2011 International Accordion Festival
Where:
Villita Street, Alamo and Nueva streets
San Antonio, TX 78288
(210) 207-8610
- How:
-
Official Website Info
- Cost:
-
FREE
Times:
- Friday Oct 7 6-11pm
Saturday Oct 8 12-10pm
Sunday Oct 9 12-10pm
Based
in San Antonio, the International Accordion Festival has earned a
reputation for innovative programming, featuring international
performers of the highest caliber, and for a commitment to cultural
education by initiating cross-cultural communication in workshops and
performances. This FREE festival has established itself as one of the
premier events in the Southwest.
The accordion in Texas is a
perfect vehicle through which to tell the story of immigrant America.
And the musical tale of immigrant America examined closely unpacks the
rich international roots of our heritage.
Historically rich from
its variant origins, the accordion is at the root of numerous
multicultural music traditions throughout the world, many of which have
found their way to this country, many of which enjoy great acclaim in
diverse parts of the world: the Italians, los mexicanos, the French, los
dominicanos, the Germans, los colombianos, the Irish, los argentinos,
the Poles, los españoles, the Czechs...and many others.
Of
course, to enhance its draw, the International Accordion Festival will
be held again in the scenic downtown San Antonio at the historic La
Villita. The festival's focus makes San Antonio an especially
appropriate host site--since the city is essentially the birthplace and
industry hub for Tejano conjunto music. Conjunto, a popular and
historically important accordion music, draws on European and Latin
American influences and rhythms but is basically an American musical
genre.
In the past ten years, the International Accordion
Festival has become a premier event in the Southwest and has presented:
159 ensembles, representing over 39 distinct styles (Russian, Texas
Czech, French Canadian, Indian, Klezmer, Basque, Vallenato, Irish,
Merengue Tipico Ripiao, Conjunto, Tango, Cajun, German Polka, Klezmer
and Eastern Europe, Bulgarian Wedding Music, Zydeco, Western Swing,
Slovenian, Breton, Croatian, Nuclear Polka, Italian, Argentine Chamame,
Brazilian Forro, Albanian, Middle Eastern, Texas Ecletic, Czech
Republic, Third Coast, Azebaijani, Cape Verdean, Quebecois, Creole,
Canary Islands, Alternative, Chicken Scratch, Bulgarian Roma, Panamian
Pindin and Parisian Musette and many more), 85 workshops,
demonstrations, panels, lectures, and open mics.
