Ukes4Fun Blog

Thursday Ukes – not every Thursday! | @thecumby

Lizzie1 Comment
  • SEPTEMBER 1st – The Cumberland Arms does not open until 5:00 on Sept 1st
  • NOVEMBER 3rd – NO SESSION (Wooler Weekend Away 4th-5th)

TIME AND VENUE

Thursday Sessions:  6:00 – 8:00

The Cumberland Arms
James Place Street
Byker
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 1LD

PDF File: PRINT DATES

DATES: Sept – Dec 2016

Sept 1 –  Ukes4Fun with Dot and Misspent Uke
Sept 8 –  Ukes4Fun New/Old Songs with Denis/Lizzie
Sept 15 – Ukes4Fun with Dot and Misspent Uke
Sept 22 – NO SESSION
Sept 29 – NO SESSION

Oct 6 –  Ukes4Fun with Dot and Misspent Uke
Oct 13 – Ukes4Fun New/Old Songs with Denis/Lizzie
Oct 20 – Ukes4Fun with Dot and Misspent Uke
Oct 27 – NO SESSION

Nov 3 – NO SESSION (updated 21 Oct)
Nov 10 – Ukes4Fun New/Old Songs with Denis/Lizzie
Nov 17 – Ukes4Fun with Dot and Misspent Uke
Nov 24 – NO SESSION

Dec 1 –  Ukes4Fun with Dot and Misspent Uke
Dec 8 –  Ukes4Fun New/Old Songs with Denis/Lizzie
Dec 15 – Ukes4Fun with Dot and Misspent Uke
Dec 22 – NO SESSION
Dec 29 – NO SESSION

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1st and 3rd Thursdays: Dot and Misspent Uke

  • The usual sessions with Misspent Uke.
  • We would like to ask for 6-9 months playing experience and offer support to anyone wishing to improve.

2nd Thursdays: Denis, Lizzie and Fiona

  • Includes more time for introducing new songs and reintroducing old songs.
  • You can use the email list to send song sheets for songs, links to video or recordings of songs, etc.
  • Please remember to bring at least 10 song sheets for new songs.
  • You can also use the email list to send song sheets to everyone and to let Denis and the rest of us know what you are planning.
  • If you want to give even more of a “heads up” you can include links to video or audio recordings of songs in your email. Some uke groups do this a lot more than we do and it helps to get everyone up to speed more quickly by practicing new songs between sessions. (Now there’s an idea for how to keep off the streets and stay out of trouble when we haven’t got a Thursday session!)

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Continue reading “Thursday Ukes – not every Thursday! | @thecumby” →

Strum on The Tyne! 12-3 Sat 27 Aug North Shields

Liz Panton (Ukulele Allsorts)1 Comment

Crossing The Tyne Buskers Festival Programme - Strum on The Tyne

Crossing The Tyne Buskers Festival, Sat 27 August

Fundraiser in aid of The Great North Childrens Hospital at the RVI

“Strum on The Tyne” Ukulele Hub

12:00 – 3:00

Old Low Light Heritage Centre
North Shields Fish Quay
Clifford’s Fort,
Fish Quay,
North Shields
NE30 1JA

(Across the road from the Low Lights Pub,behind the Staith House Pub.)

Facebook Event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/285004621868299/

Strum on The Tyne Running Order

12:00 Rea Browne – Bluesy Jazz Baritone Uke

12:30 Colin Bourdiec – George Formby Tribute Act

1:00 Heading for Oblivion – Rock ’til you drop!

1:30 Open Stage/Open Mic

Fly solo or with friends!
– Showcase your favourite songs
– Start a singalong
– Do it for a dare!

Up to three songs per slot.
You know you want to!

2:30 Liz Panton – Ukulele Allsorts

Come along to watch or join in the fun!

Free entry for everyone! 

Donations on the day to the The Great North Childrens Hospital – every little helps!

Strum on The Tyne Open Mic

Shuffling shyly towards the Open Mic so far, a fine selection of players from The Seaside Strummers, Bay Ukes, Central Bar Ukulele Players and more!

