Category Archives: Ukes4Fun

10.20.19
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Happy 10th Birthday Ukes4Fun!

It was a dark and stormy night . . . and the ukulele players were gathered around a blazing hearth in The Cumberland Arms, Byker . . . outside, fireworks lit up the sky . . . it was November 5th 2009 . . . and ukuleles had come back to the music room at The Cumby!

2019-11-05 Cumberland Arms Kingsmen-Fire-Dance

The ukulele players said, “Dot! What key is it in?!”

Dot said . . .

2013-09-18_Misspent Uke_Coxhoe-02 cropped - Dot trumpet cropped 500x750

Keith said, “Interval !!”

2016-09-15 Ukes4Fun Billy O'Shea 12 Keith smaller file cropped 500x505

Over the last ten years . . .

. . . we have seen friends come and go.  We remember those who have moved away or passed on with fondness and have been delighted to welcome new friends joining us every year.

“Misspent Uke“, our musical backbone, have gone from strength to strength and members of The Attic Band add that extra pizzazz to sessions!

So many people to thank!

Many thanks to Dot Kirton and Dennis Bostock for leading sessions, to Dot and Chris Bostock for organising our wonderful weekends away, to star ukulele player Keith Perry, to Fiona Buckley and Karl Barlow for keeping us in time on the bass, to those who bring other instruments with their ukuleles to enliven sessions: Andy Seagroatt on fiddle, Fiona on Mandolin, Lucy Falkenau on banjo and tin whistle,  John on Saxophone, our occasional harmonica and swanee whistle players and, last but by no means least, Dot and Megs Johnson on kazoo trumpets!

To all our singers who bring and lead songs, a huge thank you for making the sessions so varied – and for making it impossible to answer the question, “What sort of music do you play?”

To EVERYONE who comes along on Thursdays and Sundays, plays along and makes the sessions so friendly and enjoyable, Happy 10th Birthday and THANK YOU!

Lizzie

ps. Our next Thursday Session is 7th November – bring some nibbles for a little birthday party in the Break!

pps. On Tuesday November 5th The Cumberland Arms has a free Bonfire Night Event!

2019-10-19 Happy Birthday Vintage Hawaiian Ukulele Card 10th optim

 

08.30.18
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First Sessions after the Summer Break!

Welcome back!  I hope you all had a great time over the summer!

First Sessions after the Summer Break

Sunday August 2nd, 2:00 – 4:00, The Millstone, Sth Gosforth

Thursday Sept 6th, 6:00 – 8:00, The Cumberland Arms, Byker

Info about Sessions

Please see this post for information about how often we meet, what to expect at Sessions, etc.

Ukulele Sessions at The Cumberland Arms and The Millstone

Calendar

If in doubt about whether a Session is on, please check the Calendar:

https://ukes4fun.org.uk/calendar/

“Shout-Up” Campaign

I will be adding this info the the post about what to expect at Sessions:

Message from Dot

Hello Everyone,

I hope you have all enjoyed the Summer Break and are looking forward, as l am, to resuming our sessions at the Cumberland and the Millstone.

The Cumberland has become part of a campaign called “Shout Up”. This was set up initially to protect women from harassment in bars throughout Newcastle.

You can find out about the campaign on the “Shout Up” website: https://www.shoutup.org

You can also see posters on the pub walls.

This is a “heads up” to anyone who attends our sessions.

We play in the Cumberland so we need to be aware of and sensitive to what they consider to be appropriate behaviour.  

Look forward to seeing you all soon,

Dot

What to do if there are any problems

Staff at the Cumberland Arms have been trained to deal with sexual harassment as part of this Campaign.

If you experience or witness sexual harassment, the purpose of this Campaign is to encourage you to alert Bar Staff so that they can deal with the problem promptly and effectively. You do not have to literally “shout” – the point is immediacy of action, not volume :-)

Best wishes and see you soon!

Lizzie

06.25.18
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Summer Break 2018 + ukulele events and festivals

This year we are not having a complete Summer Break from Thursday and Sunday sessions:

  • There is one Thursday Session in July but none in August
  • There is one Sunday Session in August but none in July

THURSDAYS

The Cumberland Arms: 6:00 – 8:00
The next two ​Thursday​ ​Sessions are on July 5th and Sept 6th

  • July 5th (1st Thursday of the month: with Dot and Misspent Uke)
  • SUMMER BREAK – NO SESSIONS IN AUGUST
  • Sept 6th (1st Thursday of the month: with Dot and Misspent Uke)
  • Then 1st, 2nd & 3rd Thursdays as usual
  • No sessions on 4th & 5th Thursdays

​SUNDAYS

The ​Millstone: 2:00 – 4:00
The next two Sunday Sessions are on Aug 5th and Sept 2nd

  • Sunday June​​ ​2​​4​ ​CANCELLED (too many people on holiday)​
  • SUMMER BREAK – NO SESSIONS IN JULY
  • Sunday ​Aug​ ​5
  • Sunday Sept 2​
  • More dates to follow . . .

