WMAS NEWS UPDATE
June 1, 2026
(Visit the NEWS ARCHIVE for past announcements)
(To post a news item, e-mail [email protected])
Dear WMAS members and friends!
As a follow‑on to the area's annual “Cinco de Mayo” festivities, WMAS celebrated “Diecisiete de Mayo” this past May 17th. Greeter Dan Darrikhuma opened the program with a selection of music, including traditional hymns. Our club vice president Robert Ford then welcomed everyone and invited the performers to introduce themselves by sharing a bit about how they began playing the accordion—giving us a wonderful chance to get to know them better.
Mona Berch, Robert Ford, Joe Kulik, Ken Kunec, and Michael Rubin performed a variety of music, mostly from Spain, Mexico, and Bolivia. Luis Uribe and Robert Ford joined Ken in singing “Cielito Lindo,” with the whole room chiming in on the joyful “ay yay yay yay.” Luis also sang “El Rey” accompanied by Robert.
Adding to the fun, Michael Jones contributed lively spoon percussion, and Mimi Lippold and Tom Adams danced. We had about 20 attendees.
After the music, everyone enjoyed a delicious spread of taquitos, chips, guacamole, salsa, mango juice, and more.
June Meeting
Our June meeting, on the 14th, will be our annual member concert and open mic, so polish up a few pieces to perform for the group. If possible, Peter will choose some multi-part pieces we can play together afterwards. Please let us know if you’d like to receive PDFs ahead of time.
One more thing: We still need a greeter.
ISO Accordionist for September Event
We have received an email from the Secretary of the American Austrian Cultural Society (AACS), a DC-area nonprofit dedicated to promoting Austrian culture, traditions, and heritage.
"We are seeking an accordionist for our annual Heurigen, a traditional Austrian wine and food gathering, to be scheduled for one of the last two weekends of September 2026. The exact date will be determined based on the musician's availability; the musical portion of the event will run from about 3 pm to 5:30 pm.
"The event is held outdoors at the Terrace Room complex at 5600 Wisconsin Avenue in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and typically attracts 50 to 60 attendees. Guests include AACS members, members of the local Austrian and German-speaking community, and friends of the organization. Representatives of the Austrian Embassy, including the Ambassador, occasionally attend as well.
"This is a casual cultural and social event rather than a formal concert. Guests will be eating, drinking, and socializing, so we are primarily seeking pleasant background music that complements the atmosphere. Traditional Austrian, Viennese, German, and familiar folk melodies would be ideal, and a few informal sing-alongs would be welcome. We would love to conclude the event with “Wien, Wien, nur du allein.”
"No amplification is available or necessary given the size and layout of the venue. We are primarily interested in a solo accordionist but would also consider a duo. Our budget is approximately $300 total. Complimentary parking is available on site.
"Photos from our 2024 Heurigen event may be viewed here to provide a sense of the atmosphere and audience: https://american-austrian-cultural-society.wildapricot.org/page-18184
"We would also welcome any musicians with experience in Austrian or German-language repertoire.
"Interested parties are welcome to contact me directly at [email protected]. Please provide the dates you are available, a brief description of your general musical experience/repertoire, and any information that may help us assess fit for this event.
"Please respond by Friday, June 19."
Signed, Andrea Bauerfeind
Recipe Corner
Sergio Fresco’s contribution to the refreshments table in March had a few people asking for the recipe, so here it is:
From Maria Fresco, Panettone Muffins
Ingredients:
NOTE: The recipe can be doubled to make 12 muffins.
As a follow‑on to the area's annual “Cinco de Mayo” festivities, WMAS celebrated “Diecisiete de Mayo” this past May 17th. Greeter Dan Darrikhuma opened the program with a selection of music, including traditional hymns. Our club vice president Robert Ford then welcomed everyone and invited the performers to introduce themselves by sharing a bit about how they began playing the accordion—giving us a wonderful chance to get to know them better.
Mona Berch, Robert Ford, Joe Kulik, Ken Kunec, and Michael Rubin performed a variety of music, mostly from Spain, Mexico, and Bolivia. Luis Uribe and Robert Ford joined Ken in singing “Cielito Lindo,” with the whole room chiming in on the joyful “ay yay yay yay.” Luis also sang “El Rey” accompanied by Robert.
Adding to the fun, Michael Jones contributed lively spoon percussion, and Mimi Lippold and Tom Adams danced. We had about 20 attendees.
After the music, everyone enjoyed a delicious spread of taquitos, chips, guacamole, salsa, mango juice, and more.
June Meeting
Our June meeting, on the 14th, will be our annual member concert and open mic, so polish up a few pieces to perform for the group. If possible, Peter will choose some multi-part pieces we can play together afterwards. Please let us know if you’d like to receive PDFs ahead of time.
One more thing: We still need a greeter.
ISO Accordionist for September Event
We have received an email from the Secretary of the American Austrian Cultural Society (AACS), a DC-area nonprofit dedicated to promoting Austrian culture, traditions, and heritage.
"We are seeking an accordionist for our annual Heurigen, a traditional Austrian wine and food gathering, to be scheduled for one of the last two weekends of September 2026. The exact date will be determined based on the musician's availability; the musical portion of the event will run from about 3 pm to 5:30 pm.
"The event is held outdoors at the Terrace Room complex at 5600 Wisconsin Avenue in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and typically attracts 50 to 60 attendees. Guests include AACS members, members of the local Austrian and German-speaking community, and friends of the organization. Representatives of the Austrian Embassy, including the Ambassador, occasionally attend as well.
"This is a casual cultural and social event rather than a formal concert. Guests will be eating, drinking, and socializing, so we are primarily seeking pleasant background music that complements the atmosphere. Traditional Austrian, Viennese, German, and familiar folk melodies would be ideal, and a few informal sing-alongs would be welcome. We would love to conclude the event with “Wien, Wien, nur du allein.”
"No amplification is available or necessary given the size and layout of the venue. We are primarily interested in a solo accordionist but would also consider a duo. Our budget is approximately $300 total. Complimentary parking is available on site.
"Photos from our 2024 Heurigen event may be viewed here to provide a sense of the atmosphere and audience: https://american-austrian-cultural-society.wildapricot.org/page-18184
"We would also welcome any musicians with experience in Austrian or German-language repertoire.
"Interested parties are welcome to contact me directly at [email protected]. Please provide the dates you are available, a brief description of your general musical experience/repertoire, and any information that may help us assess fit for this event.
"Please respond by Friday, June 19."
Signed, Andrea Bauerfeind
Recipe Corner
Sergio Fresco’s contribution to the refreshments table in March had a few people asking for the recipe, so here it is:
From Maria Fresco, Panettone Muffins
Ingredients:
- 200 grams panettone, cubed
- 1 egg
- 80 mL milk
- 50 grams melted butter, slightly cooled
- 20-40 grams sugar (optional, depending on the sweetness of the panettone)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prepare a 6-muffin tin with paper cupcake/muffin liners. (Optional: Maria sprays the paper cups lightly with cooking spray to ensure the liners peel easily from the baked muffins).
- Combine the cubed panettone and baking powder.
- In another bowl whisk the egg, milk, melted butter (and the sugar, if using).
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix with a large spoon just until combined.
- Divide the mixture among the muffin cases.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and risen. Check doneness with a toothpick.
- Let cool in pan before serving.
NOTE: The recipe can be doubled to make 12 muffins.