Accordion and circus music maestro Peter Bufano will amuse and amaze at the Squeezebox Slam in Union Square on Saturday.

By Cathleen Twardzik

On September 17, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., get ready for accordion flash mobs, and then be treated to a concert in Union Square from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Squeezebox Slam in Somerville. A rain date of September 18 has been set.

The event will spotlight a myriad of cultures, which use a variation of the squeezebox in their music.  All individuals who have a squeezebox are welcome to play it during the first part of the day.

Squeezebox Slam will be the Boston area’s first festival dedicated to accordions and concertinas. Players of all musical genres are invited to participate in the Big Stroll in an accordion flash-mob style. The City of Somerville’s public spaces and parks will be utilized.

The second part of the day, the concert, will boast six squeezing genres of music, which will be performed by artists, all of whom are from New England.

According to Michael McLaughlin, a professional musician in town who also teaches at Tufts, Squeezebox Slam was the brainchild of Susan Berstler, Director of ARTSomerville and visual artist, who has been a part of various public art projects over the past 15 years.

Interestingly, McLaughlin and Berstler “first met working together on a project in Prague that brought together an eclectic and talented international group of cross-disciplinary artists, musicians and visual artists,” said Berstler.

However, “The seeming randomness is the exciting part.  We don’t know how many or who or where, but look forward to seeing what takes place, both with the musicians and their interaction with folks in Somerville.  You can never predict the end result.  That’s what makes it interesting,” she said.

The outdoor concert in Union Square will feature local squeezebox players, including Klezmer accordionist Michael McLaughlin from Shirim, Klezwoods, and Naftule’s Dream, who will play Ukaranian and Moldavian-influenced Jewish dance music.  Additionally, master Gaita player Joao Cerilo, from the dance band Pilon Batuku, will present a rare duo performance of “batuku” and “funana” music from Cape Verde.

Then, treat your ears to the sounds of Peter Bufano and Cirkestra, the world-renowned composer and circus musician (Ringling Bros./Barnum & Baily, Kinoshita and Big Apple), as they share their magical, death defying, high wire musical act.

From Bulgaria, Plamen Karadonev, who is known for his mastery of Bulgarian folk music as well as for American modern jazz, will fill the air with a striking collage of the old world and the new.

Mariachi Estampa de America, Union Square’s own Mariachi group, who frequently performs at El Potro Restaurant, will take the stage and perform traditional songs, from Huapango to Son Jaliscience. Finally, the fiery and elegant touch of Roberto Cassan from Grand Fatilla will close the event, with the sounds of Italian and tango music.

So, which type of instrument is the concertina?  “A concertina is part of a free-standing reed instrument family. This means the reed is built into the instrument, as opposed to a sax or clarinet, where the reed is attached. Like any reed instrument, it needs air to make a sound. There are two types of concertinas, the English and the German,’” said McLaughlin.

Although, “We couldn’t cover every culture [at the concert portion of the event], I like to think that we have next year, where we could present French, Irish, Chinese, Argentinean and Columbian traditions. Even finding jazz or singer/songwriters, who use the accordion or another free-standing reed instrument as their vehicle would be great,” he said.

Further, barbecue from Redbones, which is sponsoring the event, as well as paper folding at craft tables for children, will be available.

The Somerville Arts Council’s ArtsUnion Project is an initiative that is designed to boost the cultural economic development of Union Square. It presents numerous events and markets, develops and leads cultural and historical tours, commissions street furniture and public art, and has revised zoning to provide incentives for arts-related development in the square

Do you want to take an inside look into a participating performer’s musical background?  “Piano was my first instrument, since I was 5, but I started playing accordion in ‘94, when I joined the Shirim Klezmer Orchestra.  There are many great parts to being a performer, but the most important for me is when I see people dance to the music I’m playing.  The interaction between the audience and musician becomes a feedback loop that gets stronger and stronger,” said McLaughlin.