If the sign of a very successful musical engagement is when just about every seat in the house / restaurant is occupied, then the Tuesday, September 25th, 2012 performance of the Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) at the Village Lanterne in Lindenhurst, Long Island was a big success.

When strolling the tables with the accordion and after you finish a musical selection the patrons tell you that they came to this venue for the first time “just to hear accordion music” then, last night’s performance at the Village Lanterne was a big success.

When a group of strolling accordionists and singer are making their rounds in the busy dinning area and each selection is met with applause and gracious comments then, last night’s performance at the Village Lanterne was a big success.

When various performers take the stage for short ten to fifteen minute sets and their performance is greeted very appreciative applause then the night’s performance at was a success.

When the whole ensemble of nine accordionists performs a program of six varied selections in a  crisp, articulate and precise manner and you get the patrons clapping to the rhythm and singing the lyrics of the selections then, last night’s performance at the Village Lanterne was a big success.

When, at the end of the evening, you go to thank the owner of  the establishment and the first thing he says is to you is “I want all of your future (Long Island Accordion Alliance) meetings to take place in my restaurant”……  and, he goes on to ask “How soon can the Accordion  Alliance return?” then you really know that the night’s performance was successful.

The fact that on probably the slowest night in the business week (Tuesday) for most restaurants the house was filled with patrons, accordion devotees and lots of accordion music says volumes for what the accordion can do when played properly with taste and musicality.

Yes, all of these things happened and it looks like the evening was definitely a rousing success for the Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) and the Village Lanterne Restaurant in Lindenhurst, Long Island.

The Accordion Alliance has, since it onset two years ago, started to created an “affaire de coeur” on Long Island for the accordion which can well be well documented by the attendance at its regular monthly meetings (first Tuesday of every month) at La Villini Restaurant in East Northport, Long Island.

A very special thank you and congratulations go out to the restaurant owner who recognizes the value of the accordion and accordion music and also to all the Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) members without whom none of this success could be realized.

Long Island Accordion Alliance (LIAA) can be reached at 631.864.4428 or at accordionman@verizon.net