My Top 10 Performance Moments of 2009

Here is my Top 10 moments of 2009 in being a musician and performer:

10. Although I was told to get off the stage, I did do a brief 3 song set at the Cambie, opening for Growler. I got decked out in my Lederhosen and had my trumpet playing friend, Alfons Fear, accompany me. It was one of the most random and out-of-place gigs I've ever done, but I had such a nice response from the audience. Several people graciously came up to Alfons and I to compliment and thank us for playing.

9. I was hired by two lovely Realtors, Ian Heath and Marilyn Ball, to perform at an open house they were hosting, and play in the middle of the lawn, on a sunny afternoon. I really enjoyed the interactions I had with people who were coming and going to see the house, especially one elderly woman -who was a nearby neighbour of the house that was up for sale.

8. The private recital I performed at out in Mill Bay with the Violinist - Pablo Diemecke. His talent is astounding to me, and I was honoured to play for and with him.

7. "Start Making Sense" -a fundraiser night for the Fifty fifty Arts Collective. This show was a Talking Heads/Joy Division tribute night. It was so much fun.

6. Playing a 30-minute set at the Victoria Accordion Festival. Who doesn't wear a fur hat in June?

5. Playing the accordion up in Tofino BC, on the beach, with a view of the powerful waves, in the middle of winter? AWESOME.

4. Having "The Great Giffoni" cold call me up to see if I could accompany him whilst he performed his magic act for a 7-year old's birthday party. Since then we've performed many a birthday party, for all ages, opened for bands at Logan's Tavern, as well do a fundraiser at the Openspace Gallery, here in Victoria BC.

3. Alix Goolden Hall with my gypsy band, MeatDraw, Gentleman Reg, and The Hidden Cameras. Playing with my gypsy band, in the Alix Goolden Hall, was fantastic. I am a huge fan of Gentleman Reg, and pairing up with MeatDraw as well as singing in the choir for The Hidden Cameras was a blast.

2. "Small World" - a music night at the Openspace Gallery, held by the Antimatter Film Festival. I did a 3 song set with Alex Cooper. It was an amazing performance for both of us.

1. Luminara Lantern Festival - it is very hard to describe how amazing this night was. It was seriously one of the best moments of my life.

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Runners up:
-"Chocolate Give", being hired by the Downtown Victoria Business Association to promote Valentine's Day and shopping in downtown Victoria, and playing love songs with my friend Amanda Lisman, was pretty memorable.
-"Rock Lottery", held at Logan's Tavern and put on by the Fifty fifty Arts Collective. It was through this event that I met my now great friend/performance buddy Alex Cooper
-Performing at Logan's Tavern for the Camas Bookstore's Fundraiser.
-The Olive Grove's 10th Anniversary in their new location. Performing two 30-minute sets, playing the most mind-boggling Greek music.

Holiday Cheer 2009

Happy Holidays fellow bloggers, accordion enthusiasts, and anyone who follows my blog!

Thank you for your support, and I hope you have a joyeous New Year!

xo Natasha

If keeping up the joy is difficult for you, then I highly recommend you come out this Friday night, December 18th, to the Open-space Gallery's "Seasonal pAgeant Disorder" - the only music show, art auction and dance night proven to cure S.A.D.

I will be accompanying the Great Giffoni's most magical magic act! FANTASTICO!

Check out the Facebook event page for more information.

A mid November update!

So what's new? Hmmmm... My gypsy band and I are cooking up lots of beans, keeping me very busy these days. It's one week from our performance with MeatDraw, opening for Gentleman Reg and The Hidden Cameras, and I'm very excited! Read up!!

I am happy to announce that my gypsy band and I will be teaming up with local rockers, MeatDraw for a fantastic night of music happening at the Alix Goolden Hall in Victoria BC. We will be performing with MeatDraw for several of each of their songs, creating a very interesting sounding set for the audience to experience.

