September 2011 So California Ukulele Events
Aloha and Greetings to EVERYONE, hope you've been having a great summer!
Check out the concerts, festivals and other events below and mark your calendar with everything that appeals to you!
FRIDAY NIGHT, SEPT. 9TH, 7:30PM
ISLAND BAZAAR is thrilled to announce a surprise, special SoCal concert by
dynamic Hawaiian duo, BENNY CHONG & Dr. BYRON YASUI ! These World-Renown musicians rarely leave their Island Paradise and when they do, you must catch them!
Anyone who knows ukuleles, Hawaiian music, and smooth jazz will tell you these two are simply the VERY, VERY BEST.
TOGETHER: this duo are the best of friends who have played together for years, delighting audiences in Hawaii at posh bistros and concert halls. While playing all sorts of music they specialize in smooth, melodic, classical jazz standards with Benny on ukulele and Byron on bass; their interplay is wonderful.
For just a teasing glimpse check out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo5vNWGZHjo and/or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzWJA_q9qdg
Tickets: $20 Act fast - They'll be gone!
Call or visit ISLAND BAZAAR at (714) 843-9350
16582 Gothard St, HB, Ca 92647, www.ukuleleparadise.com
SATURDAY NIGHT, SEPT. 10TH, 7:30PM
Back for an encore performance in the Hulaville Hawaiian Concert Series is Johnny Pal, a multi instrumentalist performing on the steel guitar, guitar, slack key, bass, ukulele, banjo, fiddle and others. Ukulele players will especially enjoy his fast fingerpicking, modern uke playing styles of Jake Shimabukuro, Troy Fernandez and Bryan Tolentino. He is a superlative singer, entertainer and humorist. He is equally at home with Hawaiian, Standards, Latin, Rock, Blues, Country and Bluegrass.
Johnny will be joined by Maui's Ukulele virtuoso, Mel Ogata, sluices all the gold from the melodies of standard and jazz favorites. He is very personable and a heck of a nice guy. Uncle Mel has over 50 students in his "Aloha Picking Ohana" who perform at such venues as the Cherry Blossom Festival and various Ho'olauleas.
Also Performing is Lucky Keli'iholokai is a big handsome Hawaiian who really knows his stuff! He is one of the strongest rhythmic players of the ukulele pulling off double, triple, quadruple and quintuple etc. strums seamlessly! He is also an excellent vocalist.
Tickets are $6.00 per person, in advance at Hulaville. Come early for ala carte dinner.
Call 949 369 1905 for more information
Hulaville Cafe 2720 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente, California 92672
(949) 369-1905
www.hulavillecafe.com
Saturday, September 24, 2011 10am - 9pm
California Ukulele Festival at
At the Muzeo Plaza in the city of Anaheim. This year, we have taken a "back to the People, or Uke players approach". Our workshops will be conducted from 10am to 6pm and there will be performances on the main stage all day long by the big Ukulele Clubs, and simultaneous performances by the small Ukulele groups on our Kani Ka Pila Stage. Our artisans, craftspeople, boutique and food vendors will be open from 10am to 9pm on our very chic Boutique Lane. There will be more than ample public parking at the venue. Come and join us for a wonderful day of good music and each other's company. I'm looking forward to seeing all of you, and once again, Mahalo Nui Loa for your support and aloha.
-Charles Kiaha
Muzeo Plaza
241 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Anaheim, California
http://www.californiaukulelefestival.com
Saturday, October 1, 2011 5:00-9:00 pm
Bill Tapia CD Release Party celebrating the release of the album...
"Bill Tapia, Live at the Warner Grand Theatre - The 100th Birthday Concert"
Paniolo Productions World Headquarters
3552 Kelton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034
RSVP on Facebook (or Email info@panioloproductions.com)
Event is free to the public - Food and drink items are appreciated - Friends and folks of all ages are welcome!
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Other Items of Interest to Ukulele Fans:
Saturday & Sunday Sept. 10 & 11
Equinox Folk Music, Storytelling and Dance Festival
The Fall Equinox Folk Music, Storytelling and Dance Festival is a 2-day, teaching arts festival that exemplifies the California Traditional Music Society's guiding principles: CTMS believes that through sharing and celebrating traditional arts, we can better know ourselves, our neighbors, and can become more compassionate citizens of the world. Through artistic interaction, we create opportunities to dissolve misunderstandings, break down stereotypes and increase respect for one another.
What makes it a "teaching arts" festival?
At the Equinox Festival your weekend pass entitles you to over 20 performances by master musicians, 70+ workshops, unlimited jams and dancing.
And YES there will be ukulele clinics on Sunday the 11th!
