For those of you who are interested in learning more about Mandalyn and hearing some more of her music (“lyric-driven folk that pops”), you should pay a visit to her website. And, remember, your purchases and downloads help keep these promising young musicians afloat! (Note, for those of you whe weren’t there last night, the chocolate reference above was on behalf of one of the songs Mandalyn shared with us, “Chocolate for Breakfast.”)

Here, too, is a  link to the ukulele festival Mandalyn is organizing in Chico, Feb. 12:  We (Heart) Ukulele.   A “Uke Walk?”  How much fun is that going to be? Folks who want to carpool might try to organize that through the Flea Jumpers Yahoo Group.  You’ll have to join, if you haven’t already, but once you do you’ll be able to communicate with other Flea Jumpers more easily. 

Speaking of festivals,  the 42nd annual Ukulele Festival of Hawai’i, put on by Roy Sakuma, will be held July 22nd in Kapiolani Park in Honolulu.  So, if you’ve got a hankering to visit the islands this summer, you might want to plan your dates around this.  It  does showcase the best of the best, and it is absolutely free! I don’t know who’ll be there this year, but in the past Jake Shimabukuro and James Hill have graced the stage.  And, I’m pretty sure that Peter Luongo and the amazing Langley Ukulele Ensemble appear there every year as well as all the great ukulele talent in Hawaii.

On another note, some of you already know I was at the NAMM show in Anaheim last weekend where ‘ukuleles are clearly gaining momentum. In addition to exploring all the new ‘ukuleles on the market,  I found myself spending quite a bit of time at the huge Hal Leonard and Alfred Music Publishing booths, skimming through what has grown to be a massive array of song and instruction books for ukulele.  The ones I liked (and I didn’t like all of them) I ordered for Kani-Ka-Pila. But, while there, I realized what a bonus it was to actually be able to hold the book in my hands and really see what it had to offer before making a decision to buy. So, I am going to be reviewing each one in some depth before putting all these new ones up for sale on the website.  This is a work in progress, and I’ll be adding to it in the days and weeks to come.  So, if you’d like to stay updated on reviews as they are posted and new books as they become available, you should subscribe to the Kani-Ka-Pila blog. In the meantime, here is my take on Ukulele Fretboard Roadmaps: The Essential Patterns that all the Pros Know and Use, by Fred Sokolow and Jim Beloff. 

As a performer in the 1970s, Fred Sokolow played with the likes of John Herald, Frank Wakefield, and Jerry Garcia and opened for the Grateful Dead, the Doors, B.B. King, and Country Joe and the Fish. He has written more than one hundred  instructional books for guitar, dobro, banjo, mandolin, and ukulele. Today Fred lives in Santa Monica where he performs retro jazz guitar, often with the former British rock star, Ian Whitcomb (now known as America’s Foremost Tin Pan Alley Man), and the legendary folk singer Tom Paxton. He also continues to produce instructional books, including three for the ‘ukulele (Fretboard Roadmaps,  Blues Ukulele,  and Bluegrass Ukulele, and to teach. In fact, Fred is one of our featured instructors at the West Coast Ukulele Retreat.

In this, his first book for ukulele, Fred reveals a few tricks of the trade in a logical, easy-to-use manner, starting with a few strumming and picking patterns you’ll use throughout the book. Then he dives into the fretboard, uncharted territory for so many of us, yet with lots of important real estate we need to explore if we’re ever going to move ahead in our playing.  You don’t have to memorize every note on every string, but a few basic principles will help you figure it out, if you need to, and Fred offers them here.

The real meat in the book, however, are the chapters on movable chords, the ones that contain no open, or unfretted, strings.  Of course it’s a little challenging when the first chord he offers is an E (a tricky proposition for many of us) but it’s like doing the dishes or swimming laps.  “It has to be done.”  And the good news is, once you’ve mastered this, the fretboard is, essentially, yours.  By page 28 it all comes together—the closed chords and the finger-picking patterns—in the old folk song, Sloop John B (I’ll bet you thought the Beach Boys wrote that) in the key of Eb! And, because of the way the material is presented you can make it as challenging for yourself as you need to. In fact, that’s what I like about all of Fred’s books for ukulele: you can keep it simple, just playing the chords and strumming, or you can take it up a notch or two at your own speed and eventially a little light bulb will go on over your head and….you get it!

