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Friday Opening Night Concert 7:30 PM "ACCORDION GRANDSTAND"Central Lions Seniors Recreation Centre 11113-113 StreetFree parking, wheelchair accessible Take in the big show and help celebrate fifteen years of accordion excellence in Edmonton. THE BIG BAND is back! Performers from Of One Accord Ensemble, Friends & Neighbors Band, Party Pals Accordion Quartet and other accomplished players combine their talents to create this extraordinary accordion band. The Big Band, directed by Margaret Miller, will play a variety of familiar and energetic selections. Vocalists Kathy Dalberg and Eric Mork, plus violinist Dianne Tebby will create a truly memorable program. Michael Bridge - IN CONCERT! At age eight, Calgarian Michael Bridge attended his first Accordion Extravaganza festival. Now seventeen years old, this accordion virtuoso returns to Edmonton for his 10th consecutive Extravaganza as a seasoned entertainer. Michael will perform on both chromatic free bass and piano accordions. In 2009, Michael performed at the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention and at the Leavenworth International Accordion Festival. He was honoured to represent Canada as a performer at an international accordion festival in France under the banner of the Accordeon Club Lorrain. This past summer he also appeared as a solo headliner at the Kimberley International Accordion Championships. Michael, at age 14 and again at 16, released his CD's entitled "My Stuff" and "Sharon's Song" comprised entirely of his own, original compositions. Michael has wowed audiences wherever he has performed. Don't miss your opportunity to hear this top-notch accordionist and extraordinary entertainer. The Mattierin School of Irish Dancing kick-starts the concert with skilled young performers showcasing the joy of Irish dancing. Noted accordionist Mervin Bell will accompany the dancers' high energy performance. Advance Tickets are recommended for this popular concert. FRIDAY CONCERT TICKETS: $15.oo per person Advance ticket sales: TIX ON THE SQUARE 780-420-1757 or 1-877-888-1757 www.tixonthesquare.ca Rush Tickets at the Door SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FESTIVAL EVENTSLocation: South East Edmonton Seniors Centre (SEESA) 9350-82 Street, EdmontonFree parking, wheelchair accessible CompetitionsSaturday, September 25 9:00 AM to 12:00 PMSunday, September 26 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Open Championship is the grand finale of the day. Enjoy the performances of the youngest beginners to experienced seniors as they display their skills for the adjudicator. Accordions and comedy collide in the Novelty Class on Sunday afternoon. In this unique competition the performers may appear in costume, perform skits, sing and dance while playing their accordions. This class is always entertaining. The most accomplished competitors will vie for the Open Championship trophy and prize money in the "Open Championship" Class. Open Stage Entertainment - Saturday 1:00 PM to 4:00 PMAll kinds of players - all kinds of music! The Open Stage swings into action with a new performer every 15 minutes. Listen and dance to a variety of accordion groups, bands, duets, and individual performers in a non-stop musical show. Players of all ages and abilities are welcome to "strut their stuff". Bring your accordions and register early for your spot in this popular event. Workshop - Saturday 2:00 PM to 3:00 PMTopic: "Improvisation" with Michael BridgeMichael Bridge conducts his "Improvisation" workshop that he originally presented at the 2009 Las Vegas International Accordion Convention. Michael has completed advanced studies in free bass chromatic accordion, harmony, history and counterpoint with the Royal Conservatory of Music. Michael's achievements as a master accordionist continue to grow. He has won many competitions from KIOTAC, to Leavenworth, to Open Championships at the Accordion Extravaganza Festivals. He has released two cds of original compositions. He performs many types of music from classical to popular, dance and jazz. The workshop is open to everyone. You do not need to bring an accordion to the workshop. Saturday Night Dance - 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM "THE CIMARRONS"Location: South East Edmonton Seniors Centre 9350-82 StreetDoors Open at 7:00 p.m. Get ready for an evening of toe-tapping, swinging music from one of Alberta's well-loved dance bands, The Cimarrons. Accordionist Jim Yacey leads this multi-talented group. Other band members play bass guitar, violin, button accordion, sax,clarinet and drums. Since 1965 The Cimarrons have been playing for weddings, anniversaries, graduation dances and many other functions where people love to dance. The band has also produced four cds. You will be swingin' your partner to their varied program of waltzes, foxtrots, polkas, country, rock-n-roll and Latin rhythms. Be sure to buy your tickets early for the Saturday Night Dance. Space is limited. Dance Tickets (includes lunch): $15.00 per person at the door Advance ticket sales: TIX ON THE SQUARE 780-420-1757 or 1-877-888-1757 Trade Show - Saturday and Sunday 9:00 AM to 3:30 PMTour the Trade Show where you will see accordions of all shapes and sizes. Tonaveri, Guerrini, Hohner and Roland midi units are some of the names that appear at the trade show. Some antique accordions may also be on display. New & used accordions, other instruments, sheet music, straps, tapes, c.d.s, giftware and various music-related items will be on sale. Are you looking for that special accordion that is just right for you? This is your opportunity to try out a variety of accordions. Experienced accordion players will be on hand to answer questions and to offer assistance. Commercial vendors and private individuals who wish to sell accordions or music-related items are welcome to rent a table. Tables must be booked in advance and are subject to space availability. For more information please contact David Jerke at (780) 489-8810. "Kids 'N' Accordions" Mini Concert - Sunday 1:00 PMThe stars of tomorrow take centre stage! Talented young performers will show off their skills in this concert featuring Alberta's up-and-coming accordion students. There will also be a demonstration on how an accordion works. Admission to the concert is included in the Sunday Day ticket. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP ACCORDION COMPETITIONThe"best of the best" accordion players will compete for the Open Championship trophy and prize money. This is the last class of the accordion competitions Sunday afternoon. Don't miss this opportunity to hear truly exceptional talent! Anyone wishing to enter this competition should consult the Competition Rules section for full details. Food ServicesThe on-site cafeteria at SEESA (South East Edmonton Seniors Centre) offers light lunches, snacks and beverages.PANCAKE BREAKFAST Sunday morning at SEESA from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Pancakes! Sausages! Coffee! and the accordion stylings of Allan Valberg! ParkingFree parking is available at both festival locations (Central Lions Seniors Recreation Centre and SEESA) and on the street.People travelling with RVs may contact Edmonton Tourism (780) 496-8400 for information regarding RV parking within the City. AccommodationBest Western Cedar Park Inn is offering a special rate of $99.99 per night (plus applicable taxes) for festival patrons. Phone 780-434-7411 and mention "Accordion Extravaganza Festival." The Cedar Park Inn is a full-service hotel conveniently located at 5116 Gateway Boulevard and has an airport shuttle service available. Visit www.cedarparkinn.com.Edmonton offers a wide variety of motels and hotels. For a complete listing contact "Travel Alberta" at 1-800-661-8888 or www.travelalberta.com FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERSAre you interested in being part of the action? Join the volunteer team.For information on volunteer opportunities email: lyndagibson@shaw.ca or contact the festival email: accordion@gerl.ca TICKET INFORMATIONTickets are available at the door for all events: (All prices per person) Advance Tickets for Friday Concert and Saturday Dance may be purchased from TIX On The Square: Phone (780) 420-1757 or toll-free 1-877-888-1757 TIX website: www.tixonthesquare.ca
For More Festival Information phone (780) 462-8345 or email: accordion@gerl.ca FESTIVAL TIME TABLE
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