Pictures above: Top row (l to r): Rik Kaplan, Casey Sutcliffe, Frank Vidergar
Center row: some of the button boxes used by the performers
Bottom row (l to r): Cody McSherry, Silvia Eberly, Tony Murawski

On Sunday, May 17, 2015 the Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society (WMAS) held its first “Button Box Extravaganza”, and it was a huge success! The event featured several diatonic button accordions and these instruments were demonstrated by some of the best.

Joan Grauman introduced the crowd to the diatonic system of free-reed instruments and then demonstrated the one small free-reed instrument that is not diatonic: the English Concertina. She then introduced the presenters, beginning with Rik Kaplan who not only demonstrated the one-row diatonic Cajun accordion, but he also brought several of his beautiful Cajun accordions for a hands-on demonstration after refreshments were served.

We were then entertained by delightful, Washington, DC favorite: Silvia Eberly. Silvia played her 4-row Steirische Harmonika, a gorgeous Austrian diatonic accordion with Helikon “tuba” reeds in the bass. Silvia played, yodeled, and then played a piece with Cody McSherry (on Steirische Harmonika) and Frank Vidergar (on Slovenian 3-row accordion). The audience was ecstatic!!

Then, we heard young Cody McSherry play – fantastically! His progress on this instrument is astounding, especially since he also takes lessons on the piano accordion, pipe and theatre organs, and he is currently starring in a dinner theatre production of “Les Miserables”.

We had a surprise performer. Casey Sutcliffe had not attended a meeting in a few years. When she came into the room on Sunday, Joan asked her to come up to perform for everyone. Casey played a beautiful Scandinavian Schottische on her 2 ½ row diatonic. Beautiful!!

Baltimore’s own Tony Murawski demonstrated the lovely Star concertina, a box-shaped diatonic instrument designed to play polkas. He played his gorgeous instruments flawlessly and it was a real treat having him join us!

Then, we were all blown away by the terrific Slovenian accordionist, Frank Vidergar. Frank makes his 3-row accordion do things the instrument was not created to do. He is amazing!

What a delightful event!! WMAS is planning to hold another button box event in the next year. Stay tuned!