OCTOBER

2015

NEWSLETTER

October 2015 Volume 22 Issue 10

Players - do not forget to call Bill Barr at 619 337-1111 to re-

serve your time slot and let us know who is coming. Oktoberfest is

Sunday October 11th from 11:30 am to 4 pm in Balboa Park next to

the fountain near the space museum. If you need help in getting there

please call Ted at 619 276-5890

San Diego Follies by AL Piselli

Our own talented Accordionists, Vicki

Eriqat & Sharon Marotte, performed with

their accordions in the 18th annual San Diego Follies, at the Lincoln Performing Arts Center

in San Diego August 20-25. The theme this

year was from the show 'YOUR HIT PA-

RADE'. All the songs performed and ingen-

iously acted out had been #1 songs on Your

Hit Parade for each year starting with 1935-

2000.

Vicki & Sharon sang and danced in sev-

eral numbers as part of the Follies ensemble,

and played their accordions in two numbers:

"That’s What Friends Are For" & "Near You".

Their Accordions were the only musical in-

struments out in front of the stage, other than

the backstage orchestra.

Vicki was in a skit & Sharon was Cap-

tain Hook in "I’m a Believer". The Follies con-

sists of an all senoir cast aging from 55 to 86

years of age. There were 12 showgirls this

year aging up to 82 years old and they were all

beautiful. They played their accordions flaw-

lessly during the Rockets high leg kick dance.

Thanks to all who came to the show

and for the rest of you, don't miss it next

year!! —

Harold & Helen Estok

Founders of A.L.S.I.

President Gordon Kohl 619-395-0454

Presidents Emeriti:

(Founder) Harold Estok Ron Griffin

Kjell Holmes Gloria Ensign

Vice President: Mary Lou Erwin

619-448-9588

Meeting Coordinator:

Bill Barr

619-337-1111

Corresponding Secretary: Marian Sowell

619-448-4174

Treasurer &

Ensemble Director: Vicki Eriqat 619-563-5586

Recording Secretary:

Sharon Marotte

619-286-3948

Newsletter/Webmaster:

Bob Page 760--815-4783

Ted Hill 619-276-5890

Al Piselli 619-634-6896

Presidents Message

Page 2 NEWSLETTER

schuhplattlers, schottisches, foxtrots and more. So many people have brought their music and

culture to our beautiful USA and Canada.

I have just returned home from the wonderful pristine farming and oil region of Alberta,

Canada. The city of Edmonton, a city of one million with beautiful rivers and skyscraper buildings,

does have an accordion society and a history of accordion. There are large music schools which

offer accordion programs. One picture I saw had two hundred teen accordion students. Still to-

day, whether in Canada, USA, Mexico or Europe, people enjoy playing our beloved musical instru-

ment, the accordion.

Now it is your turn to enjoy Oktoberfest by playing two of your favorite and best solos,

duets or trios at our ALSI Oktoberfest day in Balboa Park. We are so lucky to have such a perfect

location to play accordion music each year. Yes it takes a lot of patience and fortitude to make

this Sunday a fun and rewarding experience. Remember you may be introducing the accordion to

some young boy or girl who will later may become a Dick Contino, Michael Bridge, or Louis Fa-

nuchi. The musical part we ignite today may not be known for years.

Please ALSI members support this years Oktoberfest. Bring folding chairs, umbrella, sun-

screen, a hat, and plenty of H2O to make yourself comfortable. Also bring your friends along to

share the fun music program. There will be shade tents set up.

I will be playing in Julian with my Bavarian band at their Oktoberfest. You are most wel-

come to come and enjoy this day with me. It will Saturday, October 10th from 11 am to 4 pm.

This same evening I will be playing at the German American Society in El Cajon for their Oktober-

fest. It will be indoors with a dance floor starting at 7 pm.

Cheers and Der Gemutlichkeit. Enjoy the season and your accordion !

Gordon —

Hi everyone,

Oktoberfest time is here and moving quickly. This is the tradi-

tional time of the year when people celebrate an end to a busy harvest

season. Farmers have been out on their combines and tractors cutting

wheat, barley, flax, alfalfa and corn. Now it is time to enjoy some good

dance music and celebrate a successful crop. After a full day in the fields working, a cold glass of beer or lem-

onade sure tastes great. Let's not forget looking forward to going to a

dance hall in the evening and hearing all those polkas, waltzes,

Page 3 Volume 22 Issue 10

HAPPINESS AT ALSI Sept 13, 2015 by Sharon Marotte

The ALSI accordion club met at Mt Miguel Covenant Village – Bailey Hall. The construction project next to Bailey Hall is really starting to show a lot of progress. It was another hot day, but cool inside. Players around the village: Crider #1, Jerry Odling – Brandel, Vicki Eriqat – Cafeteria, Steve Halpern. Mary Lou Erwin was on vacation so Al Piselli was at the front table greeting folks. Jane Ford was also out due to her sister’s passing away so Kari Andrews brought the plates, cof-fee, water, tableclothes, etc. for our refreshment break. Bill Barr was the MC &

Jack Marotte was in charge of the sound system.

