Category: Ukes4Fun

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

LizzieLeave a comment

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

Songbooks updated and some advice for the uke-obsessed!

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Tim Harries ukulele advice cartoonOriginal here:
http://agagaday.blogspot.co.uk/2009/09/ukulele-advice.html

Reverse the sexes and that looks uncannily like an evening at my house!

Finally completed all the corrections to Song Books 1 to 6 (strewth!) and they can be downloaded from this page:

https://ukes4fun.org.uk/songsheets/

I have included some info and advice about preparing to introduce new songs to sessions (have to try to remember to follow it myself now, of course) and getting new songs into future Song Books.

Please let me know which of your favourites are missing and I will put them on the list for the next Song Book – there is info on the Song Sheets Page about the format you need to use so that I can submit them to the magic-wrangling of Songsheet Generator!

Rita Morrison

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Rita Morrison

Rita will be sadly missed by all who knew her,
for her kindness and sense of fun as much as her
magnificent musicianship!

Rita’s funeral will be
Thursday 3rd November
1:45
St Vincent’s, Monkchester Road, Walker, NE6 2TX

followed by her burial at
2:30
All Saints Cemetery, Jesmond Road
Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1NL

After the burial, Rita’s daughter Lysa and son Lee have arranged
“Rita’s Uke Fest”
for Rita’s friends to celebrate Rita’s life,
rather than sadness about her death.

3:30 – 5:30

Upstairs at The Cumberland Arms,
James Place Street (off Byker Bank), Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1LD
The Cumberland Arms on Google Maps

Rita’s family request:

* No Sad Songs!
* Nothing from The Wizard of Oz!
* Everybody join in with the music and have fun!

Rita’s daughter Lysa is trying to gauge attendance in order to arrange catering for “Rita’s Uke Fest”

If you are on Facebook, please use this link to let Lysa know if you will be attending:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=239604056092813

If you are not on Facebook, please email:

Image of email to fool the dratted email spambots!

So long, and thanks for all the chocolates!

LizzieLeave a comment

It was fond farewells last Thursday, it being Anil’s last session before he heads back to India and then off to Germany after graduating from Newcastle University.

Anil, Jo and Lizzie and Ukes4Fun
Anil, Jo and Lizzie - not a chocolate in sight!

Anil has promised to let us know how he gets on trying to find uke-sessions on his travels – or if he ends up starting new groups himself.

Anil said to thank everyone for the wonderful time he has had at Ukes4Fun – and we thank him for the chocolates (I should have taken a photo of them but they miraculously disappeared before I had a chance!)

Biscuit Factory Sunday Ukes Sessions resume 4th Sept | Ukes4Fun as normal on Thursdays at Cumberland Arms

Lizzie2 Comments

Ukes Sunday Session at the Biscuit Factory Summer Break:

  • there is no session Sunday 23rd July –  tomorrow
  • Sunday Sessions at The Biscuit Factory resume Sunday 4th September
  • Ukes4Fun Thursdays at The Cumberland Arms continue – no peace for the wicked :-)

Found on Twitter – Dot’s Birthday at Ukes4Fun at The Cumberland Arms!

Ukes4Fun Session Cumberland Arms July 2011
Ukes4Fun Session | Cumberland Arms July 2011

Uke-Kazoo Flashmob Grey’s Monument 10th July – First sightings!

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Uke-Kazoo Flashmob Grey's Monument - Pencil Full of Lead by Paulo Nutini - Photo 1
Uke-Kazoo Flashmob Grey's Monument 10 July 2011 - "Pencil Full of Lead" by Paulo Nutini: Photo 1

Thanks to Paparazzi Bob the Sound Man (in so many ways) for this one. There are more photo’s to follow from Selma and a video from Keith.

Not a bad turn-out at all for so little notice and a crowd of happy onlookers sprang up instantly as if by magic! Just add ukes and watch the smiles grow :-)

UPDATE! Biscuit Factory Session on Sunday July 10th – 2:15 after the Flashmob at Grey’s Monument at 1:45

LizzieLeave a comment

UPDATE! Biscuit Factory Session going ahead at on Sunday July 10th – 2:15 after the Flashmob at Grey’s Monument at 1:45

Dot has just rung and said that there are enough people around to hold the session at the Biscuit Factory – at 2:15 to follow the Flashmob at Grey’s Monument at 1:45.

Local uke events on Sunday tomorrow:

10:30 – 1:30: “Join in and Play” at The Sage http://bit.ly/ougMqH

1:45 – 2:00:  Uke-kazoo Flashmob at Grey’s Monument to play “Pencil Full of Lead”  http://bit.ly/n4YOEN

2:15 – 4:00: Biscuit Factory Session http://www.thebiscuitfactory.com/contact/

4:00 – 8:00: Open acoustic session at The Cumberland (ukes welcome) http://www.thecumberlandarms.co.uk

7:30 :  Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain at The Sage http://bit.ly/pxcNJv

Uke-Kazoo Flashmob! “Pencil Full of Lead” 1:45 Sun 10th July, Grey’s Monument, Newcastle upon Tyne

LizzieLeave a comment

Great idea by Charlie from Ukes4Fun! To round off the day after the “Join in and Play Ukulele” Workshops at The Sage Gateshead

Here’s how we play “Pencil Full of Lead” by the uketastical Paolo Nutini:

Paolo Nutini: The Ukulele Incident - The Aftermath!
Paolo Nutini: The Ukulele Incident – The Aftermath!

Misspent Uke and Friends play “Pencil Full of Lead” at Highfield Club, Rowlands Gill(ish)

PencilFullOfLead-L-APH

Download Ukes4Fun Songheet pdf: “Pencil Full of Lead” by Paolo Nutini

Cancelled – Biscuit Factory Sessions on Sunday July 10th and 17th

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The Thursday sessions at the Cumberland are still going ahead as normal. There might be a “summer break” from the Sunday sessions during August – more information to follow.