VIDEOS
Artists' Statement
The LA Accordion Festival was a lot of fun. I was so happy to launch my new band with Annabelle Cabrera on violin and Quentin Josephy on percussion there. I think we're pretty hot together. It was also a treat to have Poli Marichal doing a shadow-puppet show that she created specifically for my song "This Tree Called Love", and to have Stefan Fabry and Mitra Martin dance the tango to my song "March of the Tango".
I opened on my own with the ever-popular, sexy version of "Squeezebox", and then the band, known as "The Q & A" joined me for my songs "Coming Home", "Lovely Discords 1", and the jazz standard, "Autumn Leaves". Then Poli & I did "This Tree Called Love" (it was cool to look out at the crowd and see them enrapt by the puppet show). The Q & A returned for the last 2 songs, "March of the Tango" with the tango dancers, and my interpretation of the Grateful Dead song, "Friend of the Devil".
The venue was a little lacking in the ambiance department, but we turned down the lights to create as much mood as we could. It was the "First Annual" of the event, and I know they're looking for an outside venue next year and to just keep growing it bigger and bigger. I was honored to be part of it this year, and hope to participate in it again.
There were some great bands and accordionists at the festival. Of course, 3 of my favorite accordion-toting bands were on the bill: Vagabond Opera (Eric Stern is an accordionist-extraordinaire!), Jessica Fichot, & Mrs Brown's Lovely Daughter. I only wish we could have all been on the same night.
There were some other fun bands in a variety of genres, and a good amount of incredible button box players, including Otono Lujan from Conjunto Los Pochos, Jose Carlos in La Santa Cecilia (the singer, La Marisoul, was pretty amazing too), and the guy in Ollin. It was great that there were other female accordionists including Gee Rabe in The Humble Hooligans and Julie Wolfe (who was still playing despite being pregnant!) in Sam Mellon and the Skylarks, Jessica Fichot, Tammy Tomahawk in Cinderella Motel, and me, Mrs Hobbs (but of course!). Count Smokula & Veronique Chevalier added their unique accordion humor. And still other bands had great piano accordionists, and were good party bands.
Looking forward to next year.
Press Reviews
ACCORDION FESTIVAL IN THE NEWS
LOS ANGELES TIMES – PRINT EDITION – THE GUIDE
May 29, 2008
Los Angeles Accordian Festival: The Squeeze
Accordion jokes are plentiful, and some undoubtedly will surface at the first Los Angeles Accordion Festival. It's an ambitious three-day event starting Friday in Eagle Rock, spanning Zydeco, Tex-Mex, norteño, Irish, folk, even avant-garde music. Performers are mostly L.A.-based, among them Ollin, Doug Legacy & the Zydeco Party Band and accordion-humorist (is there another kind?) Count Smokula. Fraternal Order of Eagles, 1596 Yosemite Drive. Doors open 6 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 4 p.m. Sun. $10 a day or $25 for a three-day pass. Workshop: $10. (323) 257-8869; www.myspace.com/losangeles accordionfest
Article at: http://www.latimes.com/features/printedition/theguide/la-gd-eventscandy29accordion-2008may29,0,5427907.story
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LOS ANGELES TIMES – ONLINE EDITION - THE GUIDE –
BEST BET/EDITOR’S PICK
Los Angeles Accordion Festival
If a gentleman is someone who knows how to play the accordion but chooses not to, there won't be many gents at the first annual Los Angeles Accordion Festival. But there will be 15 accordion players and bands showcasing the cross-cultural power of this instrument across a stunning diversity of musical genres, everything from Cajun, Irish rockabilly and Tex-Mex, to zydeco, alternative and experimental. Saturday features an accordion workshop conducted by Otono Lujan of Conjunto Los Pochos and an accordion instructor from the Eagle Rock Music Studio. Learn all about the three button row accordion used in traditional Cajun and zydeco music. BBQ dinners will be available for $8.75.
Article at: http://theguide.latimes.com/events-and-festivals/latcl-los-angeles-accordion-festival-event
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PASADENA WEEKLY
May 29, 2008
By John Sollenberger
Eagle Rock's three days of accordions
Accordion fans will get more than their share of them Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the first annual Los Angeles Accordion Festival at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, Aerie 2188 in Eagle Rock. The event features 15 accordion players and their bands.
But if you think it’s going to be all polkas, think again. The event showcases the diverse styles performed on the instrument, including Cajun, Irish, rockabilly, Tex-Mex, zydeco, alternative and experimental.
Saturday’s installment features an accordion workshop conducted by Otono Lujan of Conjunto Los Pochos, an instructor at the Eagle Rock Music Studio, who will be performing that day. He will demonstrate the three-button row accordion used in traditional Cajun, Tex-Mex and zydeco styles.
