Main squeeze! Squeezebox Cabaret tonight

By Meredith Deliso

It’s his birthday, and he’ll have accordions if he wants to.

For his 43rd, David F. Slone, Esq., a nightlife personality behind such acts as “The Love Show” and “Nutcracker: Rated R,” knew just what he wanted to hear.

“I’m a huge fan of accordions,” said the Williamsburg-based entertainer (sporting the top hat in the photo). “There’s just something about the way it bellows and lends dynamics to the sound that I enjoy very much.”

The accordion’s still a bit of a novelty act, but thanks to the popularity of Balkan brass acts like Gogol Bordello, and the occasional busker at the Bedford Avenue L stop, it’s had more of a presence in the music scene in recent years.

And, it’s not such a rarity that Slone couldn’t scrounge together a handful of accordionists to accompany him and his “Love Show” dancers at “Squeezebox Cabaret,” a night of accordion-based acts at Public Assembly tonight.

There’ll Corn Mo, the frontman of .357 Lover, Benjamin Ickies of This Ambitious Orchestra and Matt Dallow of Amour Obscure backing up dancers, magicians and singers, including Slone, who’ll be singing “A Boy Named Sue.”

At this variety show, anything goes for Slone’s crew — with the exception of one rule.

“As long as there’s an accordion involved, I’ll let them do whatever they want,” said Slone.

Squeezebox Cabaret at Public Assembly [70 N. Sixth St. between Wythe and Kent avenues in Williamsburg, (718) 384-4586], April 4 at 9:30 pm. Tickets $10. For info, visit www.lesqueezebox.com.


Photo by Stefano Giovannini