Author: Lizzie

Uketastic!

Sunday Ukes Session is moving from The Biscuit Factory to The Millstone Pub, South Gosforth!

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Bidding farewell to the Biscuit Factory . . . So long, and thanks for all the cakes . . .

Dot is sending a “Thank You” card to Ramy Zack, owner of the Biscuit Factory Art Gallery, for all his support over the last six years.

Many thanks also to The Millstone Pub, South Gosforth, for offering alternative accommodation at the drop of a hat on Sunday.

Some people turned up at The Biscuit Factory after everyone else had left to go to The Millstone.  Many apologies for the disappointment and the wasted journeys but the need to relocate was unexpected and without prior notice.  The Biscuit Factory has contacted Dot and passed on the phone numbers of those who left them.

Information on new dates and times for Sunday Ukes @ The Millstone to follow . . . watch this space!

The Sunday Ukes Session/Jam will be held in the John Middleton Function Room on the 1st Floor.

Millstone
Hadricksmill Rd
South Gosforth
Newcastle
Tyne and Wear
NE3 1QL

Tel: 01912853429

Maps, Directions and more info: Millstone Website

millstone

Also check out The Millstone on Facebook  – you do not need to log in to Facebook to see this page.

Best wishes,
Lizzie

Ukulele Love – a cautionary tale – by Ralph Hamilton

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Cheap at the price! Download the mp3 for $1 (Canadian) here: http://musicnote.bandcamp.com/

Fifth Flash Folk North East Gathering – Sat 14th Sept – Wylam, Northumberland #FlashFolkNE

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2013-09-14-FlashFolk-05-poster

12:00 – 18:00, Saturday 14th September 2013

Bradley Walled Garden
Sled Lane
Wylam
Northumberland
NE41 8JH

Tel: 01661 854770

Garden Centre, Licensed Cafe and beautiful Victorian Walled Garden:

Bradley Gardens Facebook Page

Map, Directions, Public Transport, etc. for Bradley Walled Garden on Transport Direct:

change your starting point and set the correct dates and times in this form on the
Transport Direct website

RSVP

Link to RSVP via Facebook – you will need to log in to Facebook to see this event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/504484429635082/

If you do not have a Facebook account then please email Jack Burness / Mike Orchard at:

http://scr.im/flashfolkne/ (follow link to see spam protected email address)

Check the Facebook Group and the Facebook Event for further info and updates:

Continue reading “Fifth Flash Folk North East Gathering – Sat 14th Sept – Wylam, Northumberland #FlashFolkNE” →

How to transpose songs – tools and safety equipment

Lizzie2 Comments

Transposing songs is not difficult but it can be dangerous.

Tools:

1) Tune vice – you can make a simple ukulele tune vice at home using a coconut shell (both halves), a bottle of whisky and a thermometer.

2) Key wrench

3) Chord hammer

4) Groove thang

Protective clothing:

1) Safety glasses (sharps can easily fly off and put someone’s eye out!)

2) Rigger boots (who hasn’t dropped a flat?)

Method:

  • Clamp song in tune vice
  • Rive at it with the key wrench and smack it hard with the chord hammer until your arms ache.
  • Nobody knows how the groove thang works. Just leave it to tease the tune for a while and see what happens.
  • If you don’t know what the thermometer is for, why are you reading this?

If you have time, you can get better results by first boiling the tune and soaking overnight (use any whisky left over from making the tune vice).

When finished and if inclined, polish with Grade A sandpaper.  You can use French Polish on classical stuff with no ill effects.

* Ukulele Tabs *

This could end in tears.  One slip of the ice pick and you will be digging them out the ceiling and carpet for decades.

The Future:  automated methods and the white heat of technology!

heath_robinson_computer
Purloined from http://www.b3ta.com/board/3503080

Fourth Flash Folk North East Gathering – Sat 24th August – Lanchester, Co Durham #FlashFolkNE

Lizzie1 Comment

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12:00 – 23:00, Saturday 24th August 2013

Crinnions
25 front street
Lanchester
Co Durham
DH7 0LA (this is the correct postcode)

This event is in the “secret garden” of Crinnions:

Crinnions of Lanchester – deli, butchers, cafe, bar & restaurant:

Link to RSVP via Facebook – you will need to log in to Facebook to see this event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/404250379681548/

