World Accordion Day will be celebrated on Sunday, 5 May, 2024, at the Drostdy Theatre, Stellenbosch. Get your World Accordion Day tickets here.
The programme for the day will be a Lunch & Expo at 1pm, followed by a concert from 3pm to 4.30pm. The Master of Ceremonies will be actress Nicole Holm.
The event is organized by SAFRA – South African Free Reed Association. SAFRA is affiliated to the international accordion body in France, CMA (Confédération Mondiale de l’Accordéon). SAFRA promotes free reed instruments such as the concertina, harmonica, reed organ, bandoneon and accordion.
The SAFRA NPO also looks after the pre-selection of South African accordion and concertina players for representing the country in international competitions and world championships.
More about the instrument
The accordion is also known locally as trekklavier, pensklavier, pensorrel. The Dutch speak of trekzak. The Sothos adore their koriana. Scots call it a box.
Historically the instrument is 195 years old this year. Cyrill Demian, an Armenian living in Vienna, patented the accordion in 1829. The instrument arrived in South Africa soon after.
Today the accordion is used worldwide in various genres. Many countries associate the accordion with their own folk music. As technology and manufacturing methodology developed, the accordion’s sound, durability and versatility continued to evolve.
World Accordion Day Programme
Expo
Here the public will have access to “everything accordion” with trade items (accordion books, CDs, straps and instruments), a museum exhibition, restoration enquiries, accordion school enquiries, and free dance lessons – Tango & Scottish Country Dancing.
Supporters and sponsors of the day currently include All Music, Landskroon Wines, Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society – RSCDS Cape Town, and Cape Town Tango Club. A delicious meal is included in the day’s package.
The Concert
The concert will have a proudly South African flavour together with music from across the globe that celebrates the diversity of accordion music.
Top South African accordion players
| 1 | André van Vuuren | Experienced accordionist Leading restorer of accordions in South Africa | French Café |
| 2 | Babette & Olga
| A creative duo using the accordion in a significant way Creators of new stage productions and compositions | Cabaret Classical |
| 3 | Leon Albert Oosthuizen | International artist at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Receiver of a special international award at the PIF accordion festival in Italy Recently returned from a visit to the World of Accordions museum in the USA with more than 2500 instruments SAFRA president | Tango Celtic Arabic
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| 4 | Loren Ehlers | The first accordion student at tertiary level in South Africa Regular competitor at international competitions | Classical |
| 5 | Louis Verwey | Accordion activist Accordion student Co-organizer of the event | Tango Film music Celtic |
| 6 | Monika Stuchlik | Accordionist from ZAMAR former silver medalist at the junior world championships her 2 children also play the accordion and will join her on stage | German Classical |
| 7 | MJ Brooks | Accordion enthusiast He comes from a musical family and brings along his band | Boeremusiek |
| 8 | Mr. Dreams (Makabongwe Mahamba) | Xhosa accordionist from Nqamakwe in the Eastern Cape He plays traditional African dance music | African dance |
| 9 | Neil Paulse
| Accordion King from Bishop Lavis He plays in Krismiskore and Kaapse Klopse | Afrikaans Folk Gospel |
| 10 | RKM (Ralikoriana koete Masholu
| Sotho accordionist from Johannesburg He specializes in traditional African music | Famo Jazz |
What: World Accordion Day 2024
When: 5 May 2024
Where: Drostdy Theatre, Stellenbosch
Facebook event: Here
WS