These two local Victoria bands will be opening for the artists Gentleman Reg and The Hidden Cameras, each from Toronto’s Arts & Crafts Label.

All four of these groups are known for their high energy performances, making this a night of music no one should miss!


When: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Doors: 7:30pm
Location: Alix Goolden Hall, 907 Pandora Ave, Victoria BC
Tickets: $20.00, available at Lyle’s Place, Ditch Records, and at http://www.ticketweb.ca


xoN

Visions 2009

Once again, the owner/designer of “Squeeze Me – Accordion Chic Apparel” - Natasha Enquist is donating an item that she has created to the “Visions" Gala Auction, happening on November 14, 2009 at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. The “Visions" Gala auctions off many amazing donations, and all contributions help benefit the Victoria Hospital Foundation. This years event is benefiting the Intensive Care Units at both the Royal Jubilee Hospital and the Victoria General Hospital.



Miss Enquist has donated in the past years under her fashion design label “Aspekt Clothing & Design”. This year will be the first for “Squeeze Me – Accordion Chic Apparel” to make a statement with a very fun pair of men’s boxer briefs. Miss Enquist hopes this years Gala is a great success for the ICU benefit.

For more information please visit: http://www.victoriahf.ca/visions/

October wrap-up

October wasn't short of busy for me!

I had a great time performing at Oktoberfest this month with the Victoria Edelweiss Club's Dance Group. Getting to really revisit my Mother's side of the family heritage through the music and tradition of Oktoberfest was a treat. Playing a couple of tunes with them as well as dancing in the group, it was a great pleasure to work with this lovely group of people.





November will bring more busy times. A couple of Accordion Girl gigs, as well preparing for a show with MeatDraw, opening for Gentleman Reg and the Hidden Cameras on November 24th at the Alix Goulden Hall.

GYPSY FABULOUS

Many fun things to report to the blog world!

I started up a new Myspace page, it is an artist's page -instead of my old regular user's page. I have yet to post any music though, please be patient!!

Add me as a friend on Myspace here: Natasha Enquist's Myspace Page

My gypsy band and I are keeping me ever so busy as usual :) Tonight we have our first offical photoshoot. Many attempts at this have happened before, every musician, artist, band needs good promo shots, and tonight we're GYPSY FABULOUS!

My gypsy band and I are playing an amazing concert in November...listen to this:

THE HIDDEN CAMERAS with Gentleman Reg, MeatDraw - Victoria, BC
When: Tuesday, November 24th 2009, 7:30pm - 11:30pm
Where: Alix Goolden Hall, 907 Pandora Avenue, Victoria, BC
Tickets: $20.00 Available at Lyle's Place, Ditch and http://www.ticketweb.ca

Sunheart and I

The opening night of the Antimatter Film Festival was incredible!!!

J Maclachlan gathered up many musicians from Victoria BC to be a part of this Disney music night happening at the Openspace Gallery, named "Small World." I was excited to be a part of it because Disney movies had a huge presence and impact on my childhood, and so it was a huge treat to be able to perform my chosen 3 songs.

I had met Alex Cooper during the summer when we both signed up to do the Fifty fifty Art Collective's Annual "Rock Lottery". I was instantly pleased to meet him, 1. because he seemed super nice, and 2. because he was a super-hero of synths, drum machines, samplers, loopers, delays, etc etc awesome etc.

I contacted Alex aka Sunheart shortly after being asked by J to do "Small World", and Alex agreed to collaborate with me for this project. It was great to work with him, the process was very easy and enjoyable.

We ended up playing:

1. "Hi Ho, Hi Ho" from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" -- which I love because I feel it has a wonderful Blackforest/Germany feel to the whole movie. I love Elves, Gnomes, Dwarves, and the music is very 'german beerhall dance party'.

2. "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" from "Cinderella" -- is actually an accordion standard, it's wonderful to play on the accordion, and really shines nicely. Plus, the song is just so charming and lovely.

