Organ Grinder News

2011
Organ Grinder Appearances

Tuesday,
March 8

Raven’s Nest Coffee House
Culpeper, Vriginia
5 PM - 8 PM

Friday, Saturday,
May 6, 7

The Cathedral Flower Mart raises money to maintain the gardens around the Washington National Cathedral. This year's event honored Austria.

Flower Mart
Washington National Cathedral
Washington, DC
10 AM - 4 PM
Terry-Nat'l Cathedral

Friday,
May 13

The Panda at the Guppy Gala danced to "Rock Around the Clock".

It didn't rain after all, and everyone had a great time!

Guppy Gala
Washington National Zoo
Washington, DC
6 - 8:30 PM

Terry-Nat'l Zoo

Saturday,
May 21

The weather was perfect and everyone enjoyed the fair! Terry played in his traditional spot by the Post Office.

Spring Fair
Warrenton, Virginia
9 AM - 3 PM

Sunday,
May 22

C & O Canal National Historical Park
Potomac, Maryland
11 AM - 3 PM
Demonstration of street organs
and antique music boxes by the
National Capital Chapter of the
Musical Box Society International

Terry talks with scouts at the
C & O Canal about the history and traditions of organ grinders.

Terry, C&O Canal

July 4 Independence Day

Great Falls, Virginia
Little Patriots Parade
9 - 10 AM

Children and their parents register and line up for the “Little Patriots” parade in Great Falls. Terry provided the music as they marched around the village center.

Terry-Great Falls VA

Wednesday,
August 3

Manassas Baptist Church - Music Camp
Manassas, Virginia

Sat/Sun,
Sept. 17-18

Bluemont Fair
Bluemont, Virginia
10 AM - 4 PM

The Bluemont Fair is an increasingly popular annual fall destination. The fair has entertainment, activities, and exhibits that appeal to all ages.

Saturday,
September 24

Lovettsville Oktoberfest
Lovettesville, VA
10 AM - 2 PM

This year Terry played his large Raffin organ on the "midway" at the Lovettsville Oktobertest, providing animal antics and happy music for ears of all ages.

Saturday,
October 8

Taste of Brunswick Festival
The Home of Brunswick Stew
Southside Virginia Community College Campus
Alberta, Virginia
10AM - 4 PM

The weather was beautiful, the Brunswick Stew was delicious, and folks of all ages enjoyed the activities, booths, antique cars, tractors, and of course, the music at the festival.

Sometimes, the music really grabs you and ya' just gotta dance!

Sunday,
October 9

Oktoberfest
Kentlands, Maryland (City of Gaithersburg)
12 - 4 PM

It was another georgeous day for the Kentlands Oktoberfest. Members of a German schuhplattler dance group listen to the music of the German street organ.

Saturday,
December 31

First Night Warrenton
Great HarvestBread Store
Warrenton, Virginia
7 - 11:45 PM

Terry again played both his large and small street organs in the Great Harvest Bread store for First Night Warrenton. Fresh baked goods, warm drinks, and happy music...the perfect combination for New Years Eve!

2010
Organ Grinder Appearances

Thursday,
Jan. 14

Leisure World
Lansdowne, Virginia

Thursday,
March 4

First Baptist Church Seniors
Silver Spring, Maryland

Friday, Saturday,
May 7, 8

Flower Mart
Washington National Cathedral
Washington, DC
10 AM - 4 PM

Friday,
May 14

Guppy Gala
Washington National Zoo
Washington, DC
6 - 8:30 PM

Saturday,
May 15

Spring Fair
Warrenton, Virginia
9 AM - 3 PM

Sunday,
May 23

C & O Canal National Historical Park
Potomac, Maryland

Demonstration of street organs and antique music boxes by the
National Capital Chapter of the
Musical Box Society International
11 AM - 3 PM

Sat.-Sun.
June 12-13

Bender's Circus Calliope
Knoebels Amusement Park
Elysburg, PA

Carousel Organ Association Band Organ Rally

Saturday, June 26

Bender's Circus Calliope

McLean Centennial
McLean Community Center
1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, VA

July 4 Independence Day

Great Falls, Virginia
Baby Parade
8 - 10 AM

Sat/Sun,
Sept. 18-19

Bluemont Fair
Bluemont, Virginia
10 AM - 4 PM

Visitors to the Bluemont Fair enjoyed listening to the music as they munched on lunch.

Terry explains how the organ works and the connection between looms, weaving, and mechanical musical instruments. (The Bluemont area weavers, and the lamas and alpacas from nearby farms are in the tents.)

Saturday,
Sept. 25

Lovettsville Oktoberfest
Lovettesville, VA
Strolling: 10 AM - 2 PM

The crowd in the main tent listens to the street organ while the German band sets up.

Strolling the streets at the Lovettsville Oktoberfest.

Sunday,
October 10

Oktoberfest
Kentlands, Maryland (City of Gaithersburg)
12 - 4 PM

It was a beautiful day for the huge crowds enjoying the Kentlands Oktoberfest.

Tuesday,
October 26

St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church
Great Falls, Virginia

Friday,
December 31

First Night Warrenton
Warrenton, Virginia
7 - 11:45 PM

Terry played both organs in the Great Harvest Bread store for First Night Warrenton. Many people stopped in to taste the wonderful breads and baked goods while they listened to the music.

PHOTO ALBUM

Flower Mart
Washington National Cathedral
Washington, DC

At the C&O Canal Historical Park, Terry played patriotc music as the canal boat went through the lock and on down the canal.

For this 2009 world exclusive performance at the Waterford Fair, Terry, cranking the street organ, and Mark Jaster, playing musical saw, were joined by Mark's wife, Sabrina, playing cymbal.

Netherlands Ambassador,
Mr. Christiaan
M. J. Kröner listens to Terry play a march at the Netherlands Embassy celebration honoring the Queen's birthday, May 2008.

Spring Fair
Warrenton, Virginia

Guppy Gala
Washington National Zoo
Washington, DC

Thousands enjoyed perfect weather at the Bluemont Fair. You can't see them in the picture, but the llamas, alpacas, goats, and sheep behind Terry enjoyed the music, too!

At Bluemont Fair
Bluemont Fair, Bluemont, Virginia

Dancing the polka at the Bluemont Fair.

Terry played German Oktoberfest music in the tent at Lovettesville while the band was setting up to play.

Lovettesville Oktoberfest, Lovettesville, Virginia

Strollling the streets of Lovettesville, Virginia

Lovettesville, VA

Like kids everywhere, these girls at the Waterford Fair were excited to see the organ grinder.

Waterford Fair
Waterford, Virginia

Kentlands Oktoberfest, Kentlands, Maryland
(City of Gaithersburg)

The weather was perfect for the well attended, family friendly, Kentlands Oktoberfest.

Kentlands, Maryland

Other Events With Organ Grinders

Summer, Fall 2011
Both the Carousel Organ Association of America and chapters of the Musical Box Society International sponsor events with street organs of all sizes and types. Go to my LINKS page for links to their websites.

May 27-29 , 2011
Orgelfest,
Waldkirch, Germany
This historic village, renowned in street organ maker circles, is filled with street organs of all sizes, from the huge Dutch organs to the small busker organs. This festival is held every three years and is worth the trip.

Click Here
for photos and story about the 2005
Orgelfest

World Exclusive Performance of Duo

Mark Jaster & Terry Bender

In what is believed to be a world exclusive in instrumental duos, Mark Jaster, Washington, DC's favorite mime, plays his musical saw along with Terry's street organ at the Waterford Fair.