Did You Miss The Uke Meeting?

You would have loved it!

It's true the photo was taken before all the participants had showed up...  I thought our group singing was especially wonderful this time.

Here's the Songfest:
GCD Christmas in Prison
Mama Mia
NoWhere Man (v= G/D/C/G/C/Cm/G
Ch=Bm C Bm C Bm C D
Love Call
(key of A) Don't Worry Baby
C Am Dm E7 F Dm C F C Cruel War X2 or 3
Hobo's Lullaby
D A Bm F#m G D G A warm up, 8 strums each
Pachelbale's Canon in D (instrumental) (also with the Monty Python lyrics "Decomposing Composers)
Late John Garfield Blues
Blue Umbrella
In My Life (v=C Em7 Am C7/ F Fm/ C X2
Ch= Am F Bb C Am D Fm C)
Miss Ohio
Red Wood Trees
Across The Universe (key learning = G6=Em7)
D Dmaj7 F#m Em7 A A7
D Dmaj7 F#m Em7 Gm
3/4 Time Silver Bells (V= GCDD7 G
Ch=GCD7G)
End of The Line (DAGDAD)
Forever Young - 1 verse only
Lion Sleeps

More Notes from Uke Club etc.

You know our venue has changed to the Red Papaya right?  Our weekly gatherings still happen Sundays from 7-9pm.  And yes, we're recruiting new participants and wondering if/what we should plan for Culture Days 2016.

Here's a list of what we recently played:
Christmas Don't Be Late (x2)
Imagine
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
Walking After Midnight
Dancing In The Dark
Jolene (key of Dm)
All The Younger Girls
War Is Over
Mama Mia
Leaving On A Jet Plane
Song Sung Blue
500 Miles
5"2"
The Lion Sleeps
*
I liked going out to the T-jam, and I liked that we started riffing on a new tune "Winter, I'm just not that into you...  can't deny that you're beautiful when you first come" blah blah blah, and we all rejoiced in the forecast revealed in a lack of walnuts to harvest this season

A Recent Songlist etc.

da do ron ron
5'2"
Brand New Key
Christmas In Prison
Mull of Kintyre
Miss Ohio
Banana Boat
Bring It On Home To Me
In The Ghetto
Sonny's Dream
Here Comes The Sun
The Book of Love
Country Roads
Walking After Midnight X2
F7 secrets ha
Hula Hula Boys
Carmelita
At The End of The Line
Lion Sleeps Tonite


I remember the first time I used the audio that came to me from New Horizons Band.  "OMG THAT's a measure?"

[ ] find uke chord app
[ ] find guitar chord app

Be My Baby
CCFG x 2
EADG  X2
ch C am F G x 3

Jolene
Am C G Am

"lyrics are strong. she's beautiful, clear good tempo. play more in public!"

More Minutes From Uke Club...

"if someone tries to steal your ukulele, let them take it!!" i am pretty sure someone's uke teacher just posted this anthem on Facebook...   i think the uke club should learn this number, don't you? but "do not practice daily"

Today's Songlist=
Who'll Stop The Rain
Brown Eyed Girl
Da Do Ron Ron
Black Ladder
In My Room
Turn Turn Turn
Walking After Midnight X2 (promise to memorize)
I'll Follow The Sun
Across The Universe X3 (A A7 Asus4)
California Stars X3 (A E7 D A !!!!!) (promise to memorize)
What Colour r u X 2
Brand New Key
C D F G   -- Am  As Tears Go By
Lion Sleeps

I loved this post that Cynthia posted.  Did you see her recent appearance on Inside Guelph?  If not, go find a wonderful commercial for Ukulele, ha.  Also, I think its worth checking out this related article...

Also, p.s.
We must shalt check the GUELPH STORM calendar, yes?

Flash Mob Aspirations?