The Uku-lear Family Workshop and Jam with Heidi Swedberg from 12:30pm-1:50pm
And Ukulele for Guitarists with Ali Lexa from 3:30pm-4:30pm
http://www.ctmsfolkmusic.org/equinox/index.html
The Equinox Festival takes place at:
Rancho Cordillera del Norte
9015 Wilbur Ave, Northridge, CA
Saturday & Sunday Sept. 17 & 18
4th Annual Pacific Islander Festival
The festival itself is patterned after the Pacific Islander Community Council festival that was in Harbor City for over 20 years. This festival is uniquely Orange County's only Pacific Islander festival.
Central Library Park
Huntington Beach
7111 Talbert Ave
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Weekly Events
Every Sunday:
Makena
10:00 am
Center for Inspirational Living
Long Beach Playhouse, Long Beach, California
More Info: http://www.myspace.com/makenamusic
Every Sunday:
Uncle Pete Naluai leads kanikapila music every Sunday morning at Bob's Okazuya.
10am - 4pm
Bob's Okazuya
16814 S Vermont Ave, Gardena, CA
(310) 515-2250
Every Tuesday:
Ho'alu Tuesdays
Come hear beautiful ki ho'alu performances by members of Southern California Slack Key Society on Tuesday nights at 6 p.m.
Kaisen Sushi Restaurant
1906 Oceanside Blvd. #H
Oceanside, CA - Phone: (760) 757-1484
P.S. Hiki i na mea hula ke hula ma 'o!
Ki Ho'alu Tuesdays
Hear beautiful ki ho'alu performances by members of Southern California Slack Key Society on Tuesday nights at 6 p.m.
Kaisen Sushi Restaurant
1906 Oceanside Blvd. #H
Oceanside, CA - Phone: (760) 757-1484! P.S. Hiki i na mea hula ke hula ma 'o!
Every Friday:
Uncle Henry Kalana Kamae
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Uncle henry and pals play most every Friday night at Bob's Okazuya. Call ahead to be sure he is in.
Bob's Okazuya
16814 S Vermont Ave, Gardena, CA
(310) 515-2250
Fridays 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Island Breeze
Island Breeze is a talented trio of musicians who play contemporary Hawaiian music. In addition to accompanying the Lokelani's dancers, the band is available to provide entertainment for special events. Roy Asuega leads the group, singing, drumming, and playing guitar. Ron Reyes and Mata Grey play ukulele and bass while providing background vocals. Info: http://www.lokelanisroti.com/islandbreeze/
Garlic Jo's
2332 West Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA
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Ukulele Clubs (Over 17 clubs and counting!)
Every Monday at 9:00 am - 11:00 am
The Hemet Ukulele Club
New members are welcome. Bring your uke, banjo or guitar. Meetings are free.
Meets at The Simpson Center, 305 E. Devonshire Ave., Hemet, CA
Every Monday at 1:00 PM
"Oasis Senior Center Strummers"
Please note: The Oasis Senior Center has been remodeled and we are now meeting back there.
OASIS Senior Center, 801 Narcissus Ave., Corona del Mar, CA 92625
We meet every Monday and start around 12:45PM and go to around 2:30PM
Everyone welcome- we are not a teaching group, we just play music everyone knows
Attendance is usually between fifty and ninety,plenty of parking and a large remodeled auditorium
2nd & 4th fourth Monday evenings 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
The SLO Strummers of the Ukulele Society of the Central Coast. All levels of strummers are welcome!!
Meets at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art in San Luis Obispo
1010 Broad St. (creekside door). For more information, call Carol at: (805)473-3457
2nd & 4th MONDAY of each month, 1 to 3 P.M.
TEMECULA VALLEY UKULELE STRUMMERS
Open to all, age 50 and over, who play or would like to learn to play ukulele
Membership is free - Beginners welcome
MURRIETA SENIOR CENTER
41717 Juniper Street
Murrieta, California 92562
Visit our website at: http://mysite.verizon.net/realgeorge/temeculavalleyukulelestrummers.htm
A San Diego Chapter of the Ukulele Society of America just started on mondays at Old Tyme Music in San Diego. Check out their calendar:
http://www.sdoldtimemusic.com/Pages/calendar.html
Tuesday mornings 9am to 11am
The Loma Linda Ukulele Strummers (around 50 to 70 Ukulele players) meet every Tuesday morning.
For more information call 909 796-8934. All levels are welcome!
Loma Linda Senior Center, 25571 Barton Road, Loma Linda, CA 92354 (corner of Loma Linda Drive and Barton Road - behind the fire station and the library)
Every Tuesday Night 7 - 9 PM
KOLOHE 'UKULELE CLUB
Formed in 2000 & meets for practice at "ISLAND BAZAAR" in Surf City U.S.A. every Tues Night of the month @ 7:pm. Under our Kumu UNCLE HENRY KAMAE, we play Hawaiian & Hapa Haole music and invites ALL levels of 'UKULELE PLAYERS to jam with us Island Style till 9:pm.
