A day at Leavenworth Washington

[Mike t.]

Had a great day Saturday at the Leavenworth accordion festival (4 1/2 hour drive) listening to performers outside the gazebo (good way to get burnt!) watching spectators walking by and their reaction. Stage presence/song choice is way more important than any technical skill in pleasing a crowd. I loved watching little kids dancing around to a catchy tune or young people boogieing to a catchy rhythm. I would have thought someone would have played a little newer stuff, Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl with it’s recognizable bass pattern, Chicken Dance would have shined. There were amazing players but a single line melody was just as catchy to the crowd walking by. I feel we play to please other accordion players, (it was an accordion festival after all!) while most of the crowd was just there sightseeing the town. My favorite players were a young family from Woodinville Washington who preformed on stage from beginner level to amazing level! The older teen brother who could play way over my head to the middle sister who was at my level to the youngest sister probably in book three P.H. All polished on their performances. I even met Gary Blair from UK.! Was a great time.

 

[Siegmund]

I should have asked if anyone else was coming! I was there for the whole long weekend, went to the concerts, attended 3 of the workshops, heard a lot of great music, emptied all the cash out of my wallet in exchange for CDs and sheet music.

Gary Blair gave a workshop Friday about how he positions his hand to do his lightning-fast note repetitions. Fun guy to listen to. And teaches surprisingly affordable PA lessons online - I'd recommend him to anyone wanting zoom lessons on technical development.

An extra bonus for those of us with other musical interests was that the Gazebo program included the Leavenworth alphorn club this year, in addition to the accordionists.

 

[JeffJetton]

Sounds like a blast! I'd love to get out there one of these years.

 

[Giovanni]

Had a great day Saturday at the Leavenworth accordion festival (4 1/2 hour drive) listening to performers outside the gazebo (good way to get burnt!) watching spectators walking by and their reaction. Stage presence/song choice is way more important than any technical skill in pleasing a crowd. I loved watching little kids dancing around to a catchy tune or young people boogieing to a catchy rhythm. I would have thought someone would have played a little newer stuff, Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl with it’s recognizable bass pattern, Chicken Dance would have shined. There were amazing players but a single line melody was just as catchy to the crowd walking by. I feel we play to please other accordion players, (it was an accordion festival after all!) while most of the crowd was just there sightseeing the town. My favorite players were a young family from Woodinville Washington who preformed on stage from beginner level to amazing level! The older teen brother who could play way over my head to the middle sister who was at my level to the youngest sister probably in book three P.H. All polished on their performances. I even met Gary Blair from UK.! Was a great time.

Gary Blair .....is a wonderful player ,presenter of workshops and entertainer , he also does the calling for scottish dancing and also all the playing at the same time . I remember him trying to teach a load of Italians in the Audience the scottish dancing steps ...........
its was great fun .......We had a great time !!...................He is always a great Hit at any accordion convention