Did someone say I rocked the tambourine recently?  I'd been wishing that whole nite for a more interactive-jammy sort of affair.   And, I was careful to both a) take breaks and b) not giveaway that dangerous 16 bell instrument ha.  My new favourite song is from that nite, I can't stop singing it:


Yes, I've attended one choir practice, and hope to get there an hour before an upcoming event for another.  Its about the spirit of it all right?  I love how everyone in this group has their own way of jotting notes on the lyrics, and can't wait for the singalong... and, I am grateful for "practice tracks" like this one:

Have you imagined converting the Uke Club into a Flash Mob group of some kind? I have, but instead we have a new regular meeting place, and I attended last night...

Uke Club Songlist

da do ron ron

lion sleeps

what colour r u. (this was supposed to be our practice run thru before playing it in the presence of the actual song-writer, who surprised, delighted and terrified us by actually being in the restaurant... but turned out to be our only rendition, alas)

dreams

sundown

i wish i knew how it would feel to be free

all my loving X2

miss ohio

wagon wheel

ripple

i will

brown eyed girl

lion sleeps

New Horizons Band

The New Horizons Band Bloor FAQ talks about a special deal on rentals!

Teacher Feature 10-25-2015

It's true I gave up an evening of personal music-making to participate at this event, but I still think its worth noting in my personal musical development efforts... I learned lots, and got to practice a few things, and enjoyed a really diverse, high quality musical line up!

It turns out someone can "emcee" and make announcements while the musicians are changing over their gear, even though I was told at first this wasn't possible!  Too bad I hadn't been invited to emcee, and that I just barged the stage to do so, lol.  In fact, I wish I had done so earlier to ensure our event started on time, and I wish I had planned more than 1-2min of news to share between performers, because it turns out it took much longer than the provided estimate for the sound techs/stars to do the change overs.

I think if I were to ever perform in such a setting I would "rush" the stage when the musician before me was finished, rather than politely waiting for them to collect their gear and come off the stage, before grabbing my instrument and getting into the sound check in motion game.  Would that be rude, or professional?

The crowd turn out was awesome, and I counted at least 65 familiar faces that I had personally invited to attend, and I was grateful for the thanks and enthusiasm they shared with me through out the night about such a fun and entertaining evening!

I also learned to place any sponsor banners on stage BEFORE the sound equipment gets loaded in, and/or to measure beforehand because it turns out our stand up banners did not fit on stage.  I also learned to keep the prize table and front of the stage free of clutter as it really is distracting in photos afterwards...

I was disappointed in the teacher merch sales, as it was a rare opportunity for them to showcase their professional productions that lend so much credibility to their role as music teachers.  I'd meant to "highlight" one recording at a time from the table as part of their intros, and forgot.  I also should have had prices marked, someone sitting at the table welcoming curious on-lookers, and I should have passed some around for folks to hold and have a look at up close....

I think we did a good job of thanking our sponsors for the swag.  And, it was great to know that some of our customers saw it in the paper as well as hearing about it in the store.  And, for sure it was easy to see who was putting on the evening's festivities as soon as you came in the door though!  Do you think the event will have the intended impact of reminding folks in Guelph that the store is worth visiting? I sure hope so!

Random Performance Review Notes...

I liked it when my "new" boss finally started to acknowledge my talents, contributions and especially, my future with the store/company, on Mariposa Friday.   

It was also cool to find out from a customer that apparently, my g.s. mini will fit in the overhead bin on an airplane!

I also enjoyed my chance on the store PA to say "Attention Shoppers! Now is the moment in Customer Appreciation Day when I get to introduce another of our students…."

It was nice talking with co-workers about how we work in a challenging district, and it was irritating when the said boss suggested I  leave the cardboard for the boys to break down and toss, as i had been doing it everyday for months.... 

It was cool to learn that we were selling more ukes at our location than any others, and I even enjoyed a co-worker's teasing  “but it has nothing to do with you right? How you are perpetually keeping the tree stocked and tuned?”  I got a good laugh when he added, commenting on the management style, that it would be a "heavy video watching week" lol.

Campfire, Season Ten #1

T-Bru took this photo

Did you see the fb comment where someone asked if the Campfire Session were just for men?  I guess there were a lot of guys in that particular photo...  I thought for sure this gathering felt extra super specially feminist.  I especially liked the tunes my buddies led!