3. "We Are Siamese" from "Lady and the Tramp" -- I put down my accordion for this one, and played the cymbal and tamborine. Meowing, singing and screaming, hitting myself with a tamborine, and smashing the shit out of the cymbal, I am now left with huge bruises on my leg from whacking myself with that tamborine. Who knew this song was so violent?

"Small World" Rehearsal from Natasha Enquist on Vimeo.

----This video is just of our rehearsal of our set ----

We had a fantastic time performing together and plan to continue this accordion/electronic music collaboration. It has been a goal and dream to have an electronic music project.

I grew up listening to Depeche Mode, New Order, Kraftwerk, The Pet Shop Boys, Erasure and Yaz, along with other genres like Lawrence Welk, ABBA, and Bjork...you get the idea. With these influences I have been pining after a project where making the music I love dancing to could be a reality. Having it incorporate my accordion is pure bliss!!

SMALL WORLD

If you've lived in Victoria long enough...then I already know you, your Mom went to highschool with my Dad, your sister was in my dance class, my best friend knows your yoga instructor, and we've probably already dated.

I am performing this Friday night at the Openspace Gallery at the "Small World" show, which is part of the upcoming "Antimatter Film Festival" Openspace is putting on.

I'll be playing all Disney songs, with my friend Alex Cooper aka Sunheart - who does amazing things with samplers, mixers, pedals, drum machines, and synths. I'm very excited!



The Openspace Gallery is located at 510 Fort Street, Victoria BC. Doors at 9pm.

Here is the Facebook event write up:

The opening night of the Antimatter Film Festival IS Small World.

WARNING:

Small World is a sweetly twisted E-ticket musical excursion through the heart of The Omnipresent Mouse. This ride includes smoke machines, nostalgia, tinfoil, corporate iconography, pretty lights, & performances by:

Chelsea Chenery
Disney On Ice
Jody Franklin
Lindsay Coulton
MD Wren
Natasha Enquist
Pine Family
Rad Juli
Run Chico Run
Slut Revolver
High Arctic(formerly known as Walrus)
Wes Borg
Grayson Walker
J McLaughlin
& of course, the lovely & talented Sarah Rhude if she will forgive me for being such a major flake!!!

To experience Small World, you should be in good health, free from high blood pressure, back or neck probelms, motion sickness, heart conditions, fatigue, or any other physical limitations that could be aggravated by this attraction. This attraction is not available to children under the age of 19.

Tickets to Small World are $8, $7 for students & seniors.

Thank You & enjoy your visit to Small World.

OKTOBERFEST IS HERE AGAIN!

Tonight is the first night of the Oktoberfest events happening at the Victoria Edelweiss Club, and I am looking forward to it very much! I've been going for years now, and was brought up in a German family, so to be around a banquet hall full of German's is a great night for me :)

This year I joined the Victoria Edelweiss Dance Group, somewhat at the last minute, so I only know one of the dances that will be performed tonight, as well I'll play my accordion along to some of the pre-recorded tracks used for the dance group. This German Club is also home to the Victoria Accordion Club, FYI -- important trivia HELLO!?

I was first wanting to wear my lederhosen in the dance group, I usually wear lederhosen for cabaret shows and to Oktoberfests in past years, but this year I get to wear such a pretty German dirndl = women's dress. I feel very pretty in it, and it has me very excited :)

It really is a guaranteed GOOD TIME! The best German food you can find in town, lots of beer, traditional decor, fun live music, everyone up and dancing -- chicken dance anyone? Prosit!!



Oktoberfest at the Victoria Edelweiss Club is happening tonight, Oct 24th, 30th and 31st as well.

For more information visit the Victoria Edelweiss Club's Website, and to order tickets call Mike or Cara at 250-477-7665, or email victoriaoktoberfest@shaw.ca




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TOMORROW!

