Every August, accordionists from around the country converge on a small Northern California town for two days of nonstop squeezebox madness. It’s the 18th annual Cotati Accordion Festival, taking place this Saturday and Sunday, and featuring a diverse lineup that includes Dick Contino, Vagabond Opera, Polka Freakout, Limpopo, Brian Jack and the Zydeco Gamblers, and many more. There’s also a polka tent, accordion-related vendors, and the annual “Lady of Spain” ring and the releasing of the doves. (Really!)
If you’ve never been to the festival, here’s a great set of video clips from Sonoma Uncorked to give you a taste:
Are you headed to Cotati? Leave a comment on this post and let us know. We’ll be there on Sunday, so if you see us — I’ll be wearing a red Let’s Polka shirt — so say “hi” and I’ll give you some stickers.
2 Comments:
I’ll be playing in the festival on Saturday. Too bad you won’t be there… :-(
For those who will be going to the festival on Saturday – there’s also the
‘Cotati Alt-ccordion Revue’ at the Tradewinds down the street.
It’s a line up of three acts: JD Limelight and his vaudville crew Room for Cream, Earstu, and your’s truely – Amber Lee and the Anomalies.
It starts at 5pm and goes untill 9.
Maybe some of your readers will want to come check it out.
Thanks for all you do promoting our favorite instrument! :-)
Cheers!
~Amber
by Amber Lee Baker on August 22nd, 2008
I just got back from the west coast. I played at Cotati this year & it was the best festival I’ve performed at in a long long time!
Too many great accordion players to start naming names but Amber you’re up there with the best of them.
Aa the best,
Hugh (Shuggie) Morrison
by Hugh Morrison on September 2nd, 2008