News from the Folk Music Ontario Conference 2015

What a shock that a homicide occurred Saturday evening sometime between 8:30 and 8:40 PM in front of the Lone Star Restaurant in plain view of hotel rooms facing East. The Toronto Police asked  anyone that saw or heard anything, please contact Detective Sgt. Carbone direct at (416) 808-7400, or to provide anonymous tips at 1-800-222-TIPS.

By any chance did you see any of my posts on Folk Music Ontario’s official twitter page?  I was excited to be on “duty” as Social Media Coordinator.  I did share a few instagram, and Facebook photos on my own accounts, as well as several tweets… it was a fun project to have as a way to earn my conference registration.

a uke player in a Sylph tunic?!

My roomies-of-the-year and I enjoyed lots of passionate conversation, and lots of laughter, and played music.  It was grand to listen to lots and lots and lots of music… Did you attend because you think you can build a meaningful career in the music biz without losing heart and soul? I’m certain many left richer in experience, gig calendars and festival line-ups, as was the President’s Message in the program...

Speaking of the program, I thought the piece authored by Aengus Finnan of Folk Alliance International about the keynote speaker was interesting.  Donna Walker-Kuhne delivered the 8th annual address, "generously sponsored by Long & McQuade."  I thought the logo placement was awesome, it seemed like the company has sponsored all the past keynote speeches, with a list of past speakers.  This year's talk was from a down-to-earth person opening the doors and windows on the house of issues, assumptions and misunderstandings on the noble and daunting responsibility of audience diversification.

After a trip to the exhibit hall, I vowed to explore the possibility/benefits of joining

Actra.ca/racs (a royalty collecting society) as well as the Canadian Federation of Musicians at afm.org and I was interested in the music industry consultant's letter in the delegate bag, and might check out rocknrollaccountant.com.  I keep hoping somehow the expenses incurred over the weekend could be written off under my buddy's clothing biz...  Did you see who else was accidentally modelling one of the Sylph tunics while she worked?

Did you know that Folk Music Ontario has the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Arts Presentation Fund’s Development component) to thank for some funding?  Did you participate in the fundraiser silent auction? I noticed the guitar donated by L&M with a retail price of $569 generated a $500 bid - wow!  My favourite item might have been the free brilliant idea of Lyric postcards...

this pic is from the Official Showcase

It was cool to get invited to attend a private showcase by The Lonesome Ace String Band, and to also make the private showcase by Coco Love Alcorn and her new band! So much talent! Totally appropriate to read her description in the program "the ultimate musical spark plug." She was sharing a band mate, Drew McIvor, with Alysha Brilla, another acclaimed and enjoyable soul-funk singer/songwriter.

Drew took this pic and posted on fb

Also incredibly gifted in connecting with the audience with lovely music was Melisande, who draws from the rich heritage of Quebecois traditional songs, but adds feminism, and odd instrumentation, including sequencing.

Before the AGM on Saturday, I attended a workshop called “Maintaining Health” where we ended up discussing the need for volunteer dentists to run dental clinics for performers at festivals, as well as our desire for healthy food options at festivals and conferences, among many other issues.  It was interesting to hear Raven (Digging Roots) tell his tale, and I was glad I had followed Darlene DarlenYa to the session, where the panel quickly became a roundtable.  She provided some copies of a “road survival” kit she’d authored full of tips and useful tricks for travelling well.  The panel also included a rep from Unison Benevolent Fund, a non-profit registered charity that provides counselling and emergency relief services to individuals within the Canadian music community in times of crisis.

did you vote at the AGM? did you thank a board member for their contributions? i did!

Leonard Summer

theremin!

I always love the Manitoba Music Brunch, and this year was pleased to take in Leaf Rapids, fronted by husband & wife Keri & Devin Latimer, formerly of the popular indie folk band, Nathan... and to hear the political Leonard Summer for the first time.

