Press Release: 2010 Cajun Squeezebox Shootout
The 5th Annual
Cajun Squeezebox Shootout Accordion Championship
Saturday, February 13, 2010 HIGH NOON
Strand Theatre 432 N. Main Street Jennings, Louisiana
For the past 18 years, Jennings, Louisiana has been the proud home of Cajun Country’s Mardi Gras “Kick Off” event: The Jennings Mardi Gras Parade and Festival. Each year, the parade and the Main Street after-party street dance has grown tremendously and the event is now recognized as a Mardi Gras season highlight.
In 2006 the Cajun Squeezebox Shootout Accordion Championship was born. The fifth annual Shootout is scheduled for Saturday, February 13th at the Historic Strand Theatre on Main Street in Jennings. Cajun diatonic accordion players will meet to shoot it out at High Noon. Doors to the Strand open at 11 a.m. and the competition begins at noon. Admission is $5 general admission, those 12 and under get in free.
The Shootout is a family event designed to expand and promote Cajun music and culture. The contest is open to diatonic nine-and-ten-button Cajun accordion players of all ages. A panel of five judges from the Cajun Music industry will evaluate each player. Judging is based on overall Cajun Music skill; command of accordion voicing; traditional song playing and style; hammering accuracy; knowledge of modern modes; and finally, on performance and presence.
There is no entry fee for the contest, but accordionists must register in order to compete. A registration form and details are available on the Shootout site: jeffdavis.org . Competition features three divisions. The Youth Division includes players age 13 and under, on or before Feb. 13, 2010. The Junior Division includes players age 14 – 20, on or before Feb.13, 2010. The last division is the Adult Division including players age 21 and older, on or before Feb.13, 2010. The deadline to register to compete is Thursday, February 11 at 3 p.m.
The prizes include recognition as the 2010 Cajun Accordion Champion, as well as trophies and a $500 Grand Prize in each division. $100 second prizes and $50 third prizes will also be awarded. To register for competition or learn more about the Shootout go to the website:
www.jeffdavis.org or call (337) 821-5532 or email polly@cityofjennings.com.
Proudly sponsored by the Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Commission, the City of Jennings and the Jennings Festival Association.
How to learn to play the accordion…?
Ok, so Im planning on learning to play the accordion(as soon as I find one I can afford). Right now the only way I know of to learn to play is to get an instructor(which I really cant afford right now). Ive met a few young(early 20s) people who could play quite well, but Im sure they couldnt afford proper lessons either(if they were here Id just ask them). So can anyone give me some suggestions for alternatives, or maybe a way to find super cheap lessons?
If there’s a college in your area, you might want to contact the music department and see if they have anyone. Usually college students don’t charge more than $10 per lesson.
How can I get a list of music stores in the United States who sell cajun music?
I will need their contact information- email address is perfect but optional.
The Louisiana Music Factory specializes in Cajun Music, New Orleans Jazz & Zydeco Music and has probably the largest selection you’d find.
circa 1986.
Accordion video 1.
My accordion project. I will be posting more videos of this project soon. At the moment it is only playing 26 notes (no bass notes.) It’s running on a noisy blower so sorry for that but this accordion is part of a larger organ build and will not be running on this blower. If you a wondering what my next project may be, well I fancy a go at mechanical guitar or banjo.
Duration : 0:6:10
Classic Cajun Music- Valse de Grand Meche- Beausoleil
This is some classic Cajun Music. For some it is hard to appreciate it, but once you delve into a song it’s kind of relaxing…
Anyways **I DO NOT OWN THIS SONG**
Toodles!!!
Duration : 0:3:43
Wayne Toups – Zydecajun – Allons Lafayette cajun accordion
Clip of Cajun/zydeco (zydecajun) star Wayne Toups. Small interview with Mr. Toups giving his history on the Zydecajun genre of music. Clip taken from Les Blank’s film “J’Etais Au Bal”. I would recommend this video for ANY lover of Cajun Music.
Duration : 0:2:35
Anyone Know Good Resources for Beginning Accordion?
I have recently aquired an accordion and would like some suggestions on books or websites with lessons/tips for beginners.
Any help would be much appreciated.
The Palmer-Hughes books are the way to go. You could also try finding a good teacher in your area.
Check the following links!
what sort of music is cajun?
was wondering what is Cajun Music?
Zydeco music
If i want to learn how to play tejano on the accodion what tone accordion should i start on ?
i want to buy an accordion so i can start taking lessons but there’s a few different ones and im not sure which one is more common for style i want to learn which is tejano or lets just make it easy Mexican music lol any way thank for the help
In my area the 3 row button accordions are the most popular. The preferred key is EAD, but GCF and ADG are also used. The key used seems mostly to depend on what the singers like. 48 bass piano accordions are sometimes seen too, but not as common as the three rows.