NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2015 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE. ALSI is on the WEB at: Marotte with music friends and Chuck Henry, who is a very versatile

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1 FEBRUARY 2015 Harold & Helen Estok Founders of A.L.S.I. Inside this issue: President s Message General Information Happiness at ALSI Happiness Photos Coming This Month Music Winter Wonderland President: Gordon Kohl Presidents Emeriti: (Founder) Harold Estok Ron Griffin Kjell Holmes Gloria Ensign Vice President: Mary Lou Erwin Meeting Coordinator: Bill Barr Corresponding Secretary: Marian Sowell Treasurer & Ensemble Director: Vicki Eriqat Recording Secretary: Sharon Marotte Newsletter/Webmaster: Bob Page Accordion News 8 8 Calendar 9 Playing Around Volume 22 Issue 2 by Gordon Kohl Hello Friends of the Accordion! The year is on the run. A.L.S.I. has an exciting music calendar in the planning for us to enjoy in Everyone is invited to; join in monthly open mike play time, participate in workshops and other events coming our way monthly. The February meeting will be packed with a variety of fantastic solos and group music. I encourage the beginner accordionist to play a song they are studying PRESIDENT S MESSAGE m o s t e v e r y month. Playing your solos with music first will help you plan bellow changes, fingering, expression with loud and soft changes and other musical elements to a song. We will have a musical theme for some meetings throughout the year It is hoped that this feature in a meeting will add a musical enrichment for our audience's enjoyment. Occasionally we will have a planned music jam session. The music will be made available to accordionists at a previous A.L.S.I. Sunday meeting. This upcoming March 8th, we will be jamming to Irish songs. I will have lead charts at the February 8th special triple showcase meeting. This February program will include; the A.L.S.I. band, our very own talented Sharon NEWSLETTER February 2015 Marotte with music friends and Chuck Henry, who is a very versatile musician. This afternoon of music will include music for everyone. It would be nice to bring some guests to hear these outstanding artists. Please remember your suggestions, participation and time shared with this music club is appreciated. Many clubs last for a few years. Our club has been here in San Diego for now over 20 years. It is your involvement that has sustained A.L.S.I. I enjoy the membership of our club. Visit us monthly a n d b u i l d t h e "excitement for our instrument". Thank You All. Gordon ALSI is on the WEB at: Yuma Octoberfest

2 Page 2 GENERAL INFORMATION MEMBERSHIPS: New membership and renewal for year 2015 are; the fee is $100 Gold, $25 U.S.A., $26 Canada, $27 for International delivery. For new members; partial year memberships can be purchased. Make check or money order payable to ALSI and send to: Helen Estok Schoell, at P.O. Box San Diego, CA The REED BLOCK is published once each month. Your input to the REED BLOCK is invited and should be submitted to Helen Estok Schoell or to Bob Page at webmaster@accordion-club-sandiego.org or to Mary Lou Erwin at: marylouerwin@att.net. DISCLAIMER: Unless otherwise indicated, all articles were written by the Editor. Unless so stated, no article is to be construed as an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or ALSI. CUT-OFF DATE: All contributors to The REED BLOCK please note: For next month all material is due two weeks before the next meeting, accordingly the due date for the March 2015 issue is: February 23th. This includes all items such as articles, upcoming events, playing around, accordion workshops, advertisements and ensemble schedules. Please submit your input to Helen Estok Schoell (at above ALSI address) or to Bob Page at webmaster@accordion-club-sandiego.org or Mary Lou Erwin at marylouerwin@att.net. Thank you for your cooperation. ADVERTISEMENTS: Members may place one small ad per year at no charge, business cards are $6/per issue or $60/per year, quarter-page is $15/per issue, half -page is $25/per issue, full -page is $50/per issue, one -page event flyer is $25/per issue. Cost is doubled for non -members. (All ads must be accordion related). MEETINGS: The club normally meets at 1:00-4:00 P.M. on the second Sunday of each month at the Mt Miguel Covenant Village, 325 Kempton Ave, Spring Valley, CA. Our next Meeting will feature a special three showcase program on Sunday, February 8th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Mt. Miguel Covenant Village in Bailey Hall. STEERING COMMITTEE; Next meeting is on Wednesday, February 11th, 10:30 12:00 pm in the Coco s Restaurant in Mission Gorge area. (NOTE: MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY!). ALSI MEMBERSHIP OR RENEWAL APPLICATION FORM (Attention: All 2015 renewals are now due, per club by-laws) Membership/Newsletter Subscription for 2015 (please print) Date New Renewal Address Change Gold Name First Last Spouse First Address City State Zip Code Telephone ( ) - address Make Check or Money Order payable to ALSI (Yearly membership fees: $25-USA, $26-Canada, $27-International, $100-Gold) Mail to: ALSI/REED BLOCK c/o Helen Estok Schoell P.O. Box San Diego, CA Call for questions