The “Form and Function: Songwriting Workshop” with James Keelaghan, Ken Whiteley and Coco Love Alcorn covered quite a diverse range of topics, including ways to change your sound by trying unfamiliar instruments, the challenges of “owning” a co-written tune, how to focus a song on one main idea and save other nuggets for future, when to trust a producer’s opinion vs. your own artistic sense and more.  There were even performances of tunes by attendees for feedback.  Fantastic!

Of course it was also worth attending her amazing Official Showcase, with an audience that was a veritable who’s who of the Folk Music Community all singing along.  You can tell the human spirit is her muse, and, what a voice, and what a presence.

I would like to thank The Box Car Boys for inciting me to want to go practice trombone straight away — they were a wonderful band, with a unique and powerful instrumentation.  I would have loved to have picked up one of their cd’s, but I felt guilty because I couldn’t promise airplay on hoofbeats, so I didn’t grab one, alas!

I totally admired the stupendous voice, charisma, bravery and humour of Irish Mythen in the Folk Music Canada “Top-Notch Canadian Folk Music” showcase.  And, I want to learn more about Tim Chaisson's music.  He has three albums out already and was awesome as a member of the PEI Celtic trio the East Pointers.  Have I told you about Scott Cook's wonderful songwriting yet?

As a happy accident, it was nice to meet a new health practitioner singer/songwriter guelph-ite, who plays ukulele, and who would love to help finding our club a new home, suitable for those with mobility issues, for future gatherings!

Jane Lewis and Katherine Wheatley with Allison

I was thrilled to learn that Allison Lupton won the Songs From The Heart Grand Prize, and to snap this pic of a couple of my dear, beautiful friends/neighbours singing with her!

I drove there and back on the backroads instead of the highway.  I'm sure you can see why!

Many people have asked me to remind them about L&M’s free set up day!  Don't let me forget.

Zombie zone?

2015 Culture Days Uke Club Jam

Did we manage to get you one of the Culture Days booklets that listed our event as an invite? I loved the picture of Cynthia playing uke in it! I also loved her shout out to the gathering on Facebook, "So whether you pick up a uke and head out to my friend Kim Logue Like-Vogue's warm and gentle uke jam, or try out some dance moves, take in an art installation, concert or reading, get out and experience what your community has in store this weekend!" 

And I really enjoyed rewatching her "Ukulele, pass it on" talk before I headed out... I wished it was published somewhere.  Or made available as audio with musical accompaniment!!

Yes, we had extra ukes and a binder of paperwork. And, I think its safe to say we now 8 regulars and have at least one new recruit for next week...



Setlist:
All Men Are Liars, if warm-up
A Summer Song, Steve
The Lion Sleeps Tonite (signature "greeting"/farewell song practice lol... while closing out the festival ha)
All I Need Is You
Da do Run Run
Into the Mystic
500 Miles
Margaretaville
Across The Universe
Runaway
Me & Julio
Don't Worry Be Happy
Make Down a Pallet (guitar)
Yellow Submarine
Journey Through The Past
Fly Me To The Moon
Dream A Little Dream
What Colour Are You
With A Little Help From My Friends
Ring of Fire (**)
The Lion Sleeps Tonite

I'm not attending next week, we're all sort of iffy for Thanksgiving Sunday. I'm away the 17th, want to promote an alternate event for Oct 25th, and then its Hallowe'en! So uke-tober looks a bit sketchy for regular meeting attendance, yikes.

Back to New Horizons Band

Yes, I've handed in the cheque for my tuition!  Its not just because of the fun, and certainly not because of the socializing ha ha -- I like to go as a way to round myself out as musician/songwriter and music store employee.  I will not even pretend that I am going to practice trombone 20 minutes a day.  I would try for 15 if I could do it at work, but I can't -- I guess I'm just not that passionate about my horn playing?  Or maybe its just that I am having some trombone trouble...

I enjoy attending as an adult recreational player, with little time to practice.  I enjoy the learning that comes in our now Lime Green group, working thru the Essential Elements book with others to hear, copy and check in with, all under the guidance of a gifted teacher.  This ‘guilt free' hour or so lesson time often becomes the only practice session I am able to manage in the course of each chaotic week.