Kjell Holmes entertained us early birds while we were setting up the mikes, Diane Polinski on accordion & Lois Lahoud on piano also played music before

the meeting started at 1 pm.

The first player of the day was Sharon Marotte. Her songs were: Linda, My

Way & Under Paris Skies.

Marilyn Harkins, our novice player, played Edelweiss & Dark Island. Good

job, Marilyn – just keep on playing, you will get over your stage fright!

Next was the duet of Linda Hibbert & Ken Powers. Their songs were: Metsakukia, a Finnish waltz & Zum Abshied. Gwen Shoemaker joined the duet to become a trio, named the Melodians! Their songs were: El Paso & Beyond the Sea

– good sound with two Roland accordions!!

Al Jacobs took the stage at 91+ years of age. He played songs from his heritage which is English & Jewish. He played songs from: London, Yorkshire, Scot-land. He played the national anthems from: Wales, England, Israel, France, & USA.

Also the Jewish song, Havila Nagila. Good job, AL!!!

A fellow new to our club played next. Garnik Militonyan, was a wonderful surprise as he played Tico, Tico – an Italian waltz, Clarinet Polka & Accordion Polka,

one of Myron Floren’s pieces. Wow! Is what all of us said… He can really play!

Steve Halpern had to follow Garnik which was not easy. Steve played the following: Autumn Leaves, Klesmer Dance, Nature Boy & Speak Softly Love (from

the Godfather). Good job, Steve.

Our refreshment break gave us all a chance to stretch. Vivian Steger brought a date/nut cake, brownies & grapes. Al Piselli & Kari Andrews helped

serve the snacks.

The ALSI Accordion Band played after the break, with Vicki Eriqat di-recting. Lois Lahoud was playing the percussion instruments. The Accordion Band played several songs: There is no Beer in Heaven, Harvest Schottish, Henriet-ta Polka, Green Valley waltz, In Munchin Stecht Ein Haufbrau Haus, Styrmans Valsen,

Die Holtzauction Schottish & Pennsylvania Polka. —

Page 4 NEWSLETTER

Happiness continued from page 3

Next we welcomed Juergen & Hildegard Rosenfeld back from 4 months

in Germany. Juergen wore his new light weight Lederhosen – both

Juergen & Hildegard looked so very nice. His songs were: Haufbrau

Haus, Beer Barrel Polka, Edelweiss, America the Beautiful, plus Marine &

Navy theme songs, ending with Auf Weidersein. Bob Page graced the stage next with his beautiful music. His songs were:

September Song, Autumn Leaves, Lara’s Theme, Fly Me to the Moon. Such

beautiful chords, Bob. Vicki Eriqat played & sang several songs. Seems like it has been a long time

since we have heard Vicki play solo!! Her songs were: Daisy/Daisy, Elmer/

Elmer – plus Under the Bridge of Paris, I Love Paris & The Last Time I Saw

Paris. Gordon Kohl stopped by to give his greetings & announcements of upcom-

ing events. The December meeting will be held the first Sunday of Decem-

ber because of conflicts at Bailey Hall. Gordon played several songs to in-

clude: Innsbruck, Sailor, Eviva Espana, Arpeggio Polka. Good playing, Gor-

don. Lots of bellow shakes and really good stuff!!!

ALSI ACCORDION BAND Playout by Sharon Marotte The ALSI Accordion Band played Saturday, Sept, 19th at Seaport Village.

The Pirates took our regular spot so we were moved to the other foun-

tain area which was much better – shade plus a breeze from the water-

front. We did not have power but we seemed to do just fine. Players

for the day were: Kari Andrews, Erika Baier, Jane Ford, Loren Gardner,

Steve Halpern, Ted Hill, Sharon Marotte, Al Piselli, Vivian Steger, with Jim

Kilduff on drums & Lois Lahoud on percussion. Vicki Eriqat directed us

& talked to the visitors, which had a much better place to sit & listen.

Vicki got a cigar from a biker who is a beginning band director from San

Bernardino & had her picture taken with the pirates. A lady told me that

she learned to play the Beer Barrel Polka in Germany when she was a

child. She & Erika spoke to each other in German. We had fun & folks

seemed to enjoy our music!!

Page 5 Volume 22 Issue 10

COMING IN NOVEMBER

Heritage Day Accordion Festival

November 8, 2014

ACCORDION LOVERS SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL (ALSI)

PROUDLY PRESENTS OUR 20TH ANNUAL HERITAGE DAY.