3 Volume 22 Issue 2 Page 3 HAPPINESS AT ALSI HAPPINESS at ALSI by Sharon Marotte January 11, 2015 was a wet, rainy, misty, gloomy day outside but warm & cozy inside Bailey Hall for our ALSI meeting. Many folks got wet but this hearty bunch came anyway. Players around the village were: Crider Jerry Odling, Brandel Steve Halpern, Cafeteria Vicki Eriqat. Jack Marotte was the sound board operator, Bill Barr was the MC for the day. Those of us that arrived early got to enjoy music provided by Ted Hill on his Concerto. He did a super job he played very well and we hope he will play for us again. Marilyn Harkins is a new player with a pretty blue accordion. Her songs were: Oh, Susannah and The Leaving of Liverpool. We expect to see her again & play some more songs. Steve Halpern played next on his 10 lb Hohner accordion from Bulgaria. Steve also played at Brandel so he was busy! His songs were Yesterday, Have I told You Lately & Pretty Paper. Al Jacobs in his fine style played songs from different countries and different dance styles, to name a few: Mexico Besame Mucho (Rumba), Cuba - Mambo, Brazil Bossa Nova, Argentina La Cumparsita tango. Very entertaining. This guy is quite amazing with all of his musical knowledge. -What a treat to have Jim & Shirley O Brien, from Tucson, AZ. They had been at an RV park in Chula Vista for 10 days and came to see us. They each have a Roland accordion and sang harmonies to their songs: Let s get Away from it all - Dream, Dream, Dream Five Ft Two Your Cheating Heart Just Because Rock Around the Clock & Music, Music, Music. We were all singing along and bouncing to their music. At the break a cake was furnished by Mary Lou Erwin, celebrating the New Year. Jane Ford decorated the table so nicely She & Vivian Steger helped serve cake & jello with whipped cream, which was brought by Gordon Kohl. ALSI Ensemble played several songs after the break. Vicki Eriqat was the director, Lois Lahoud played percussion instruments. Their songs: New York, New York Skyline March Harvest Schottish Henrietta Polka That s Amore ALSI March Soldiers March Green Valley waltz & Salute to the Marines. Joe Colombo wore his French hat & played French songs in support of the French people & their tragic situation. His songs: L Amour TouJours L Amour, Petite Waltz, La-Vie-En-Rose, & Les Bicycletties De Blsize. Next to play were the Polka Dots Vicki Eriqat, Linda Hibbert, Lois Lahoud, Sharon Marotte, Marian Sowell & Rena Watton. Their songs were: La Cumparsita, Tennessee Waltz, Side by Side/Ain t we got Fun, Sing, Never on Sunday & Ciribiribin. Gordon Kohl led a workshop for about 12 people songs were Cab Driver and Tonight We Love. We learned some new tricks from these songs & went right home to practice them!! A big Thank You goes out to Gwendalle Cooper for sharing two bags of her sheet music and books with the club. Many members will enjoy this accordion music to add to their collection. We look forward to seeing you all at our next meeting on February 8th. ***

4 Page 4 HAPPINESS PHOTOS Jane Ford Shirley & Jim O Brien The Polka Dots ACCORDION HUMOR Q. What's the difference between accordion players and government bonds? A. Government bonds eventually mature and earn money.

5 Volume 22 Issue 2 Page 5 COMING THIS MONTH FEBRUARY 8, 2015 HIGHLIGHTS 1:00-1:25 ALSI Band Directed by Vicki Eriqat 1:30-2:00 Open Mike 2:00-2:30 Refreshment Break 2:30-3:15 Sharon Marotte and Friends 3:15-4:00 Chuck Henry on his Roland Accordion The triple showcase will cost only $10. Meeting Location In Bailey Hall at Mt. Miguel Village 325 Kempton Ave. Spring Valley (cross street is San Carlos) This is ALSI s first ever triple showcase. It will be an exciting time featuring many talented players. On February 8, 2015 the doors will open at 12:45pm. Our mystery player(s) will entertain us while the ALSI Band sets up for the first showcase. The ALSI Band will feature a Valentine s Musical Showcase. Of course, we will have an open mike for those members wishing to play Valentine love songs too. So start practicing those songs to make us goggle eyed with amour. Our coffee & cake break to celebrate February birthdays and anniversaries will begin at 2pm. Sharon Marotte and Friends to share and entertain us. Sharon Marotte has planned a fascinating showcase with some friends. Sharon will demonstrate how the accordion sounds when played along with other instruments. The featured instruments and her friends The third showcase will be a treat too. Chuck Henry s repertoire includes many genres such as; polkas, Italian favorites, Polish music, Latin music and big band music. Chuck is a professional accordionist who has been featured often playing his Roland and Concerto Digital Accordions. He plays a variety of music acare: Keyboard played by Lois Lahoud; Violin and Mandolin played by Stephanie Millican; Sax played by Tom Conti; and Banjo played by Joe Gist. Chuck Henry, renowned accordionist, flies in from Florida to entertain ALSI guests! companied with back-up instrumental tracks and drum rhythms with his music. His varied program should entertain all. All ALSI members are invited to dinner (dutch) with Chuck after the meeting. For more information contact Mary Lou Erwin at