Fretboard Roadmaps is packed with good stuff, including a chapter on chord soloing, something we are always asked about, and ideas for improvisation…so you’ll have some notion about what to do the next time some nods at you and says “take it away.” The icing on the cake, however, is the tunes you’ll learn along the way with the skills you’ve just been taught.  And, if there’s any confusion as to what they’re supposed to sound like, the book comes with a CD so you can listen to (or try to play along with) Fred.

I would say that if you are serious about understanding your instrument and how it works, and you are committed to getting better at it in a focused, disciplined manner, this is the book for you. It could well be the best $15 you ever spent. You can order this and Fred’s other ukulele books online from Kani Ka Pila.com

Also, I just got in a new shipment of ukulele song books from Hal Leonard and will bring them to the Flea Fest for you to take a peek at…it’s a little bit of everything from the Beatles to the Beach Boys….Lot’s of great stuff to look through and NEW SONGS!!!! (Yeaaaaaa!)

They are Hot Off the Press, so to speak, and are not up on the Kani-Ka-Pila website, yet, so you’ll have the first stab at them.  Hope to see you Sunday.

Reserve your space now for the first, but certainly not the last, Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay, August 18 – 24, at Pinecrest in the beautiful Central Sierra Nevada, with your hosts Elaine de Man & Jim D’Ville. Two tent circles at Cal Alumini Association’s (UC Berkeley) Lair of the Golden Bear have been reserved especially for us, for a full week of ukulele instruction and merriment in the context of a regular summer camp for families.

All attendees at Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay will have full access to all of the activities and programs available to every other camper at the Lair of the Golden Bear with the added benefit of specific ukulele instruction, workshops, jam sessions, and ukulele camp fires each night, and our own time on the Camp Oski Stage. Basically it’s a summer camp for people of the ukulele persuasion, especially those who’d like their non-uke-centric family members to join them.

And it’s cheap! Just $849 gets you a spot at Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay for the entire week! Special rates for kids (free – $569) make this an ideal family vacation, as well.

In order to secure a bunk or tent within one of our coveted ukulele tent circles and to attend the ukulele-specific workshops and programs, you will need to send in your Registration Form for Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay, with payment, before February 14, 2012. (Please note: you will still be able to register after February 14, but we won’t be able to guarantee you a place in one of the Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay tent circles after that.)

If you’d prefer the comfort of indoor accommodations during your stay, there are motel-style units available at the camp for an additional fee, cabins at neighboring Pinecrest Chalet, and even a few spots to hook up your motor home. (Those staying at Pine Crest Chalet can register for Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay as “walk-ins” for $589)

Be sure to check out our FAQ page for answers to any questions you may have.

Hope to see you there!

The inimitable Jim D’Ville will be holding center stage at our next flea fest, Sunday, November 20, at the Gordon Huether Studio in Napa, 1821 Monticello Road.  If you missed his Play by Ear workshop last time Jim breezed through, you won’t want to miss this one.  And if you were there,  he’s got even more tips and tricks up his sleeve to keep you rolling on the road to ukulele success, wherever that may be.

The workshop starts at  5:oopm with pupus to follow and is a mere $25.  Those who attend the workshop are also welcome to stay and sing along with Jim, putting into practice what we just learned.  If you’re planning on coming, please RSVP to the yahoo group site so we can have an estimate of the number of chairs to have on hand.

Perfect Presents

Here’s a little something for the uke enthusiast on your holdiay gift list who think he has everything:  Peace, Paradise, and Ukulelia.  One hundred percent plastic with a white styrene top and a clear plastic gig bag, they sound great and are not subject to the rapid humidity changes that impact ukuleles made of wood.  It’s a  great uke to take to the beach, a must-have for the ukulele player who has everything, and an heirloom for the budding ukulele player in your family who needs something they can cut teeth on until they learn how to rip like Jake……Available at Kani-Ka-Pila.com

West Coast Ukulele Retreat

Registration will open this week for the second, annual, West Coast Ukulele Retreat, to be held at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, May 16 – 20.  We fully expect to sell out this year so if you’re at all interested in attending, be sure to subscribe to that website so you get all the latest information as it unfolds.  This is four full days of ukulele bliss.  Here’s a little snippet from last year:

See you there!

 UKULELE FLASH MOB!  

There will be a fantastic, action-packed evening of ‘ukulele entertainment at Oxbow Public Market, in Napa on Friday, August 12 and we need all of you to participate!  All you need to bring is your ‘ukulele–carefully concealed of course, until the “unveiling.”

