Happy birthday to uke!
Celebrate with us at the Eva Perry Library in Apex ...
Today I learned …
From James Hill:
On August 23, 1879, the clipper ship Ravenscrag arrived in Honolulu after 123 gruelling days at sea. Aboard were 427 men, women and children from Madeira in search of work and opportunity.
Rejoicing in their safe arrival, a passenger named João Fernandes burst into song, strumming a small, guitar-like machete (“mah-shette”). It was the first time such a sound was heard in Hawai‘i and it inspired the birth of the ‘ukulele which, by the late 1880s, was considered the national instrument of Hawai‘i.
James recommends a weeklong celebration. He’s hosting a free “Zoom-a-long” at 3 p.m. Wednesday, the 23rd. Register here, and make some joyful noises.
Speaking of joyful noises
Not only did we have an amazing jam Thursday, we’re also going to spread some uke love Sunday the 27th, 2-3 p.m., at Eva Perry Regional Library, 2100 Shepherds Vineyard Drive, in Apex. If you can join us, please arrive about 15 minutes early to set up. I’ll email the setlist. It will be similar to the one Pat, Susan S., and I (along with a guest) played at the Middle Creek Community Library. We may have been a small group, but we were mighty, and had an enthusiastic reception from our audience.
Let’s do it again, only better, next time!
Incoming …
Thursday, Aug. 31, 7 p.m. Open Mic at the Church. If you want to perform a song, let me know. (I’ve already gotten a few of you booked!) We’re again promising time for one song per person, but be ready to bring an extra if time allows. Collaborations are a blast, too.
Thursday, Sept. 7, 7 p.m. Jam at the Church. Our usual and customary evening of merriment awaits. See you then!
Sunday, Sept. 17, 2-3 p.m. Music at the Library, North Regional Library, 7009 Harps Mill Road, Raleigh. Not far from our home base. Plan to join us!
Party on!
Don’t forget. We’re celebrating our 10th Anniversary at the church, Thursday, Oct. 19, 6-9 p.m.! The first hour will be a potluck with finger food. Signup sheet at the next few jams. George is providing a cake! After that, we’ll have performances from special guests, some door prizes, and a program with special memories of RUJ’s first decade (wow!!!). If you haven’t set aside at least a few days for the revelry, well, shame on you.
And … we’re again participating with our compadres at the NC Ukulele Collective at the N.C. Whirligig Festival in Wilson, Saturday, Nov. 4. Probably at noon, but stay tuned for details on the specific time and location.
If you visit Dropbox, you’ll soon see a folder with all the songs the five(!) uke clubs will play as the NCUC. Ginger Jablonski of the Wilson Ukulele Band will soon have YouTube videos of each club playing its arrangements so you can rehearse. Formal rehearsals will be:
Again, more details on the way.
Lest we forget
Sarah Maisel and Craig Chee have organized a free, fundraising concert, Saturday, Sept. 16, 3 p.m., for victims of the Maui wildfires. All proceeds will go to the Maui Food Bank! Check out the lineup:
Help if you can!
Four String Slingin’ Rick