Ukes4Fun Blog

Great Ukes4Fun session with Richard G of ScorpexUke http://www.scorpexuke.com/uktrip.html

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Great session yesterday at The Cumberland Arms with Aussie visitors Richard Gibson, of Scorpex Ukesongs and the very posh-sounding – but clearly wild and wonderful – Adelaide Ukulele Appreciation Society, and the lovely Wendy.

We presented Richard with a copy of our Songbook, so he can learn some Geordie songs and take them back doon-under.  Luckily for them, the sun is shining on them today in the North East as they explore roots in the area.

There were some photos, as well as drink, taken at the session so I will post them on the Ukes4Fun blog as soon as I get my hands on them. In the meantime, here is one I nicked from the AUAS website:

Richard Gibson – AUAS gig

Best wishes to Richard and Wendy from us all as they continue on their travels: http://www.scorpexuke.com/uktrip.html

A great pleasure too to see Marie Little again at the session, wowing us with her fabulous singing, beautiful Baritone Uke and wicked sense of humour.

Fiona was on holiday and missed all the fun.  Many thanks to our stalwart reserve bass-player, Karl Barlow, for keeping us in time – and for “Teenager In Love” and “Yakkity Yak!”.   Lucy Falkenau, one of Karl’s partners in crime from The Attic Band, led some fab new songs for us with her big ole’ banjo.

We were also delighted to offer a very warm welcome to members of the Tune Army Uke Club, who joined with us in greeting Richard and Wendy and raising the roof at the Cumberland last night!

Lizzie X

ps. Lovely to see Ritchie again too! Bring your flippin’ uke next time, you daft ‘apporth!

Ukes4Fun Songbook 7 out! Act Naturally, Geordie toons and 3 versions “Over The Rainbow” – from “Easy” to “YouKiddinMeOrWhat?”

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Current Index – Song Books  1-7

Thanks to Brian for “Act Naturally”, Denis for all the Geordie Toons, Andy for the Ukemeister’s version of “Over The Rainbow” and Andy and Jazzy for checking my two simplified versions.

Jazzy would love more of us to be able to play along when she sings her heart out doing “Over the Rainbow” so I am hoping everyone will be able to manage one of the three versions. They should fit together sound-wise and I have marked “optional” chords in all three. This should give us “improvers” a chance to build up skills with practice and gradually clamber our way over that rainbow!

You can download Songbook 7 plus all the others, the updated alphabetical Songbook index and “fancy covers” for Songbooks 1 to 6 on the Ukes4Fun Songsheets Page

Now better get my skates on or I will be late for the Tune Army gig!

Lizzie X

UPDATE! Misspent Uke “Olympic Torch” Gig – Sat 16th June – new venue!

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Due to Gibside being waterlogged, the Rowlands Gill & Highfield Community Festival has been moved to Rowlands Gill Methodist Church – and there is not enough space on stage at the new venue for everyone who has signed up to play.

Dot and Fiona have contacted everyone who they need on stage in order to get through the set list and are very sorry that they cannot include everyone tomorrow.

If anyone else wants to come along to watch the various events, they would be very welcome at the new venue:

Rowlands Gill Methodist Church

Strathmore Road

NE39 1HX

" "

Strathmore Road Methodist Church is located at the junction between Station Road (the A694) and Strathmore Road (the B6315) in Rowlands Gill, Tyne and Wear (NE39 1HX). Rowlands Gill is about 8 miles from the City Centre of Newcastle.

Limited parking nearby so you might have a bit of a walk!

Map and directions: Rowlands Gill, Strathmore Road Methodist Church

UPDATES – Thurs 7th and Sunday 10th June!

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Thursday 7th June – The Cumberland Arms – 6:00 til . . . ?

Misspent Uke and mates are playing during the day with Lucy Falkenau (banjo) and Karl Barlow (bass) from The Attic Band at a charity gig Karl has organised at the Sleekburn Woodfuel Centre.

They expect to make it back to The Cumberland Arms, tired but happy, in time for a 6:00 start.  However, they also expect to peg-out about half time – so the rest of you will have to make it up as you go along after that :-)

(I won’t be at either Sleekburn or The Cumberland Arms as I have got a nasty bug and will be coughing and spluttering my way back to bed in a minute, dammit!)

 

Sunday 10th June – NO session at The Biscuit Factory:

Misspent Uke and friends are also playing at the Jubilee Garden Party at St Gabriel’s Church, Heaton on Saturday 6th June, so would like the day off on Sunday – so no Sunday session at The Biscuit Factory this week.

 

Ah! Memories . . .  three lovely Ukettes – Niccola, Sara and Heather – snapped by Allen after performing “Mr Sandman” at the October 2011 Misspent Uke and Friends gig at St Gabriel’s Church.

Niccola, Sara Dennis and Heather with ueks and big bows in their hair like Mickey Mouse ears
Niccola, Sara Dennis and Heather
Misspent Uke and Friends
St Gabriel’s Church, Heaton, October 2011

Directions on walkit.com from Morrisons, Shields Road to The Cumberland Arms

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I have added a link on the home page to a map and directions on walkit.com

These take you from Morrisons via the pedestrian crossing on the Shields Road Bypass to The Cumberland Arms, avoiding steps if you follow the route as shown here:

>> Morrisons to The Cumberland Arms <<

Follow the link above for detailed info about this route:

  • If you are on the Morrison’s side, cross Shields Road to the big car park opposite
  • Cross the car park and go down the path between the old church and KFC
  • Cross Shields Road Bypass at the Pedestrian Crossing
  • Follow the footpath to the right
  • Turn left down Byker Bank
  • Cross Byker Bank to James Place Street

Map showing pedestrian route as descibed in body of text

Best wishes,

Lizzie

Music Man – Happy Birthday Ukulele Song for George Welch

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New members might not know George Welch, or that most of the more experienced players at Ukes4Fun sessions started off playing the ukulele because of George, as members of George Welch’s Ukulele Allstars and/or the original Misspent Uke band.