Please arrive at Oxbow Market no later than 6:30pm as we want to have a crowd in place when the signal is given to begin at 6:45pm.  At that time, King Kukulele, our fearless (and I do mean fearless) flash mob leader will jump up upon a table in the main marketplace hall and begin strumming.  Your signal to whip out your ukulele (please arrive with it concealed in a shopping bag/under a coat/hidden and inconspicuous however you can) will be when he throws his ukulele, which will attached to a bungee cord.  Once that happens, get out your ukulele and begin strumming and singing along.  King Kukulele will keep the song going and then lead all the uke strummers in a parade around the music hall and then out onto the riverside patio where the rest of the evening’s entertainment will take place outside amongst the tiki torches and fireplace.  

The cost of the workshop is $20 (cheap, cheap, cheap) and don’t forget the beverages and pupus!  If you’re coming, please RSVP by sending a message via  yahoo groups: http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/NapaValleyFleaJumpers/ (Incidentally, if you haven’t yet become a member of the Flea Jumper Yahoo Groups, this would be a good time to do so if you want to be kept up to speed on monthly meetings and other flea jumpers happenings.)

Jim D’Ville also publishes a very informative weblog, packed with great musical information and ideas for familar songs you can learn to play by ear. I highly recommend you subscribe to it. 

James Hill & Friends

Friday, Sept, 9, 2011   8 pm

Tickets are on sale now at the Napa Valley Opera House for the ukulele concert of the year with James Hill and Anne Davison, Lil Rev, Aaron Keim, and Gerald Ross.  All incomparable musicians!

$25, $35, and $50

($50 ticket  includes preferred seating and a pre-concert reception in the Cafe Theater at the Opera House (6:30 – 7:30)

This is the kick-off to the Wine Country ‘Ukulele Festival.  You don’t want to miss it!

SAVE the DATE!

 Oxbow Public Market and Judd’s Hill Winery present

Uke-A-Palooza at Oxbow

King Kukulele to Perform on Friday, August 12, 2011, Oxbow Public Market in Downtown Napa

Judd and Holly Finkelstein of Judd’s Hill Winery, along with Oxbow Public Market present “Uke-A-Palooza at Oxbow”, a special polynesian evening on Friday, August 12th, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the popular public market in downtown, Napa, CA. The evening includes a special appearance and performance on the Oxbow River Deck by the incomparable King Kukulele, polynesian themed specials offered by Oxbow merchants, a raffle for a performance quality ukulele provided by the Wine Country ‘Ukelele Festival, vintage beach and polynesian clothing for sale, and other exciting surprises during this inaugural polynesian evening event at Oxbow Public Market. Proceeds from “Uke-A-Palooza at Oxbow” will benefit the Napa Valley Youth Symphony and their upcoming trip to eastern Europe in 2012.

Admission to the family-friendly “Uke-A-Palooza at Oxbow” is FREE. For more information or to learn more about Oxbow Public Market, please visit www.oxbowpublicmarket.com.

But wait!  There’s more! 

(But Shhhhhhhhhh!  It’s a secret!)

There will also be an ukulele flash mob as part of the festivities and we want YOU to be part of it. If you’re not quite sure what a flash mob is, take a peek:

Stay tuned,  I’ll post the song we’ll be doing and the key as soon as I hear from “The King.”  In the meantime, Save the Date!

Jim D’Ville will be joining us at our next monthly flea fest (July 31) to teach his extremely popular “Play by Ear” workshop!  Jim is one of the most highly regarded instructors at both the Wine Country ‘Ukulele Festival and the West Coast ‘Ukulele Retreat–a powerhouse of information and technique. So, if you’re on the fence about coming this month, jump off and join us.  This will be fun and informative, and it’s appropriate for ALL skill levels.  And, he is doing this, especially for us, for the super low price of just $20!!!  You can’t beat that.

We’ll be  meeting at the same time (5:00 pm) and place (Gordon Huether Studio) and follow-up the workshop with a short sing-along to practice all our new play-by-ear skills.

Click here to download the Play By Ear Flyer and distribute.  It would be great if we could get a big turn out for this special meeting.  (And, yes, there will be pupus.)

Festival Registration is now open!

We have some great workshops lined up, again, this year at the Wine Country Ukulele Festival, and to enhance the experience for everyone, we will be limiting enrollment.  So, if there are any workshops you are particularly keen on taking, be sure to register early. As a word of warning, Gerald Ross’ and Jim D’Ville’s workshops are filling quickly. 

