The Nave Gallery and the Somerville Arts Council present the 3rd Somerville Squeezebox Slam.

This is a celebration, of accordions, button boxes and other free standing reed instruments.

As with the first festival, accordionists of all skill levels and musical genres are invited to stroll around the neighborhoods of Somerville, sharing their melodious sounds, and like pied pipers from an alternative fairy tale, beckon all to come and follow them as they head to Davis Square for a concert of some of New England’s finest squeezebox players. So dust off your grandfather’s squeezebox that’s been sitting in the attic and join us for an afternoon of pumping the bellows. Accordion themed art/crafts will be for sale. Curated by Michael McLaughlin.

From 12-3 p.m. accordionists will stroll around Somerville, ultimately congregating in Davis Sq. Local accordionists bring your boxes, band together or find your own corner and play. There are no rules. This is accordion anarchy. At 3 p.m., head to Davis Sq. where Lady Kielbasia will get the concert rolling with a group play along, “The Big Squeeze.”

Kielbasia is an Accordion-Playing Drag Lunch Lady.  She’s been voted Best Drag Queen with an Accordion in San Francisco, and was named Provincetown’s Family Favorite. After a long and illustrious career in cabaret, burlesque, and shameless private party entertainment in San Francisco, Provincetown, LA, and NYC, she is now semi-retired with her kitty and garden in Somerville.