Accordion extravaganza

Published on 5th April 2007 in Ents

Members of five accordion clubs are hoping fellow music-lovers will join them to watch world class accordionists perform at the Shire Hall this month.

It will be the first time that the local clubs - Hull, Lincoln (Lindum), Sheffield, Wetherby and Barnsley - have got together and the event will also raise money for Cancer Research.

When the doors open at 5pm, there will a chance for people to chat, sample the buffet and bar and play a tune or two on stage.

At 7pm, the show will begin in earnest, with performances from Pearl Fawcett-Adriano, Harry Hussey and Sam Pirt.

Pearl, who was born in South Yorkshire, has achieved international recognition as an accordion virtuoso and has been praised for raising the standing of the accordion as a musical instrument. With ten recordings under her belt, Pearl has also performed at the Royal Albert Hall, Moscow's Tchaikovsky Hall and Lenningrad's Philharmonic Hall and with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and BBC Northern Symphony orchestras.

Her repertoire ranges from classic to light music and she was also a popular guest on Radio Two's Charlie Chester Show.

Harry Hussey, one of the top accordionists in England, has a large selection of jazz in his repertoire and will play any tune requested from memory.

Pearl and Harry will be joined by Sam Pirt, an accordionist who lives locally in Gilberdyke, but who travels the world playing continental folk songs.

Other guest artists include Murray Grainger, Dick Beeforth and his folk group 'Randy Monk' (named after the beer), Ray Gallagher and Jock Thomson, and Brian Hibbart and the Weatherby Accordion Band.

George Syrett, another top accordionist and entertainer who recently played at the Globe Theatre in London, will act as compere and hold the show together.

Proceeds to go to charity

All the profits will go to Cancer Research. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 17 in the Shire Hall, Howden.

Doors open at 5pm for people to chat and browse trade stands by Music Room, Rob Howard, Kestral Publishing and Harry's Old Time Music Stall.

Only 200 tickets are available - they are priced at just £6 and are available by contacting Harry Kipling on 01430 860300, emailing him at henrykipling@fsmail.net or at The Bungalow, Back Lane, Holme on Spalding Moor, York, YO34 4AU.