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Virtuosi

Which leads to Surprise # 3. There had been a lot of joking about accordions going in to the Accordion Blast …and even during it. (The Emcee, who said he was speaking on behalf of Oriental’s Police Dept, advised spectators to make sure their cars were locked in case someone tried to deposit an accordion inside.) That said, a lot of really sweet music sailed off the porch and across Hodges Street. From a distance it sounded as though a small carnival had arrived in town, the town being in Eastern Europe or Louisiana depending on who was playing.

Cajun and zydeco fans were treated throughout the hour as Brian Blake, with his wife Barbara accompanying him on guitar and washboard, cranked out old Louisiana dance tunes and original songs. (No easy task considering that to play scales on a Cajun accordion, you have to pull in for one note, and then out for the next. It’s what gives Cajun music that odd rhythm, Bryan says.) Bryan and Barbara are half of the Carteret County group, Unknown Tongues and several were asking about them playing in Oriental again.

Mary Duffie & Norm Czuchra

Norm Czuchra, who put himself through college in Chicago by playing weddings, Elks parties and bar gigs, played a number of songs and a polka medley that included the Chicken Dance. That got a lot of people dancing and putting their thumbs under their armpits and flapping their exposed fingers.

Norm also took requests. Roll out the Barrel sent Chris Mele and Michele Bessette rolling down the ramp of the Bean at a feverish polka pace.

And from across Hodges Street, soon to be newlyweds Tim Rogers and Janet Alexander requested “You Are My Sunshine”. A lot of people sang.

Janet Alexander and Tim Rogers practice the dance steps for their June 14th wedding. Rumours were flying that they'd registered for the complete set of Lawrence Welk CD's.

>>> the story continues on Page 3