World Accordion Day: Stas Venglevski

A World of Accordions Museum celebrates World Accordion Day during this event. AWAM Artistic Director Stas Venglevski premieres his “Full Moon Suite,” composed for Joan Cochran Sommers, UMKC Professor Emerita. Cochran Sommers will perform in duet with Venglevski and in trio with accordionists Betty Jo Simon and Jane Christison. Judy Campbell Contino will pay tribute to her legendary husband Dick Contino, whose estate displays are expected to open at AWAM by 2022. Accordion star Dr. Michael Middleton will also perform a concert of Contino favorites.

Because the pandemic prevents international travel, guest Japanese artists Mihoko Goto and Chiharu Ebihara will be livestreamed. Dr. Brett Jones, Chairman of the University of Wisconsin Music Department, Venglevski and UWS piano instructor Alex Sandor will perform William Susman’s original work “Three for Keyboard” for bayan, marimba and piano.