A no-host bar will offer cocktails, beer and wine and barbecue dinners will be available for purchase.
The event kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. Acts that day are Count Smokula, Vagabond Opera, Cinderella Motel, Hurricanjuns and the Humble Hooligans.
Starting at 6 p.m. Saturday’s lineup features Veronique Chevalier, Sam Mellon & the Skylarks, Jessica Richot, Conjunto Los Pochos and Phil Parlapiano.
The fest winds up Sunday from 4 p.m. with Mrs. Hobbs, Mrs. Brown’s Lovely Daughter, La Santa Cecilia, Doug Legacy & the Zydeco Party Band and Ollin.
The first annual Los Angeles Accordion Festival is at Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, 1596 Yosemite Drive, Eagle Rock. Tickets are $10 at the door; three-day passes are $25. Call (323) 246-8998 or visit www.myspace.com/losangelesaccordionfestival.
Article at: http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/eagle_rock_s_three_days_of_accordions/6024/
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FLAVORPILL
By Lucinda Knapp, May 30, 2008
Los Angeles Accordion Festival
The folk-gypsy invasion was just an excuse to bring the accordion back into the common parlance of indie rock, but it's thrived in all its bellowing vociferousness in zydeco, Cajun, Tejano, and Euro-style gypsy jazz long before now. The Los Angeles Accordion Festival features 17 artists and bands, all of whom in turn feature the progressive invigoration of our favorite member of the free-reed aerophone family. The fest also offers an accordion workshop for only $10 and delicious BBQ for purchase. Musicians include French torch-fusion chanteuse Jessica Fichot, vaudeville avant-cirque outfit Vagabond Opera (who headline at Molly Malone's later tonight), Cinderella Motel, Veronique Chevalier, quirky experimental diva Mrs.Hobbs, and Conjunto Los Pochos.
Article at: http://flavorpill.com/losangeles/events/2008/5/30/los-angeles-accordion-festival
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METROMIX
Los Angeles Accordion Festival
Did you know that June is International Accordion Awareness Month? Neither did we, but we think it's pretty much genius.
This first annual, 3-day event celebrates everything about the oft-ridiculed instrument with a lineup of accordion-influenced bands.
Saddle up to the accordion workshop for a brief lesson in just how difficult (ok, impossible) it is to play.
As with any festival, there will be plenty of BBQ, beer and booze around to keep even the friend you dragged to the event satiated.
Lineup:
Friday, May 30 - Count Smokula, Vagabond Opera, Cinderella Motel, Hurricajuns and the Humble Hooligans
Saturday, May 31 - Veronique Chevalier, Sam Mellon & the Skylarks, Jessica Fichot, Conjunto Los Pochos and Phil Parlapiano
Sunday, June 1 - Mrs. Hobbs, Mrs. Brown's Lovely Daughter, La Santa Cecilia, Doug Legacy & the Zydeco Party Band and Ollin
Article at: http://losangeles.metromix.com/music/alternative/los-angeles-accordion-festival-eagle-rock/410189/content
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LATINO LA CALENDAR
Los Angeles Accordion Festival
The First Annual Los Angeles Accordion Festival kicks off on Friday, May 30 through Sunday, June 1. The event will be held at the Fraternal Order of Eagle's Hall, Aerie 2188, 1596 Yosemite Drive in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Tickets are $10 at the door or you can purchase a three day pass for $25 at www.myspace.comlosangelesaccordionfestival or by calling 323-246-8998. BBQ dinners will be available for $8.75. There will be a no-host bar featuring cocktails, beer and wine. Street parking near Eagle Rock High School and Metro Bus Line 181 are conveniently located near the venue.
The three day festival will feature 15 accordion players and their bands showcasing accordion music with diverse styles such as Cajun, Irish, Rockabilly, Tex-Mex, Zydeco, Alternative and Experimental.
On Saturday, May 31, an Accordion Workshop will be held for those interested in learning more about the accordion. Otono Lujan of Conjunto Los Pochos and accordion instructor at the Eagle Rock Music Studio will conduct the workshop demonstrating the Three Button Row Accordion that is used in traditional Cajun, Tex-Mex and Zydeco music. Cost is $10 per person. Reserve your place by calling 323-246-8998 or by visiting www.myspace.comlosangelesaccordionfestival.
Festival Schedule
Friday, May 30, 6:00 pm, Count Smokula, Vagabond Opera, Cinderella Motel, Hurricajuns and the Humble Hooligans
Saturday, May 31, 6:00 pm, Veronique Chevalier, Sam Mellon & the Skylarks, Jessica Fichot, Conjunto Los Pochos and Phil Parlapiano.
