What is Paris without an Accordion?

Last weekend I was able to attend the Philadelphia Flower Show. The theme was Springtime in Paris, with emphasis on the turn of the 20th Century.

And what would the streets of Paris be without sultry accordion music? It just wouldn't be right, of course, and here were the roving minstrels.

Iva Nova- Accordion with Attitude

Iva Nova is an all-girl rock band from St. Petersburg, Russia. The accordionist certainly plays with more enthusiasm than I think I've ever seen. Believe me, you have to be in pretty good shape to dance around with a 20-pound box strapped to you! Their web site describes them: "Besides lyrics on Russian IVA NOVA have songs on Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Georgian and Tatar languages. Along with exploiting endless folklore resources they creatively experiment with other styles. Their live show is a mix of lyrical songs and punky-energetic dances."

Iva Nova

Technorati Claim Code

Nothing special here. Just the Technorati Claim Code - HBYXE3UADQ5N.

OK Go- This Too Shall Pass- Notre Dame Band

This is called OK GO- This too shall pass. Great stuff, but the accordion player is only playing the keyboard hand.

Joan Plays Cotton-Eyed Joe

OK, I'm being brave and proving that I can play a little bit. Enjoy it or not! haha.

Lessons learned:
1. Even when I think I'm smiling, I'm not
2. I'm still not holding my right arm out straight
3. I'm rushing the timing
4. I'm still looking at the keys occasionally (bad, bad)
5. I don't have the camera aimed very well (need a good camera man)
6. I shouldn't rush off the second I stop playing

The PUP Plays Accordion

Well, the PUP didn't perform so well on Live TV for America's Got Talent, but for sheer novelty and new ways to make an accordion look bad, this one is right up there.

Friday Funnies

Note that she is playing a diatonic accordion with buttons on both sides. The right hand buttons have notes in one or two keys, and the left hand buttons have the corresponding chords. If it is bisonoric a different note is produced when the bellows are pushed or pulled.

Wish we could hear this one-woman band!