Sunday Sessions are not suitable for beginners​.

​Sunday and Thursday Sessions​ – What to expect

  • Thursday Sessions are not all the same
  • Sunday Sessions are different to Thursday Sessions
  • Please see these pages for more information:

If in ​any d​​oubt about dates and times​ of sessions​, please check the Calendar

https://ukes4fun.org.uk/calendar/

—————–​​————————–​

Other ukulele sessions and events over the summer

2018-06-25 Ukes4Fun Summer Break Blog collage

In case you start pining for your regular uke-fix on Thursdays and/or Sundays!​

Best wishes​ for ​a lovely summer!

Dot and Lizzie

06.17.18
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“Ukestra” Workshops + Concert: Newcastle upon Tyne – Tues 3 July

2018-07-03 Ukestra flier v2 - web 500x700

♫ Ukestra ♫

Tuesday 3 July 2018
The Cumberland Arms
Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1LD

*** Venue Access Info ***

After 7 North American tours, “The Sum of The Parts”
Mark Jackson & Jane Jelbart are finally visiting the UK!

~ from Newcastle, Australia ~
Mark Jackson & Jane Jelbart

6:05 – 7:30 ~ Ukestra Workshop + Performance (Doors 6:00)

Through the power of Smokey Robinson’s “My Girl” and Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love”, we will learn:

  • familiar riffs,
  • well-arranged (and restrained!) strumming
  • and the fundamentals that skill us up for how to solo
  • to create a “ukulele orchestra” performance.

Our aim is to get you, and your fellow uke players, into riffs and the pentatonics that will improve your technique and music theory knowledge.

  • The hard work is fun
  • the outcome is a group sound that gets beyond “hum’n’strum”.

8:00 – 8:50 ~ Feel and steal Workshop + Discussion (Doors 7:45)

Here we apply our new pentatonic skills to a bunch of different songs and genres (pop, folk, blues).

  • What does it feel like?
  • How does that new skill feel in the context of that song?
  • What feels best?
  • Even better, can you steal some ideas from other songs and riffs you dredged up from the deeper recesses of your memory.

Pre-requisites for both Workshops: 

  • Know the string names
  • Know these chords from the key of C: C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am
  • Bring a ukulele tuned GCEA!

Who will benefit from attending?

  • Group members
  • Group leaders
  • Group music arrangers

9:10 – 9:40/10:00 ~ Concert: Mark Jackson & Jane Jelbart (Doors 9:00)

“We like to explore the emotional canvas with the uke, vocal harmony and other instruments, be they happy, sad, insightful or funny.

Over the last seven years we have grown to love and learn Americana tunes and the reserved way in which these are delivered.  We also enjoy introducing our own songs, making a pleasing mix of the familiar and the new.”

9:45/10:00 ~ Raffle

  • Prizes donated by Mark and Jane
  • Baritone Ukulele Hard Foam Case/Gig Bag
  • Ukulele art works
  • Ukulele accessories

Merchandise Stalls

There will be time to browse and shop during the Breaks and after the Raffle.

Riptide Baritone Ukulele Lightweight Hard Foam Cases: £25

  • Limited number available
  • To buy a case to collect on the night, pre-order and pay when purchasing your ticket
  • Or if there are any left, you can pay on the night

Mark Jackson and Jane Jelbart aka “Jack’n’Jel”

Ukestration As An Approach To Music-Making And Teaching On The Ukulele

“Jack’n’Jel” are a dynamic, collaborative, flexible, fun and funny workshop and performance duo from Newcastle, Australia.

Workshops, Leadership and Publications

At home, Mark and Jane run 11 weekly ukestra/choir sessions, gaining an international reputation for their ukestra workshops: helping community ukulele groups to develop their musicianship and joy beyond hum n strum.

  • They were the first Australians to undertake the three years training (in Vancouver) in the James Hill Ukulele Initiative 
  • They are catalysts, organising professional development opportunities for uke leaders and teachers across Australia.

In May 2018 they released two books on:

Concerts and Recordings

In concert, “Jack’n’Jel” have been variously described as ‘mesmerising’, ‘funny’, and ‘a little brave’. They are a rare commodity:

  • performers who can teach
  • teachers who can perform

They have recently released their debut album, littered with the musical debris of their lives – uke, trumpet, guitar, piano, banjo, fine harmonies and the occasional contribution from a virtuosic friend or two.

Check out these workshop and review videos! 

Tickets

6:00  Ukestra Workshop                           £15
7:45  Feel & Steal Workshop                    £10
9:00  Concert     (Mark & Jane)                £5

*** Discount: Both Workshops + Concert:  £20 ***

*** Group Booking: Minimum 3 Tickets: £15 each ***

  • GROUP BOOKING FOR CLUBS, GROUPS, etc.
  • Group Booking Tickets cover attendance at both workshops and concert.

There are NO BOOKING FEES for any of these tickets!

