Think of Milwaukee music and what comes to mind? Perhaps the Violent Femmes or Liberace or Les Paul, depending on your age and preferences. But, let's not forget the city's great ethnic heritage and the importance of polka music and the music of other immigrants.
That's exactly the heritage that the Milwaukee Accordion Club has furthered since it was formed in 1991.
According to its mission statement, the club, which has nearly 400 members, "stimulates a positive attitude toward the performance of music on the accordion...achieved by strengthening our relationship with fellow musicians, expanding our knowledge of the accordion and accordion playing, and by developing various musical programs to acquaint the general public with the education and entertainment values of the accordion."
The Milwaukee Accordion Club meets on the fourth Monday of each month (December excluded) at the Root River Center, 7220 W. Rawson Ave., in Franklin, for its business meeting and, of course, music by a featured accordionist. Visitors are welcome to attend the meetings.
The club also organizes concerts and other events, runs workshops, maintains a library of books, recordings and videos and repairs and restores instruments. A club ensemble, directed by Bev White-Persa, was established five years ago and performs around the region at various venues and social functions.
MAC also produces a monthly newsletter, called "The Accordion Express," which keeps members and other accordion aficionados, up to date on club happenings and what's news in the world of accordions.
If you're a accordionist or if you just love the music, check out the Milwaukee Accordion Club and help keep alive this vibrant facet of Brew City's ethnic and musical heritage. For information on joining, contact president Shirley Barry, by calling (414) 543-7714 or e-mailing her at BARRYSHIRL@JUNO.COM.
For more information on "The Accordion Express," contact editor Jerry Smeiska, by calling (414) 453-4931.
