Archives for 0

Christmas Dinner & Dance

CAROLERSSaturday, December 1st 2012
Hermann Sons Hall. 860 Western Ave. Petaluma, CA.
6:00pm Cocktail Hour (No host bar.)
7:30pm Dinner Served.
8:30pm Dance to Steve Balich Polka Band.
Dinner will include: Baked Ham, Salad, Risotto, Vegetables,Wine, Dessert, Coffee.

ACR Members & Guests:
Please help the party committee and send this form in as soon as
possible. We need to know how many people will be attending
the party, so that we may plan the catering accordingly.

Your tickets will be available at the hall on the day of the event.
Please be sure to pick them up at the hall entrance,
you will not be served dinner without a ticket.
Tickets will be by reservation only. No ticket will be sold at the door.

Directions:
Take Hwy 101 to Petaluma.
TakeWashington St. Exit (headWest) to Petaluma Blvd.
Left on Petaluma Blvd. down one block toWestern.
Right onWestern.
Aprox.1.5 miles to 860Western (cross street Webster).

Make check out to Accordion Club of the Redwoods.
Mail check to:  ACR. 349 Francisco Drive. Sonoma, CA. 95476

For more info call: John Pordon (707) 935-7334

Spring Fling Dinner & Dance

Saturday March 23rd, 2013
Hermann Sons Hall. 860 Western Ave. Petaluma.
6:00pm – Social Mixer. 7:30pm – Dinnner. 9:00pm – Dancing!!

DINNER: TBD
Directions:
Take Hwy 101 to Petaluma.
Take Washington St. Exit (head West) to Petaluma Blvd.
Left on Petaluma Blvd. down one block to Western.
Right on Western.
Aprox.1 mile to 860 Western (cross street Webster).

•ACR Members & Guests:
Please help the party committee and send this
form in as soon as possible.(Not Yet)We need to know howmany people will be attending the  party, so that we may plan the catering accordingly.
•Your tickets will be available at the hall on the
day of the event. Please be sure to pick them up
at the hall entrance, you will not be served
dinner without a ticket.
Seating Limited to 175.

The President’s Message

Tony Mustaro

Dear Friends,

I was sorry to have missed the pasta dinner and the January meeting but I’ve been under the weather with this very nasty flu that has been making the rounds since before the holidays.  From everything I’ve heard everyone had a good meal, a good time and the food was great with plenty of seconds available.

I hope that you all enjoyed the great pasta dinner that our wonderful volunteers prepared for us last month.  Speaking of wonderful volunteers I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Jan Terribilini for the wonderful job she has done in heading up the task of purchasing and preparing our after meeting sandwich and cold cut trays for so many years.  Sadly at the last board meeting Jan informed me that she will no longer be able to continue with the great job that she and Jane Tripi have been doing.  She has advised me that we need to find another member or another two or three members to volunteer to assume these duties.

To put it simply if we wish to continue to have sandwiches available at the meetings we need to have volunteers to step forward continue with this work.  Having seen how quickly the food disappears at each meeting it’s very obvious that the end of meeting snacks are a very popular part of our monthly meeting.  We are now asking some of you to step forward and allow us to continue this tradition.  Please see me or one of the other officers or board members if you are willing to volunteer for this job, or go directly to Jan who will explain exactly what the job entails and you couldn’t have a better instructor.  We need to fill this position sooner rather than later if we are to continue serving snacks.

We are looking forward to another great meeting in February with more great accordion music this month.  Bart Beninco and Steve Balich have both agreed to play for us.  We also have another special musical treat coming up at the next meeting.  Phillip Parsons, one of our own scholarship students from a few years ago has returned to the area and he will be playing for us as well.  Phillip is a very accomplished accordionist and I am greatly looking forward to hearing him play for us again after a hiatus of so many years.

Next month, as you all know there will be no March meeting.  It will be replaced as always by our annual Spring Fling dinner dance.  We always have a great meal and a great time as the ACR welcomes the return of Spring, longer days and warmer weather.  Please remind your friends and neighbors that they are welcome to join us as we have some fun and say good-bye to Winter.  Registration forms are available again this month in the Reedwooder so please get your reservations in early so that we can prepare the correct amount of food and drink.  I look forward to seeing everyone there.

Tony Mustaro
President
Accordion Club of the Redwoods

February 2013 Entertainment

IMG_0191

George Simko

George started his playing with a Happy Birthday tune for Steve Balich.

IMG_0194

Steve and Jenny, Happy 89th Birthday Steve

Steve thanked everyone and entertained us by dancing a waltz with Jennie. George continued on his performace with a Texas Medly, Wesphalia Waltz, Arpeggio Polka and finishing with Calcutta. Thank you George, hurry back!

IMG_0196

Susannah Leon

The first of our trio of accordion scholars was Susannah Leon. She did a great job of Over the Waves, Come to the Sea and the Marines Hymn, great job Susannah.

