WMAS NEWS UPDATE
August 27, 2024
(Visit the NEWS ARCHIVE for past announcements)
(To post a news item, e-mail [email protected])
Dear WMAS members and friends!
Phillip Kancianic’s Zydeco workshop on August 18 was a load of fun! Even longtime Zydeco fans learned something, as Phillip discussed the history of this Southwest Louisiana musical style, the origin of its name, his connections to the region and visits there, and his connections with some of the musicians. He did a great job demonstrating a few examples of Zydeco songs, as did the volunteers who accompanied him on rubboard (see video clips on our Facebook page). Everyone was smiling.
If you’d like to receive Phillip’s slide deck, please let us know.
Our greeters for the day were Halina Banas-Jones and Mara Cherkasky on accordions, with Michael Jones on spoons. They got the meeting off to a bright start, albeit in a totally different musical style: Irish.
It was good to see some new faces at the meeting and we hope to see them back again soon.
By the way, please check out our online calendar for opportunities to hear live Zydeco music in the DC area: https://www.washingtonaccordions.org/calendar.html
Holiday Concert 2024
Peter DiGiovanni has sent sheet music and MP3s to Holiday Orchestra members, but there’s still time to sign up if you haven’t already. Please contact Peter asap if you would like to participate. (Call or text 703-919-5701 or email [email protected].) Our first rehearsal -- by which time you should be comfortable with the music -- takes place at 4 pm on October 13 at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church. That’s the week before our October (Oktoberfest) meeting. (The concert itself takes place on December 15.)
Next Meetings/Events
By popular demand, Mariachi Esmerelda will be returning for a guest-artist concert on Sunday, September 15, at 4 pm. Please mark your calendars and invite your friends and family. Nonmembers will be asked for an $8 donation, but members and children under 12 enter free of charge.
Our annual Oktoberfest will take place on Sunday, October 20, at 4 pm. Everyone is invited to play a polka or waltz (or two or three) for the group, dust off your dancing shoes, and bring your friends and family. Also, please plan to bring Oktoberfest-style snacks to share.
One week later, Sleepy Hollow will hold its Howl-o-ween drive-through blessing of the pets -- on Sunday, October 27 from 2 pm to 4 pm. A group from WMAS has played at this fun event each year and we’re invited back this time, too. Please let us know if you’d like to participate so we can send you the music to practice ahead of time.
A Plea
We’re still looking for someone, or a team, to coordinate hospitality: to bring out the boxes of napkins, cups, etc. (they’re stored at the church) and set up for refreshments; keep track of when we need to replenish supplies; set up the donation jar; and coordinate cleanup. There are always volunteers, but we need someone to be in charge. Thanks in advance for stepping up!
Phillip Kancianic’s Zydeco workshop on August 18 was a load of fun! Even longtime Zydeco fans learned something, as Phillip discussed the history of this Southwest Louisiana musical style, the origin of its name, his connections to the region and visits there, and his connections with some of the musicians. He did a great job demonstrating a few examples of Zydeco songs, as did the volunteers who accompanied him on rubboard (see video clips on our Facebook page). Everyone was smiling.
If you’d like to receive Phillip’s slide deck, please let us know.
Our greeters for the day were Halina Banas-Jones and Mara Cherkasky on accordions, with Michael Jones on spoons. They got the meeting off to a bright start, albeit in a totally different musical style: Irish.
It was good to see some new faces at the meeting and we hope to see them back again soon.
By the way, please check out our online calendar for opportunities to hear live Zydeco music in the DC area: https://www.washingtonaccordions.org/calendar.html
Holiday Concert 2024
Peter DiGiovanni has sent sheet music and MP3s to Holiday Orchestra members, but there’s still time to sign up if you haven’t already. Please contact Peter asap if you would like to participate. (Call or text 703-919-5701 or email [email protected].) Our first rehearsal -- by which time you should be comfortable with the music -- takes place at 4 pm on October 13 at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church. That’s the week before our October (Oktoberfest) meeting. (The concert itself takes place on December 15.)
Next Meetings/Events
By popular demand, Mariachi Esmerelda will be returning for a guest-artist concert on Sunday, September 15, at 4 pm. Please mark your calendars and invite your friends and family. Nonmembers will be asked for an $8 donation, but members and children under 12 enter free of charge.
Our annual Oktoberfest will take place on Sunday, October 20, at 4 pm. Everyone is invited to play a polka or waltz (or two or three) for the group, dust off your dancing shoes, and bring your friends and family. Also, please plan to bring Oktoberfest-style snacks to share.
One week later, Sleepy Hollow will hold its Howl-o-ween drive-through blessing of the pets -- on Sunday, October 27 from 2 pm to 4 pm. A group from WMAS has played at this fun event each year and we’re invited back this time, too. Please let us know if you’d like to participate so we can send you the music to practice ahead of time.
A Plea
We’re still looking for someone, or a team, to coordinate hospitality: to bring out the boxes of napkins, cups, etc. (they’re stored at the church) and set up for refreshments; keep track of when we need to replenish supplies; set up the donation jar; and coordinate cleanup. There are always volunteers, but we need someone to be in charge. Thanks in advance for stepping up!