Friday, July 28, 2017

PARKING POSSIBILITIES

While you're participating in Saturday's UkeFest,  here are the locations of nearby parking garages.  There is also a surface lot behind St. Luke's on Park Street.


Tuesday, July 25, 2017

HERE WERE THE UKEFEST DETAILS for the 2017 UkeFest
There will be hand-outs of the following information, as well as copies of all five sing-and-strum-along songs.  Very cool!
Here we go! The Third Annual CascoBay Ukefest is happening soon, July 29 from 9:30 to 4:00 to be exact, at St. Luke's Cathedral Portland, ME. Here's what The Day will look like.
SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY
WORKSHOPS led by Stuart Fuchs - one or both workshops for a total of $10
Stuart is a performing and teaching artist who has presented his innovative and holistic music workshops at the top ukulele festivals across the US and Canada. In his concerts, Stuart balances virtuosity and heart on his classical guitar, ukulele, Native American flute, and didjeridoo. Stuart is committed to a compassionate and holistic vision of music education and has taught and led clinics for all ages - from pre-K through college. 
9:30 Ukulele 101: Beginner Ukulele Workshop
This workshop is for ukulele enthusiasts of ALL LEVELS who would like to review some of the foundations of ukulele playing and music study in general. While this session is geared for beginners, there will be plenty of great takeaways for more experienced players as well. By the end of this session players will understand how to play with greater coordination, speed, tone, and a relaxed control. Stuart will also lead the group through a sequence of his "Ukulele Zen" exercises that will strengthen and improve flexibility in your hands and fingers.
10:45 Rockabilly and Classic Rock ’n’ Roll for the Ukulele
This workshop is open to BEGINNERS AND UP - some basic experience playing ukulele is recommended. Rock and roll ukulele is not so much about technique as it is about an attitude. This workshop is about shedding inhibitions and letting your inner rock and roller out. In this workshop, Stuart adapts Rockabilly and Rock ’n’ Roll guitar styles adapted for ukulele. You’ll play classic songs and learn the style of Rockabilly rhythm and lead playing in the styles of Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Eddie Cochrane, The Beatles, Elvis, and more. Stuart orchestrates the group into a fun multi-part band. This workshop will teach you some killer rock ’n’ roll tricks for ukulele including songs by Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochrane, Elvis, The Beatles, and more.
Noon Concert by Stuart Fuchs - A $10 donation is suggested; and the net proceeds of the UkeFest from the concert and the sale of tee shirts, decals, and lunches will be donated to the St. Luke’s Food Pantry.
1:00 - 1:30 Bag Lunches available A limited number of bag lunches will be available for $6 - delicious cheese, pepperoni, a thick bread roll, hummus and carrots, a banana, a bottle of water, and a homemade cookie.
UKULELE GROUPS WITH AUDIENCE STRUM-ALONGS - all free
1:30 The Merry Plinksters -The Merry Plinksters Ukulele Group is the ongoing year-round extension of a 4-week Ukulele 101 class that is offered twice a year at RSD9 Adult Education in Farmington. Facilitator Michael Burd is also the Technology Instructor there. The group, founded in 2010, has an extensive and unique catalog of songs spanning many decades and genres. 
2:00 The PI Ukes - The PI Ukes (Peaks Island Ukes) are a grass-roots group that gets together on Monday nights at 6:30 to play for an hour and enjoy each other's company. They play diverse repertoire, members number over 30, and they are warm and welcoming and focused on having a good time. 
2:30 The FLUKES - The FLUKES (Falmouth Library Ukulele Society) boast a membership of over 35 ukulele musicians. During weekly Wednesday night rehearsals, they’ve built a repertoire from many different musical genres, practicing, playing and most of all having a lot of fun.
3:00 The Ukulele Strummers of Southern Maine - The Ukulele Strummers of Southern Maine (USSM) welcome all to their twice-monthly meetings on the first and third Sundays at Parsons Memorial Library in Alfred, Maine, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. They play round robin style: bring a song or two to share or perform--everyone gets a turn--or just play along for fun. All level players are welcome. 
3:30 The UU’s - The UU’s are a small group of ukulele-playing friends who get together regularly in Lee Urban’s living room in Portland to play ukulele, sing, and have great fun.

All are welcome - ukulele players, wannabes, and admirers of all things uke!
These were the 2017 UkeFest audience sing and strum-alpmng songs

Incredible News!  The CascoBay UkeFest is getting even closer and will most definitely happen on Saturday, July 29, at St. Luke’s Cathedral from 9:30 to 4:00, rain or shine.

Equally Incredible News!  In the afternoon, the Merry Plinksters will be performing for free and will teach the audience the Ames Brothers version of  “Rag Mop”.  Take a look at the chord chart in the upper right-hand corner of the music sheet for how to play the chords.  Whoa!  Five chords, yes, but four of the five are only two-finger chords!  Easy-peasy, especially now that you can try them out ahead of time, and the Merry Plinksters will guide us through this fun song.

Bring your ukulele!  Sing!  Strum!  Do both!  All along with a fun-loving, very supportive and audience and the Merry Plinksters.  Of course it’ll be great fun!


Stay tuned (that would be G, C, E, and A) for more songs to be sung at the UkeFest.

Monday, July 24, 2017

THE FOLLOWING IS ABOUT THE 2017 UKEFEST

Splendid News!  The CascoBay UkeFest is really gonna happen on Saturday, July 29, at St. Luke’s Cathedral from 9:30 to 4:00, rain or shine.