Last session, the second out of 14, my role in the red band was to remember we need 5 chairs in "bass and percussion" section, and how they should be arranged.  Then I spent that whole hour and a half just listening and counting.  Every time we stopped, I pointed to a note in a bar and asked my neighbour, "are we here?" and, every time, we were.  I did try to participate every time there was a Bb, but they came up so fast, and I was just trying to keep my instrument together, even though it wasn't gifting me the sound(s) I expected.  Is it me, or does my own unique individual silver plated brass buddy also need work done?

I vow to spend about 5 minutes a day staring at my book or the red band music, to determine some notes and imagine the position.  Yes, I am going to write position numbers over the notes I should know by now, while not worrying about the others.

I'm also thinking of trying other trombones.  What do you think of that?

Uke Club Notes, Fall 2015

So far, for promo, I think we have announced the Culture Days event with a flyer on the bulletin board at the Stone Store and laundromat.

We were also down on sharing reference paperwork as you can tell from the newcomer's note pages:

Today's list:
Iko Iko
Yellow Bird
Love Call
Is She Really Going Out With Him, partial, Kim
All Men Are Liars, segments, Kim
Boots
Dancing In The Dark, Bev
Mull of Kintyre
Peace, Love & Understanding
Across The Universe
What Colour Are You
House of Poo Corner?, Diane
You're The One That I Want
Don't Worry (Be Happy)
Brown Eyed Girl

It seems like there will be at least one guitar there next week.  Will you join us?

Minutes From Another Uke Club Gathering

sorry, there is no new group uke photo.  yes, our culture days event "flyer" will be posted on the restaurant bulletin board with an old one.  no, there were no new guests/instruments, despite invites!  here's the songfest:

Across The Universe
Is She Really Going Out With Him (GD/FC x4. chorus C/DG, C/BmD, C/DEm, C/D)
House of The Rising Sun
Giles of The River, Steve
ObLa-Di
500 Miles * (C Am Dm F Dm F G blah blah blah)
Octopus Garden (applause?)
Dream A Little Dream, Steve
This Summer I Went Swimming
Song For Someone, Bev
Blowing In The Wind
Sea of Love *(?)
My Old Kentucky Home (questions)
I'll Follow The Sun *
Yesterday
You're The One That I Want
City Of New Orleans
Ukulele Lady
I've Just Seen A Face
All Men Are Liars (DG/DG....C...DGCGCGD...EmCGDG...DG/DGX?
practice Do do do CGCG etc. etc.) (compliments) (emergency exits)
The Lion Sleeps Tonite

Kim's Next Times:
What Colour Are You (i found some paperwork!)
What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding (i'd like to do this one on uke too!)

See you next week!  How are we dividing the home/paperwork for Culture Days?

Uke Club Songs

Should we bring back the tradition of a group uke photo?

Here's the Songlist:
I Go To Pieces
5'2"
Get Together
What Colour Are You
Disney Girls 57
Sounds of Silence
Ain't She Sweet
Surfing USA
I Will Remember
Miss Ohio
Dreaming
One Red Rose
???
I'm Gonna Be A Country Girl Again
Lion Sleeps Tonite

I have promised to promote a Culture Days uke-club gathering on Sun Sept 27.  Won't you join us?

Recent Campfires, and other secrets

I can remember reading "We feel so fortunate to have found each other, singing together brings us closer and creates a bond with our audience. They hear the love." And,  I can't believe I am going to tell you that it was an honour to hang around at a campfire with Chris & Lauren (The Butcher's Wife). With, Aimee -- in the mood to make music right away too ha.  And what about this sweet new jam buddy too!  I led Miss Ohio on uke and Make Me Down a Pallet on guitar.  And mostly tried to be on rhythm, wearing ukulele. What tunes of Aimee's did we do?

It was such a gentle, listening campfire, with such fine, fine musicianship.  And, instrumentation!  Such really great playing.  And such satisfying singing!!! I was also completely enamoured the second night, by Darlenia (sp) with that drum around her waste and the awesome instinctive singalong that went on and on and on...

