WMAS
NEWS
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WMAS NEWS UPDATE
February 23, 2006
Notes from the President
WMAS celebrated Valentine's Day with a Scandinavian music and dance party. This was also our third anniversary, so we had cake: a rectangle with a heart on top, and an accordion on top of that. In addition, we celebrated the memory of our friend Lee Simonson, who died last year.
Quite a few guests joined us: they were members of the American Scandinavian Association and a couple of Scandinavian folk dance groups. Joan Grauman warmed up the crowd; then Vic Aijala took over, playing a wonderful variety of Swedish and Finnish dance tunes as a few couples waltzed and schottisched across the floor. Vic and Lee used to play old-time Scandinavian dance music together as the duo Marjamaan Pojat.
After a snack break, several other WMAS members entertained the group: Lee Paulson, Jim Vandelly, Peter DiGiovanni, Stella Allison and Joan Grauman, and Bob Juszczyk. People also examined the costume and other items Joan and Dan brought to display, and they watched the Finnish accordion competition video Vic had brought. A jam session followed.
The evening was truly a pleasure.
Other NewsNews
Mara, Lee, Joan and Karen have been busy working on a WMAS banner to hang at meetings and other events. It will be finished in time to display at the AAMS festival in Wayne, Pa., the first weekend in March.
Speaking of the AAMS festival , several WMAS members are planning to go. It will definitely be a fun time! Learn more and register at http://www.aamsaccordionfestival.com.
We look forward to the March 14 meeting when Jim Vandelly will present a workshop on "nuances and experimentation." (Note that Jim and Eric Schwarz have switched dates, so Eric will not present his workshop until April.) Please bring your accordion; Jim will lead us through variations on the theme from Carnival of Venice. If you would like a copy of the music to work on ahead of the meeting, email Jim at vandelly@verizon.net and give him your mailing address.
There's lots of good music coming up!
Saturday, Feb. 25 -
The Bolling Club Proudly Presents Lou Coppola and the STEREO STRINGS
This popular strolling ensemble will be performing Saturday, February
25, 2006 in the dining room from 6:30 P.M. - 9:30 P.M.
Alternating with the Stereo Strings for your dancing pleasure, will be
an
exciting dance combo, playing your favorites until 11:30 P.M.
The club will be featuring an a la carte menu with dinner specials. Don't
miss out on a great value!
Come join us for a fabulous night of dining and dancing!
Call (202) 563-8400 for reservations.
For additional information about Stereo Strings, please visit http://www.loucoppola.com.
Contact StereoStrings@aol.com if you would like to go to this. Lou Coppola will need to get clearance for you.
It's Mardi Gras Time!
Monday, Feb. 27, C.J. Chenier is playing at the Birchmere in Arlington. Kraig Greff and the Crawdaddies will be opening at 7:30.
Tuesday, Feb. 28, Roy Carrier & the Night Rockers are playing at Chick Hall's Surf Club in Bladensburg, Md., at 9 pm
Hexagon
Also, don't forget Hexagon starting March 2, with WMAS member Michael B. Rubin.
* * * * * * * See the WMAS calendar for more information on these events. * * * * * * *
Joan & Stella's CD
This was recorded at the November 2005 WMAS meeting. For more information, contact Joan Grauman.
ISO Accordionists
One more item, a want ad passed on by the Florida accordion club --
We are a local vineyard looking for accordion players for events and
weddings in the Northern Virginia area. If you have members interested
in playing for us please contact Della at Veramar Vineyard, (540) 955-5510.
See also http://www.veramar.com.