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COTATI<br />
Reprinted with permission from the Northwest <strong>Accordion</strong> News, Winter Quarter 2011<br />
by Karen Cordell<br />
The mere mention of the name <strong>Cotati</strong><br />
causes a great flood of wonderful memories<br />
for me. Warm summer days, the smell<br />
of food carried by the light breeze, the<br />
glorious sound of accordion music everywhere<br />
you walk, hugs from friends along<br />
with excited chatter, dancing and shopping!<br />
What more could one ask for.....? Of<br />
course! A place to play my accordion with<br />
a variety of people. Golden State <strong>Accordion</strong><br />
Club does an outstanding job hosting<br />
the jam tent in <strong>Cotati</strong> which is open to<br />
anyone who wishes to join in. It is easy to<br />
get lost in time when you are surrounded<br />
by friends and new acquaints who enjoy<br />
music, laughter, and the accordion.<br />
The two day event begins each morning<br />
by finding just the right place to set<br />
up your lawn chairs. You mustn’t be late<br />
or you will miss the Golden State <strong>Accordion</strong><br />
Club Band. Three area clubs merge<br />
for a delightful performance that jump<br />
starts each festival day. There is so much to<br />
choose from for a variety of interests.<br />
There are 2 stages side by side to keep<br />
a vast array of accordion talent performing<br />
continually throughout the day. Your<br />
ears will be delighted with the sounds<br />
of zydeco, polka, country, jazz, classical,<br />
Cajun, tangos, and the list goes on.<br />
Many vendors circle the wagons per se<br />
54<br />
with their tents. Each one filled with many<br />
enticing items. Beaconing you with many<br />
colors, scents, tastes, sounds and glittery<br />
things.<br />
Our beloved instrument new and<br />
used is promoted through sales. Those<br />
interested have an opportunity to try them<br />
on, feel, hear, and select the perfect accordion<br />
for themselves.<br />
Dancing.....What would a festival<br />
be without dancing? Amongst the circle<br />
of tents you will find a Polka Party Dance<br />
tent which offers a huge wooden dance<br />
floor where you can dance to your heart’s<br />
content. Your dance rhythms are brought<br />
to you by The Steve Balich Sr. Polka Band,<br />
Chuck Berger, Jim Gilman, and other drop<br />
in guests.<br />
After hours....In <strong>Cotati</strong>, Rohnert Park,<br />
and Petaluma you can find many fine dining<br />
areas to gather with friends. One of my all time<br />
favorite places is Volpi’s family owned Italian<br />
Restaurant in downtown Petaluma. It is an old<br />
mercantile store with all kinds of old accordions,<br />
and what not on the shelves surrounding<br />
the outer walls. It has a cozy Old World Bar in<br />
which we gather to play our accordions after<br />
dinner. Mr. John Volpi himself can sometimes<br />
be found amongst us most nights after the<br />
festival celebration.<br />
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