Suffice to say it was the best Summer Folk ever!!!  Next year I want to bring the Flowered Dresses tune on uke, Not Going Down That Way on guitar and Orphan Girl on mando.  And, to camp an extra night.  Can't wait!

Greenbelt Harvest Picnic

I should also mention that The Greenbelt Harvest Picnic was a true festival.  I watched Martha Wainwright, Lindy, and Terra Lightfoot in trade for missing the Kathleen Edwards set, by babysitting the clothing shop, although I did run over right at the end to see which bass John was playing.  

And then, look who stopped in to shop!

Music Immersion Report #?

If I could, I would spend time in my work day taking pictures of the people that play these instruments on display as they pass by.  I think it would make a great Facebook album, even if I had to follow up for waivers with every single player!





I think our uke selection right now is also really fantastic!  Is my day job helping me with my music when I get the joy of ordering inventory?  I think so.

And, don't you want to help me try these all out?!!

So Much Summerfolking Fun

There was definitely special magic at the festival this year.  And there are many highlights to mention.

This weekend, I took to referring to Todd's Musical Zoo as SAINT Todd's Musical Zoo.  Because no matter how much the cheque is that the festival issues him, for the hands-on interactive instrument exhibit, it is not enough.  His petting zoo is so fantastic!  And the work he puts in driving 100 instruments up from the States to unload them all, set them up, tune them all and then relax while hundreds and hundreds of people, including lots of little folks try them out is so magnificent.  Have I mentioned how much repair work he must have to do the collection after being so actively explored by so many?  And, what about the cost of just strings??  I don't know where he finds the energy to pack up again.

Are there any turtle shell instruments there? I wasn't sure when a young friend asked me, but I hoped he would stop by so we could check together...

I didn't even have a tuner with me for my shift(s) as zookeeper, because I've finally realized that most of the experimenters that descend on the instruments aren't actual musicians yet, and didn't need that extra step.

I also did not feel tethered to the zoo at all and enjoyed the festival.  Yes, we do put rosin on the bass bow in the zoo, but the only rule is really to keep all of the instruments IN the zoo!  I remember telling a stage hand that  "No, we don’t have any keys. We are all about strings and percussion." Who needs to borrow some? I'd asked the guy asking me for a loaner, to learn that someone wanted to perform at the open stage. "Well, you can tell them you tried." I said...

I took a few photos of instruments I didn't meet at the zoo at Mariposa:

I think my favourite was this "slap drum"

Some musicians did stop in tho...

I used an accordion this year, to get the attention of a celebrity passing by I wanted to say hello to.  Did you recognize the Young Novelists? I did.

Why I was surprised to be literally brought to tears by a Steve Poltz song at the Amphitheatre? Was it because he had me laughing so hard just before that, and during his morning sets?  I had to use the scarf around my neck to actually wipe my face from the weeping.  Holy great songwriting, I had said to his face earlier that day... did I mention I also got to see Dan's Space Van in real life?

here's a photo borrowed from his Facebook page

When someone asked me my one favourite song of the whole entire festival, I said Timber, because I wanted to choose one by a new buddy who I think is such a wonderful musician and person...   I enjoyed being present for a very intimate autograph session backstage.  And I listened to Dana Louise  music all the way home.

Have you ever heard (of) Trout Fishing in America? If not, please do.  What a clever band, with amusing lyrical content and banter in such proficient musicianship and song structures. Dana is Ezra's daughter and performed a few of her tunes with them, and was a big, tall hit overall at this year's festival.  Wouldn't it be great if she played again next year??

I think Sol Kitchen was putting too much love in it, for those folks like Joel Plaskett I met in line, that was in a hurry. But the soups, salads, hummus, chicken and veggie wraps were absolutely delicious and worth waiting for! I also enjoyed a traditional indian veggie taco with homemade cedar strawberry juice and the flowers on top from The Flying Chestnut.

We didn't take any celebrity or even proper display pics of my friend's "shop," but I think it was the best Sylph booth ever!

I think have my uniform ready for next year:

(And, what about those campfires?!!!)