You're Invited to Join the Accordion Revolution

A tuneful and amusing world record attempt is going to happen this August at the 29th Annual Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival. THere will be a lot of accordions.

(PRWEB) July 8, 2005 -- The St. Johns Folk Arts Council invites you to join an Accordion Revolution.

The 29th Annual Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival will be remembered for many things -- its fabulous performers, engaging morning workshops, great crafts and delicious food. But the Board of the Folk Arts Council is also hoping it will be remembered for smashing the current record for the worlds largest accordion ensemble. That record, set several years ago in the Netherlands, stands at 566. Newfoundlanders may love their accordions, but can they muster 567 or more to play one orchestrated piece for at least five minutes in order to claim their place in the record books?

Folk Arts Council President Jean Hewson hopes so. When the idea of trying for the record first came up," says Hewson, I contacted OBriens Music Store just to see how many accordions they thought might be in the St. Johns area. 'Hundreds?" I asked. They said 'absolutely, maybe even thousands. That gave us the encouragement we needed to say 'lets try!"

Adding to the excitement leading up to this attempt is the knowledge that another group is going after the same record in early July at Kimberley BCs annual accordion festival. Two festivals both trying for the same record, but on opposite sides of the country.

The SJFACS Accordion Revolution, a name kindly shared by Dave Hopley of Living Planet T-shirts, will occur at the end of the Folk Festivals daytime session on Saturday, August 6th. Dave Penny, a member of the SJFAC Board of Directors, will be the lead accordion player; together with Christina Smith, Penny is working out an arrangement for all the assembled accordions to play. Music (in tab form and as an mp 3) will be available on the SJFAC website soon. Penny will be rounding up a clutch of some of Newfoundlands finest accordion players to help with the event; of course, several of those same accordion players are already slotted to perform at the Festival.

But theres no such thing as too many accordions, not when a revolution is at hand. Young and old alike are encouraged to come to the park to join the revolution.

Dont think you can just show up at the last minute: there are several requirements for setting an official world record, and one is that every participant sign an official form. There will be a special registration area running all day just for accordion players. Participants with accordions will be given free entrance to the Festival during the daytime session on the 6th so that they can enjoy the performances and demonstrations being held throughout the park. Musicians under the age of 16 must have the signature of a parent or guardian. We're on the web at: www.sjfac.nf.net

The 29th Annual NEwfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival runs from August 5 - 7, 2005 in Bannerman Park, St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador and is organized by St. John's FOlk Arts Council.

The St. John's Folk Arts Council (SJFAC) is a not-for-profit organization that has been active in the music community of Newfoundland and Labrador since 1966. The SJFAC hosts and organizes an annual folk festival and a folk night every Wednesday in St. John's. Both functions showcase Newfoundland talent and contribute to the development of promising artists. The SJFAC also conducts several workshops annually to highlight and explore the cultural traditions of the Province. The activities of the SJFAC are directed by a Board of eight to thirteen volunteers and a paid coordinator.

The mandate of the SJFAC is to "promote the Folk Arts in Newfoundland and Labrador and throughout Canada; foster creative expression of those arts; and to further the cause of good intergroup relationships."

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