This weekend, music fans will celebrate an instrument that dates back to the early 1800s and can be heard in many different genres during the annual Chemainus Accordion Days festival.
Chemainus Accordion Days takes place Friday, Aug. 8 and Saturday, Aug. 9 and is presented by the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society.
It all starts Friday, Aug. 8 in Old Town Chemainus. The Gypsy Belles will perform from 11 a.m. to noon at Twisted Sisters Tea House, from 1-2 p.m. at The Book Nook and from 2-3 p.m. at Top Hat Antiques.
On Saturday, Aug. 9, the music moves to Waterwheel Park. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be performances by The Acchords, Rose Menzi, Heart & Soul, Mary Ross and Tony Brouwers, Don Hall, Bruce Bakker & Friends, and The Victoria Accordion Club.
Admission is by donation.
Jim Hamilton of The Acchords lines up performers for the event and says he tries to bring new performers to Chemainus each year.
This will be the second year that Dan Hall performs, and Hamilton says a lot of people enjoyed listening to the Victoria Accordion Club — of which the Gypsy Belles are members — last year.
On this year’s bill is well-known accordion player Mary Ross.
“She plays a lot of Scottish material, but she can play pretty much anything,” said Hamilton. “She’s terrific.”
Hamilton has been playing accordion since he was in his teens or early 20s, although he got away from it for a while during his working years.
In Vancouver, he joined the Enniskillen Accordion Band, which was taught by Bob Millar, whose sons George and Will are members of the Irish Rovers. Through the marching band, Hamilton met the other members of The Acchords, and they formed a band. Last year, the band went from a foursome to a trio, with Hamilton, Lynda Little — whom Hamilton calls a mainstay of The Acchords — and Rose Menzi. Hamilton and Little also perform as a duo as Heart & Soul.
Hamilton says Accordion Days is one of many festivals celebrating accordion music.
“Accordion festivals are all about getting together with people you have gotten to know over the years and jamming with people,” he said, adding some festivals also include competitions. “It’s all about fun with music and camaraderie.”
Hamilton says accordion festivals also serve to keep the popularity of the instrument alive.
“To the average person, it might seem the accordion is a thing of the past, but, really, when you’re involved in it, it’s surprising how many people are accordion players.”
As well, Hamilton hopes the festival helps Chemainus economically.
“If people haven’t been there and if there is any way this attracts people to the town, they have a lot to see and do there,” he said.
