with Andrew Lloyd Webbers “Music of the Night”.
During the interval we had a good raffle and afterwards we gave a warm welcome to our friend from France, Dani, who certainly adds a bright spark to the evening. He played three French songs and we were entertained to some wonderful Yodelling of “Le Petite Chapeau Tyrolien”, and “Le Deni Chien”. Gary joined with Dani to play two more songs and then he continued with two songs on his own. He also persuaded Dani to dance with Terry to the “Beer Barrel Polka”, much to everyones delight. Next came Ray who began with “La Valse a Pierrot”, then “Ma Rose D’Alsace” and “Kernesse Alsacienne”. Terry brought the evening to a close with a medley of Viennese Songs from her native home.
The next club night is the Xmas Party, so lets make it a real enjoyable night. If possible please bring a little something towards the food, so that we can have an “American Supper”. The club will also provide snacks such as Pickles, Crisps, and other items etc.
If anybody has ideas for party games then please contact Poppy. Father Xmas will be around to distribute Xmas presents again, so if you want to join in, please bring a present for a person of the same sex as yourself, up to the value of £3, and add it in to Father Xmas’s sack.
In January we are thinking of reviving an old Club Accord tradition - the “Bring and Buy Sale”, where members can bring along old music, accordion memorabilia, even accordions to sell to other members. Also as it is now the start of the Clubs 25th Year, so if you have any ideas for helping us to celebrate then please talk to one of the committee.
News from Caister.
Caister Accordion Weekend has just taken place, with around 700 accordionists and friends present. The numbers were down this year, probably to do with the floods and the potential Fuel Crisis. As usual there were 7 or 8 workshops a day, three or four of them being orchestras who performed in “Neptunes Ballroom” on the Monday morning at the end of the weekend. Workshops ranged from Jazz to Scottish, Irish, and English Folk music.
The evenings were filled with Concerts and Dancing with 6 acts on each night, at least one of these being a “dance band” to round the evening off, whether that was Scottish or Ballroom. The three international stars were from Canada (Serge Duchesne), France (Frederic Langlais) and Italy (Vincenzo Abbracciente). Serge played a reedless Cavagnola accordion, and is a sort of Entertainer for the general public, with songs that everyone knows. Vincenzo, who is only 17, was a lively player, with Jazzed up versions of the classics played to backing tapes and dazzling finger work. But the show topper had to be the 22 year old Frederic who amazed the audience with technically superb playing and yet with a wonderful musical interpretation. His rendition of “The Thieving Magpie”, had all the professionals glued to his performance in admiration. He also demonstrated the Bandoneon, with some traditional Tangos.
Other acts included Julie Best & Ron Hodgson, Angie, David & Andrew Lukins, Gary Blair, Harry Hussey & Friends, Seamus O’Sullivan, George Syrett & Rodney, and Amaryllis.
Caister is already planned for the second weekend in November next year, for more details contact Loretta Rolston on 01501 820910.
The next festival is in Blackpool in March and features (we think) Jorgen Sundquist. For more information contact Tom Duncan - 01253 852648