Don’t miss Bryant Park Presents’ upcoming “Accordions Around the World” series, a four-week series that brings over 100 accordionists, as well as bandoneón, bayan, concertina, and harmonium-players of different musical genres, which begins tonight and lasts until July 21, 2017. Accordion Picnics, each Wednesday between June 28 and July 19, spotlights 24 musicians at each performance and offers audiences the chance to experience the range of this often-overlooked instrument; and, the series culminates on Friday, July 21, with the Accordion Festival, hosted by long-time New York City-based accordionist Rachelle Garniez, and features Bil Afrah Project, Sunnyside Social Club, Felipe Hostins’ Osnelda, Zlatni Balkan Zvuk, and a special Colombian Independence Day celebration with Gregorio Uribe.

Performers for the Accordion Picnics include father/daughter duo Lena and Charlie Giordano (who occasionally plays with Bruce Springsteen) and Rob Curto from Brazilian bluegrass band Matuto on June 28; the acclaimed Mario Tacca and Lila Downs accordionist George Saenz on July 5; Norwegian group Smörgåsbandet (the first Norwegian performers in the series’ history) and former accordionist for Gogol Bordello Yuri Lemeshev on July 12; and, premiere bandoneónista Maestro Tito Castro, Gregory Grene (from the Irish band The Prodigals) and longtime accordionist for Regina Carter, Will Holshouser, on July 19, 2017.

The Accordion Festival, hosted by long-time New York City-based accordionist Rachelle Garniez, whose original lyrical and melodic story-songs have been described as “romantic, rhapsodic and casually hilarious” (The New York Times). This special event features Bil Afrah Project, which celebrates the legendary Lebanese album, Bil Afrah, by Ziad Rahbani; Zlatni Balkan Zvuk, the debut project from top accordionist Peter Stan that brings Balkan wedding music to the streets of New York City; Osnelda, a group that mixes elements of frontman Felipe Hostins’ Southern Brazilian upbringing with forró, the music from Northeastern Brazil; Gregorio Uribe, Colombian accordionist and big band leader; and, Sunnyside Social Club, soulful cabaret/punk blues outfit.

The full schedule, at a glance:

June 28, 6:PM
Accordion Picnic
The opening performance of Bryant Park Presents Accordions Around the World series, this accordion-filled evening will include more than twenty accordion-themed performances from artists including father/daughter duo Lena and Charlie Giordano (who occasionally play with Bruce Springsteen) and Rob Curto from Brazilian bluegrass band Matuto.

July 5, 6:PM
Accordion Picnic
The second performance of Bryant Park Presents Accordions Around the World series, this accordion-filled evening will include more than twenty accordion-themed performances from artists including the acclaimed Mario Tacca and Lila Downs accordionist George Saenz.

July 12, 6:PM
Accordion Picnic
The third performance of Bryant Park Presents Accordions Around the World series, this accordion-filled evening will include more than twenty accordion-themed performances from artists including Norwegian group Smörgåsbandet (the first Norwegian performers in the series’ history) and former accordionist for Gogol Bordello, Yuri Lemeshev.

July 19, 6:PM
Accordion Picnic
The fourth performance of Bryant Park Presents Accordions Around the World series, this accordion-filled evening will include more than twenty accordion-themed performances from artists including premiere bandoneónista Maestro Tito Castro, Gregory Grene (from the Irish band The Prodigals) and longtime accordionist for Regina Carter, Will Holshouser.

July 21, 5:PM- 10:PM
Accordion Festival
The fifth and final performance from Bryant Park Presents Accordions Around the World series, this accordion extravaganza, hosted by Rachelle Garniez, will feature Bil Afrah Project, Sunnyside Social Club, Felipe Hostins’ Osnelda, Zlatni Balkan Zvuk, and a special Colombian Independence Day celebration with Gregorio Uribe.