The accordion is an annoyingly mysterious instrument. To me, it looks like the easiest thing in the world to play—just squeeze it a little and hit some keys or something, right? My 1-year-old nephew could do that. But I tried it once, and the results were disastrous. Turns out that accordions are heavy and complicated and require a lot of skill in order to not sound like a beached whale on helium. I have no idea how they work.

But you don't need to be able to play (or even understand) the instrument in order to appreciate it. And this week, accordion enthusiasts (or even those who are just curious) have a perfect opportunity to see some masters in action at the Monsters of Accordion showcase.

Organized by Seattle's own Jason Webley, Monsters of Accordion features some of the world's most animated squeezebox players, including former Gogol Bordello member Stevhen Iancu of Japan, whiskey-fueled folk musician Geoff Berner of Vancouver, Eric Stern of Portland's Vagabond Opera, and Jimmy the Pickpocket from local drunken vaudevillian band the Bad Things. Webley will also be performing.

These musicians attack the accordion with a reckless abandon that proves the thing isn't just for polkas (Webley alone is an animal of a showman who often gets big dance circles and raucous sing-alongs going at his shows). Monsters of Accordion is Wednesday, August 26, the Triple Door, 7:30 p.m., $12. I propose someone do a Monsters of Theremin tour next. MEGAN SELING

All Ages Calendar

Fri Aug 21: John Van Deusen, Karl Blau, Goldfinch at Q Cafe, 7:30 pm, $7.

Sat Aug 22: Black Lodge, the Helm, Sean, Scourge Schematic at Black Lodge, 8 pm.

Sun Aug 23: The Way of the B-Boy screening followed by a live viewing of Massive Monkees on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew and music by Fever One at the Vera Project, 7 pm, free.

Sun Aug 23: Set Your Goals, Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Fireworks, A Loss for Words at El Corazón, 6:30 pm, $12 adv/$14 DOS.