If you do not have a Facebook account then please email Jack Burness / Mike Orchard at:

http://scr.im/flashfolkne/ (follow link to see spam protected email address)

Update 15 Aug:

NEW REGISTRATION DETAILS FOR CARAVANS, CAMPING & BUNKHOUSE:
Free 8 person bunkhouse accommodation on site.
Free Field Camping/Caravan site 1 mile away along Newbiggen Lane DH7 0TF (this is the correct postcode)
Register by phone 01207 520 376 (Crinnions)

Check the Facebook Group and the Facebook Event for further info and updates:

Continue reading “Fourth Flash Folk North East Gathering – Sat 24th August – Lanchester, Co Durham #FlashFolkNE” →

Third Flash Folk North East Gathering – Sat 3rd August – Ouseburn Farm, Newcastle upon Tyne

Lizzie3 Comments

2013-08-03-FlashFolk03-poster

10:00 – 12:00, Saturday 3rd August 2013

“A Special Earlybird Get Together, supporting “Dylan Day 3″ Teenage Cancer Trust & NECCR Charity Fundraiser”

Ouseburn Farm
Ouseburn Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 2PA

UPDATE! The Flash Folk Gathering will be in a room in the Ouseburn Farm building, next to their cafe. Light refreshments available. All welcome to come play or listen.

http://www.bykerbridge.org.uk/farm/

Link to RSVP via Facebook – you will need to log in to Facebook to see this event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/563125833733846/

If you do not have a Facebook account then please email Jack Burness / Mike Orchard at:

http://scr.im/flashfolkne/ (follow link to see spam protected email address)

Check the Facebook Group and the Facebook Event for further info and updates:

Continue reading “Third Flash Folk North East Gathering – Sat 3rd August – Ouseburn Farm, Newcastle upon Tyne” →

“The Summer Wind” – something for the summer break?

Lizzie2 Comments

Here is a lovely laid-back summer song to relax to:

“Summer Wind” on ukulele, double bass and harmonica, all played by Floyd Amason, multi-instrumentalist!

Play-along here on “Chordify – The Summer Wind“:

I wouldn’t swear to it, but I think these chords below work for this version – could do with some judicious simplifying!

Continue reading ““The Summer Wind” – something for the summer break?” →

Second Flash Folk North East Gathering – Sat 13th July – High House Farm Brewery, Matfen

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2013-07-13-FlashFolk02-poster

12:00 – 21:00, Saturday 13th July 2013

High House Farm Brewery
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE20 0RG
(near Matfen, Northumberland)

Link to RSVP via Facebook – you will need to log in to Facebook to see this event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/404632779652919/

If you do not have a Facebook account then please email Jack Burness / Mike Orchard at:

http://scr.im/flashfolkne/ (follow link to see spam protected email address)

Current info about this event on the Facebook Group (check Facebook for any updates):

Continue reading “Second Flash Folk North East Gathering – Sat 13th July – High House Farm Brewery, Matfen” →

New buskers night at Mickley, Northumberland

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busker-jester-5-5%

Ray Cowell, luthier and band leader with “The Ukes of Northumberland” has started a buskers night at Mickley & District Social Club.

This runs once a month immediately after the Mickley “Ukes of Northumberland” uke club.

Ray has been in touch to encourage ukers from further afield to come along and join in with the buskers session.

Mickley Buskers Night
7:30  – 10:30 (ish)
Last Wednesday every month from 26th August.

Open night, all instruments and singers welcome at whatever level.

Mickley & District Social Club – Concert Room
West Road
Mickley
Stocksfield
Northumberland
NE43 7BG

Contact:
Ray Cowell
Tel 01661 836315
Mobile 07805493284
Email (not a link):
Ray Underscore Cowell At Yahoo Dot Co Dot Uk

HUG (Hartlepool Uke Group) – New venue, days and times!

Lizzie2 Comments
Athenaeum Club Hartlepool

Geoff Lilley of HUG says,

“HUG is going from strength to strength and we have outgrown the church hall we have been using. 

We are now meeting on Thursdays, 6:30 to 9:00 in the new venue”

The Athenaeum Club
Church Street
Hartlepool
TS24 7DH
£2 fee

(No tea and biccies but there is a bar and rumours of a great pint!)

Contact:
Email (Spam protected – select to see address): h…@y…o.uk

Phone: Geoff on 01429 291542.

The Athenaeum Club: map and directions