The 4th Peg

Tuesday, July 3rd will mark the 10 year anniversary of Israel Kamakawiwaole’s passing. His music continues to touch all who are listen and the interest in Iz widens with each passing year. Worldwide, sales of his CDs continue to grow, seemingly without a downturn in sight. This might be because of the renaissance interest in the ukulele. I like to think that Iz’s music touches the gentle soul in us all.

Now, the beautiful music of Iz is being re-produced in a new release backed by an orchestra. Jon De Mello, CEO of The Mountain Apple Music Company and executive producer of the release has worked with Iz through out his career. Jon felt it was in keeping with Iz’s spirit to put a fascinating new twist to Iz’s music and feels strongly that Iz would highly approve of the project.

Read more about this new release here.

Looking to up your skills? Always wanted to play in front of others but unsure or nervous? Here’s your chance! Just contact Geoff Davis and come to the Meat & ‘Taters Ukulele Performance class the week of July 8 - 13. Noted performer, recording artist, Ukuleleist “Pops” Bayless will guide you through your concerns, questions and give special tips only a seasoned performer could share. Your ukulele skills will be greatly enhanced by a terrific teacher who has more neat tricks up his sleeve than you’ve got time to learn in one week.

There are only 2-3 slots in the class remaining. Now’s the time to contact Geoff and reserve your spot. If you have questions before committing, please don’t wait. Get info now. Both Geoff and Pops will be happy to answer in a timely fashion so you can get your spot in this wonderful class. See you there! Visit Geoff’s Blue Stone Folk School website for more info.

First, shortages of oil. Now, shortages of ukuleles! The Times reports music shops all over Great Britain are plagued by a shortage of ukuleles. Apparently, they were surprised by the current wave of popularity for our beloved 4-string friend spreading across the pond to Europe. Now, Chinese manufacturers cannot keep up with the demand.

Will this mean a worldwide shortage of inexpensive ukuleles? Will WalMart be forced to substitute by removing 2 strings from their guitars? Will Ukulele Aquisition Syndrome (UAS) suddenly lead to a run on credit thus driving up credit card rates?

Find out more by reading The Times’ article here. And also, if you have any unplayed ukes, sell them on eBay. I fear we’ll need another supply should the Chinese fold under the pressure.

Aaron introduces The Bean Sprout Banjo Ukulele Company (www.thebeansprout.com). These aren’t Grandpa’s torn-up, flapper-era banjo uke! Wonderful to look at and wonderful to play with volume to cut through most situations.

The current model is concert-scale, 14 fret neck that is 1 1/2″ wide at the nut bringing a most comfortable uke to with enough frets clear to play up the neck without cramping. A unique steel flange replaces the use of feet reducing the overall weight of the uke.

So pop on over to Aaron’s web site and check it out! Also tune into Aaron’s YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqk9zy-FCtA) demo’ing the uke. Truely terrific. Now if only he’ll send me one gratis!

This just in from Terry of Chicago’s own Nui ‘Ukulele Club…

Aloha,

After a very very long wait, finally I am now a part of the Chicago Park Districts Partnership program. I will be conducting my Thursday night meetings/classes at Sheridan Park.

The next Nui `ukulele Club meeting/classes are on:

http://www.nuiukulele.org

When:
Thursday, June 14th, 2007

6:30 PM for beginners
7:30 PM for intermediate/advanced

Where:
Sheridan Park
910 S. Aberdeen, 1.5 blocks South of 1077 W. Polk  (View on MapQuest)
Chicago IL 60607

Free parking is available in the school lot.

On, Thursday, June 21st, Kimo Hussey from Hawai’i will be our special honored guest. He is co-author of ‘He Mele Aloha’ expert music resource on historical hawaiian music, and translations. His web site is http://www.kimohussey.com. He is also apart of the Pacific Music Foundation, check out http://pacificmusicfoundation.org.

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Don’t Forget about the

CHICAGOLAND UKULELE FESTIVAL

June 22 and June 23rd, Maywood, IL

http://www.myspace.com/chicagolandukulelejamfest

and for links to performer sites

http://www.nuiukulele.org/chi-ukefest-07.htm

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Recent Updates to www.nuiukulele.org

–Upcoming class subjects, and covered materials
–Chicagoland Ukulele Festival (performer links)
–meeting schedule (Nui `Ukulele Meeting Info)
–Ukulele on the cheap (’The classic’ from empire-music added)
–Words of Advice
–The program

****************

Keep Strumming, Singing, and Smiling,

Terry Truhart
tpensel@pobox.com
www.nuiukulele.org
312-491-9928

So. Cal Ukulele Showcase

When:

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Where:

JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM
369 East First Street
Los Angeles, California 90012

Phone: (213) 625-0414

Time: 6:30 - 9:30 PM

A FREE outdoor festival style concert featuring:

• Daniel Ho
• Herb Ohta Jr.
• Bill Tapia
• Dan “Soybean” Sawyer
• Steven Espaniola
• Makena
• King Kukulele
• The Bilgewater Brothers and more!