Festival Volunteers

Calling all volunteers!  We will be needing help again before, during, and after the festival. If you’d like to help out please come to the meeting on July 31 at 4:00, just before the workshop with Jim. I’ll have a sign-up list and we’ll be able to talk about what needs to happen to make things run as smoothly as possible.  It’s hard work, but it must be fun! Some of you just keep on coming back!  And, we simply couldn’t do it without your help and support.

If anyone would like to get a jump on volunteering, I could use some help right away with securing advertisers for the festival program. (See below for more details.)

Advertisers Needed

We are going big time this year and are printing a festival program.  It’s looking like it will be about 20 (full-color) pages long with lots of great articles.  But, we need advertisers to make it happen.  If you know of anyone who might like to take out an ad in the program, please download the Sample Program & Insertion Order, print it out, and distribute it freely. Anyone is fair game: doctors, lawyers, real estate agents, wineries, restaurants, caterers, retail stores, music instructors,  music stores, and ukulele groups. You can even do a shout-out to your favorite ‘ukulele player! I’m sure you’ll think of more. We’ll be printing 500 copies at the very least.  The deadline is July 29, so we don’t have a lot of time. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

James Hill at the Napa Valley Opera House

The not-to-be-missed ‘ukulele concert of the year (and opening celebration of the Wine Country ‘Ukulele Festival) will be at the Napa Valley Opera House on Friday, Sept. 9, featuring James Hill, Anne Davison, Aaron Keim, Gerlad Ross, and Lil Rev.  If you missed last year’s concert with James Hill & Friends, I’m sorry.  If you didn’t miss it, you can be rest assured that James and the gang will have a whole new bag of tricks up their sleeve.  Tickets go on sale through the Opera House on July 14 and are $25, $35, and $50.  (You can save some bucks on your ticket by purchasing them in person at the opera house box office, Monday through Friday from 10-5, Saturday from noon to 4, and 60 minutes before each show.) The $50 tickets get you VIP treatment, with preferred seating and an invitation to the pre-concert reception with food and wine from some of the Napa Valley’s finest purveyers. 

And finally….

Jake Shimabukuro will be playing at the Napa Valley Opera House this Wednesday night, July 13, and I understand that there are still tickets available.  This is another must-see ‘ukulele performer, if you haven’t seen him already.

That’s it for now.  Hope to see you on the 31st!

We’re also in the process of planning the festival’s opening night (Friday, Sept. 9) celebration at the Napa Valley Opera House.  This year it will include a VIP reception at the Opera House before the concert.  We are currently looking for wineries, caterers, and/or restaurants who might be interested in joining us that evening as special event sponsors.  If you fall within that category, please let me know. Basically it would involve pouring your wine at the event or offering some nibbles.  Besides the exposure (including a link on the festival website) we will have other relevant perks available for our sponsors.  So please, let me know……

I’m also looking for volunteers to help out with the festival both before and during the festival. So, if you have a hankering to help, let me know.

If you missed the first, ever West Coast Ukulele Retreat at Asilomar on the Monterey Peninsula, I am sorry.  It was, by all accounts, a total blast.  We will be doing it again next year, so mark your calendars: May 16 – 20, 2012 and be sure to subscribe to that weblog to stay in that loop. 

Here’s a little teaser from this year’s retreat:

And don’t forget, Napa Valley Flea Jumpers meet at 5:00 pm, the last Sunday of the month (that would be today), at the Gordon Huether Studio in Napa. To stay in that loop, be sure to sign up in Yahoo Groups.

That’s it for now.  See you soon.

Just a quickie to let you know that we will NOT be meeting this month.  Typically we should have met this coming Sunday (April 24), but won’t be able to this month.

And, there are still places available for the one-of-a-kind James Hill Jam, in St. Helena on May 22,  to benefit Sonoma Academy.  Among many other things, Sonoma Academy has a burgeoning ‘ukulele program and is spreading the joy by using the ‘ukulele to teach music to  students at nearby Kawana Springs Elementary School, a public school that has had all of its funding for all of the arts cut off…….Your attendance at this event will help support that program. 

And lastly, last call for anyone wanting to join us at Asilomar, May 18 – 22, for the first, ever West Coast ‘Ukulele Retreat. There is still room in all classes and I believe Asilomar still has some rooms available, as well.

Until next time…….