KOLOHE has performed at numerous festivals, & other functions. Remembah; "Mo 'Ukulele, Mo Beddah" .. Mahalo Nui Loa & A Hui Hou
For more info email kentinhb@verizon.net
Island Bazaar, 16582 Gothard St. "R", Huntington Beach, CA. 92647- 714-843-9350. www.Ukuleleparadise.com
Every Wednesday morning
PINEAPPLE JAM UKULELE CLUB
Beginning class meets from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15:a.m.-Jim Grundy
Full Club meets from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.-Glenn Clement
The Pineapple Jam Ukulele Club, has been meeting in Yucaipa since April 2006.
It is composed of players of all ages with various ability levels, that enjoy singing. New members are welcome to join us whatever their ability level.
Scherer Community Center
12202 First Street (at B Ave) Yucaipa Ca 92399
Phone: 909 797-1177 or 760-326-9230
Pineapple Jam Director Glenn Clement 951-836-8393
Every Wednesday 6 - 9 PM
Moonlight Beach Uke Strummers
A group of about 50 to 75 ukulele strummers (over 200 members on website) in Encinitas, North of San Diego.
BRING YOUR UKES AND JOIN US FOR A FUN TIME.
Members from our group are from many Hawaiian High schools like Kamehameha, Punahou, StLouis, McKinley, AIEA, DAMIEN, MARYKNOLL, ROOSEVELT, FARRINGTON, CASTLE, KAILUA.
Today's Pizza, 481 SANTA FE DR., at the intersection of Hwy 5 and Santa Fe Dr. at the Vons Rite-Aid shopping center in Encinitas.
Wednesdays 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Ventura Ukulele Jam
The Ventura Chapter of the Ukulele Society of America hosts its weekly ukulele jam at Java Joe's Coffee House in the Century 16 Center on Johnson Drive in Ventura, CA. Alan Ferentz is the Alaka'i (Conductor). >From Alan -- "Please join us for our ukulele circle sing-along."
Java Joe's @ Century 16 Center, 2950 Johnson Drive, Ventura, CA
Every 1st and 3rd Wed. of the month from 5:30 to 7:30PM
The WINDanSEA Ukulele Strummerrs
meet for fun and the joy of the ukulele.
Everything is free. I even pass out the music for free. We invite all levels of skill.
We are in Pacific Beach. Across the street is La Jolla.
We meet at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall at 853 Torquiise Street.
First and Third Wednesday until Friday December 31, 2010
WindNSea Ukulele Orchestra
Wednesday July 7, 2010
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, La Jolla, CA
Street: 853 Turquoise St.
City State Zip: San Diego/CA/92109
Fred Thompson leads this growing group that meets (now) twice a month (1st and 3rd Wednesdays) in La Jolla. It is a part of the WindNSea Surf Club, there are about 40 members. Everything is still free!
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall is about 100 yards east of the corner of Turquiose and Mission Boulevard where pacific beach becomes La Jolla.
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/windanseauke
Every Thursday 10:00-12:00 a.m.
Aloha Ukulele Strummers
Bring your Uke and join the fun
All levels are welcome
Call Mike for info: 949-940-6090
Murray Community Center
24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, Ca 92692
Thursdays 10 to 11:00 A.M.
The CC Strummers meet at the Culver City Senior Center, 4095 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA 90232. Must be 50 years or older and members of the Culver City Senior Center ($10 a year). It's all about joy!
Taught by Cali Rose: info@calirose.com www.calirose.com
Every Thursday from 10:30am to 12 noon
THE ORANGE BLOSSOM UKULELE PLAYERS
The Orange Blossom Ukulele Players meet at the Joslyn Senior Center in Redlands CA.
Our collection of songs covers various styles of music: Tin Pan Alley, Country, Spanish, Easy Listening, Hawaiian, etc...Bring your ukulele and be ready to sing with the Orange Blossoms!! We also welcome banjo, guitar, harmonica and other instrumentalists to join us for the fun. For more information call Cathy Ekaitis - (909) 875-1054
Joslyn Senior Center, 21 Grant Street, Redlands CA.
Thursdays 6:30 PM
'Ukulele Jam' 40 to 50 ukulele players come and strum their hearts out.
We also feature 2 or 3 soloists per session.
Lots of fun. We ask a small donation, but just walk past the "collector" if there is a problem or objection to a donation.
We love and wish to include all ukulele players who wish to come.
Standard American Songs Repetoire...20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, and so on. Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet, and a large selection of tunes.
