The 14th Annual NE Accordion Festival takes place on November 11 & 12, 2011 at the following venues:
November 11: Firefighters Hall & Museum, 664-22nd Avenue Northeast, Minneapolis, MN
November 12: Elsie’s Restaurant and Bowling Center, 729 Marshall Street Northeast, Minneapolis, MN.

The NE Accordion Festival had its beginning in 1997 when Dee Langley (MN) had her close friend, Joanna Arnold Darrow (NJ) coming for a visit to the Twin Cities. Dee really wanted the people of the Twin Cities to be able to hear Joanna Arnold perform and so she asked a few accordion friends to join them at an open party at a local restaurant.

They all had a great time and decided to do it again. 2011 brings the 14th annual get-together. The accordion is alive and well (and blossoming) in Minneapolis/St. Paul!

The goal of the NE Accordion Festival is to provide an event where everyone can come, play, attend workshops, participate in competitions, and meet new friends in all the instrument-family styles and disciplines.

Performers include: Mike Alongi, Chris Gorton, Patrick Harison, Dee Langley with Orkestar Bez Ime, Datta with Machinery Hill, Denny Malmberg, Dan Newton, John Scaffeo, Mark Stillman, Hank Thunander,
and Dan Turpening.

Special additional events include:
The Squeez-in Accordion Orchestra, conducted by Colleen Bertsch (you can be part of this), Saturday 10:00 AM & 6:00 PM.
note: you need to be present at both the rehearsal and performance;
Friday night Open Stage (contact Dee at squeezermn@yahoo.com if you want to make sure there’s time for you or sign up that night at the hall);
Friday night Jam; Saturday Workshops; Bowling for Free-Reeds

Mark Stillman is the 2011 honoree for the NEAF Lifetime Achievement Award honoring someone who has made a constant and positive impact within the free-reed community.

Sponsors of the event are: Roland Corporation, Castle Accordion, and Mill City Accordion Association and KFAI Radio.

For further information:squeezermn@yahoo.com or Dee Langley 612-781-8192

Photo of Chris Gorton