If you have any problems buying tickets on Ticketsource or have any questions about this event, please email info@ukes4fun.org.uk

03.16.18
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Ukulele Sessions at The Cumberland and The Millstone | @thecumby | @MillstoneSthGos

2017-01-28-cumberland-millstone-composite-600x288-smaller-file

Every 1st, 2nd and 3rd Thursday at The Cumberland Arms 6:00 – 8:00

  • 1st Thursdays – Ukes4Fun with Dot and Misspent Uke
  • 2nd Thursdays – Ukes4Fun New/Old Songs with Denis
  • 3rd Thursdays – Ukes4Fun with Dot and Misspent Uke
  • 4th & 5th Thursdays – NO SESSION

New/old songs for 2nd Thursday Sessions with Denis:

  • Many thanks for bringing new songs and reviving some old songs that have lain dormant in the Songbooks for a long time!  We now have a stash of these to re-visit in Denis’s sessions on 2nd Thursdays.
  • Please hold on bringing new songs/reviving old songs to Thursday sessions until we have got these ones under our belts.  For the next few Thursday sessions, we would like to rock steady with some familiar tunes plus the new/old ones you have already brought along to Denis’s sessions.

Reminders for everyone for all Thursday sessions, including me!

  • Leading songs: If you are going to lead a song, make sure that you have practiced playing and singing it before you get to the session
  • Song arrangements: The simpler the song arrangement, the more likely it is “work” as a “session song”. We have some very good players who are capable of adding all sorts of finesse and flourishes to a song. We love hearing these played but they work better as an occasional “solo spot”. If you are playing at this level then you can probably work out a simpler arrangement so that most people can play along with you. There are some good tips here:
    http://ukuleleinthedark.com/ud52-trimming-away-how-to-simplify-song-sheets/
  • Play it again, Sam! Dot has a good ear for the sort of songs that are likely to become popular in sessions. If you get the nod from Dot that it is a “good song”, take the hint and give it a run at another session asap!
  • Practice makes perfect: It might take a few sessions before everyone is familiar enough with a new song for it to settle in and “work”. This applies just as much to well-known songs (when everyone might have a different version playing in their heads) as to less well known songs (when perhaps only the the song leader “knows how it goes”).
  • Give us a clue! You can use the email list to send links to YouTube videos, audio files on SoundCloud, etc. to help familiarise everyone with a new song that you are going to introduce (it helps even more if the recording is in the same key that you are going to use but that is not always possible)
  • Song sheets: You can also use the email list to send song sheets to everyone – but please still bring at least 10 copies on paper when you are introducing a song for the first time.

See this page for more information about Thursday Sessions

Sundays about twice a month at The Millstone 2:00 – 4:00

  • Please note: the Sunday Sessions are not suitable for “Beginners”.

See this page for more information about Sunday Uke Sessions @ The Millstone South Gosforth

Calendar

For the latest information on dates, times and venues for Thursday and Sunday Sessions, please check the Calendar: https://ukes4fun.org.uk/calendar/

“Shout-Up” Campaign at The Cumberland Arms

Update: 31 August 2018

Message from Dot

Hello Everyone,

The Cumberland has become part of a campaign called “Shout Up”. This was set up initially to protect women from harassment in bars throughout Newcastle.

You can find out about the campaign on the “Shout Up” website: https://www.shoutup.org

You can also see posters on the pub walls.

This is a “heads up” to anyone who attends our sessions.

We play in the Cumberland so we need to be aware of and sensitive to what they consider to be appropriate behaviour.  

Dot

What to do if there are any problems

Staff at the Cumberland Arms have been trained to deal with sexual harassment as part of this Campaign.

If you experience or witness sexual harassment, the purpose of this Campaign is to encourage you to alert Bar Staff so that they can deal with the problem promptly and effectively. You do not have to literally “shout” – the point is immediacy of action, not volume :-)

 

12.23.17
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Extra Session! Thursday 28 Dec The Cumberland Arms | @thecumby

Wishing you all a very Happy Xmas!

The Xmas Party on 4 December at The Millstone was a blast!!

Hope you can make it along to The Cumberland Arms on Thursday Dec 28th, 5:45 – 7:30

UPDATE: Please note the earlier start and earlier finish – not the usual 6:00 – 8:00! 

Please check the “Calendar” Page for further dates and links to info about Thursday and Sunday Sessions: Calendar

Best wishes – and Happy New Year if I don’t see you on the 28th!

Lizzie xxx

09.28.17
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Sarah Maisel + Craig Chee! Workshop + Concert 7th Nov 2017 @thecumby

2017-11-07 Chee Maisel Newcastle Poster 600x848

Sarah Maisel + Craig Chee UK Tour

Newcastle Workshop + Concert
Tuesday 7 November 2017
The Cumberland Arms
Byker-Ouseburn
Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1LD

6:00 – 7:00 Workshop – £15
8:45 – 9:45 Concert – £10

Workshop + Concert – £20
(25% Discount!)

  • Times advertised here are approximate!
  • See TicketSource Page for exact timings!

Tickets and Full Details
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/greatnorthstrum