My gypsy band and I at Madrona Farm's "2nd Annual Island Chef Survival Challenge"

Yes...Gypsies, on a farm, in the morning.

We will be herding the crowds in at 11:30am this coming Sunday, October 4th 2009.

Description:

Join 15 of Victoria's finest chefs up close and personal as they show you just how far they will go to protect the farms that fuel their restaurants. Come discover your new favourite restaurant or watch and learn from some of your favourite chefs as they cook up their magic in the fields of Madrona farm. Each chef arrives on the farm with three bags, utensils, condiments and a piece of meat. Their mission is to retrieve their supplies, find the map of Madrona Farm, battle the obstacles and race to find the food they will use to cook their two masterpieces right before your eyes.

Each chef must create 2, 1 plate masterpieces to be auctioned off by world famous chef and mentor David Mincey. Enjoy an afternoon of great food and amazing local music.

All proceeds go to protect Madrona Farm forever with the Land Conservancy of BC. For more information, please contact: madrama@telus.net.

TICKETS: Tickets are $75, and on sale at Madrona farm stand, Wednesdays to Fridays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hemp and Co. - Government at Fort, and Capital Iron - Downtown and Sidney.

SHE WOLF

The accordion adventures continue...

I visited Seattle this past weekend. I stayed at the super-stylised Hotel Max.

Each floor has a different artist featured, showing their work on the front of the doors to each suites. The floor I was on featured the photographer Joan Broughton, who shot various street musicians.

Gut buckets, spoons, autoharps, trombones, and of course the accordion. I walked up to my room to find a quaint mandolin player on the front, and directly across from my door was this door:

I ran into my neighbour, who was staying in that room. I found him at my door trying to take a photo of his door. I told him that should have been my room since I play the accordion. He didn't seem to mind my comment.
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My gypsy band and I are playing at Victoria's 2nd Annual "Rifflandia Music Festival" this Thursday night!

The schedule says we're playing at 9:45pm at Market Square, but there has been a change in the plan. Pay attention to this...

OUR PERFORMANCE TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

8:30-8:45
9:15-9:30
10:00-10:15

Three chances to see us in one night? FANTASTIC!

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I'm playing at the Sidney Pier Hotel and Spa's restaurant "Haro's" tonight. Just for an hour, catch me quick :)

And totally unrelated to the accordion, but totally related to me, I had a fun photo shoot with the photographer Darren Stone. Nothing helps moving forward then a fun glamour shoot.


p.s. I am totally loving "She Wolf" by Shakira theses days.

xoN

Fun times playing at Beerfest!

Photo by Sharon Tiffin

I had a blast at the Great Canadian Beer Festival this past weekend here in Victoria BC.
Ran into lots of friends, made new ones, avoided a lot of drunk grabby hands, tried lots of yummy beers, and played my heart out. :) My favourite beers that I sampled were a chocolate stout from Phillips Brewing Company, LOVE YOU PHILLIPS! And then a Pumpkin ale, from Seattle...I think... can't really be too sure. Needless to say, it was a fun weekend!

Recapping my last 2 gigs

I've waited a week to recap the past two gigs! Sheesh! Forgetful? Nah, it has been a very busy summer for me, which I am happy to report!

The Camas Bookstore Fundraiser was a great success for the bookstore! I had a fantastic set, taking over Logan's Pub, partying with the wild animals aka the audience!

Fast forward to the polar opposite gig at the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival. Family time, little kids, all happening at 11am.


Both gigs were fantastic, it feels great to be able to play any kind of venue, applicable to many different audiences :)

I purchased an old Hohner from my friend Alan. Everyone needs a beater instrument in their collection, well this is mine, and I'm grateful for it:



Last night some of the band boarded my friend's sailboat. He boated us around the inner harbour as we played some of our songs, along with several bruiting Phillips Brewery boys aboard.

Next up: Beerfest and Rifflandia!