IMG_0200

Wesleigh Smith

Westleigh Smith was our second scholar. His music was the Sailors Song, Down in the Valley, On Top of Old Smokey and Lady of Spain. Great job Wes.

IMG_0205

Anthony Berger

Anthony Berger, was our last scholar to play. Anthony was in top form with Mariner’s Waltz, Dorothy Polka and Joes Carousel. Wes just keeps getting better and better. Look out Steve?

IMG_0208

Introduction of Joe Chiesa, Marjorie Konrad and our Scholars

IMG_0211

Olga Fansler

For Olga Fansler this is Olga’s second time playing for us. Olga played a waltz from Doctor Zhivago and a folk song, ‘The Moon is Shining’. We look forward to seeing you again soon, don’t be a stranger.

IMG_0216

Bart Benico

Bart, as usual, was excellent. One truly feels every chord and note. Bart began with Tico Tico, followed by Swinging Shepard Blues, then Tango of Roses and finishing with La Paloma. Thank you Bart, we just do not get enough of you.

IMG_0220

Aldo playing the piano

Finishing off the evening was Aldo on the piano. Wow, what else is there to say? Aldo’s music comes from  his heart and soul and out of his fingers. What a wonderful way to end the evening!

News, February 2013

Accordion, Music etc for sale
Diane Arata, daughter of  long-time member and ex-officer Domenic Saso  informed us that she has Domenic’s possessions for sale. They include an  Elka Rhythm 96 base accordion with tone chamber and Roland sound system (with case), an Aria Rosewood guitar with case & footrest,  a mahogany Mason Hamlin Grand Piano & bench and miscellaneous other items, some of which are sheet music and books for various instruments, a metronome, accordion straps, a microphone, maracas, only to mention a few.   If you are interested in any of Domenic’s stuff, please phone Diane at 1- (415) 246-5430..or..1-(415) 897-4668.  She’ll be glad to talk to you.

From your Editor – Art Clark
Other Happenings
I may not have mentioned it before, but for those who may not have heard, there is still great dancing, Little Swistzerland style, going on at the Sonoma Moose Lodge, at 20580 Broadway in Sonoma. The price is right, and the music is even better. Just ask our very own Steve Balich!

Another great event is on March 2nd put on by the Valley of the Moon Sons of Italy. This is a Scholarship Dinner Dance at the Veterans Memorial Building in Sonoma. The price is $25 per person. This may seem a bit pricey, but the food alone is well worth the price, then when you add a Swing-Era Big Band 17-Piece Orchestra, well I cannot say enough. I attended this last year and Carola and I hardly sat out any dance. For more information on this, let me know and I will gladly send you a flyer via email, or I just might have a few flyers with me.

ACR Band Update
The ACR Band will have its next meeting on February 18th, 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.

Spring Fling Cheaper Deal for Members
The Annual ACR Spring Fling Dance will be held on March 23rd. Tickets will be $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Yes the price has increased, like everything else. If you know some folks who would like to come to the Spring Fling and they are not yet members of ACR, please let them know they can join and get a discount on tickets to the dinner / dance.

Silence is Golden.
Out of consideration for the performers and your fellow members in the audience, please don’t talk during the musical part of the ACR meetings. The performers deserve our respect and attention. So be kind and reserve the chit-chat and discussions for the intermissions and breaks.

Play for the ACR, Get in Free.
The ACR board has voted to admit all performers into the monthly meetings for free. As long as the musicians sign up and perform a minimum of three songs, they will be admitted without the normal donation at the door.

The President’s Message

Tony Mustaro

Dear Friends,

Well, the holidays are over for another year and things should slowly return to normal for a while.  I hope that all of you had a wonderful holiday season.  Speaking of a wonderful holiday season we all had a great time at our annual Christmas Dinner Dance last month.  The food and wine were excellent and we had a very good turnout considering the weather.  The dance music by Steve Balich and his band was great as usual.  To top it all off we actually earned a few dollars for our treasury this year.  I had a great time playing with Steve Jr., Scottie our drummer and vocalist Kris Nelson before dinner.  Thanks to all of the volunteers who made this event possible and thank all of you who attended and those of you who supported the raffle.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you at our January meeting on Monday the 21st.  We’re kicking off the year with a pasta feed before the meeting, so come early and have a good meal and visit with your friends while you eat and stay to listen to some good music.

This month we are lucky to have Aldo Garibaldi, an excellent pianist who has played for us before to rave reviews.  Aldo plays with such mastery and intensity that it’s always a pleasure to listen to him.  Come and hear some of your favorite standard tunes played by this excellent musician. It shouldn’t be long now before we have our new ACR website up and running.  I will have more on this for those of you who have computers and those of you whose friends and relatives have computers in upcoming messages.  It will help to spread the word about what a great club we have.

Also we are working with the leadership of Hermann Sons Hall on sponsoring a concert performance by an excellent German Accordion Band which will be touring the US this year.  The concert will take place at Hermann Sons Hall in October and I will also have more information about this in upcoming messages to you.

