PORT TOWNSEND — If you harbor any misconceptions about the accordion, prepare to release them this weekend with a “deep squeeze.”
The Port Townsend Deep Squeeze Accordion Festival, going on today until Sunday, will gather accordionists from near and far to benefit Jefferson Healthcare’s Hospice Foundation.
From Brazilian to jazz, tango to folk, cabaret to rock, the diversity of musical acts will be anything but barstool-stiff.
“This is not four guys sitting on stools playing the polka,” said Paul Rogers, festival organizer and “squeezebox wizard” frontman of Those Darn Accordions.
If the festival’s name gave you pause, that’s sort of the intention.
“People ask, ‘What the hell is a ‘deep squeeze?’ ” said co-organizer Maggie Martin and “fearless leader” of The Mad Maggies.
The term “squeezebox,” usually referring to an accordion or concertina, derives from the the squeezing motion of the bellows which pushes air across the reeds. The “squeezing” produces an organ-like sound.
The “deep” in “deep squeeze” references art and music movements, such as “deep jazz,” that characterize a genre’s special meaning or intensity, Martin said.
The name also sounds similar to “deep sea,” she said, which fits well with the topography of Port Townsend and Sunday’s waterfront venue. That’s why you see images of sea creatures accompanying the accordion in the festival’s advertising.
“It was a little bit of a play on words,” Martin said.
The Vickie Townsend Band, The Mad Maggies and Those Darn Accordions kick off the weekend today at the Pourhouse, 2231 Washington St., from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Then, accordions descend upon the alehouse again Saturday from noon to 9 p.m.
Concerts today and Saturday will be for those 21 and older, but Sunday opens up the waterfront stage to all ages. From noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, the festival will take over Pope Marine Plaza, 1000 Madison St., for an all-ages gathering, “Squeeze-In” and raffle drawing.
The Squeeze-In at 3:20 p.m. invites all squeezebox musicians to play Octopus’s Garden (key of E) and Beer Barrel Polka (key of C). The festival has provided sheet music on its website, deepsqueeze.org.
Rogers and Martin teamed up last year to organize the inaugural accordion festival and raised more than $1,000 for the Port Townsend Food Bank. This year, Rogers and Martin aim to double the proceeds for the hospice foundation.
What differentiates this festival from others, such as Centrum’s Fiddle Tunes or Acoustic Blues Festival, is the lack of cover charge. Rather, the festival’s ability to fundraise hinges on raffle tickets ($10 each), T-shirt and poster sales, silent auctions and tip jar monies.
“We’re just a couple of musicians, and we don’t have bags of money,” Martin said. “But we found this is viable, and it’s for a good cause.”
Rogers decided the hospice would be a natural beneficiary after attending a hospice-hosted breakfast in which people told of the impact hospice had on their friends and family at the end of life. The stories aligned with Rogers’ experience caring for his own father and mother, he said.
“It just came over me: I want to support hospice,” Rogers said.
During the three-day festival, representatives of the hospice foundation will be present to answer questions and dispel myths about end-of-life care.
“If your life has been touched by the wonderful care that hospice provides, I encourage you to come hear some fantastic music and support this vital organization,” Rogers said.
To that end, you can enter a raffle to win one of two accordions: a new Delicia Button Box accordion ($2,000 value) or a Noble 41 key/120 bass accordion ($900 value).
One raffle ticket costs $10; $40 buys five. Tickets will be sold today, Saturday and Sunday. The drawing takes place at 3:15 p.m. Sunday at Pope Marine Plaza.
Festival posters with original artwork by Frank Samuelson, 2017 T-shirts, song dedications and raffle tickets can be purchased in advance at the festival’s website at deepsqueeze.org.
The schedule for the Deep Squeeze Accordion Festival is as follows:
Today
• All day — Silent auction and raffles.
• 5 p.m. — The Vicki Townsend Band.
• 6:15 p.m. — The Mad Maggies.
• 7:45 p.m. — Silent auction ends.
• 8 p.m. — Those Darn Accordions.
Saturday
• All day — Silent auction and raffles.
• Noon — Nordic Spirit.
• 1:15 p.m. — The Alternators.
• 2:30 p.m. — Creosote.
• 4:30 p.m. — Tangoheart.
• 6 p.m. — Those Darn Accordions.
• 7:15 p.m. — Silent auction ends.
• 7:30 p.m. — The Mad Maggies.
Sunday
• Noon — Tsunami Piñata.
• 1 p.m. — Mike Danner.
• 2:10 p.m. — Those Darn Accordions.
• 3:15 p.m. — Raffle drawing.
• 3:20 p.m. — Squeeze-In.
• 3:30 p.m. — The Mad Maggies.
For more information about the festival, contact Rogers and Martin at 360-531-0276.
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Reporter Sarah Sharp can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or at ssharp@peninsula dailynews.com.
Paul Rogers leads his rock ’n’ roll accordion band, Those Darn Accordions. (Paul Rogers)