ISLAND BAZAAR, 16582 Gothard St. #R, Huntington Beach, Ca. 92647
Thursdays 6 - 9 pm
Ukulele Society of America (USA)
The group of 50+ ukulele players regularly meets on Thursday evenings in Carlsbad, CA (North San Diego County and South Orange County) to play ukulele, sing, and hula. Conducted by professional entertainer Pat 'Palika' Enos and often aided by the 101 year old, Duke of Uke, Bill Tapia. Guest Conductors also lead the group in song, a Kokua Team to help newcomers jam along on their first night, and an Open Mike to encourage advancing members to showcase their stuff. Our goals are to become a fun learning center for aspiring group leaders to learn from the pros and then move on to start and nurture their own groups across the country and to train our group members to lead small groups in outreach performances to the community (Children's hospital and Senior Centers).
All levels of ukulele players welcome.
Group website http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Ukulele_Society_of_America/ (ask Captain Mike to join.)
Ocean House of Carlsbad Village (Palm Room)
300 Carlsbad Village Drive, west of the I-5 Carlsbad Village Drive exit, at the intersection with Pacific Coast Highway.
Carlsbad CA
First and Third Thursdays 7:15 - 9:30 PM:
The Jumpin Flea Circus Players Players Of Los Angeles
It's large, eclectic membership gathers twice a month in Sherman Oaks for ukulele fun and fellowship.
The Jumpin Fleas play unique and original arrangements from every time and place, though there's a fondness for tin pan alley, jazz standards, comedy and folk songs. Led by professor of uke Clay Allen, the first hour of the fleas meeting in dedicated to improving the musicianship of the players. The second hour reviews the club's favorite songs of the day. Come join us, won't you? You won't regret it!
Info:http://thejumpinfleacircusplayersla.blogspot.com/ or email yourfriendclay@gmail.com
Church of the Chimes, 14115 Magnolia Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Every Friday from 10:30am to 12 noon
THE RIO-ALTAS UKULELE CLUB
The Rio-Altas gather at the Rialto Senior Center at 1411 S. Riverside Ave. Rialto, CA.
Our song book contains many styles of music: Tin Pan Alley, Easy Listening, Hawaiian, Spanish, Country etc... Bring your ukulele and be ready to sing with the Rio-Altas!! We also welcome banjo, guitar, harmonica and other instrumentalist to join us for a good time.
For more information call Cathy Ekaitis - (909) 875-1054
Rialto Senior Center,1411 S. Riverside Ave.,Rialto, CA.
Friday mornings 10:30 am
SURF CITY STRUMMERS- meet at Island Bazaar every Friday morning at 10:30am. We play standards of all eras and have opportunities to solo, also. About 40 players show up each week to start the weekend right. Please join us. $5.00 donation requested, but not mandatory. If you're visiting the Southland from out of the area, please come!
Island Bazaar, 16582 Gothard St. "R", Huntington Beach, CA. 92647- 714-843-9350. Ukuleleparadise.com
Saturdays 9:30 am - 11:00 am
The Southbay Strummers
Ukulele strummers of all ages and from all walks of life meet at the
Bartlett Senior Citizens Center, 1318 Cravens Ave., Torrance, California
(310-320-5918)
http://www.ukulelestrummers.com
Saturdays 1 - 2:30pm
Santa Barbara Ukulele/singing group meets every
Saturday at the at the harbor, in front of the Maritime museum.
Call ahead to make sure they are meeting: Paul Halula at 882-2495
2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month 10 am to 12:30 pm
The Pluckin' Strummers - Los Angeles Ukulele Club
Christ Church Griffith Park in Atwater Village
Our goal is to have fun, share our love of music and grow our skills. The Pluckin'
Strummers is a welcome place for players of all skill levels.
Beginners arrive 15 minutes early for some extra attention.
email - pluckinstrummers@gmail.com
website - http://pluckinstrummers.wordpress.com
Christ Church Griffith Park in Atwater Village
3852 Edenhurst Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Sundays 5 PM to 7 PM
Ukulele Sundays in San Clemente
Hulaville Cafe 2720 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente, California 92672
(949) 369-1905
www.hulavillecafe.com
Sundays 5 - 8 pm
Monterey's Ukulele Club
Gianni's Pizza
725 Lighthouse Ave
Monterey, CA. Info: Steve Brooks (831) 624-7022
First Sunday Of Each Month 1-3 pm
Riverside Ukulele Liberation Ensemble.
RULE meets the first Sunday of each month at the Back to the Grind Coffeehouse on University Avenue in Riverside, CA, from 1 - 3. For more information people can contact Jeff Odien at 951-505-9508 or at JeffOdi@msn.com or Bill Odien at ODIENIENN@aol.com
Every second and fourth Sunday, noon to two.
The Canogahana Players
Get together at Guitar Merchant, 7503 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Canoga Park.
We are a beginner/intermediate group.
Run by Harold Osmer
Every third Sunday 3:30-5:00pm
Claremont Ukulele Club
Meets at
The Hip Kitty
501 W First Street
Claremont, CA 91711)
Info: katystonemusic@gmail.com
