Our August Concert
At our August concert, David Rigby started the night with some great well known tunes, Spinning Wheel, Loveliest Night of The Year, Whispering Hope, Highland Cathedral, After the Ball Is Over and In the Good Old Summertime. Out next player was John Lennox, John played If You Go Away, La Vie en Rose, The Accordionist, Under Paris Skies, Sway and Besena Mucho. As John Left the stage, Colin Ensor took his place, playing Secondary Waltz, Pal of My Cradle Days, It’s a Sin To Tell a Lie, Sailing By, Dark Island and The Maigret Theme. Rebecca Parker took to the stage, playing Moon River and Bianca Copana. I was the next player and my contributions were Oslo Waltz, Triste Sourire, Sailors Hornpipe, Snow Waltz, Cant Help Falling In love and American Patrol/ Red White and Blue. It was now time for our break, during which there was a lot of socialising, so much that I felt bad at calling an end to it. After the break, our audience, including Tom Mansfield enjoyed more entertainment as Bernard Belshaw started our second half with some great versions of Blaze Away, Desafinado, Allo Allo, Radetzky March, Moonlight Serenade, El Cumanchero, Tico Tico and Floral Dance. His next piece was the most impressive Thunderbirds Are Go which is the theme tune to the TV series Thunderbirds. Bernard’s session continued with The Dambusters March, You Make Me Feel so Young and Jealousy. It was now time for Ramon Ray to make his debut at the club, Raymon played Reverie, Santanatale, You Were Meant For Me and When You Wore A Big Red Rose. Our entertainment continued with Colin Ensor playing All Sorts Melody and Who’s Taking You Home Tonight. To finish the night, I then played the final tune, Now is the Hour. David Batty
Organ Keyboard and Accordion
debut at the club, Raymon played Reverie, Santanatale, You Were Meant For Me and When You Wore A Big Red Rose. Our entertainment continued with Colin Ensor playing All Sorts Melody and Who’s Taking You Home Tonight. To finish the night, I then played the final tune, Now is the Hour. David Batty
Jessie Wright
We are sad to annouce the death of Jessie Wright mother of one of our past guest artists, Rosemary Wright. Jessie past away on 13th August. Her funeral was held on 22nd August. She was often seen at Accordion festvials and events with her daughter Rosemary. As she was well loved in the accordion community she will be sadly missed.
Allesandrini For Sale
Charlie Southall is selling a two year old Allesandrini accordion. This is a 120 Bass, 4/5 voice, straight tuned accordion in blue. The accordion has hand made reeds, 41 keys, mother of pearl keys, 11 + 5 Couplers plus Master. The accordion is for sale at £1500, telephone Charlie on 0151 339 5630.
Accordion For Sale
Jay ward reluctantly offers Jeff’s Accordion for sale because it is such a shame that it is not played. It is a Fantini, 96 Bass, double cassotto, 10 different registers including lovely Jazz and Musette sounds, 4 Voice, Excellent Condition. £2,500. Contact Jay on 01253 859367
This Wednesday
This Wednesday is our guest artist concert, featuring 3 hours of entertainment and fun with guest Walter Perrie supported by local players. Walter is always popular as a guest artist and never fails to impress us. He has a new CD out now so this will be the first time you have been able to take a CD of him home after a concert. As usual, the doors open at 7.30 for an 8pm start. Make sure you turn up early for a good seat. Please bring your family and friends. I will see you on Wednesday.
