What makes a loud noise when you squeeze it and loves a good bellow? No, itB次元官网网址檚 not the beginning of a bad joke. ItB次元官网网址檚 an accordion.

From July 19 to 22 the Sixth International Victoria Accordion Festival will be taking place around town and hosting some of the top accordion acts in the world.

Friday night is Russian night and will feature a concert by world-famous accordionist Alexander Sevastian, from Minsk, Belarus, at St. AndrewB次元官网网址檚 Church (680 Courtney St.). Sevastian has won four international accordion competitions and played with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

On the Saturday night, Toronto-based Quartetto Gelato will be performing at St. AndrewB次元官网网址檚. The group, which features Sevastian on accordion, is a crowd favourite. On oboe, violin, cello and, of course, accordion, along with tenor vocals, the quartet serves up a variety of world and classical music styles.

B次元官网网址淭hey are so famous and so popular, particularly in this city,B次元官网网址� festival director Aleksandar Milojevic said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e sure people will appreciate their concert.B次元官网网址�

Another highlight is the Accordion Parade, a first-time event for the festival. The parade kicks off from Market Square at 1 p.m. on the Saturday and will see squeezebox players coming together to play and parade through downtown to Centennial Square and back.

B次元官网网址淛ust imagine if you have many orchestras together, thatB次元官网网址檚 the sound that you get,B次元官网网址� Milojevic said.

All accordion players are invited to take part in the parade, but are asked to arrive at noon to prepare.

Most exciting for organizers is that this yearB次元官网网址檚 festival is a precursor of sorts to what will prove to be the big event in 2013.

The success of the festival over the past five years was one contributing factor to Victoria being named host of the 66th Coupe Mondiale event in 2013. This will be the first time that the worldB次元官网网址檚 biggest accordion event has been held in Canada and it will run from Aug. 17 to 25. Hundreds of accordionists and even more visitors from all over the world are expected to attend the event, which takes place in a different country every year.

B次元官网网址淧eople are so happy,B次元官网网址� Milojevic said. B次元官网网址淪o that means that weB次元官网网址檙e doing something good here in Victoria.B次元官网网址�

For Milojevic one of the best parts of the festival is seeing the younger players getting involved and falling in love with the instrument, and seeing accordions begin to regain a popularity they havenB次元官网网址檛 enjoyed since the rise of rock and roll.

B次元官网网址淎ccordions became a not very cool instrument with all the electric guitars and drums and everything that youngsters could express themselves differently with. But now itB次元官网网址檚 picking up again,B次元官网网址� Milojevic said. B次元官网网址淲e have kids seven years old or eight years old competing, which is amazing and you donB次元官网网址檛 see everyday, everywhere.B次元官网网址�

Tickets for the Sevastian and Quartetto Gelato concerts are $25, $20 for seniors and students. The workshop is $25 per person or $30 at the door. Tickets are available at Tempo Trend Music and Long and McQuade, by phone at 778-433-8700 or by email at contact@bcaccordion.ca.

For a full schedule go to bcaccordion.ca