Contents
- Kala ukes for sale
- Alder Park Ukestra moving to Kotara - a great new venue!
- Next Beginners - 22 June
- Next Ukulele Entree Course
- Individual Ukulele Lessons with Danielle
- Strum workshop with Danielle - 29 June
- Children's Ukulele groups
- Video filming - tomorrow - Newcastle Baths
- Upcoming gigs (including Brisbane) and some other stuff (read it! You might find something you like at the end!)
- Folk Club News (including Session Fest on June long weekend).
1. Selling Ukes and Cases/Bags - Straight Up Lower Prices
We now have for sale a limited range of Kala ukuleles. Kala is the grown up high-quality version of the beginner Makalas that we sell.
We figure that some people might want to upgrade, some may want to spend more (though not too much) on their beginner uke, or some may just want to have a different special uke to meet their UAS addiction (Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome).
We don't have a shop, and don't specialise in retail, but we do know ukes. This means we can sell cheaper than others, but we also double check the high quality ukes that we sell.
Jane is in love with her new ubass (and we have only one of those for sale at $550).
Mark is particularly enamoured (and has been for a long time) with Kala's Travel Ukes. Since we got the ukes in last week they have sold in droves. Like the ubass, this is really amazing and innovative technology. Something so small and compact really does pack a punch. $200 for a soprano, $210 concert, $220 for tenor.
But we also did buy some cheapies, that are a bit different – for the same price as one of our Makalas you can get a Makala Pineapple ($40).
We usually bring a small selection of these ukes to ukestras, so check them out there or if you want a special uke we also have some lovely ones (ask us – more at home).
2. AldNewKestra relocating to Kotara Bowling Club as of this week!
Danielle penned this email today to a bunch of AldNewKestrans, so I'm just going to quote it to you verbatim. Tells it like it is."I am glad to announce that instead of folding, which has been on the cards, we have changed location and will now meet at the Kotara Bowling Club, Park Avenue, Kotara, as usual on a Wednesday from 10.30am - 12.30pm.
This will commence on June 5.
Mark came in to AldNewKestra to announce our demise on Wednesday, but instead, after a great deal of discussion, left with the conviction he could do no such thing! A short while later he returned with the news that he had secured a new location, this having been one of his own strongly felt concerns.
Since the board at Alder Park has changed, we have not had the use of the bar as the club does not officially open until midday. Likewise, the bistro stopped operating on Wednesday lunchtimes shortly after we started, so we have not been able to reciprocate the club's support – via the bar or the bistro or by entertaining the patrons – in the way ukestras usually do.
As a positive though, since word was out that the Ukestra might fold due to dwindling numbers, there has been fantastic support from a number of ukestrans. This has boosted not only the attendance but the happy and welcoming spirit of the group, which has always been its trademark.
So THANK YOU to the persistent and wonderful AldNewKestrans: from those who have seen through more than a year of playing, learning and performing (including Elizabeth with all her hard work with the aged care gigs); to the more recent participants who have brought their enthusiasm, experience and support; and to Mark for taking rapid action in line with his Ukestra philosophy after facing the music, so to speak.
Now...let's start thinking up a new name!!
Danielle
p.s. we had our regular end of month lunch at the Kotara Bowling Club bistro on Wednesday and the food is well priced and very good.
3. Next Beginners - 22 June
The next beginners class is on Saturday 22 June at 1:30-3:30pm at the Wickham Croatian Sports Club. Right after the inaugural UUU at 11:30.4. Next Ukulele Entree Course
We are going to run another entree course for beginners and novitiates soon and it will run during the day on Wednesdays (about 12.45-2.30pm) in the Hamilton or Kotara area.Please let us know if you are keen to join this course. It runs for 6 weeks and goes through the basics of ukulele techniques including strumming, riff playing, reading a bit of musical notation, reading tab, and learning about 15 chords. The course costs about $16.50 per class prepaid ($99 total) or $18.50 per class casual.
Please let us know you would like to do this as we can only run it if we have enough people (min. 8, max. 15).
5. Danielle teaching ukulele at Jack's Music.
Danielle is teaching ukulele for individual lessons at Jack's Music. She is also giving ubass lessons.Check out Danielle's website for more information.
6. Strum workshop with Danielle
A couple of months ago Danielle ran a very popular strum shop at the New Lambton Community Centre. It sold out, so she is running another on 29 June. Contact Danielle directly at chat@daniellescott.com.au or on 7. Children's Ukulele
We are continuing classes at Cardiff South (45 kids this term!) and have an ongoing Jukestra at Charlestown (who plan to perform at the New Zealand Ukulele Festival in late November!) Jane has also just started another Jukestra at Waratah.In Term 3 we plan to make Jukestras more accessible and popular. The kids who are building their skills need more friends to join them! And the only way to do that is to keep training up new children in the joys of music-making. Talk to Mark or Jane on 0430434291 if you are interested for your child / grandchild / friend's child / school.
