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Entertainment, September 2013
Olga Fansler
Olga is always a delight to hear and watch. She was first of our entertainers. Her play list was ‘The Merry Widow’, The Uptown Races’, and finished with Tchaikousky’s March’. Great Job Olga!
Jerry Connell
Jerry was another surprise for us, and what a surprise. He played one piece and it was terrific . It was Oblivion – Astor Piazzolla. Please hurry back with another one!
Arthur Seebach
Arthur was a surprise hit! His first time with us, and first time in front of an audience. He played some serious stuff with a Irish flavor. His play list was ‘Orange Rouge’, ‘ Dublin in the Rare Old Times’, and ‘Star of the County Down’. Great job Arthur, hurry back
Frank Divita
Frank is always a delight to have. His play list was ‘Blondi’, ‘Tic Tac’ Polka’ then start his finale with ‘Aridities’ but aborted because it was not to his liking. He had just learned it. So he finished with ‘Upala Upali’. Great Job Frank, hurry back!
News, September 2013
Aldo Garibaldi
Aldo wrapped the evening and WOW does describe the feeling when he plays!
His play list was almost too numerous to list, but here are ones that I caught, ‘Me and my Gal’, ‘When you are Old and Grey’, ‘Five Foot Two and Eyes of Blue’, and ‘Good Bye my Love’ . It is always a pleasure to hear you Aldo, don’t be a stranger!
ACR Band Update
The ACR Band will have its next meeting on September 16th 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.
The President’s Message
Dear Friends,
Here we are in August and that means the Cotati Accordion Festival. This year our club will have our own booth at the festival so be sure to drop by and say hello and maybe pick up one of the accordions which we will have there and play a tune or two. We are trying to spread the word about our club to those who don’t already know about us and may be looking to find a place to have some fun and listen to some good accordion music and eat and dance with a group of friends. So if you know anyone who fits this description please send them around to our booth which will be in the south end of the walkway along Old Redwood Highway not too far from the statue of Jim Boggio.
We are also looking for volunteers to help man the booth so if you would like to help out for an hour or so please let me know. We will have a couple of accordions for sale and some sheet music for sale also, but it’s mostly a chance to introduce ourselves to the community especially since we are the accordion club closest to the Cotati Festival.
All of the officers and board members were pleased to see such a happy turnout at the July 27 meeting last month. Thanks again to Don Agresti for his dedication and hard work to purchase and prepare some delicious food for our get together. Not only was it delicious it was a real bargain. I heard someone comment that the only way we could offer a better bargain for such great food was if we were to pay the people to eat! I’m sure all of you who were there will agree with that sentiment.
As you may be aware, the officers and board made it a point to telephone every member of the club whose telephone numbers were on file. It was a lot of work on the part of five of us but the turnout showed that it was effective. I spoke with a few of you personally but most of my calls went to your voice mail. So I left a message and asked that you phone back with either aye or nay as to whether or not you would attend. In truth, I was a bit disappointed that so few took the time to return one phone call, but on the whole I was pleased with the turn out.
Please let us know if you would like to see a repeat of the July meeting from time to time during the year. It will help us to plan our club activities in advance. Also we could use some volunteers to make phone calls for the next special event so that we are sure all of our membership is aware of what is happening.
Remember to see either Cathy, Art or myself if you still need discount tickets for Cotati. I look forward to seeing all of you stop by our booth to say hi.
Tony Mustaro
President
Accordion Club of the Redwoods
Open Letter to Steve Balich
Dear Steve:-
I read in the Reedwooder of the Accordion Club newsletter, that you are finally going to “Hang up your apron” insofar as cooking is concerned for our dinner dances and I presume that is also for our picnics!!!
Well, well, well, I commend you for your decision and congratulate you for this notable decision; however, having said that, I’m certainly going to miss all your excellent cooking in all aspects.
You have it coming to you and to be able to relax now and enjoy your great laurels!!!
However, despite older age for all of us nowadays, that you will continue to play your excellent music for as long as you can or want to!!!
Naturally, we all enjoy your musicianship, always and forever!!!
We would also want to commend you for pioneering the many musical activities that you have engaged in; such as founding person who began and served continuously in the “Accordion Club of the Redwoods!” Also, especially, your association of the famous Cotati Accordion Festival!!! Plus many other great engagements that you have personally been involved!!!
Best of Everything for you, henceforth!
