The Powell River Annual Accordion Extravaganza is back! On March 5, 2023, 2:PM Walter Martella and Karina Inkster will present a preview of their Accordion Fest (happening May 5 – 6, 2023)). Joining them are special guests Terry Martyniuk and Jessica Colasanto. It will be an entertaining afternoon of wide-ranging genres including tangos, classical music, selections from the Amélie film soundtrack, and more! To celebrate Walter’s birthday (a day early!), audience members will be treated to a dessert bar and delicious selections from The Knotty Pretzel Baked Delights.

Where: James Hall at the Powell River Academy of Music.
Tickets: At the door by donation (suggested $20) 
7280 Kemano Street · Powell River, BC V8A 1M2 · Canada

Martella said, “It’s going to be a showcase for the May Accordion Fest, including some new repertoire. There will be a selection of different musical genres, so there will be tangos, classical music and pieces from the Amélie film soundtrack. We are going to bring some repertoire that isn’t common with the accordion. We have four classical pieces that we have adapted for accordion solo and piano accompaniment. It’s a new genre that we haven’t experimented with. They are not common on the accordion.” Martella said a Chopin piano piece has been adapted for accordion.

Additionally the Accordion Fest planning team along with the Powell River Academy of Music, is planning an incredible 2023 event. Walter Martella and Karina Inkster are excited to bring you Powell River’s Second Annual Accordion Fest! Including a concert performance, workshops for beginners and advanced players alike and a wide range of musical genres for their audiences to enjoy. Mmark your calendars for Friday and Saturday, May 5-6, 2023!

Check out their full schedule of events. Joint them for two days of diverse events celebrating the accordion! Fun fact: May 6th is World Accordion Day, marking the anniversary of the day its patent was filed on May 6, 1829.

Some highlights of this year’s Fest include:
9 special guest musicians
Opening night concert: tango, jazz, classical, and more (featuring at least 6 accordions!)
Workshop: introduction to klezmer music
Masterclass for intermediate/advanced students
Accordion 101 for complete beginners
General merriment
Squeezebox Night closing party On March 5, 2023 there will be a preview concert. Tickets are by donation at the door. Accordion Fest tickets will be on sale soon — stay tuned!

Walter Martella is a musician, conductor, instructor, Music Director of the Powell River Academy of Music (PRAM). He has recorded 6 studio albums. Bench presses your body weight and makes a mean apple cider. He is also conductor and Music Director of the Powell River Academy of Music (PRAM), Walter is an accomplished pianist, accordionist, and trumpeter. He earned a Diploma in Jazz Trumpet from Malaspina College (VIU), a Bachelor of Music Degree from UVic, and attended the Banff School of Fine Arts.

Karen Inkster is a recreational accordionist, author, podcast host, vegan fitness and nutrition coach. She is the author of 5 books, magazine writer, and host of the No-B.S. Vegan podcast. Founder of K.I. Health & Fitness, she and her online coaching team work with vegan clients all over the world. Karina holds a Master’s degree in Gerontology, specializing in health and aging.

Karina and Walter share, “Our First Annual Accordion Fest was a success! We thank our performers, special guests, and audience members for making Accordion Fest 2022 a huge success! Virtuoso accordionist Nikolay Bine performed to a full house, our various afternoon events were well-attended, and we sold out our kitchen party to close the Fest. We hope to see you at our second fest on May 5 and 6, 2023!”

The Powell River Academy of Music is a not-for-profit community music school offering excellence in arts education to students of all ages. The community is enriched by the Academy Concert Series and the Academy’s international festivals.

For further information: karina@karinainkster.com