George stepped back from running midweek sessions in 2009. However, he provided support, encouragement and practical help in re-establishing a ukulele session, as “Ukes4Fun”, at The Cumberland Arms late that year and has since helped to set up other ukulele sessions in the North East.

One of the most popular pages on this site is George’s clearly written and beautifully illustrated guide for beginners, The Ukulele First Step, that he kindly donated to Ukes4Fun.

Stuck for what to give George for his birthday this year, I decided that I would write him a ukulele song.  The chords are C, F and G and I hope that you enjoy playing along to the video below.  The words and chords are shown on-screen and there is a link to download the songsheet underneath.

Download songsheet pdf: Music Man – George Welch

I am sure you will all join me in wishing George well and hoping that he is in better health soon. He is still doing some gigs locally so drop in and see him if you get the chance and want to hear some wonderful music and song!

George’s website: http://georgewelch.co.uk/

Best wishes,
Lizzie

Windy City Wisdom

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What you DON'T need to play the `ukulele? You don’t need to sing like an angel. You don’t need to study for years. You don’t need to have lots of money You don’t need to command the whole music language. You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t have to be a genius. You don’t have to be young. You don’t have to be old. You don’t have to be super fast. You don’t have to have hours and hours of free time. You don’t have to have talent. What is necessary to play the `ukulele? A desire to express your heart!!!!!
http://www.nuiukulele.org/what_you_dont_need_to_play_the_uke/

Love it! Love it! Love it!

More uke-wisdom, humour and useful tips at:
Nui ‘ukulele Club, Chicago

Wild Ukes o’ Wanny – Newbiggin-by-the-Sea!

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Old Ship, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea - back, facing the sea
The Old Ship, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, the back facing the road
The Old Ship Car Park on the road at the back of the pub
Old Ship, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea - front, facing the prom
The Old Ship from the front, overlooking the prom

Wild Ukes ‘o Wanny aka The Old Ship Ukulele Night
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
Every other Wednesday starting between 7:30 and 8:00pm, lasting up till just after 9:30 or when people have had enough !!

The Old Ship
63 Front Street
Newbiggin by the Sea
Northumberland
NE64 6NJ

  • Back room in the Old Ship pub on the main street in Newbiggin – entry at the front, overlooking the prom, or via door at side
  • Car parking both on-street and in public car parks off Front Street and at Maritime Centre
  • Adults – if not young then young at heart
  • Attendees (usually between 7 and 14) regularly travel from the local area and from further afield (including Tyneside, Chester-le-Street and even Thropton!)
  • Song sheets available via email
  • One resident soprano uke available for loan
  • We meet in a pub (two real ales always on tap)  and younger teenagers should be accompanied by an adult.
  • Free admission
  • All abilities welcome

The Old Ship Website: http://theoldshipnewbigginbythesea.co.uk/

Directions on Google Maps: Old Ship

Contacts:
Dennis 01670 817231
or
Mick Bell (see spreadsheet: http://j.mp/NEukesList)

May 2015: A well-established group welcoming new members!

Charlie Lally has moved south of the Tyne and is setting up a new uke club in Sunderland, “Steamin’ Ukes“.

The Wild Ukes is still going strong and members are sorting out new roles.  Mick Bell has kindly offered to be the new first-point-of-contact (see spreadsheet link above).

More updates to be added as and when they come in!

Mick says:

“The group is currently rehearsing along with Morpeth’s “Uke in Style” and Wooler’s “Angel Delights” for a “Northumberlele Trio” concert to be held in Rothbury in June – we are all delighted to welcome Charlie back to take the helm and lead us again for this event.”

Mick Bell

News Archive:

Oct 2011: A growing group welcoming new members!

Targetted at mainly local people (Newbiggin/Ashington/Bedlington/Morpeth) – usually has between 3 and 8 attending depending on other commitments – mainly beginners so far.

Songsheets via email to attending ukers.

The pub has access to some Mahalo ukes for complete beginners without an instrument to use on the night.

Charlie Lally

Short url for this post: http://j.mp/WildUkesPage

Ukes of Northumberland – Wednesday uke sessions in Mickley!

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Mickley Social Club Signboard
Ukes of Northumberland Sessions on Wednesdays

Many thanks to Ray Cowell, luthier, for adding details of the Mickley “Ukes of Northumberland” group to the list of Uke Sessions in the North East and Cumbria:

The Ukes of Northumberland
Wednesdays 7.30 – 9.30

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

Over 18’s
“All welcome from beginners to top pickers, or just come along and listen. Very comfortable lounge and cheap drinks “
Free

For further details see:
www.theukesofnorthumberland.com

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

“Uke in Style” at the Tap and Spile, Morpeth – new Uke Group!

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Tap And Spile Pub Hanging Sign

Uke in Style at the Tap and Spile
Tuesdays 8.00 p.m. – 9.30 p.m.

The Tap and Spile
Manchester Street
MORPETH
Northumberland
NE61 1BH
Directions to The Tap and Spile at Google Maps

All players welcome, from beginners to super-ukers!
18 and over.
Free Sessions
Contact: Dick Dodds
Phone: 01670516148
Email (encoded for spam protection – click link to open): Uke in Style

Dick has added information about this new session to the list of Uke Sessions in the North East and Cumbria.

Bored on a Tuesday night? Now you know where to go for a bit of uke-action!