Finally, I have the sad task of informing you that   Leo Tastsides departed from us on December 20, 2012 at the age of eighty-five.  Leo always had a smile for everyone and was a true accordion and polka booster and an accomplished player.  He was also a ham radio operator and a member of the Grammy winning Frank Yankevich Polka Band organization.

Our sincere condolences go out to Marcella, his wife of sixty-one years, his son Michael and all of his other friends and family members.  Good-bye Leo, you will be missed.

Tony Mustaro
President
Accordion Club of the Redwoods

January 2013 Entertainment

CIMG1458

Xavier de la Prade

Our first performer of the night was Xavier de la Prade . Xavier plays a black Bugari piano accordion. Xaviers’ music selection included “A Whiter Sade of Pale”, “Me and Bobby McGee”, and “La Reine de Musette.” As always, Xavier had very interesting stories about his music selection.

CIMG1465

Kay Newburg & Jane Tripi

Next on the program was Kay Newburg and Jane Tripi. Kay sang while Jane played “Hey Good Lookin”, “Tennesse Waltz”, and “Your Cheatin Heart”. What a delightful combination, lets hope we hear this combination more often.

CIMG1460

Anthony Berger

Our second performer was another young student of Marjorie Konrad’s his name is Anthony Berger.  Anthony has been studying for five months and has made very good progress.  Anthony was eager to play for us again and we can see why. His playing just keeps getting better. Anthony plays a Grande Vox piano accordion and his music set included “Jingle Bells”, “Bonjour Paris”, and “Silver Bells.”  Great job Anthony! Come back anytime.

CIMG1472

Kris Nelson & Tony Mustaro

Our next performers were Kris Nelson and Tony Mustaro. Kris sang and Tony accompanied him on his Roland Piano Electronic Accordion. Their list included “I can’t Help it if I’m Still in Love with You”, “You Don’t Know Me” (and there seemed to be a little choking up here), “My Blue heaven”, then  ending with “Santa Calus is Coming to Town”. Tony was as usual great, and Kris just keep getting better.

CIMG1476

Un Deux Trois

The Un Deux Trois took the stage this month. Whether you say “one two three” or “uno dos tres” or “eins, zwei, drei”, this trio was great! The Beltuna piano accordion and two guitars were their instruments.

The emotions and passions evoked were indescribable, but fantastic does not do justice to this group! The selection were “3 French Bourrees”, “La Valse d’Ania/Le Chemins de l”amour/Adeus”, Son Ephemere Passion/Amelie”, “Tango de Santa Rosa”, “Porto Santo/Miradoura de Santa Luzia”, The Sourhtern Mass”, ending with “La Marine”.

Honorary Member: Elmo Fama

CIMG1453At our November 2012 meeting,  current president Tony Mustaro had the pleasure of officially recognizing the contributions which Elmo Fama has made to the Accordion Club of the Redwoods over many years since the club was born.  Elmo is a founding member and has served the club every year since its founding.

We are grateful for his steady guidance and the sage advice which he has contributed as a member of our board.  Thank you Elmo for your many years of service to our club.  We also take this opportunity to wish you a very happy birthday as you share your birthday month with Steve Balich.

News, January 2013

Editors Apology
I am so sorry but there are not pictures to be published for the Christmas Dinner dance. My camera gave up the ghost. I have invested in another camera, a Christmas present from me to me. I hope you can forgive me.
Art Clark

Pasta Feed at Our January Meeting
We’re kicking off the year with a pasta feed before the meeting, so come early and have a good meal and visit with your friends while you eat and stay to listen to some good music.

Our scholorship students will start the program with selections of music they have been working on for several months, be sure to be in attendance and show your support for these fine young folks!

2012/2013 ACR Scholarships
ACR Scholarship chairman Joe Chiesa informs us that October is the deadline for ACR Scholarship applications have been closed. All requests for application forms may be obtained by calling Joe at (707) 539-1407. ACR scholarships are accepted for accordion students ages 6 – 18 years of age from the San Francisco bay area. Our current Scholars are Anthony Berger, Susannah Leon, and Westleigh Smith.

ACR Band Update
The ACR Band will have its next meeting on February 18th, 6:30 before the ACR general meeting. Please note no band practice for January due to Pasta Feed. 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.

Spring Fling Cheaper Deal for Members
The Annual ACR Spring Fling Dance will be held on March 23rd. Tickets will be $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Yes the price has increased, like everything else. If you know some folks who would like to come to the Spring Fling and they are not yet members of ACR, please let them know they can join and get a discount on tickets to the dinner / dance.

Silence is Golden.
Out of consideration for the performers and your fellow members in the audience, please don’t talk during the musical part of the ACR meetings. The performers deserve our respect and attention. So be kind and reserve the chit-chat and discussions for the intermissions and breaks.

Play for the ACR, Get in Free.
The ACR board has voted to admit all performers into the monthly meetings for free. As long as the musicians sign up and perform a minimum of three songs, they will admitted without the normal donation at the door.