Los Angeles Accordion Festival Comes to Life

The first Los Angeles Accordion Festival is happening this Friday through Sunday at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, Aerie 2188 in Eagle Rock, according to Pasadena Weekly.

"If you think it's going to be all polkas, think again," the paper says. "The event showcases the diverse styles performed on the instrument, including Cajun, Irish, rockabilly, Tex-Mex, zydeco, alternative and experimental."

Sweet.

Behind Every Dumbass Is A Hero

Image courtesy of Flickr.com user mharrsch.

Today is the anniversary of one man inspiring thousands who think they have something to prove. On May 29, 1953, New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary, along with his Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, was the first to reach Mount Everest's summit. Since that accomplishment, Sherpas have carried packs and oxygen for nearly 2,500 ascents. Today Nepal's goverment will issue you a climbing permit for a mere $25,000 per person. Unlike Hillary, it's pretty unlikely you'll be remembered, but good luck!

If you haven't already, check out Those Darn Accordions tribute to this curiosity of human nature with There's Another Dumbass on the Mountain.

'Weird Al' Goes Digital With Roland FR-7 V-Accordion

The man who made the accordion cool (or at least funny) has gone digital. Our parody-song guru and all-around pal "Weird Al" Yankovic is
enjoying his Roland FR-7 V-Accordion, which offers a variety of MIDI sounds, according to Wired.com's Listening Post.

Next Stop: Karfluki Fest Today

We're on our way to Auburn, California, for Karfluki Fest. It's a two-day festival, running May 3 and 4, but we only play Saturday (our set starts at 5:30 p.m.).

Karfluki Fest has a pretty big lineup:

• Tempest (the Celtic rock band that throws Karfluki Fest)
• Tom Rigney & Flambeau
  
• Fishtank Ensemble
  
• Incendio (Warning: the band's web site will resize your browser)
  
• Plasterkatz
  
• The Anderson Family Bluegrass Band
  
• Sierra Spiral Dancers
• Controlled Burn
  
• Siamsa
  
• Trey Cromwell
  
• Piper Jason McKinney
  
• Anne Robinson
  

If you are anywhere near the California Gold country, come on out and join the fun.