Al Gardi
Entertainment, August 2013
Bart Bernico
Bart started of our entertainment with Arrivederci Roma, Beer Barrel Polka, Tico Tico and ended with Roman Guitar. A great job as usual.
Susann Leon
Susann followed with Some Where my Love, Old Soldiers Never Die, and Santa Lucia, good job Susann!
Wes Smith
Wes followed up with Ambre Renee then ended with Idle Chatter. He just keeps getting better, great job Wes!
Keith Church and his Belles Hanna and Dani Garboden
Keith surprised us a little with two lovely ladies. His first song was ‘In The Hall of the Mountain King’, then ‘Beyond the Sea’, followed by ‘Amazing Grace’. Great show Keith, bring it on again!
Elmo Fama
Elmo followed up with Shanty in Old Shanty Town, and When You are Smiling . Thank you Elmo, great as always
Kris Nelson and Tony Mustaro
Well, Kris and Tony did it again with “I can’t help it if I’m Still in Love With You” “All of Me”, and a finale of “You Don’t Know me”. You guys need to turn pro!
Tom and Kay Newburg
Tom and kay as always were in great form with Novack #1, Slav Picnic followed with Hey Marie. Great job Tom and Kay!
Stanko Pecavar
What can I say about this guy, He has never taken a lesson and cannot read music. When I ask him what he played, he hasn’t a clue, he just plays from the heart!!
News, August 2013
Our Featured Performer Lou Dimaggio
Lou was the runner up to Dick Cantino on the Horace Heidt show way back when, and just happened to have his accordion with him at our meeting. Lucky for us. His play list was “China Boy”, “It’s Wonderful”, ‘It Had to be You”, and “12th Street Rag” with our very own Kieth Church! Hurry back Lou, and do not be a stranger!
ACR Band Update
The ACR Band will have its next meeting on August 19th 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 17 & 18, 2013
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
Here is a partial list below (in no particular order) August 18th
The Golden State Accordion Club Band, Future Accordion Stars(Marjorie Konrads kids), The Great Morgani, the Mad Maggies, Lady of Spain-A-Ring, Polkacide, Simka, Chuck Berger, Duckmandu, Motor Dude Zydeco, Cajun/Zydeco Dance Party, Steve Balich Sr. Polka Band, The Wild Catahoulas, and many more!
The Presidents Message
Dear Friends,
In spite of the winter rain storm which we had a couple of weeks ago, summer is finally here and it has arrived in full force. I hope that all of you are finding a way to stay cool this summer. I have a couple cool ideas for you to consider.
In keeping with our policy of no Monday night meetings in July we have decided to try something new this year. Our July meeting will be held on Saturday July 27 afternoon around 12:30 PM at our usual meeting room in Hermann Sons Hall, but it will be a daytime meeting with Italian sausage with bell pepper and onions served on a hard roll. Donation will be an amazingly low $5 per person and the meeting will be serve as our summer social event. There will be music by our own club members and space will be available for dancing.
Please expect a phone call from one of the club officers or board members to remind you that there is no Monday meeting and to ask whether or not you plan to attend the Saturday afternoon event, and try to let us know how many of you and your friends plan on attending. Your response will be important to us in planning how much food to purchase and prepare.
Feel free to invite your friends and neighbors to join you for an afternoon of fun, food, and music. Your board works hard to plan and present social activities for our club and we need an indication that this hard work is enjoyed and appreciated by the membership. We ask you to show your support by attending and participating in these events. You can also help keep our club vital and growing by inviting and encouraging your friends to attend our events and to join our ranks if they enjoy what they see.
A second cool thing to do this summer is to attend the 23rd Annual Cotati Accordion Festival next month. Once again our club will be selling advance tickets to this event. This year the festival directors have managed to sign some world class Italian accordion artists who will be in North America to attend the 66th Coupe Mondiale in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The Coupe Mondiale is the premier event in the world of accordion music so don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to hear these musician right here in Cotati.
To purchase your tickets please see Cathy, Art, or me. If you are buying a one day ticket you can save $2 over the gate admission price and financially support your club at the same time. You can also do your friends who will be going to the Cotati festival a favor by letting them know that they can purchase discount tickets through our club. Tickets will by available at the Saturday meeting.
Please do your best to support our club. I look forward to seeing a great turnout for our Saturday meeting.
Tony Mustaro
President
Accordion Club of the Redwoods
