A great night with the Nukes although sadly only one set as preceded by Bosco and Honey.
We hadn’t heard The Nukes for a while but were pleasantly surprised that almost all their music was new to us, proving what hard working and talented musicians these guys are! They are also unique in that they only ever play originals.
Innovative, original, exiting, and humorous. Dave, Continue reading
I wasn’t there, but those who were said it was a great fun day with excellent organisation, workshops and concert by The Spice Boys. Around 150 people attended from near and far! Well done to Ukumania for organising this.
Tickets available in the tea rooms on Saturday or at the door, $10, with morning tea and homestead tour included. Bring your uke along.
There is plenty of accommodation available in the centre of town, or in the beautiful countryside around Katikati, Athenree or Waihi Beach. Sapphire Springs has cabins, motel units and campsites AND HOT POOLS surrounded by bush. It’s just out of town in Hot Springs Road.
Fundraisng is ongoing: Ukes-A-Plenty appeared at the Tauranga Earth Day at Sulphur Point and at Pahoia School Foodfest on March 31.
The ukulele raffle is underway. Thanks to Waihi Music Oasis for the beautiful red ukulele and electronic tuner. The prize includes a designer uke bag and a book and CD from Kevin Fogarty. All you need to get started.
Please contact Christine Donehue, phone 0274 809 261 or (07) 549 5827 or camellia@pcconnect.co.nz if you would like to help, or for further information.
Further festival news is available at http://tinyurl.com/86xepch
See also
http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2012/katikati-ukulele-jam/katikati/bay-of-plenty
http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2012/katikati-ukulele-festival/katikati
This year, again at Coromandel Town, on 19 May 2012. Workshops, singing, open mic and a concert by The Old Spice Boys from Australia.
This fab resource for school uke groups now includes a take home BOOK \ C.D. for $20 per unit. Real progress is achieved by having home access to ukes and resources. The book starts with easy two chord songs and increases in challenge as you work through a set list of 22 uniquely kiwi tracks. They have been tested and performed at the N.Z. ukulele festivals and workshops throughout N.Z. The songs include :
KIWI UKULELE , THAT’S AOTEAROA , UKULELE WORLD , DANCING IN THE STARLIGHT , ROCK THAT UKE , YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT , UKULELE HEAVEN , WORKING FOR A SONG, MY LITTLE HULA GIRL , MR UKULELE, PASIFIKA and BORN IN THE WORDS OF LOVE.
You may even wish to join the groups filming a track for next years D.V.D.
Cheers Kevin Fogarty
fogartymusic@gmail.com
The provisional date for the 2011 New Zealand Ukulele Festival is 26 November 2011. It is scheduled to be at the Trust Stadium in Henderson West Auckland again.
If the organisers do as great a job as they have in previous years, it wil again be a great event for families, kids of all ages and especially those school kids who participate in the massed “Kiwileles”
More info will be posted here as it comes to hand.
For info and reviews of the 2010 festival see http://www.culturevulture.co.nz/blog/ukulele/ukesinschools/nz-ukulele-festival-auckland-2010-review/
and
Kevin Fogarty, otherwise often known as Mr Ukulele because of his great involvement in promoting all things Uke in NZ, has released a book with CD and DVD.
Ukulele World, the exiting new resource, has 22 original songs for ukulele groups and schools. It includes chords and lyrics with helpful tips. A free D.V.D. of the songs is to be recorded – would you like to be part of this exciting project ? Contact Kevin Fogarty now.
Another great day organised by the NZ Ukulele Trust with a primary aim of encouraging Ukulele playing amongst school children. Over 200 children from about 100 schools came and played. Schools from Auckland, Northland and the Waikato attended as well as some from as far away as Dunedin and Palmerston North.
Held in perfect weather at Waitakere Stadium in Henderson, Auckland on 27th November 2010, a great day was had by the thousands who attended. All for free too!
The Kiwileles massed schools playalong and also a “Kiwi Ukealong” where everyone could play together created a great atmosphere and stimulation for many.
Songwriting contests and a Ukequest to find the best Youth ukulele act added interest. Main stage performers like Azo Bell & Ukelele Bart from USA filled out the day of performances, workshops, open mic sessions and fun.
Well done to the organisers.
Final words from some who attended:
It was cool for my granddaughter who played in it
Absolutely brilliant. They get better every year.
absolutely loved it – totally magical – the sun was shining and it took me away from the TV for a few hours – it gave me hope
A really fun day for all ages!
I thought the Uke Fest was fantastic, i came down from Mangawhai on my own and stayed for hours, you did a gr8 job! Thank you.
It was a beautiful day and my daughter and school friends enjoyed the Uke Fest alot. Thank you.
The Ukefest Strum Raiser was a great night with an amazing variety of music.
Everything from originals of Kevin Fogarty, The Nukes and the Flying Bisons to classic Uke numbers like 5 foot 2 by Jennifer Ward Leyland, to covers of Eurythmics (Sweet Dreams performed by Marmaduke), Talking Heads and country rock.
From solo artists like Silke Hartung to the The Teachukes with about 30 members (and great arrangements). Flying Bison, the winners of last years Ukefest songwriting contest especially impressed, as did Marmaduke and of course the Nukes for their talented perfomances and arrangements.
Well organised and a great sign that the upcoming NZ Ukulele Festival at Waitakere Stadium in Auckland on 27th November 2010 will also be a great event.
Here is a list of the main stage acts scheduled for the 2010 New Zealand Ukulele Festival at Waitakere Stadium, Henderson, Auckland on 27th November.
- Ukulele Bartt
- Azo Bell
- Trio of Tangaroa
- Tribute to the late Sione Aleki
- 2POUZ FYNIST
- The Nukes
- The Kiwileles
- The Teachukes
- Junior Comp Winners
- APRA Uke-Can-Do-It winners
- The Winner of UKEQUEST 2010
Plus an open mic session, Uke Quest, UkeArt contest, songwriting contest and much more.
See http://www.nzukulelefestival.org.nz/nzukulelefestival/NZ_Ukulele_Festival.html for more info.