Smokin' in August
For us jammers, anyway
Hello there,
It’s been a minute.
Nothing much to report since our last newsletter, other than a fantastic open mic June 29th, a record-setting regular jam (with the a/c not quite working) July 6th, and a visit to the Wilson Ukulele Band by a few of us to preview the Elvis medley we’ll contribute to the N.C. Whirligig Festival Nov. 4th.
Things are about to, er, heat up.
We jam Thursday, July 20th, at the church. As usual, 7 p.m. The cooling system is supposed to be back to normal. Let’s hope the anticipated rains cool things down generally a bit.
Another short break, and here comes August!
Thursday, Aug. 3, 7 p.m. Jam at the Church. We’ll go over the four songs we’re bringing to Whirligig (all in Dropbox): The Elvis medley; Surfin’ USA; Under the Boardwalk; and Can’t Buy Me Love. We’ll record all four toward the end of the evening and post to YouTube so the other uke clubs can see our arrangement. Even if you’re not going to Whirligig, we’d greatly appreciate your participation in the “rehearsal.”
Saturday, Aug. 12, 10:30 a.m. Music at the Library, Middle Creek Community Library, 111 Middle Creek Park Ave., Apex. We’ll perform for an hour. I’ll share a setlist before the Aug. 3. jam. (Should it include “Quiche Woman … ?”)
Thursday, Aug. 17, 7 p.m. Jam at the Church. Our usual frivolity ensues.
Sunday, Aug. 27, 2 p.m. Music at the Library, Eva Perry Regional Library, 2100 Shepherds Vineyard Drive, Apex. Back to Apex (if we’re not uninvited after singing “Quiche Woman” at the earlier one)! In a larger library! Again, we’ll play for an hour. Depending on how the Aug. 12 gig goes, we might make some changes to the list. Or not! As always, for these remote events, consider carpooling (as many of you do).
Thursday, Aug. 31, 7 p.m. Open Mic at the Church. Yes, that’s right. Thanks to a glitch in the calendar, this open mic will be a mere two months after the previous one. Might as well start working on songs now. We had lots of time left over in June, but I’ll still ask for players to sign up in advance, expect to do one song, and bring a second one if time allows!
In September
Along with our regular first- and third-Thursday jams, we’ll have another library event! We will play Sunday, Sept. 17, from 2-3 p.m. at the North Regional Library, 7009 Harps Mill Road in Raleigh (off Falls of Neuse near Strickland). George, Ivan, and I played there in 2019 (four years ago!!!) and it’s a fine location.
We’re probably due to share some joy with our friends at Total Life Center on Departure Drive. Again, stay tuned for details.
In October
Party time! Mark your calendars if you’ve not done so! Our 10th Anniversary Celebration will be at the church, Thursday, Oct. 19, 6-9 p.m. (a regular jam night) We’ll have food: a potluck, finger-food-style setup from 6-7. There will be cake. We’ll have fun activities and some live performances (storytelling? visual displays?) from 7-9. Some giveaways. Special guests. Other surprises. Clear your agenda and be there!
Hangin’ with the peeps
Some of you may know that the great Billy Strings played three sold-out nights at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary last week. He did the same last year, so maybe this will be an annual deal? We didn’t get tickets or go. My friend and Make Music Day partner Lisa volunteered Saturday and said it was fantastic … and like a sauna.
So what does a musician who’s in town for a few days do to pass the time before his morning sound check? Hang out in the parking lot and jam with the fans who’ve camped out to get in. And talk about Charlie Parker. Enjoy!
Cool Hand Rick