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As for me!!!! I am playing a 7-year-olds birthday party tomorrow afternoon with, who else? The Great Giffoni!! I always look forward and love doing those gigs. Who doesn't love a magic show on a Saturday afternoon?

Luminara Re-cap

Yesterday the temperature here in Victoria BC was about 25' or higher...beautiful! gorgeous!

By the time I was ready to leave, huge clouds were forming in the sky. Not good news when doing an outdoors festival with an accordion.

I signed my gypsy band in, got our wristbands and our Glow, and made my way over to one of my band mates house.

All the band members showed up and we had a illumination extravaganza in the driveway, figuring out where to put our Glow, and flashing lights. Seeing the clouds, I grabbed a garbage bag from my band mates house. We then finally got on our way to arrive at Beacon Hill Park on time.

About 4 songs in it began to rain on Luminara :(

I was beginning to freak out about my accordion and luckily my boyfriend was our stage manager and had me put my accordion under a tarp he had set up. I continued to perform as we all got very soaked.

After our first set I took my accordion to the Cameron Bandshell where it lived in a Rubbermaid bin for the rest of the night.

Feeling a bit better, and having my loud megaphone in tow, I made my way to the second performance location, found the band easily since we were all so lit up! Played, and were soaked down to your underwear kind of soaked! The crowd was great! The rain certainly left just the hardcore good-timers! You know you can party if the rain doesn't stop you.

After this 2nd set we had a 45 min break. Most of us headed to the Cameron Bandshell, while the Trumpet girls went to the Sports Hut. After a bit of time Brian called me to tell me the Cricket Pitch was being striked, and Luminara was shutting down in general -all this and the rain had now stopped. The band would have been free to go, but we all agreed amongst ourselves to do one more quick set.

As we went outside to meet up with the Trumpet girls, Ariel and Jeani met up with us and stopped us. We were now given the job to lead Luminara out of the park. We attracted the biggest crowd around us, and hadn't even begun playing yet.

We started playing and Ariel waved us out of the park slowly, accumulating more crowd partiers long the way.

I can't describe the feeling of singing your heart out, being soaking wet, and looking behind you and your band and hundreds and hundreds of people following you and smiling and clapping and having themselves a great time.

Parading out of the park felt amazing.

We led everyone to the gravel field at the southend of the park, near Douglas and Dallas Rd. We continued to do a couple more big songs, a huge circle of the crowd forming all around us, and it was one huge party. At this time Ariel Rubin yells to me "You made Luminara!!!"

An unbelievable night:

BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE

The Scoop!

Here's the scoop about this weekend:

Friday, July 17th at 10pm @ Logan's Tavern:
I'll be performing with "The Great Giffoni's Magic Show!" my Magician friend David Gifford.

A hefty update!

Well it's been a long time, long time now...

So much to report!

HUGE NEWS!
Many new styles to check out on my "Squeeze Me - Accordion Chic Apparel" Online Etsy Shop. Follow this link to view the line and make an online purchase at the shop: http://squeezeme.etsy.com

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade squeezeme.etsy.com

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A huge thank you to Rowland and Emily Morgan for having myself over to his home for his birthday party last week. Rowland and I met at a art show opening which I was playing at, and he kindly asked if I would come play at his birthday party. I accepted this great invitation and we had a fantastic time at the party.

His blog can be seen here: http://rowmorg.blogspot.com although it doesn't seem he's updated it in awhile :)

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I had a BLAST on Canada Day!

The Sidney Canada Day Parade was a great time. There's nothing more fun than playing with your band, and march in a parade, people waving at you, clapping along, what a rush!!

Here is some video footage for your viewing pleasure (special credit to my Mom for dodging people on the sidewalk while she followed us down the street):








The Fifty Fifty Arts Collective had another fundraiser which I took part in called "Rock Lottery".
Here's how it worked: Twenty-five selected musicians meet in the A.M. at the arts collective. They are organized into four or five bands through a lottery-based chance selection. The bands then spend the day creating a set of original music to perform that night!