6 Page 6 ACCORDION MUSIC Winter Wonderland page 1

7 Volume 22 Issue 2 ACCORDION MUSIC Winter Wonderland page 2 Page 7

8 Page 8 ACCORDION NEWS/EVENTS NAA Accordion Convention March Held in Plano Texas. This year s theme is Duet Together. For more information contact Gref Klugiewicz Convention Coordinator at GKlugie@Verizon.net or call (214) RCAC Accordion Camp at Silver Falls June Conductors are Murl Allen Sanders and Stas Venglevski and workshop instructors are: Beverley Fess and Mary Tokarski. For more information contact Club president Wayne (503) Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration June held in Leavenworth Washington. This is sponsored by the Northwest Accordion Society and features concerts, competitions, jam sessions and parades. It is held in a quaint and Bavarian style village of Leavenworth. For more i n f o r m a t i o n s e e w e b s i t e Las Vegas International Convention June This event will feature many artists including our Gordon Kohl (who will also hold several workshops). Joan Cochran Sommers will once again conduct the annual accordion orchestra. For more information contact Paul Pasquali at: vegas@accordionstars.com. ATG Accordion Teachers Guild Festival July in Lisle IL near Chicago. It will feature concerts. Exhibits, workshops, demonstrations, Jam sessions and competitions at all levels. There will be a Festival Orchestra conducted by Joan Cochran Sommers. For more information see website Cotati Accordion Festival August held in outdoor setting in Cotati California. Artists featured are Dick Contino, Bruce Gassman, Alicia Baker and the Steve Balich Polka Band. For more information call (707) by Ted Hill YUMA OCTOBERFEST On Jan. 17 our San Diego folk dance group went to Yuma Arizona to be part of a January Octoberfest put together by the local German restaurant Das Bratwurst Haus. It was a lively street festival with German food and beer. The Yuma Accordion Club was one of the main attraction on the stage. Their group consisted of about 10 accordion players with tuba and drum players assisting. The band is directed by a wonderful happy person Coreen Bergholm. She conducted all the Octoberfest favorites such as "Let's have a Party" and "Trompeten Echo Polka". The band is made up of mostly visiting snowbirds from different states and provinces. It would be great if our band could get together with theirs for a big event. Gordon Kohl has done workshops for them. It is time to renew our relationship with such wonderful players. ALSI 2014 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT by Vicki Eriqat - Treasurer INCOME REEDBLOCK $ MEETINGS TOTAL $ EXPENSES REEDBLOCK $ MEETINGS* TOTAL $ *INCLUDES INSURANCE, WEB SITE, MAIL BOX

9 Volume 22 Issue 2 ALSI MEETING CALENDAR VENDOR SERVICES Page 9 February 8th Monthly meeting with Valentine Music and three Showcases. March 8th Monthly meeting with a showcase by the ALSI Ensemble & Jam Session. April 12th Monthly meeting with a workshop held by Gordon Kohl. May 1st Monthly meeting with a workshop held by Bob Page. June 14th Annual Picnic at Lindo Lake Park. C U S T O M C R A F T E D ( PLAYING AROUND Please share date, time and location of public appearances. Submit these, in writing, complying with the cut-off date, to Mary Lou Erwin or Bob Page. Louis Fanucchi Most Tuesday s at Café Zucchero in Little Italy from Every other Wednesdays at Romescos in Bonita. Most Saturdays and Sundays from 2-5 pm at Salerno s Winery in Ramona.. (More info. at or online at Gordon Kohl Plays Casuals, Weddings Dances and Special Events. Gordon s Combo is noted for their repertoire of ethnic music such as Italian, French, German and Latin, Their specialty is Private Parties & Dancing Music. (For more information and future availability. please call Gordon at: )

10 ALSI Statement Of Purpose: ALSI is San Diego s forum for appreciating and performing accordion music, including the MIDI electronic accordion We welcome members who enjoy listening to or playing accordion music. We have an accordion ensemble group, monthly meetings, local concerts featuring local and internationally famous performers, an annual picnic and a monthly newsletter. Monthly Newsletter Meeting From 1:00 to 4 :00 pm. On February 8th Join us at the ALSI gathering as we enjoy our monthly meeting with Valentine music and a special three showcase program in Bailey Hall. Accordion Lover s Society International At Mt. Miguel Covenant Village in Spring Valley The REED BLOCK c/o Helen Estok Schoell P.O. Box San Diego, CA FEBRUARY 2015 EDITION 16th President s Day