How much fun can an Accordion Band have if not to play at an Oktoberfest? Oktoberfest 2023, at Shoal Centre in beautiful Sidney, BC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYDlPSRFmck
Chemainus accordion festival – August 13, 2022
We enjoyed playing once again at the Chemainus accordion festival - a one-day event. A wide variety of performers and very enjoyable performances.
Broadway concert
Accordions By The Sea - Broadway and more ... Large crowd enjoyed favourite Broadway and musical hits! "Great show" ... "Amazed by the variety of songs" ... just some of the comments from the audience. Standing ovation.
St. Cecilia’s Day – November 18, 2017
Accordion Band performs at St. Cecilia's Day - November 18, 2017 Once again, the Victoria Accordion Club band is privileged to perform at Victoria's Christchurch Cathedral in honour of St. Cecilia's Day. The venue is stunning and an outstanding location for listening to beautiful music. Please join us. Our performance is at 1:30 pm For more information please see the program listing at: https://www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca/
Oktoberfest 2017
It's Oktoberfest season! We had a fabulous rousing Oktoberfest on October 14th at the Sidney SHOAL Centre ... oh what fun!! Sold out event!! -- 150 people enjoyed the awesome German dinner, the music, the dancing ... and of the course the odd stein of beer! Their were the yodellers in lederhosen and cute frauleins of all ages in colourful dirndls, and plenty of noise. Very likely an annual event at SHOAL. Keep your pretzels crossed! ... watch for next year! Prost!
St. Cecilia’s Day at Christchurch Cathedral
VAC Band performs at Christchurch Cathedral - November 19, 2016 Once again, the VAC Band is privileged to perform at Christchurch Cathedral in Victoria in celebration of St. Cecilia's Day. It is a stunningly beautiful building. We have been honoured to perform at this event for the past few years, and will enjoy the event once again on November 19th at 1:30 pm. Come enjoy all the performers starting earlier in the day, and going throughout the afternoon. The Cathedral will also host it's annual Christmas bazaar. For more details, see the Christchurch Cathedral website: http://www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca
Accordion’s “fresh face”
The "fresh face" of the accordion The CBC recently produced a documentary on the reviving fortunes of the accordion. This instrument has long been "hidden" in recent decades, but is enjoying a significant resurgence of respect among aficionados in the music world. Well-known rock, ethnic, country and "new wave" bands have even embraced the accordion on stage and certainly on their recordings. Big bands of past and current eras have always used the unique and warm sounds of an accordion in their swing and dance performances. A close listen to very many commercials on radio and TV will reveal the sounds of an accordion ... just pay attention. It's always been there, and will continue to be. Enjoy this CBC documentary
Band performances
Band Performances Here are some samples of past performances of the Victoria Accordion Club band (click on the links) August 2016 - Chemainus Accordion Day. Variety of songs. November 2015 - Christchurch Cathedral, Victoria, BC variety of song types July 2015 - Victoria Accordion Festival In The Mood - Rock'n'Roll May 2015 - World Accordion Day Phantom Of The Opera More links of performances on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKpqRzoSK3E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMuofsT24t0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpUQwUrv5Jg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-_tArTOX_k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfnbt7Gz5Dw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY-aTeZDgW4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7XoVkst_wI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hyVaabDzEk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_OVPNIuqW0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deOqI8vFnZw
Oktoberfest Glo Pub
VAC band performs at Glo Pub Oktoberfest in Victoria The Victoria Accordion Club band performed at the always full (!!) Oktoberfest at Glo Pub in Victoria on Friday, October 2, 2015. It's a lively place, especially at Oktoberfest, with lots of action, fun music, lovely frauleins serving beverages, and of course, lots of "refreshments"!! Guests needed to get there early! Glo Pub - 2940 Jutland Road, Victoria. (website: http://glovictoria.com)
VAC at Leavenworth festival
Victoria Accordion Club performs at Leavenworth Accordion Festival, Washington A lot of great music, bratwurst, and cool beverages -- the highlights of the Leavenworth Accordion Festival June 18-21. What a treat! The Victoria Accordion Club Band performed twice at the festival, and to a very appreciative audience both times. The VAC band performed a 1/2-hour set at the gazebo in the centre of town one day, and the following day a one-hour concert at the Grange hall to a standing-room only crowd. The appreciative group gave the VAC band a standing ovation after the final selection. A thrilling performance. A strong contingent of VAC members attended the festival, and enjoyed all the amenities of Leavenworth. The competitions, concerts, and open stage sessions were very well-attended,
Django & Jazz – May 15, 2015
3rd ANNUAL WEST COAST DJANGO & JAZZ featuring Cory Pesaturo, World Accordion Champion, and Victoria's Quinn Bachand, jazz guitar extraordinaire! Friday, May 15th What an evening of world-class gypsy jazz & jazz music featuring Juno Award winning guitarist Oliver Gannon, World Champion in Digital, Acoustic and Jazz Accordion Cory Pesaturo, Canada's multi-instrumentalist wunderkind Quinn Bachand and his sizzling hot gypsy jazz ensemble Brishen (nominated for a staggering 5 Canadian Folk Music Awards)! Such talent -- and it truly was an epic night of music! The musicianship of all on stage was exceptional. Check out the artists’ websites: www.olivergannon.com www.corypesaturo.com www.brishenmusic.com For more information contact Adrien Bachanad (250) 812-6888 or email adrien@abachand.ca In 2013, young wunderkind guitarist Quinn Bachand was excited about sharing the stage with veteran jazz guitarist Oliver Gannon, however an injury sidelined Gannon, who
World Accordion Day
World Accordion Day - May 6, 2016 World Accordion Day is celebrated on May 6th each year in recognition of this unique instrument, and those who enjoy playing and listening to the music it produces. The Victoria Accordion Club and other musicians celebrated with a special concert. An enthusiastic audience enjoyed performances by the Victoria Accordion Club band, several young aspiring and inspiring student musicians, Jelena Milojevic & Rebecca Bracewell, The BC Accordion Orchestra, and Bucan-Bucan. It was a night to remember! For details on World Accordion Day, click this link: World Accordion Day
Music and your brain
Music and your brain You probably have heard many medical specialists, and even non-medical folks, expound about the benefits of music to your well-being, and particularly to your brain function. There have been many studies done that suggest strong benefits of learning and playing music not only for your own brain performance, but also for those who listen such as the elderly who are suffering from dementia symptoms or anyone afflicted with various medical or mental conditions. View this video explaining how music, and specifically playing an instrument, may help brain function and performance. Click here.
