THE BIG SQUEEZE: 4th Annual O.C. Accordion Festival October 14, 2012

Whether it is the zip of Zydeco or the catchy Cha Cha it’s hard to sit still when this kind of lively music is played. The accordion is due its credit for its cross cultural diversity not just in music styles, but in dance varieties.

This year’s Big Squeeze: aka O.C. Accordion Festival slated for Sunday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Orange County Market Place in Costa Mesa will pair up its various accordion based bands with dance experts, teachers and champions.

The Main Stage will spotlight music from the Louisiana Bayou with Zydeco and Cajun dance style teacher A.J. Gibbs revving up the audience on the dance floor for three bands playing everything from Louisiana Swamp pop to sophisticated New Orleans tunes.

Headlining at 2:30 p.m. is Jo Jo Reed and the Happy Hill Zydeco Band from Louisiana. Reed has been playing and writing music since his high school years at St. Edmund's in Eunice, Louisiana where he graduated in 1989. His original music has given him his own style of Zydeco music, which is an extension from its traditional roots.

His 2002 CD release Still the Same Old Me in which most of the songs were written by Reed but he also does covers such as "Jolie Blonde," "Motor Dude," and captures the sounds of Zydeco from the days when Boozoo Chavis and Beau Jocque were at their peaks, attracting both young and old to the dance halls.

David Sousa and the Zydeco Mudbugs will kick off the Bayou sound on the main stage at 11 a.m. followed by Bonne Musique Zydeco ,a six member band with Dennis Gurwell on accordion, squeezing out a variety of Zydeco and Cajun, tunes at 12:45 p.m.

On another stage several dance styles will be showcased through exhibitions, lessons and follow the leader sessions, while accompanied by accordion based bands and soloists. Included is Jim Gilman (aka The Squeezinator) playing West Coast Swing and Latin dance music for Gina Tucci, a winner of the Supreme Dance Award in West Coast Swing who will show her winning moves with partner Allen Cofield and then follow with a Cha-Cha lesson.


Father daughter dance team, Norbert and Natalie Bernhardt will bring their polka and waltzing talents to the floor while The Fred Mlakar Band, a Slovenian polka band, provides the music back up.

Thee Hobo Gobbelins, a band that plays a unique blend of circus- gypsy- folk-rock will have a troupe of dancers matching this style.

Accordionist Linda Herman will play music suitable for dance instructor Candis Davis to teach line and ballroom dancing.

The New Orleans Jazz Band may easily get you off your feet to join their parade with the Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler Second Line Dancers at 2 p.m.

Know the tango? Whether you do or not, the mix of Italian music fused with jazz and world rhythms with Il Sole featuring Roland V-Accordion® artists Steven Albini and Tatiana Semichastnaya might inspire a few leg sweeps. The Russian born, Semichastnaya is also the accordionist in the Las Vegas Cirque Du Soleil show KA and will perform a solo set. Both perform on the Roland Stage, which also features Roberto Rosa squeezing out many danceable Latin styles including Salsa and Merengue, Skyler Fell performing carnival gypsy folk tunes and Bobby Dietsch of presenting an international music concert.

A Mobile Accordion Jam with Thessaly Lerner aka Ukulady on toy accordion and Bryan Olgin on piano accordion will create on the spot performances inviting the public to pick out an instrument and play along.

Other aspects of the Festival ”keep you on your toes” regarding the ins and outs of your accordion with a repair workshop, accordion lessons, open jam sessions and an Accordion Road Show with Jeffrey Iacono, Borsini Accordions for a professional appraisal. Bring your accordion for any of these FREE activities. Free accordion storage is also provided.

You can also bop in for free.

Admission is $2 or FREE with a canned food item donation for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. Children 12 and under are always free.

For a more information and a complete schedule of the Big Squeeze visit www.ocmarketplace.com or call 949-723-6660.

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