8. Filming a Ukestra video tomorrow!
We are making a video clip of the ukestra tomorrow (Saturday 1 June) morning. The songs we are going to do is Catch My Disease and if we can manage a second song then it will be Price Tag. Please practise both of these songs!We met some young French film-makers at Hanoi airport - they are doing the filming for us! (True story).
We recorded some audio last night, so Saturday morning will be just the visuals (lip synching). We are meeting at 8.30am at Newcastle Baths.
This will be visual and audio recording of the song/s so you need costumes (bright colours, hats, flowers, theatrical stuff, no stripes or checks, no plain black, gray or beige).
We will be singing to camera and so we won't be using music stands for this part of the recording. Please understand it is all about looking good!!
Secondly we will be taking small videos of people to make a montage (eg Susan and Christine belly dancing). Bring a prop, costume or just something silly! Nothing rude or vulgar please.
Hopefully we will be finished by 10.30am at the latest. If you can only be there for a hour then please do so. We may need to move venue so be aware that we might move around. Mark will have his phone on him (0430434291) so you can chase us down if for some reason we move elsewhere (nearby).
9. Upcoming gigs
AJ Leonard - we are still organising a gig with AJ Leonard - hopefully 12 July. Keep your ears tuned.Hawaii
The Hawaii group met on the weekend just past, meeting each other and making a first pass at the selected songs. Only 7 weeks ish to go!
Men's Health Week Performance - 12 June
We have been asked to provide a ukestra performance for men's health week in Waratah (Wednesday 12 June 11:15-11:45am). Mark is taking a small group of men to perform at this. If you wish to be a part of this, please email Mark .
Brisbane
We have a few people already committed to the Brisbane Ukulele Festival. Mostly these are people who are already planning a holiday up that way, or who have relatives that they would like to visit. Please send us an email now if you are going.Our presence (including Mark & Jane) will be small but notable - 20-22 September.
Central Coast Uke Festival - 24/25 August. We are playing!
Cruise Ships
We have finished the cruise ship season. Thanks so much to all who sailed in the welcomings! We hope you had fun! We know that many people did, and a significant amount of money went into the Folk Club's Ukulele Community Fund. The last one was a real pearler with some relos of Kiri's joining in - they were on the boat! The many kiwis insisted that we play Porekarekare Ana many times!
Sydney Harbour Ukulele Cruise
Got this email from Wollongong - email Uncle Cyril in Wollongong to book (unkle_cyril@hotmail.com).
Hey up folks, after the raging success of the last Swinagleles' harbour cruise we are running another one. It will take place on Sunday 7th July from 11.00am to 3.00pm. Like the other one there will be a three piece band(piano, drums, bass) to support ukulele strummers strumming all day from a free ukulele songbook. A bountiful lunch is provided and there is a bar.
The price to non-members is $50 if you make your own way and join the group at the Darling Harbour wharf.10. Folk Club News
Take your camper van for a lovely long weekend of Folk Music just on the Lake at Swansea.Sessionfest JUNE long weekend - Fri June 7 to Mon June 10.
Sat 1st June – 7.30pm - 2 Headliners Trevor Knight plus SNEZ
Trevor Knight is a musician who has acquired some very nice “moss” while he has been rolling round the world, like his family of ukuleles....including his prized banjo ukulele made for George Formby of music hall fame. Trevor has acquired a reputation as a country singer (two Golden Guitars might have something to do with that) and has worked the TV circuit having a regular spot on the Midday Show with Ray Martin. He has also toured extensively with John Denver and Tom Paxton amongst others, both here and overseas.
Snez singer/songwriter based in the Blue Mountains, Snez has spent the last two years touring Australia with her co-writer, producer and guitarist; Stewart Peters, squeezing their world into a van for months at a time, visiting remote and regional Australia, sharing stories and songs. She has performed at various concerts and festivals around Australia, sharing the stage with notable artists including Renee Geyer, Jenny Morris, Robyne Dunn, Mahalia Barnes, Gangajang
ENTRY: $15.oo Adults $12.oo Concession. $10.oo Club Members Kids 16 /under free
Contacts: Carole – (02)4929 3912, Ron – (02)4926 1313, Folk Club – Mob: 0421 412 358
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