Celebrating World Accordion Day, 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 our audiences to enjoy, mark your calendars for Friday and Saturday, May 5-6, 2023! 

Two days of assorted accordion antics, celebrating one of the world’s most versatile instruments is happening at the Powell River Academy of Music. 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. Mark 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.

All 2023 events take place at the Powell River Academy of Music (7280 Kemano Street in Powell River), except our Squeezebox Night, which is held at the Forest Bistro and Lounge:
Friday, May 5:
All day May 5 and 6] Accordion Repairs and Sales:
Tempo Trend, a Victoria-based speciality accordion store that’s been in business for over 60 years, will be on site for all your accordion needs! Tune-ups, repairs, and sales. Bring the old squeezebox languishing in your closet, or purchase your first (or seventh) accordion.

7:PM Accordion Fest Main Concert: The main concert, featuring a wide variety of musical genres, special musical guests, co-directors Walter and Karina, and at least 5 accordions! Enjoy a 5-piece tango band featuring guitarist Budge Schachte and bassist Boyd Norman, klezmer music featuring accordionist Ronen Segall, as well as classical and jazz. Not to be missed!

Saturday, May 6:
10:30-11:45am Accordion Masterclass:
Internationally renowned accordionist Jelena Milojević provides critiques, insights, and suggestions. A learning opportunity for both performers and observers. Zoom participation available. Please email Karina to participate) Audience: By donation

12:15-1:45pm Courtyard Performances: Local and visiting performers share music in a casual environment. Sign up to play, and/or come and enjoy what’s on offer. By donation.

2-3:PM Accordion 101: This workshop introduces accordion-curious folks of any (or no) musical background to the instrument. Bring your own accordion, or borrow one for the session (generously provided by Tempo Trend). By donation.

3:15-4:PM: Introduction to Klezmer Music Led by Ronen Segall of Accordion Love, intermediate players will learn the klezmer scale, and some improvisation basics.By donation.

7:PM Squeezebox Night at the Forest Bistro:
May 6th is World Accordion Day! Celebrate with us at this year’s Accordion Fest closing party. Featuring Ron Campbell’s band, Scout Mountain Bluegrass Band, and Ronen Segall and Walter Martella on accordions, enjoy an evening of lively popular music during dinner + drinks. The Forest Bistro & Lounge is a 19+ establishment. However, minors are welcome before 10:PM with a parent/guardian.

For further information: karina@karinainkster.com