That's what I have to report... and as I promise every time -I'll try to update my blog wayyy more often!!

xo Natasha

"Accordions by the Sea" Recap

For those who didn't know... an Accordion festival took place in Victoria BC this past weekend. The "Accordions by the Sea" Festival happened at the lovely "Victoria Edelweiss Club". --I always love a visit to this German Club, feeling of nostalgia and being "at home".

Everyone was there, my friend Aaron Watson, Karl and Martin Hergt, Stan, Ron, Sanna, Patty, Mary, Monica, Carol, little Arland, Dr. Dave...etc... I finally got to meet Roland Grittani and George -a very talented Romanian accordionist.




There was an Open Stage of having accordionists perform all day Saturday and Sunday at the festival, several tents set up outside with accordions for sale by Tempo Trend, and ROLAND's synthy accordions, the VAC's had a tent with old records and vintage sheet music, and then myself with my booth of "Squeeze Me - Accordion Chic Apparel" wears available.

My friend and bandmate Chris and I performed a 30 minute set on the Open Stage on Saturday afternoon. Here are a couple videos of that set (A big THANK YOU to my Mom for filming these):









Aside from all these features, there were three amazing performers, Patricia Bartell, Ivan Preanicov, and Andy Mirkovich.

Both Patricia and Andy were holding private accordion lessons and group workshops over the Saturday and Sunday as well. I have the opportunity to take a private lesson and be a part of a group workshop with Andy Mirkovich -who is such a lovely man.

A great showman, entertainer, and musician. He came to the festival up from Seattle WA, where he performs as a pianist as well as an accordionist. He played up in the Seattle Space Needle, which was originally a 6 week contract that went on for 11 years :)

He played "Moscow Nights" into "Two Guitars" for me during his last performance, which was made up of requests from the audience.


I didn't stay for the evening concert, which happened on the Saturday night, so I didn't see the three of them each perform their 45 minute sets. Ivan is speedy, technically dizzying, and did I mention very fast? I admit I envy the music programs that Russia has for it's schools, Ivan is definitely a successful representation of what the Russian Conservatory of Music can offer.

Unfortunatley I never saw Patricia perform, but am glad I saw Andy put on his 'requests' show and see Ivan do his "Russian Cowboy" song again, it must be his favourite.

A pleasant and lovely weekend, sold lots of t-shirts, heard "Roll out the barrel" way too many times, and made many new friends :)

Squeeze Me - Accordion Chic Apparel : Accordions by the Sea Festival

Squeeze Me - Accordion Chic Apparel will be in attendance at the Victoria Accordion Club's "Accordions by the Sea" Festival happening this upcoming weekend.

Squeeze Me has several new styles and lots of great colours and sizes available. Come check us out!

Plus check out our online shop at: http://squeezeme.etsy.com

Special orders welcome!

"Squeeze Me - Accordion Chic Apparel" will be in available from Saturday June 27, 2009 10am-6pm, and Sunday June 28, 2009 10am-6pm at the Victoria Edelweiss Club in Victoria BC, 108 Niagara Street

Join our Facebook Page or Group!

My gypsy band, and more!

My gypsy band and I had a GREAT time playing in The Shed up at Summit Park over the weekend. The crowd was great, and staying for party afterwards was very lovely to be a part of.

Photo credit Laura Gamble

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June is Accordion Awareness Month, so get learned people! Subscribe to my blog, that will definitely help be more aware ;-)

The Victoria Accordion Club's Annual "Accordions by the Sea" Festival is happening June 26-28, 2009 at the Edelweiss Club. I will be playing there at the Open Stage at 5pm on Sat June 27th.

Also! I will be selling my fun line of accordion wear "Squeeze Me - Accordion Chic Apparel," some of the pieces can be seen here and purchased here.

That's all for now!

