Sunday, January 8, 2023

January 8, 2023 The OAC held its first meeting of the new year on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at the usual venue, Messiah Lutheran Church in OKC. Nine members and three guests attended in person, and one guest joined us on Zoom. Total attendance was thirteen. aggie Abel called the meeting to order at 3:30 pm. She introduced all who were present. The guests were Cassi Radicelli, John Warren, and his daughter Jacqueline Warren. • Ron Shearon led us in reciting "The Pledge of Allegiance." • Dick Albreski announced that The Bohemian Knights band will be playing at Royal Bavarian Restaurant in Moore the next three weekends. Music starts at 5:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations are recommended. • Dick played the ever-popular "Beer Barrel Polka." He told us some of the song's history. It was composed in 1927 by a Czech - Jaromir Vejvoda. It was originally a waltz. After several changes in both title and tempo, it became the "Beer Barrel Polka" that we know today. It became popular in the USA in the 1940s. • Dick played another song by the same composer - "I Love to Dance." He finished his performance with "Fascination," played in 2/4 time. • Karen West performed a Neil Diamond piece, "I'm A Believer." She followed with "Strangers in the Night." • Maggie asked Ron how many accordions he owns. He said he has twenty -- nine are in good shape, but the others need repair work. • Next, we warmed up the winter meeting with some Island Music. Several members donned leis, grass skirts, and other Hawaiian costume items. Anne Lopez and Lois Roth led a singalong. We began with "Auld Lang Syne" to welcome the New Year. Then we got into the Hawaiian mood with "Tiny Bubbles." "Hawaiian War Chant" inspired several hula dancers, including Cassi. • Anne and Lois performed "Drifting and Dreaming," "Blue Hawaii," and "Aloha Oe" ("Farewell to Thee"). Anne soloed with "Sweet Leilani." • Guest John Warren and his accordion entertained us with a variety of songs including "Stardust", "Too Fat Polka," and "I Married an Angel." • The meeting ended with John, Anne, and Lois putting on an impromptu jam session. The meeting was adjourned. Our next meeting will be Sunday, February 12 at 3:30 pm. Please join us for a musical Valentine's Day celebration.