Accordionfest 2022
The Button Akordion Rocks Club in partnership with Slovenski Dom hosted the Accordionfest 2022, on Sunday, October 2nd at The Slovenian Hall, 739 Brown’s Line, Toronto, Canada. Congratulations to Martin Pusic and Oscar Koren and their respective volunteer teams for delivering a successful musical event.
The afternoon provided an opportunity to re-connect with friends, enjoy delicious Slovenian food and drinks, while being entertained by local musical ensembles and solo accordionists from the greater Toronto area.
Master of Ceremony, Melody Sustar-Ulcar skilfully led the afternoon program introducing the line-up of entertainers in her always-engaging style.
Accordion musicians Matthew Lebar, Walter Ostanek, Martin Pusic, Danny Sustar, Mark Marentic, Natalie Marentic, Vida Godina, Tony Jalovec, Jesse Daniel Kumer, Janez Smrekar, Derek Uhlik, Dennis Uhlik, Zdravko Augustin, Sue Augustin, Marjan Zejn, and MajdaPusic each took their moments on stage to play for the crowd, in either solo, duet or group performances.
All musicians who were present, from novice to professional, were invited onto the stage where under the leadership of Matthew Lebar the group performed a couple of well-known songs present in every Slovenian musician’s repertoire.
Special guest star Walter Ostanek – a Canadian treasure with Slovenian roots – performed with the Niagara Buttonboxers. Members of the Buttonboxers band have been together for more than a dozen years performing at a variety of functions and festivals as well as monthly gigs at retirement homes. Their members include Derek Uhlik, Dennis Uhlik, Zdravko Augustin, Sue Augustin, Paul Brittain, Terry Walsh, Brian Legere, and Joe Razpotnik. We were so pleased to have them perform at our accordion festival.
The closing act in our program was the very talented Backroad Bound, a band formed by several friends who held musical jam sessions in their backyards during the covid-19 pandemic when the world was in lockdown. Their members include Johnny Zizek, John Kolenko, Earl Misquitta, and Pat Power. We definitely want to see and hear more of this highly entertaining and musically versatile quartet.
There is so much talent in our community! Thanks to all the musicians who came out to entertain and spread some much needed joy.
A number of businesses and non-profit organizations sponsored this event either through donations, raffle prizes and/or by displaying their products and services at the event. We thank them for their constant support of worthy causes and cultural activities in our community: Canadian Slovenian Chamber of Commerce, Moya Financial Credit Union, John Doma of Bateman MacKay, Ridley Funeral Home, Mariana Padar and Miriam Padar of Keller Williams Realty, Canadian Slovenian Historical Society, Emma Margutsch and Millie Muhic-Dolenc founders of VSKO Zimski Market, and VSKO Radio Glas Kanadskih Slovencev.
We are grateful to the Government of the Republic of Slovenia Office of Slovenians Abroad for their generous sponsorship of the Button Akordion Rocks Club. It was also great to see our Canadian Honorary General Consul for Slovenia, John Doma and spouse Margaret attending this event.
Thank you to the producers of Radio Glas Kanadskih Slovencev Toronto for the enthusiastic promotion of our cultural events.
Our bartenders (Adrianna Sustar, Melissa Sustar, Mark Ulcar, John, and Chris) and sales team (Tanja and Olivia Trigiani) kept the Slovenian wine and beer flowing.
Shout-out to Danny Sustar and his production crew (Adrianna and Melissa) for expertly managing the technical operations and making everyone look and sound great.
Oscar Koren and his Slovenski Dom organizing committee made sure there was plenty of delicious Slovenian food for guests to enjoy throughout the afternoon. As one of the oldest Slovenian associations in the greater Toronto area, Slovenski Dom’s existence is a tribute to all the dedicated volunteers that have kept it going for more than sixty years. It was a pleasure to partner with them for this community event and we hope we can do so again in future.
On behalf of the Button Akordion Rocks Club organizing committee (Martin Pusic, MajdaPusic, Tanja Trigiani, Danny Sustar, Adrianna Sustar, Franca Anderson) we would like to thank everyone who participated, contributed, supported, or showed up for this fun afternoon.
We wish everyone excellent HEALTH, PEACE and HARMONY in the New Year 2023 and hope you will join us at our future musical events.