Just wait until the adrenaline starts flowing and they won’t be so shy – I am bringing a referee to wrestle the mic off you! :-)

To put your name down in advance:

Strum on The Tyne composite 4 851x290

Crossing The Tyne Buskers Festival

Main page for Crossing The Tyne Buskers Festival with full programme of events on both sides of The Tyne and the Ferry!

https://www.facebook.com/CrossingTheTyneFestival/

Dot’s 70th Birthday Party Session!

LizzieLeave a comment

Dot is still in the Recovery Position after the best ukulele session ever!  She sends her thanks to everyone for the lovely presents and cards and for making her birthday so special!

Many thanks to Keith Perry for the photos!

DOT_BDAY_PARTY_1 copy DOT_BDAY_PARTY_2 copy DOT_BDAY_PARTY_3 copy

There might be some more photos – and maybe even video – to follow.

 

Ukes4Fun Sessions FAQ

Lizzie1 Comment
2007 – The Biscuit Factory – Dot levitating a uke

This is a compilation of Dot and Lizzie’s answers to Frequently Asked Questions from people who are thinking of attending a session for the first time.  

If you are inviting someone along, please feel free to point them this way so that they know what to expect.  Most of these answers are already scattered around this web site somewhere.

Ukes4Fun Sessions FAQ

1. Do I need to be able to play to a particular standard?

YES and NO

We meet in a Public Bar and anyone is welcome to come along and watch or to have a go at joining in.  However, we are aware that complete beginners struggle with the fast pace of these sessions.  You will find it a lot easier to join in if you have already been playing at least once a week for about six to nine months.

There are several “Beginners Ukulele Classes” in the area, masses of free ukulele lessons online and more “Beginner Ukulele” books than you can shake a stick at!  Have a look at these resources on this website too:

Please see this page for more information about Ukes4Fun Sessions

In brief:

  • just turn up,
  • introduce yourself to Dot
  • find a seat
  • say “Hello” to your neighbours (everyone is very friendly).
Select to see more FAQs . . .

Only three days to The Grand Northern Ukulele Festival #GNUF2016 — Ukulele Allsorts

Liz Panton (Ukulele Allsorts)Leave a comment

The GNUF fun in Huddersfield starts on Friday night with free events! The festival timetable includes free entertainment and at The Head of Steam on the railway station and at the The Sportsman pub. I was more than delighted to get an email from Kris Ball, one of the lovely festival performers and organisers, saying that GNUF […]

via Only three days to The Grand Northern Ukulele Festival #GNUF2016 — Ukulele Allsorts

CANCELLED! 26 May Thursday Session at The Cumberland Arms – but there is some consolation! | @thecumby

Liz Panton (Ukulele Allsorts)Leave a comment

Dot has had so many apologies for Thursday from people on holiday or attending other events that we have decided to cancel the session this week.

If you are missing your regular uke-fix, don’t forget that on Wednesday 25th we have a wonderful workshop and concert at The Cumberland Arms!

There are still a few tickets left for the Clawhammer Ukulele Workshop by Aaron Keim. These £20 “full tickets” include free entry to the Concert by “The Quiet American” (Aaron and Nicole Keim) with a special guest appearance by “Danielle Ate The Sandwich”. “Concert only” tickets are only £5!

“The Quiet American” and “Danielle Ate The Sandwich” are headlining the Grand Northern Ukulele Festival (GNUF) at Huddersfield this weekend. Many thanks to GNUF for giving us a chance to see them in Newcastle!

2016-05-21 The Quiet American Poster GNUF Tour

 

Best wishes,

Lizzie

ps. Many thanks also to GNUF for accepting my application to play at the Vinyl Tap Open Mic on Saturday 28th May! I am rather awestruck at being featured as a “Performer” alongside these amazing people!

http://northernuke.com/performers/

Clawhammer Ukulele Workshop + The Quiet American + Danielle Ate The Sandwich – 25 May 2016 | @thecumby

Lizzie4 Comments

“If you’ve been playing the ukulele for a while and you’re starting to get tired of the “same old, same old” but don’t know where to turn, Clawhammer could be just the thing to kick-start your strumming. It worked for me”
James Hill
Ukulele Yes! 
The Ukulele Teacher’s eZine

composite 3 column Clawhammer Quiet American Danielle Sandwich

Clawhammer Ukulele Workshop
Aaron Keim

Plus Concert!