Sunday, June 1, 4:00 pm, Mrs. Hobbs, Mrs. Brown's Lovely Daughter, La Santa Cecilia, Doug Legacy & the Zydeco Party Band and Ollin
For more information about this event, please call 323-246-8998 or www.myspace.com/losangelesaccordionfestival. You may also contact event organizers at losangelesaccordionfestival@yahoo.com.
Article at: http://www.latinola.com/event.php?event=12568
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METBLOGS
Zydeco Festival This Weekend, Accordion Festival Next Weekend!
Posted By Lucinda Michele, May 23, 2008
As if the Shambhala Arts Festival & Topanga Days weren’t enough, we also have the Cajun/Creole Festival (this weekend) and Accordion Festival (a week from tomorrow)! The Cajun/Creole Festival will have several dozen musical acts playing zydeco & Cajun musics, delish food, and stuff for the kids. The Accordion Festival is shaping up to be a helluva lot of fun, with Zydeco, Cajun, Tejano and alternative experimental sonic goodness, an accordion workshop (OMG I’ve always wanted to learn! I even have one! It’s red & white, so fashonable, even thought it’s uselessly sitting on a closet shelf!), and more. Parisian indie ingenue Jessica Fichot, LA legend Count Smokula, Norteno/Tejano-playing Conjunto los Pochos, the sexy & sultry Mrs.Hobbs and wonderful Veronique Chevalier (plus a bunch more local musicians) will perform. Viva la aerophones!
Article at: http://la.metblogs.com/2008/05/23/zydeco-festival-this-weekend-accordion-festival-next-weekend/
Note: The photo with this article is of me!
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LET’S POLKA – AN ACCORDION BLOG
Los Angeles Accordion Festival
Posted By Chris Saccheri
Northern California has had its fair share of accordion festivals over the years, so it was only a matter of time before Southern California got into the act. The first Los Angeles Accordion Festival is a three-day event running from May 30th to June 1st at Eagles Hall in Los Angeles.
Designed to showcase some of L.A.’s finest new accordion talent, there’ll be four or five bands performing each night with diverse styles ranging from Irish to Tex-Mex, Cajun to Rockabilly, and nearly everything in-between. On Saturday, May 31st, there’ll also be an accordion workshop on the three-row button accordion led by Otono Lujan of Conjunto Los Pochos, accordion instructor at the Eagle Rock Music Studio. For more information — including a full list of artists performing — check the festival website or the listing on our calendar.
Article at: http://www.letspolka.com/2008/05/los-angeles-accordion-festival/
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YELP
Los Angeles Accordion Festival
Submitted by Kat S.
After falling in love with the accordion after seeing Amelie, I may just have to check this out...
The First Annual Los Angeles Accordion Festival kicks off on Friday, May 30 through Sunday, June 1 in Eagle Rock. There will be a no-host bar featuring cocktails, beer and wine. Street parking near Eagle Rock High School and Metro Bus Line 181 are conveniently located near the venue. The three-day festival will feature 15 accordion players and their bands showcasing accordion music with diverse styles such as Cajun, Irish, Rockabilly, Tex-Mex, Zydeco, Alternative and Experimental.
On Saturday, May 31, an Accordion Workshop will be held for those interested in learning more about the accordion. Otono Lujan of Conjunto Los Pochos and accordion instructor at the Eagle Rock Music Studio will conduct the workshop demonstrating the Three Button Row Accordion that is used in traditional Cajun, Tex-Mex and Zydeco music. Cost is $10 per person.
Festival Schedule Friday, May 30, 6:00 pm: Count Smokula, Vagabond Opera, Cinderella Motel, Hurricajuns, the Humble Hooligans; Saturday, May 31, 6:00 pm: Veronique Chevalier, Sam Mellon & the Skylarks, Jessica Fichot, Conjunto Los Pochos and Phil Parlapiano; Sunday, June 1, 4:00 pm: Mrs. Hobbs, Mrs. Brown's Lovely Daughter, La Santa Cecilia, Doug Legacy & the Zydeco Party Band and Ollin.
Article at: http://www.yelp.com/events/los-angeles-los-angeles-accordion-festival
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DIGLOUNGE
Weekend Guide: Accordian music, roller derby and food festivals galore
May 29, 2008
The First Annual Los Angeles Accordion Festival kicks off on Friday, May 30 through Sunday, June 1 in Eagle Rock. There will be a no-host bar featuring cocktails, beer and wine. The three-day festival will feature 15 accordion players and their bands showcasing accordion music with diverse styles such as Cajun, Irish, Rockabilly, Tex-Mex, Zydeco, Alternative and Experimental.
Article at: http://diglounge.net/city-beat/weekend-guide-may30/
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