This concert is part of the Japanese American Museum’s “1st & Central” Summer concert series and will be a great way to spend a Thursday Summer Evening. Sponsored in part by 90.7 FM KPFK’s Weekday Music Program “The Global Village” (10am - noon) & the monthly “Ukulele Spotlight” which airs the last Thursday of the month at 11:00 am

More Info: www.myspace.com/socalukeshowcase

According to Terry Truhart of the Chicago Nui Ukulele Club (www.nuiukulele.org), the next uke club meeting after this one is on Thursday, June 7th at 5:30 for beginners, and 6:30-7:00 PM for the intermediate/advanced players.

Location:

1077 W. Polk
Chicago IL 60607

Terry Truhart wrote:

The `Uke in You Two Workshop

Find your Aloha Spirit!!!! Come, to this free workshop and find out about the funnest instrument ever made, the `ukulele. Fun songs, drinks and all around good time. Why the `ukulele? The `ukulele is the happiest, most accessible, and easiest string instrument to learn. Also, `ukulele is the perfect sing along instrument. And by Golly, did I mention the `ukulele is FUN TO PLAY!!!

The GCEA C-standard tuning allows a `ukulele player to play the most chords with the least number of fingers required to hold a chord. The `ukulele is small and easy to hold. Thus, it is ideal for new players of all ages. Also, the `ukulele is one of the cheapest string instruments to buy.

We are a volunteer/community service non-profit organization in partnership with the Chicago Park District. We teach two classes on `ukulele (Beginning and Intermediate/Advanced) Beginning `ukulele is for: Adults and children 10 and up. All children under the age of 18 will have to sign a Parental/Guardian Consent form. All classes are FREE, but there are requirements. Intermediate/Advanced `ukulele is for people beyond Beginning `ukulele. The Free Form hour after both classes is for both Beginning and Intermediate/Advanced `ukulele people. Bring your `uke, and we will have some fun. If you don’t have an `ukulele, I will provide you with one to play. I will give you a demonstration of the different types of music you can play on the `ukulele. You will start playing songs right away, and I will show you the different types of `ukulele there are, and what makes an `ukulele the coolest instrument ever made. I will also outline the `ukulele music program offered by the Nui `ukulele club.
This is a free workshop, come and enjoy the fun.

When? Sunday, June 3rd, 1:00 PM CT

Where? 1077 W. Polk, Chicago IL 60607 Use www.mapquest.com to find us. Free parking in back and in the school lot.

Why? Because the `ukulele is just too much fun to keep to yourself. Keep strumming, singing, and smiling, Aloha!!!!

Terry Truhart
1065 W. Polk Suite 100
Chicago IL 60607
tpensel@pobox.com
www.nuiukulele.org

The first Chicagoland Ukulele Jam Festival will be held at the Legal Grounds Coffee House, located at 1300 Maybrook Square, in Maywood, Illinois, near Chicago. The festival will take place on Saturday, June 23, 2007, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The festival will feature musician showcase performances of ukulele music, various ukulele-related workshops, open Mic sessions, ukulele vendors, clothing vendors, sales of ukulele music CDs, and luau-style food & drink. Discount hotel rooms available.

Check out the website and bookmark for more info!

Oh, just grand. Here’s another absolutely fun Uke festival I’m going to miss! Harrumph. Sponsored by the Portland Ukulele Association and held at Reed College in beautiful Portland Oregon, this is one dandy sounding event. Here’s a blurb from their web page.

“Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, you will find expert instruction at Portland Uke Fest 2007. Each class extends over three consecutive days to deepen your learning and jump start your playing technique and repetoire at any level. To round out your musical experience you can join in other classes such as hula, acoustic bass, and percussion. Repertoire classes include Hawaiian, ragtime, jazz standards, and folk. Ukulele makers and vendors of ukuleles, books, CDs, and accessories be on hand, and the evenings will be filled with entertainment and lots of jamming.“

Ready to sign-up? Then hightail it on over to The Portland Uke Fest home page. Registration begins February 15th (that’s the day after Valentine’s Day.. no excuses that you were busy that day).