Come dressed up in your ethnic costume, bring a friend, and enjoy an afternoon

of fantastic music, special guests, and delicious food for just $13.00 per person with advance reservations. The catered menu includes chicken Schnitzels (some pork),

cabbage, German potato salad. Some food tickets may be available depending on amount

of food available for $15 at the door, but please plan ahead, RSVP as soon as possible to

join us at The Bailey Hall Auditorium.

Highlights Accordion Music from around the world

Ethnic Costumes

Catered ethnic food

Dessert Potluck

Date: 11/8/2014 Time: 1:00—4:00 PM

Where: BAILEY HALL AT MT. MIGUEL COVENANT VILLAGE

325 Kempton Ave., Spring Valley, CA 91977

Contact person: Mary Lou Erwin 619 448-9588

— Heritage Day Festival Registration Form — November 8, 2014 at 1-4 pm in Bailey Hall at Mt. Miguel Covenant Village in Spring Valley.

Advance Tickets $13 per person

Names in party:___________________________________________________

Number attending:__________

Amount Enclosed: $_________________

Please forward this form and payment to:

ALSI c/o Helen Schoell at P.O. Box 151357 San Diego, CA 92175 by November 1, 2014

Page 6 NEWSLETTER

Happy Birthday to you!

10/3 Jane Ford

10/6 Erika Baier

10/17 Barbara Odling

10/19 Gloria Ensign

313 NE 45th Street Seattle, WA 98105

(206) 632-2700 phone (206) 632-2733 fax

www.petosa.com

C U S T O M C R A F T E D —

ALSI information

October 11th Octoberfest Celebration at

Balboa Park 11:30 am to 4 pm. En-

semble band plays at 1:00 and Tom

Eskola plays at 1:30

November 8th Monthly meeting with

Heritage Day Celebration.

MEMBERSHIPS: Please contact Mary Lou Erwin at:

marylouerwin@att.net or call 619 448-9588 for mid-

year subscription rates. DISCLAIMER: Unless otherwise indicated, all articles

were written by the Editor. Unless so stated, no article

is to be construed as an endorsement and do not neces-

sarily reflect the views of the Editor or ALSI. CUT-OFF DATE: All contributors to The REED

BLOCK please note: For next month all material is due

two weeks before the next meeting, accordingly the due

date for the November 2014 issue is: October 25th.

This includes all items such as articles, upcoming events,

playing around, accordion workshops, advertisements

and ensemble schedules. Please submit your input to

Helen Estok Schoell (at above ALSI address) or email to

Bob Page at webmaster@accordion-club-sandiego.org

or Mary Lou Erwin at marylouerwin@att.net. Thank

you for your cooperation. ADVERTISEMENTS: Members may place one small

ad per year at no charge, business cards are $6/per issue

or $60/per year, quarter-page is $15/per issue, half -page

is $25/per issue, full -page is $50/per issue, one -page

event flyer is $25/per issue. Cost is doubled for non -

members. (All ads must be accordion related). MEETINGS: The club normally meets at 1:00 - 4:00

P.M. on the second Sunday of each month at the Mt Mi-

guel Covenant Village, 325 Kempton Ave, Spring Valley,

CA. Next Meeting will be an Octoberfest performance

on Sunday, October 11th from 11:30 to 4:00 pm at-

Balboa Park. STEERING COMMITTEE; Next meeting is on

Wednesday October 14th, 10:30—12:00 am at Den-

nys at auto center drive, Mission Valley.

ON THE MOVE !! Thank you everyone for sending in your postcards for On

The Move. Due to music in this issue there is limited space,

so look to next month for exciting news about our club mem-

bers.

December 6th Monthly meeting with

Holiday music. This is the first Sunday

of the month

Monthly Newsletter ALSI

Statement Of

Purpose:

ALSI is San Diego’s

forum for appreciat-

ing and performing

accordion music,

including the MIDI

electronic accordion We welcome mem-

bers who enjoy lis-

tening to or playing

accordion music. We have an accordi-

on ensemble group,

monthly meetings,

local concerts featur-

ing local and interna-

tionally famous per-

formers, an annual

picnic and a monthly

newsletter.

OCTOBER

2015

The REED BLOCK

c/o Helen Estok Schoell

P.O. Box 151357

San Diego, CA 92175

Happy Oktoberfest

To All!

Come and join

us for Show-

case featuring

Chuck

At Balboa Park

near the science center

fountain.

From

11:30 to

4 :00 pm.

On October 11th Join us at the ALSI gathering as we cele-

brate Octoberfest with accordion music.

Enjoy performances by our members, guest

Tom Eskola and our Ensemble Band at

Balboa Park.