They’re a band! They’re a pin-up calendar! They’re a band and a pin-up calendar! The Accordion Babes are Renée de la Prade on accordion and guitar, Joan Wilson Rueter on accordion and fiddle, Skyler Fell on accordion, Diana Strong on accordion, Amber Lee Baker on accordion and glockenspiel, and Aharon Wheels Bolsta, the odd man out, on drums. The show is more than accordions – though there are accordions galore – it’s a multitude of mult-talented, multi-instrument-playing musicians making merry on a magical mix of accordion-friendly songs – folk, French cabaret, jazz, klezmer, zydeco, Irish, and rock and roll. Renée began the revue and calendar project with the mission of taking the accordion from Lawrence Welk and giving it to Sophia Loren. This year’s theme is Heroes, Villains & Divas.

Renée sings, stomps, and plays button accordion with the deep passion of a she-warrior. Her style draws from folk dance music, zydeco, and old-school rock and roll. She tours the world playing solo, duo, and with the Cajun Americana trio Whiskey and Women. Joan is a founding member of the San Francisco-based sea music group the Barbary Ghosts, and also sings and plays fiddle in Whiskey and Women. Skyler sings and plays accordion with the HoboGobblins and Tumbleweed Time Machine. Diana is the accordionist for the klezmer fusion group Red Hot Chachkas and performs solo at Cafe Divine. Her duo Sweet Moments of Confusion released their debut album last year. Amber Lee leads Amber Lee and the Anomalies, bringing accordion into the realm of singer-songwriter cabaret. In the words of KPFA’s Larry Kelp, “John Coltrane's music may have been more revolutionary, but the Accordion Babes and their Pinup Calendar are more likely to bring about world peace.”

Visit the Accordion Babes' website

Visit Red Hot Chachkas' website

Visit Whiskey & Women's website

Listen to a track from the Red Hot Chachkas: