1st Orange County Accordion Festival, "The Big Squeeze" October 11, 2009

Showcasing a variety of accordion music styles. Main stage acts feature prominent accordionists and include Raving Polka (aka Limpopo) performing Russian folk with a twist of jazz, blues, dance and comedy at 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. with Lou Fanucchi on accordion, Grammy nominee for Best Zydeco/Cajun Music, Lisa Haley& the Zydekats from 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m. with Skip Edwards on accordion, and Los Fabulocos with Kid Ramos spice things up with a Tex-Mex blend,blues and rockabilly music from 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. with Jesse Cuevas on accordion.

Other stage entertainment includes Jim Gilman, The Squeezinator; Norm Panto, Accordionist Extraordinare with members of the Accordionaires Club including Zandra Cousins singing and playing the spoons Father Ignatius Militello on accordion and Sheri Osen singing German songs; Around the World with accordion music by Alex Lavruk; Lou Fanuchhi-Tango Nuevo Workshop; Gee Rabe, L.A.'s Accordion Diva with the Haberdashery Quartet; Fontenot and Pappion Old Style Creole Music; Jordan Elliot JESTER gypsy style; Roberto Rosa, Latin Jazz, Salsa, Merengue and Folkloric Puerto Rico; Rock and Roll Oldies with Bryan J; and special performances by the Martin Music Center Accordion Orchestra of Fullerton and the Reunion Accordion Ensemble.

Sam Costabile, Lifetime member of the Accordionaires, gives an open q & a discussion All About Accordions.

Also zydeco and cajun dance lessons by Karen Redding and Russian folk dance lessons by Youri Nelzine, strolling entertainment, educational presentations including All About Accordions Q & A with Sam Costabile. Special accordion and related vendors along with the hundreds of swap meet merchants, food and beverage, beer garden, artisans and crafters and much more.

Receive free admission with a canned food item for the Orange County Food Bank.

Held in conjunction with the Orange County Market Place, the weekend swap meet at the O. C. Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa. Swap meet hours 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Official Website: http://www.ocmarketplace.com