Equally Splendid News!  In the afternoon, the Falmouth Library Ukulele Society (a/k/a the FLUKES) will be performing for free and will teach the audience John Newton’s stirring hymn “Amazing Grace”.  Take a look at the chord chart in the upper right-hand corner of the music sheet for how to play the chords.  Whoa!  Four chords, yes, but two of them are one-finger chords!  Easy-peasy, especially now that you can try them out ahead of time.

Bring your ukulele!  Sing!  Strum!  Do both!  All along with a fun-loving, very supportive and audience and the FLUKES.  Of course it’ll be great fun!

Stay tuned (that would be G, C, E, and A) for more songs to be sung at the UkeFest.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Special News!  The CascoBay UkeFest is truly happening on Saturday, July 29, at St. Luke’s Cathedral from 9:30 to 4:00.

Equally Special News!  In the afternoon, the Ukulele Strummers of Southern Maine will be performing for free and will teach the audience the Harry Belafonte classic “Jamaica Farewell”.  Take a look at the chord chart in the upper right-hand corner of the music sheet for how to play the chords.  

Bring your ukulele!  Sing!  Strum!  Do both!  All along with a fun-loving, very supportive and audience and the Ukulele Strummers of Southern Maine.  Of course it’ll be great fun!

Stay tuned (that would be G, C, E, and A) for more songs to be sung at the UkeFest.




GREAT NEWS! The CascoBay UkeFest is happening on Saturday, July 29, at St. Luke's Cathedral Portland, ME from 9:30 to 4:00.
EQUALLY GREAT NEWS! In the afternoon, the PI Ukes from Peaks Island will be performing for free and will teach the audience the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic “Down On The Corner”. Take a look at the chord chart in the upper right-hand corner of the music sheet for how to play the chords. 
Bring your ukulele! Sing! Strum! Do both! All along with a fun-loving, very supportive PI Ukes and audience.
Stay tuned (that would be G, C, E, and A) for more songs to be sung at the UkeFest.

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Here we go! The Third Annual CascoBay Ukefest is happening soon, July 29 from 9:30 to 4:00 to be exact, at St. Luke's Cathedral Portland, ME. Here's what The Day will look like.
SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY
WORKSHOPS led by Stuart Fuchs - one or both workshops for a total of $10
Stuart is a performing and teaching artist who has presented his innovative and holistic music workshops at the top ukulele festivals across the US and Canada. In his concerts, Stuart balances virtuosity and heart on his classical guitar, ukulele, Native American flute, and didjeridoo. Stuart is committed to a compassionate and holistic vision of music education and has taught and led clinics for all ages - from pre-K through college. 
9:30 Ukulele 101: Beginner Ukulele Workshop
This workshop is for ukulele enthusiasts of ALL LEVELS who would like to review some of the foundations of ukulele playing and music study in general. While this session is geared for beginners, there will be plenty of great takeaways for more experienced players as well. By the end of this session players will understand how to play with greater coordination, speed, tone, and a relaxed control. Stuart will also lead the group through a sequence of his "Ukulele Zen" exercises that will strengthen and improve flexibility in your hands and fingers.
10:45 Rockabilly and Classic Rock ’n’ Roll for the Ukulele
This workshop is open to BEGINNERS AND UP - some basic experience playing ukulele is recommended. Rock and roll ukulele is not so much about technique as it is about an attitude. This workshop is about shedding inhibitions and letting your inner rock and roller out. In this workshop, Stuart adapts Rockabilly and Rock ’n’ Roll guitar styles adapted for ukulele. You’ll play classic songs and learn the style of Rockabilly rhythm and lead playing in the styles of Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Eddie Cochrane, The Beatles, Elvis, and more. Stuart orchestrates the group into a fun multi-part band. This workshop will teach you some killer rock ’n’ roll tricks for ukulele including songs by Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochrane, Elvis, The Beatles, and more.
Noon Concert by Stuart Fuchs - A $10 donation is suggested; and the net proceeds of the UkeFest from the concert and the sale of tee shirts, decals, and lunches will be donated to the St. Luke’s Food Pantry.
1:00 - 1:30 Bag Lunches available A limited number of bag lunches will be available for $6 - delicious cheese, pepperoni, a thick bread roll, hummus and carrots, a banana, a bottle of water, and a homemade cookie.
UKULELE GROUPS WITH AUDIENCE STRUM-ALONGS - all free
1:30 The Merry Plinksters -The Merry Plinksters Ukulele Group is the ongoing year-round extension of a 4-week Ukulele 101 class that is offered twice a year at RSD9 Adult Education in Farmington. Facilitator Michael Burd is also the Technology Instructor there. The group, founded in 2010, has an extensive and unique catalog of songs spanning many decades and genres. 
2:00 The PI Ukes - The PI Ukes (Peaks Island Ukes) are a grass-roots group that gets together on Monday nights at 6:30 to play for an hour and enjoy each other's company. They play diverse repertoire, members number over 30, and they are warm and welcoming and focused on having a good time. 
2:30 The FLUKES - The FLUKES (Falmouth Library Ukulele Society) boast a membership of over 35 ukulele musicians. During weekly Wednesday night rehearsals, they’ve built a repertoire from many different musical genres, practicing, playing and most of all having a lot of fun.
3:00 The Ukulele Strummers of Southern Maine - The Ukulele Strummers of Southern Maine (USSM) welcome all to their twice-monthly meetings on the first and third Sundays at Parsons Memorial Library in Alfred, Maine, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. They play round robin style: bring a song or two to share or perform--everyone gets a turn--or just play along for fun. All level players are welcome. 
3:30 The UU’s - The UU’s are a small group of ukulele-playing friends who get together regularly in Lee Urban’s living room in Portland to play ukulele, sing, and have great fun.
All are welcome - ukulele players, wannabes, and admirers of all things uke!