Oklahoma Squeezins

You'll like em! ACCORDIONISTS & TEACHERS GUILD (ATG) 83rd FESTIVAL will be held July 16th to 20th, 2025 in Lisle, IL, featuring: Radu Ratoi, Bridge & Wolak, Duo TWO accordions, Peter Soave & String Quintet, UMKC Community Accordion Ensemble, Festival Member Orchestra conducted by Joan Sommers, Workshops, Master classes, Competitions, Luncheons and a Dinner Banquet. For more information watch this article or visit: atgaccordions.com A Future Venture: The National Accordion Association is currently revamping its convention protocol to be more in tune with today's requirements. The previous convention held in March 2025 was a success but also showed conventions must change. Stay tuned to this column as new information is released on future events! ~ Dick WHAT DATES are important to the accordion? In May we celebrated the WORLD AC- CORDION DAY on May 6th. Now why is that important? It is because on May 6th, 1829, Cyril Demian (1772-1849), an organ and piano maker, accompanied by his two sons Karl and Guido, filed a patent in Vienna, Austria, for the accordion. This was the start of something big. From the start of the World Accordion Day, we jump into June and that is the National Accordion Awareness Month. What does that mean to us? Well, without US promoting the accordion, how else will it continue? We can start by playing some Italian tunes at the OAC Pizza party June 8th. Pizza and Italian music go so well together! In July we have the 4thof July and a chance to play some patriotic tunes. In August and September, you will have to create the need for accordion music, but in October, we have Octoberfest and a chance to really make some polka and waltz music. Now I have given you some reasons to put on that accordion and prepare for what the accordion can do best. Are you with me, and will you prepare? AMERICAN ACCORDIONISTS ASSOCIA- TION (AAA) Festival will be held July 11th to 13th, 2025, in Conshohocken (Philadelphia area), PA. The event will feature Concerts, Workshops, Competitions, Orchestras, Exhibits, Food Functions, and Guest Artists. Watch this article or ameraccord.com for more hotel discount codes and other Festival announcements.