The 4th Peg

You know about this right? No? You’ve got to be kidding me. Ok, then here’s the scoop on one primo ukulele event that you should not miss if you can help it. It’s the New York Uke Fest featuring musical events, workshops, vendors displaying more ukuleles than you’ve probably seen in your life and time galore for ukulele jamming with new friends and old.

The Festival features lots of activities to keep you more than occupied and perhaps a bit confused on what to do next. Excellent ukulele performers will be presenting concerts each day. You could choose to attend some of the many workshops featuring diverse topics including Jumpin’ Jim Beloff teaching you to play a ukulele or the fabulous Lil’ Rev brushing you up on your Old Time Style and Right-hand Techniques. In case you’d like to actually purchase a ukulele, the many vendors will be glad to show off their wares. Some great ukuleles will be available so bring your pocket book!

What? You need more, more, more!? Fine! How about an excellent time at Spats White’s show “God Loves Tiny Tim” that’s on Sunday, April 6th? Oh, and it’s FREE! During the festival, you can even enjoy Free Beer (while supplies last subject to availability minors should not drink nor should you do so if you intend to drive anywhere please do so responsibly, etc). Enough?

If you need a Spring Break, then beaches and warm weather isn’t where you should be heading. The tall buildings and excitement of New York beckons with the siren sound of ukuleles blending to bring you a very unique aloha experience. Not to be missed. Read about all the fun here and get your tickets while you can!

George Formby might be losing his home. Is there no love left in the world for Britain’s once highest paid star? Sure, those in the know will always think of George as a Wigan. But George’s parents moved the family to Stockton Heath before George got famous and it’s this house that’s currently on the chopping block.

There are plans to convert George’s house into a hotel and neighbors are in an uproar. For George’s sake? Not really. Mostly concern about commercial interests invading a residential neighborhood. Oh, where’s the love? Read the full story right here.

Jake Shimabukuro performs on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien on Feb. 19. It’s his 2nd visit with Conan but this time he’ll be playing solo. Jake is hitting the marketing circuit to promote his upcoming nine-city solo tour of Australia in March. We wish him many broken legs

You can do what your will allows. Eilidh MacAskill challenged herself to play a ukulele concert on every day of the year. That goal is now complete.
Eilidh MacAskill crossed the globe playing gigs and winning fans around the world while carrying out her quest. The 27-year-old, from Glasgow, played venues in New York, Nova Scotia and at the Edinburgh festival.

Ms MacAskill’s quest began as an aspiration to do something creative every day in 2007, and began to gather steam following an impromptu ceilidh in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Park in the early hours of January 1st.

“I just wanted to do something that could be light hearted and could be accessible for people. The idea is that I can go anywhere and almost ask people if they want to see a performance or get them involved in something. Quite often people are quite wary of that sort of thing, so I wanted something that would be a bit of a joke and people wouldn’t be too scared of it.” -Eilidh MacAskill

Visit the BBC here to read the full story.

Here’s to 2008! May your goals be attainable and your ukulele playing lead you to unexpected and pleasant surprises.