For the 5th time, the concert ‘Music with Kevin Friedrich and Friends’ was held in Dargaville, New Zealand at the Lighthouse Function Center. For a full report of the concert, with photos and background information: Dargaville2012

This picturesque Center overlooking the town and river, was sold out with quite a few people being turned away. Dargaville was Kevin Friedrich’s home town before he moved to the USA at 18 years of age, to go to UMKC University to gain his degree majoring in accordion.

Kevin Friedrich returns to New Zealand annually to make this fundraising concert for the Dargaville museum where there is a permanent historical accordion display titled ‘Accordion Gems – A Master Collection of Accordions Through Time’. This year included the opening of an exhibition to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA). The NZAA organized a bus from Auckland to the concert and the opening of that display.

At this concert, Kevin Friedrich was presented the NZAA Life-time Achievement Award by NZAA President Sonja Palinich (picture left) to honor Kevin Friedrich for all that he has done for the accordion in New Zealand over the years. At the same time, there was also a cutting of a birthday cake in honor of Kevin’s 50th birthday with the audience giving him a standing ovation.

The concert included accordionists Kevin Friedrich, Lionel Reekie and Maurice Jones (picture below), the NZAA Orchestra plus dancers, singers and musicians from the Dargaville area.

Full report of concert: Dargaville2012