Recital with Pablo

Yesterday was a busy day!
I performed at a corporate annual party in the early evening, and then my gypsy band and I had our first gig -at a private bar mitzvah party for a 20-something year old guy with dreadlocks. 

The day all started with a recital with Pablo Diemecke. A huge treat to be a part of, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to play with Pablo.

Private events galore!

I really should be in bed, fast asleep, getting some rest, but no! I am up, I must blog! Too much is happening and I must blog!

Many things to report:

-Tomorrow evening I am opening for a private art function, a solo performance yes

Let me tell you about my Saturday....

-2pm performance with Pablo Diemecke. A recital he is holding out in Mill Bay, a private function, and we're playing two pieces together. I am more than excited about this!

-early that evening I have a large corporate staff party I will be entertaining at, should be a lot of fun :)

-later that evening my gypsy band and I will be doing a short set at a private bar Mitzvah party

Many private events happening over the next 48 hours, and I am more than pleased to be a part of them!

Drop me a line if you have a private event in your home that I should be playing at ;-)

Canoe de Soleil

Theatre SKAM and Fifth & Rose Theatre Co. bring you
CANOE DE SOLEIL !!!

Starring, Erin Macklem, Casey Austin, (myself) Natasha Enquist, Charlotte & Rich.

Theatre SKAM put on an event this weekend, happening next weekend as well named "Bike Ride." It is taking place all along the Galloping Goose Trail -here in Victoria BC.

12 different theatre groups were involved, putting on 10 minute plays, all viewable by an audience on their bicycles -how 'green'!

It was a lot of fun, and thank you to Casey and Erin for asking me to be a part of it :)

~Fifi - Tree Poser~

~Brigette Bato - Canoe ballerina~

♫Bearnard ♫

We're unable to do the second weekend of this event due to us each having previous committments. Hopefully you got to come out and see our show! We loved performing it for you!

xoN

HAPPY WORLD ACCORDION DAY!!!

It is May 6th! You know what the means....
World Accordion Day!
Wahoooo!

♫♫♫

Celebrate however you can!

My recommendations in "How to celebrate World Accordion Day"are:

-Play one (you saw that one coming I'm sure)

-Watch and listen to someone else play one (a live performance preferably)


-Listen to any of the following (just a list of some of my personal favourites, they're all so talented and beautiful in their own great ways):

Alexander Korbakov, Myron Floren, Yann Tiersen, Mario Pedone, Beirut, Anouar Brahem, David P. Smith, Geoff Berner, Jeffrey Bützer, Gotan Project, Patrick Watson, Something About Reptiles, The Creaking Planks, Taraf de Haidouks, The Tiger Lillies, Shantel, Lhasa De Sela, Slavic Soul Party, Kočani Orkestar, Frankie Yankovic, Canada's Polka King - Walter Ostanek, The Tyrolean Mountain Boys, Max Eric Trio, Michel Legrand and his Orchestra, Main Squeeze Orchestra (a band I wish I was in), my bands: Les Fleurs Brisées & The Story Dolls...that's probably enough for now :)

-Check out what World Accordion Day means: May 6th

-Find out how an accordion works, is made, the history behind it: here and here

-Wear some Accordion gear! Squeeze Me - Accordion Chic Apparel

-Listen to some Accordion on the Radio! Accordion Noir Radio

-Join an Accordion Club! Accordion Club Billboard

-Tell a stupid Accordion joke: Stupid Accordion Jokes

-Check out some fun Accordion pictures: Accordion pics

♫♫♫

Unfortunately it is grey outside today, otherwise I would be out busking, and spreading the love ♥ I will have to stay inside where it is dry and wake up the neighbours :)

Thanks to my Momma for learning the accordion as a child, and keeping her accordions around, putting me in 7 years of piano lessons so I could then rebel and not play it for 11 years to then find our accordions in storage and realise I needed more music in my life!

Have a happy day everyone!

♫♫♫