“The Quiet American”
and joining them onstage as their Special Guest
“Danielle Ate The Sandwich”

Wed 25 May 2016

The Cumberland Arms
Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1LD

WORKSHOP: 6:50 – 7:50 (Doors 6:30)
(Max attendance: 30)

CONCERT: 8:20 – 9:45 (Doors 8:00)
(Max attendance: 50)

RAFFLE: 9:45 – 10:00
As well as Super Surprise Prizes donated by
The Quiet American and Danielle Ate the Sandwich,
many thanks to Ben Rouse for getting us,
and the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain (UOGB) for giving us,
– UOGB Prom Night DVD
– a signed copy of the UOGB “Live in London 2” CD!

Raffle Prizes UOGB DVD + CD 400x277 

Full ticket: £20 (no booking fee)
Concert-only ticket:  £5 (no booking fee)

Tickets: If you attend Thursday sessions at The Cumberland or Sunday Sessions at The Millstone, please help to reduce event costs by buying a paper ticket from me, rather than buying online. You can email me to reserve a paper ticket:
Liz Panton: spam-protected email link i…@u…g.uk

Ukulele players:
Clawhammer works best with a high G string.  However, if you only have a low G uke, it will be fine for the workshop.

Baritone ukulele players:
If you are bringing a Baritone ukulele you will also need to bring a capo!
Ukulele Hunt article: Ukulele capos: what to get

More workshop and concert details plus link to online ticket sales:
http://eepurl.com/bZQXQn

This event is also on Facebook – please share with your friends! Facebook Event

DATS and TQAworkshop poster web 636x450

Many thanks to the Grand Northern Ukulele Festival for organising and sponsoring this fantastic UK Tour by
Aaron and Nicole Keim and Danielle Anderson!

GNUFlogoBWb

Home

Washington Ukes

LizzieLeave a comment

2016-04-28 Biddick Inn

Washington Ukes

Wednesdays 7.00-9.00pm

The Biddick Inn
Bonemill Lane
Washington
NE38 8AJ

All ages

Fee: 50p – to cover photocopying

Website: No

Contact: Mary Evans

Email: Spam-protected link: g…@h…o.uk

Thanks to Mary for adding Washington Ukes to the Spreadsheet – see this post:

Ukulele Groups, Clubs, Sessions and Classes in the North East and Cumbria

 

 

Strumbles Ukulele Group – Sunderland (was “Steamin’ Ukes” – new venue and meeting info)

LizzieLeave a comment
See post text for details

See post text for details

The Steamin’Ukes are no more at the Dun Cow in Sunderland and have been replaced by:
The Strumbles Ukulele Group

Stumble Inn

Chester Road

Sunderland

SR2 7PR

Meetings on 2nd and 4th Monday of the month between 1pm and 3:30pm.

All abilities welcome – upstairs function room (no lift!)

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Thanks to Charlie Lally for the update!

For further details see the North East and Cumbria Uke Clubs Spreadsheet

or the North East and Cumbria Uke Clubs Map

General info: Ukulele Groups, Clubs, Sessions and Classes in the North East and Cumbria

Best wishes,

Lizzie

We banished our butterflies with Mike Hind! @thecumby

Lizzie2 Comments

Wonderful workshop and performance by Mike Hind on Wednesday 30 Sept!

From Stage Fright to Spotlight!  Here are Mike and some of the participants who banished their butterflies!

Who thought we were joking when we called for Mike to do “Bohemian Rhapsody” on the ukulele?

After the show, an impromptu treat in The Cumberland Arms Beer Garden!  Iain Glencross aka “Hawaiian Shirt Racer“,  previously the most stage-frit man on the planet, undertook a six-hour round trip by motorbike to come to the Mike Hind night – and aren’t we glad that he did!

Not forgetting lovely Lalya Gaye, who provided soothing ukulele-themed sounds from the Hello Montoya DJ Collective and then was first up in the spotlight to tackle her stage fright!

Kay Mortimer was next up, quickly corralling Michael Grant, also from The Angel Delights Ukulele Club in Wooler, to join her on stage – and didn’t they do well too!

Many thanks to everyone for making this such a great night! 

Thanks also to:

Sign up here for our Events eNews for info about future events – there are more in the pipeline!

Liz Panton