Vancouver Christmas Market
Vancouver Christmas Market 2014 The Victoria Accordion Club band performed at the prestigious and lively Vancouver Christmas Market on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 2 pm to 4 pm. The market is held each year in the heart of Vancouver at the Queen Elizabeth Plaza on Hamilton Street, and draws thousands of visitors to experience the wonder and beauty of the Christmas season. Live music was again a feature, along with outstanding displays of German crafts, food and beverages.
St. Cecilia’s Day – Patron saint of music – Nov. 22, 2014
St. Cecilia's Day - November 22, 2014 November 22nd is marked as St. Cecilia's Day, the patron saint of music. The Victoria Accordion Club band was privileged to be part of this inspirational celebration of music held at the stunning Christchurch Cathedral in Victoria. The band provided a 30 minute performance, in a day-long open house concert with many other gifted musicians and groups from the Victoria area. The whole experience was outstanding, and one the Victoria Accordion Club will cherish.
Food Bank Fundraiser – Sidney
Food bank fundraiser - Sidney - Oct 31, 2014 A fun event, with lots of toe-tapping music -- that's the description being heard from the attendees after the fund raiser for the food bank in Sidney at the Peace Lutheran Church. The Victoria Accordion Club (VAC) band put on a one hour concert performance for the enthusiastic gathering, and received a terrific reception for the lively music and fun banter. A terrific cause, and worthy investment in our community ... so many in our midst can use our help. And our participation was an experience we certainly enjoyed. Give generously to the food bank in your area.
Oktoberfest 2014
Oktoberfest is done! Saturday, October 4, 2014 What a raucous time we had at our "Traditional Oktoberfest"!! Lots of stomping German music, German food (bratwurst, schnitzel, sauerkraut ... o my goodness!) and of course -- beer! There were guys in their best Lederhosen and lovely frauleins in gorgeous Dirndls, and so many others just enjoying the great music and dancing. There were plenty of Polkas, Pretzels, Steins and Food that Really Schmecked! ("tasty" "lip-smacking" ... look it up! ...) Some brave souls even learned (tried) dances they had never done before!! The Macarena (the girls looked terrific!) ... ... and the Shuhplattler -- yikes, that's tricky!! But oh so fun! Can hardly wait until next year's Oktoberfest!!
Boomer’s Bash!!
All you boomers out there … you dug out your flared poodle skirts, and guys slicked your hair into your ducktail, and the leather jackets came out and what a time we had !! It was a 50s-60s dance party!!! We had great 60s music, and the good times rolled! It was Saturday, July 19, 2014 at the Edelweiss Club, 108 Niagara Street, Victoria (in the James Bay area) Great dinner, followed by cool dance moves till the night was done!
Victoria Accordion Festival July 2014
8th annual Victoria International Accordion Festival - July 18-20, 2014 The annual Victoria accordion festival was very successful. It was held on Friday, July 18 through to Sunday July 20th. The BC Accordion Society (www.bcaccordion.ca) organized and hosted the festival with support from the Victoria Accordion Club. The competition for soloists was held on Friday July 18th at First Metropolitan United Church on Quadra Street (address: 932 Balmoral Street) in Victoria. Other activities were held in conjunction with the festival. The schedule: Friday, July 18 - 2 pm - 7 pm - competition for soloists - First Metropolitan United Church; 932 Balmoral St, Victoria. Friday, July 18 - 8 pm - Concert: Night of Stars - First Metropolitan United Church, 932 Balmoral St. Victoria. Featuring: Stas Venglevski (Russia/USA), and
World Accordion Day
World Accordion Day - May 6, 2014 **Celebration and Concert** Prepare to be "wowed" by the music, the performers, and the skill shown in generating beautiful sounds from the rapturous, melodic accordion. Performers from the community, including the Victoria Accordion Club and the BC Accordion Orchestra will enthral you will beautiful songs from all genres. You'll tap your toes to some modern soft-rock, and be bedazzled with moving music of the classics. This is part of our celebration of World Accordion Day, being celebrated across the globe with special events in numerous countries. Check this website (World Accordion Day) for details of global celebrations. Come to our Concert: Place: Alix Goolden Hall, 907 Pandora Ave, Victoria Time: 7:30 pm, May 6, 2014 Tickets: $25 Adults; $20