Las Vegas International Accordion Convention

The Las Vegas International Accordion Convention will begin Monday September 29, and to end late night Thursday October 2, 2008. Recommended minimum stay for those attending; arrive Monday before 5 PM, and depart Friday morning to not miss any events.

Event organizer, Paul Pasquali, is proud to announce the Las Vegas International Accordion Orchestra conducted by the grand maestro Joan Cochran Summers. A third ballroom has been rented to handle the daily orchestra rehearsals. The International Orchestra will perform for the grand finale at the Gala Concert (Thursday October 2, 2008).

Legends - Dick Contino and Art Van Damme to join us for 2008 plus from France Peter and Mady Soave and from England Gina Brannelli BUT wait there is more exciting news!

Alex Sevastian will be our featured artist. Alex is the winner the 2007 Accordion World Cup Championship held in Washington DC. Alex was born in Belarus and began playing the accordion at age seven. Since April of 2001, Alexander has been living in Toronto, Canada. He has been playing with the Toronto Woodwinds Ensemble. However his most noted gig is with the internationally recognized group “Quartetto Gelato” (www.quartettogelato.ca).

Carl Fortina will be our Honorary Conductor for 2008. Carl is known as the world's most recorded accordionist. He played in some 600 motion picture and 25,000 television sound tracks. When Nino Rota, the composer who wrote the music for “The Godfather”, heard Carl play the theme for the movies sound track, he told Carl “You don’t play with your hands; you play with your heart”. Carl went onto become musical director of Paramount Studios. We are honored to have such a great musician, friend, and recognized accordions perform and accept the 2008 Honorary Conductors Award!