June 16th – accordion concert on board MS Aarvak
The accordion is called the instrument of the Arctic Ocean, and it is not without reason. The accordion has always been a pleasant way to relax tired men on quiet days on the Arctic Ocean. Not to mention when the ships were stuck in the ice for weeks at a time. On Saturday, June 16, you can experience the notes of the accordion in its true element, on the historic deck of the Arctic ship Aarvak.
This Saturday, the Ishavsmuseet invites you to both a concert and a dance. Åmdal Trekkspelklubb, Åmdal Junior Orchestra, Ulstein Trekkspelklubb, Odd Arne Halaas, Joakim Nygård Jørve, Vegard Hansen, Lars Håvik and Møregutta will all play at what will be a magnificent concert. After the concert, you can buy dinner, coffee and cakes inside the Ishavsmuseet.
And in the evening, Åmdal Trekkspelklubb, Odd Arne Halaas, Vegard Hansen and Lars Håvik will play for dancing, also from the deck of Aarvak. The concert starts at 4:00 PM, and the dancing is from 9:00 PM onwards. During the daytime concert, there will also be a "sing-along from the deck".
Åmdal Trekkspelklubb was formed in 1978 by a group of enthusiastic accordion musicians. Today, the club consists of active musicians from 17-80 years old. In 2011, they also organized the district championship in accordion (Norwegian Accordion Association), and in 2012 they won gold in old-time dancing. Ulstein Trekkspelklubb was formed in 2009, and then consisted of members of the cultural school in Ulsteinvik. Later, the club also opened to adult musicians, and today has 13 members in the age group 10-85 years. Ulstein TK has also won several awards, including gold in entertainment music, and one of the youngest members of the club, Joakim Nygård Jørve, also took first place in the class for soloists up to 11 years old.
Odd Arne Halaas is an active man and a great entertainer. Known as both a musician and an actor. In addition to playing the accordion and singing, he has also played in “Bør Børson” at the Norwegian Theatre in Oslo. Odd Arne, who grew up in Eide, started playing the accordion when he was 13 years old and was able to borrow his neighbor’s old Hohner accordion. The following year he made his debut as an accordion player and actor in the role of the first lover in the comedy “Skjærgårdsflørt”. He has also won several gold medals in district championships, and a Norwegian National Championship silver in old-fashioned dancing. His music is versatile, and he is just as happy to play in a church, at a festival or, as here, on the deck of an Arctic ship. So there is little doubt that the level of the musicians on this day is sky-high, and that it will be a powerful experience. The Aarvak House also has fantastic acoustics, and with so many talented musicians, the notes from the accordion will lift the ceiling!
This year, the Ishavsmuseet celebrates the 100th anniversary of the ship Aarvak. This anniversary is marked with various events throughout the year, including this accordion concert. The museum has had a number of successful events earlier this spring, with full houses and record audiences. We hope that many people will make the trip to the museum this Saturday, where you will have a historic concert experience, and buy yourself dinner or cakes. Maybe you feel a little bit of a dance move too? Come and dance, on deck! See you!
