The Accordion. . .It’s Not Just for Polkas Anymore.
The month of June is International Accordion Awareness Month (as if we really need a reminder to keep the accordion in the front of our conscienceness).
Regardless of what style of music you associate the accordion with, there are countless more - the classic polka band at a German brauhaus, a gypsy violinist and an accordion accompaniest at a romantic resturant, some foot-stompin’ Zydeco music from Lousiana, a bit of Tejano tunes from Texas that make you want to dance or…yes, even your CD collection may have some accordion music. Members of Pink Floyd, Green Day, Los Lobos and Styx have all played the accordion.
So I did of bit of research and discovered that there are several accordion events planned throughout the area during the summer and you can catch some live accordon players at several local resturants.
Concerts
- Free Accordion Concert
Featuring Dale Wise who has played for five U.S. Presidents and other celebs, and The Potomac Ensemble
Oakton United Methodist Church
Route 123 & Hunter Mill Road
Oakton, VA 22124Date and Time - Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 8:00 p.m.
- American Accordionists Association Festival/Coupe Mondiale.
This week long accordianists event will feature several performances from local, national and international accordianists and bands.
Holiday Inn - Alexandria-Historic District
625 First Street
Alexandria, VA 22314Date and Time - August 13-18 - various accordion events are planned
Accordionists at Area Restaurants
- Joe Blumka at Tutto Bene
Tutto Bene Italian Restaurant
501 N. Randolph Street - off Glebe Road across from the Ballston Mall
Arlington, VADine on some of your favorite Italian dishes at this Arlington mainstay for almost 20 years. According music is offered every Friday, 7:00 - 10:30 p.m., with Russian violinist Vladimir Rozenblat accompanying.
- Silvia Eberly at Old Stein Inn
Old Stein Inn
1143 Central Ave. (Route 214)
Edgewater, MDEnjoy some great old world German food and ten German imported beers on draught in a “Gemutlichkeit” or comfortable-cozy setting while listening to live accordion music every 2nd and 4th Saturday evening in June, July, August and September.
- Paul Aebersold & Silvia Eberly at Cafe Mozart
Cafe Mozart
1331 H Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.Paul Aebersold plays Saturdays, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Silvia Eberly plays Tuesday evenings and Sundays, 5:00-7:30 p.m. at this DC German and Austrian restaurant.
- The Rheinlanders Polka Music & Dancing
Blob’s Park Bavarian Biergarten
8024 Blob’s Park Road (MD Route 175 at the Baltimore-Washington Parkway)
Jessup, MD 20794Featuring home-cooked German foods and German beers on draught, this is a fun and casual place for some polka dancing to a live band on weekends. Dance (or polka) the night away on the 2,000 square foot wooden dance floor for just a $5.00 admission charge.
Finally, check out Joel Guzman in this bluesy improv on the accordion at You Tube. You can’t help but smile.
Photo credits - Flickr and the various artists
________________________________________________________________
Tags: Accordion, b5-media, DC, DC-travel-information, german-food-dc, local-attractions, site-seeing, The-DC-Traveler, tourist-information, travel, vacation, Washington, Washington-DC, Washington-DC-travelRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Family Fun, Food & Beverage, Just a Bit Weird - Fun & Quirky Places, Music, Nightlife
1 opinion for The Accordion. . .It’s Not Just for Polkas Anymore.
SP@ Southern Byways
Jun 17, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I haven’t heard accordion music in years. Certainly didn’t expect to hear that they were showing up as entertainment in restaurants. I must definitely be eating at the wrong spots. I bet the people eating at the “eateries” above, have a great time! :)
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: