Squeeze box alert!
On Friday, Aug. 12 to Saturday, Aug. 13, the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society presents its annual Accordion Days festival.
This popular event, centered on Chemainus’s Waterwheel Park, offers fans of old time music from many countries the chance to hear one of their favourite instruments.
On Friday afternoon, accordion music will be heard at various locations in Old Town, around the lower end of Oak Street.
Then, on Saturday afternoon, a concert will take place at Waterwheel Park.
From Europe to South America and everywhere in between, the accordion is, for many cultures, the ultimate good-times instrument. There are wooden benches in Waterwheel Park, but many music lovers also bring lawnchairs.
The featured mid-afternoon performer is Victoria accordionist Mary Ross.
Her Scottish heritage is clearly evident in the heartfelt way she plays Celtic music and traditionally styled songs from her homeland.
Inspired by Scotland’s excellent accordionists as a child, she took up the instrument and since then her career has taken her from Greenland to Texas.
She’s enjoyed Highland dancing from childhood as well, and her professional focus for the last 20 years has been as a lead player for Scottish country dancing.
Saturday’s lineup offers plenty of favourites in short and longer performances: Ginny Langham, 11 to 11:10 a.m.; Key of C (Carol Jones & Carol Briante) 11:15 to 11:35; Rose Menzi, 11:40 to 11:55; Einar Tapio, noon to 12:30; Mik Radoslovich, 12:35 to 12:50; Bruce Bakker & Friends, 12:55 to 1:25; Don Hall & Friends, 1:30 to 2:10; The Acchords (Lynda, Rose & Jim), 2:15 to 2:45; Mary Ross, 2:50 to 3:20; Stan Czemerynski & Gerry Olsen, 3:25 to 3:55; Victoria Accordion Club, 4:05 to 4:45; Balkan Express, and more.