Accordion players descend on Fort Worth this weekend

by Bernie Scheffler of West and Clear

As a guy who thinks the accordion is the greatest instrument ever invented, I feel obliged to let you other accordion fans out there know that this week is going to be awesome!

There are no fewer than four concerts featuring accordion players this weekend, in a few different genres of music.

First up, local favorites The Theater Fire (right) will be playing at the Modern ’til Midnight Friday at 8 p.m. This band’s music defies classification, because it draws from so many styles. You can expect meticulous country strings, mariachi horns, and yes… Curtis Heath on the accordion. The West & Clear crew attended the last MtM, and had a blast. It’s a great opportunity to see live music in a unique setting, and a couple of world-class art shows to boot.

Of course, if the serene setting of the Modern doesn’t do it for you, the rest of the box-squeezing will be at the Main Street Arts Festival downtown, starting with Zydeco Grammy-winner Terrance Simien Saturday night at 7:30. Terrance plays a special brand of cajun music, and sells cool “Peace Love Zydeco.” T-Shirts.

If Terrance doesn’t complete your Zydeco fix, T-Richard and the Zydeco Stingrays are playing in Sundance Square at 11 a.m. Sunday. T-Richard has been a staple on Dallas radio (89.3 KNON) with a weekly show devoted to Louisiana music, and his band certainly won’t disappoint fans of traditional zydeco… they’ve got an accordion with a crawfish on the bellows and a rub board.

Finally, another Grammy-winning musical outfit, Denton’s own Brave Combo, will be waiting to take the crowd down to Polka Town Sunday at 5 p.m. in Sundance Square. The highs should be in the 80s Sunday, so be sure to drink plenty of water between Rahr Beers… the Brave Combo dance party will make you sweat, so be mindful of dehydration.

I think that will conclude Fort Worth’s unofficial Accordion Fest 2008… hopefully I’ll see a few of you at these shows!