Kimberley Accordion Festival Brings Old Time Music to Kootenay Rockies

The 2012 Kimberley International Old Time Accordion Championships (KIOTAC) will be held July 9-14, so now’s the time to make your travel and lodging plans for attending this charming event in the Kootenay Rockies region in the southeastern corner of British Columbia.

A world class line-up of accordionists and over $11,000 in cash prizes ensures that the competition and performances of this Kimberley accordion festival will be hot.

Accordion Competitions for Every Style & Age

The competition categories at KIOTAC include accordion solo, duet and band performers.  Styles of music include Jazz, Popular Music, Light Classical, Diatonic and Improvisational.

Each competitor in all old-time styles will perform dance tunes for each category entered, including a polka, a schottische and a waltz.  These performances will be scored on Phrasing & Old-Time Feeling (40%) Musical Correctness & Technique (30%) and Dance-ability (30%).

Special Guest Artists Concerts & Dances

As of June 12, 2012

CONCERTS		DANCES
Monday, July 9
Cowboy Bob Made up of former members of roots/country band The Cruzeros, Country Bob performs “Golden Era” (1900 to early 1950s) music using accordion, acoustic guitars, upright bass and stirring vocals.		The Softones Hailing from Brooks, Calgary, Seven Persons & Tilley, Alberta, The Softones have performed show, gospel and dance music since 1994 using accordion, guitar, keyboard, organ, stand-up bass fiddle, and rousing vocals.
Tuesday, July 10
Mario Pedone A “Professor of Accordion” graduate from the Academia de Acordeon Smith, Mario Pedone is a talented player of Classical, European and American Standards, Latin, Tango, and many other styles.		Edwin Erickson & Tight Squeeze Edwin Erickson is a cofounder of and regular competitor at KIOTAC. Tight Squeeze mixes Nordic and swing styles with a strong sense of nostalgia for America from 1900 through 1920s.
Wednesday, July 11
Kerry Christensen Virtuoso yodeler (and accordion player) Kerry Christensen is an internationally recognized performer who is equally adept at Alpine, Cajun, classical, Cowboy, Hawaiian, jazz, Jewish, Latin, and his own humorous forms of yodeling.		Alex Meixner Band Cutting edge accordionist Alex Meixner and his band specialize in crafting performances that encourage traditionalists to embrace new forms and new-schoolers to embrace the old.
Thursday, July 12: Best of the Platzl Dance
Friday, July 13
Baker Bridge Duet This duet of talented accordionists is comprised of Michael Bridge, the 2011 Canadian Roland Digital Accordion Champion, and Alicia Baker, a three-time winner of the KIOTAC Happy Hans Open (2007, 2010 & 2011).		Austin Kawa Band Steeped in and having a love for traditional music, the Austin Kawa Band performs in a broad range of musical styles, including old time, swing, country, and even rock ‘n’ roll of the sixties.
Saturday, July 14
Kimberley International Old Time Accordion Championships Massed band performances, awards, and presentations highlight this final concert of KIOTAC.		Alex Meixner Band – Family Dance The Alex Meixner Band returns Saturday night for a night of memorable music and dancing.

Accordion Music, Dancing…and Spectacular Mountain Views

Kimberley, BC, is located between the Purcell and Rocky Mountains and overlooks the Kootenay River Valley, so your music-listening and dancing will be surrounded by the beauty of nature on all sides.

Away from the event, you’ll also have access to a wide array of attractions and activities, including:

• Over 100 kilometres of multi-use trails
• Nature Park, one of the largest and most beautiful municipal parks in Canada
• The Platzl (plaza) is pedestrian-only and features a picturesque setting, boutique shopping and dining
• Marysville neighbourhood main street shops and restaurants
• Area cycling, golfing, hiking, hot springs, mountain biking, river rafting and much more

For more information about this event and how to purchase tickets, please visit the Kimberley International Old Time Accordion Championships website.

Choose Kootenay Rockies Lodging as Individual as an Accordion Solo

Our Kootenay Rockies bed and breakfast inns offer a personalized lodging experience as you enjoy the Kimberley accordion festival and all the activities and attractions the Kootenay Rockies region of British Columbia has to offer.

Enjoy a large variety of breakfast options, comfortable and luxuriant B&B guest rooms, and the personal service and area knowledge of the innkeepers at locations all across British Columbia’s Kootenay Rockies region.

What’s Your Kimberley International Old Time Accordion Championships Expectation or Experience?

The Kimberley accordion festival has been celebrated in the Kootenay River Valley between the Rockies and Purcell Mountains for many years and has grown to become a major musical event in British Columbia, Canada.

Please share your plans for this 2012 event and memories of past Kimberley accordion festivals.