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WMAS NEWS UPDATE
July 15, 2005

Meeting Notes

Waltz Night this past Tuesday, July 12, left us with some great images: Jim Vandelly leading his accordion through a few steps and Dick Dangel's little granddaughter in the middle of the room dancing to her own beat. And there were so many sweet sounds. Thanks to all who turned out to play, dance or listen on a hot July night. Thanks, also, to Michael B. Rubin for the dance instruction. The program is below.

Mike Surratt, who turned up unexpectedly, borrowed an accordion and opened the program. In addition, he brought us a new arrangement for the holiday concert. Joan took the music home and will organize a few musicians to demonstrate the piece next month so Mike can decide whether he needs to tinker with it. After that we will start rehearsing it. The rehearsal schedule is already posted on the WMAS calendar, by the way.

Lee Paulson reported that the WMAS float in the Fairfax Fourth of July parade was a great success. The ensemble played "America" before the judging stand, and the judges stood up, appearing quite moved. Thanks to Lee and everyone who worked on the float and performed in the parade, and helped get out the word about our group.

We look forward to next month's meeting, which will feature Merv Conn recounting his life as an accordionist. There will also be an opportunity for other members who have attended accordion events this summer to share their experience and perhaps demonstrate something they learned.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Accordion Survey
From Ken Kunic: A grad student at Columbia University (who also is an accordionist originally from Arlington) is surveying accordionists and others about the instrument. Please help her out by logging onto www.theaccordionproject.com and completing the survey. It will only take a few minutes.

My Favorite Things
Several people asked about the amusing parody of "My Favorite Things" that Dick Dangel played and sang Tuesday night. Here is more information:

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY JULIE ANDREWS
FOR AARP MEMBERS
To commemorate her 69th birthday on October 1, actress/vocalist Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was "My Favorite Things" from the legendary movie "Sound Of Music." However, the lyrics of the song were deliberately changed for the entertainment of her "blue hair" audience. Here are the lyrics she recited:

My Favorite (Senior) Things

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak,
When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets, and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heat pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pains, confused brains, and no fear of sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache,
When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

WMAS Web Site
The WMAS calendar lists events almost every week this summer. Please check www.washingtonaccordions.org.

Waltz Night Program

Mike Surratt -- Artist's Life, Forever & Ever
Peter DiGiovanni - Danube Maiden (Strauss)
Karen Malan-Uribe & Peter - Skaters' Waltz
Ron Charvet - Merceditas (Peruvian)
Dick Dangel - Someday My Prince Will Come, My Favorite Things
Bob Duca - Big Mamou
Anne Johnson & Ellen Sellers - Barcarole (Offenbach)
Mike Rubin - The Anniversary Waltz
Joan Grauman - Scandinavian Waltz
Joan, Peter & Mara Cherkasky - Lovers' Waltz
Leone Monticone, Mara & Clare Cherkasky - Cajun Waltz Medley, Swiss Boy Waltz
Rick Nunno & Mara - Mon Parnasse, Shannon Waltz
Robert Ford - Under Paris Skies
Bob Juszczyk - Sunrise Waltz, In Warsaw Waltz
Elizabeth & Fred Nelson - Kentucky Waltz, Lonesome Moonlight Waltz, Waltz of the Whippoorwill
Eric Schwarz - Pigalle, a waltz from Hamburg
Jim Vandelly - Ramona, Charmaine
Merv Conn - Sunrise, Sunset
Betty Chreky & Merv - Domino
Merv - Beautiful Blue Danube and others