David Batty
New NAO Festival Season
The new NAO (UK) Festival season year starts on the 2nd November with the North West Area Festival in Fleetwood. The NAO Festival Season will feature 9 regional festivals to be held in all parts of the United Kingdom, culminating in the UK Championships 2009 in Blackpool from 24th – 26th April 2009. In last year’s area festival programme, more than 1,000 accordion players participated, and the UK Championships had a record 452 entries. New features, which have been approved by the NAO Executive, for this season include: A Digital Category to be featured in all regional festivals as well as the UK Championships for accordionists playing digital electronic accordions of all makes including Roland V, Cavagnolo – Odyssey, Titano, etc. A Composers’ Competition for professionals, amateurs and juniors is to be judged at the UK Championships 2009. This competition was founded by the North Staffs Accordion Club, who approached the NAO to give it a truly national input! Meanwhile the NAO is looking forward to hosting the CIA Coupe Mondiale 2008 in Glasgow in October. For further information contact the NAO Email: naouk@btinternet.com
Worlds Largest Accordion
The largest playable accordion in the world is 253-cm (99.6-in) tall, 190-cm (74.8-in) wide, and 85-cm (33.4-in) deep, and weighs approximately 200 kg (440 lb). The instrument, built by Giancarlo Francenella (Italy), bears the name “Castelfidardo” after the town in Ancona, Italy, in which it was constructed. Begun in 2000 and finished in 2001, the giant accordion required over 1,000 hours of labour, and features 45 treble piano keys, 120 bass buttons, and 240 reeds. Built on a 5:1 ratio from the original, the instrument is made of wood (fir, cedar, mahogany, walnut), metals (aluminum, steel), cardboard, cloth, and special varnishes.
Fleadh Cheoil
At Tullamore the 57th Annual Fleadh Cheoil (Irish National Music Festival) kicked off in earnest on Friday evening with the opening parade and the breaking of World Record Session for Traditional Irish Music Song and Dance with 2,852 people playing, singing and dancing for 56 minutes. The feast of musical fun continued through Saturday to Monday. The largest festival of Irish music, song and dance had over 200,000 people gathering from all over the world this weekend for this immense cultural celebration. Ireland’s most central town took on the challenge of hosting the largest annual cultural event in Europe in it’s stride, delivering the largest showcase of traditional Irish musicians, singers and dancers, with over 10,000 performers taking part in this ‘Feast of Irish Music’.
Alans Gardening and Music Breaks
Alan Venn who is well know for his Organ, Keyboard and Accordion events, has announced details of his new venture. Alan has noticed a gap in the market for gardening holidays. His first ones run from Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th October 2008 and Friday 24th – Sunday 26th April 2009 at The Annan Hotel, Llandudno. This is Alan Venn’s Description of the Event “Peter Foley, who is a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio Lancashire’s Gardening programmes, is the guest speaker arranged for these new events. He was awarded an RHS Silver Gilt award for his garden design at the recent RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park in July 2008. These 2 events will include a visit to the famous Bodnant Garden in the Conwy Valley with Peter as our guide. These holidays will include some musical entertainment in addition to the full programme of gardening activities. More details are included in the August 2008 Garden Services & Holidays Newsletter produced each quarter by Alan Venn. This newsletter includes hints on gardening with containers & low maintenance planting schemes.” Contact Alan Venn on 01204 840279 for more details
Fylde Folk Festival
This popular event, which is held at The Marine Hall at Fleetwood. Has just announced their 2009 dates as 4th 5th & 6th September 2009. Details of the event, tickets and to join their mailing list can be had from The Festival Office, 55 The Strand Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 8NP. Or Telephone 01253 872 317 / 01253 852832, Fax 01253 878 382, email : alanbell@fylde-folk-fest.demon.co.uk. You can also contact the box office direct at Marine Hall, Esplanade Fleetwood Lancs FY7 6HF. Telephone 01253 770547. You can book your tickets online at www.marinehall.co.uk
Musical Fireworks Championships
We are lucky to live so close to this event that runs from the 3rd to the 5th of October 2008. This is the 10th Anniversary of the British Musical Fireworks Championships and they are celebrating by inviting all past British Musical Fireworks Champions back to Southport for a Champion of Champions Event. Each of the previous champions, all top professional UK firework companies, will fire a display lasting approximately 16 to 18 minutes. The displays, synchronised to music, will illuminate the Southport skyline and cast magnificent reflections across the Marine Lake. These displays are judged by professional and lay judges and at the end of the competition a winner will be crowned Champion of Champions. For this year’s celebratory event. You can buy tickets online for unreserved standing room or you may be interested to know that there is a limited number of reserved seating available for the event. BOOK NOW! All seven previous winners will be returning to Southport and there will be two displays on Friday 3rd and Sunday 5th and Saturday evening, the 6th, will be extra special featuring three displays.