Uke Resources

Here you will find links to music libraries, to specific pieces of music, local arrangements and links to uke information from around the world! Explore!

Contact the Ukestras Director

To book a Ukestra performance, or to inquire about coming along, please call Mark Jackson on 0430434291 or email him at mark(at)ukestra.com (replace the (at) with an '@' symbol. (Trying to stop spambots).

The Yahoo Uke Group email list for the Hunter

Go to Yahoo Groups - Ukestras and click 'Join this Group'. Follow your nose hopefully!! If you post to this list 'ukestras@yahoogroups.com' your message will go out to all members.

An easy way to ask a question such as 'Do you know the way to San Jose?' on ukulele?

AJ Leonard Workshop and Performance (with SQuidge)

Wonderful islander-like ukulele player AJ Leonard is in town on Wednesday 15 September. This will be a very relaxing evening yet again in the wonderful Royal Exchange (Bolton St, Newcastle).  Like Rose Turtle Ertler back in July, AJ will be conducting a workshop beforehand.

• Workshop - $25  5:00-6:30pm -I have word from some Victorian and NSW uke people that AJ is one of the most experienced uke players / teachers in oz. (More info on AJ if you click here).
  

• Performance - 8:00pm - 10:00pm (supported by our very own SQuidge - p.s. the SQuidge website needs dramatic updating!).

A performance of which we can be supremely proud!

Have a look on our videos site for the latest performance of the Ukestras at the Wallsend Winter Carnivale.

Sponge Bob's Excellent Adventure

Yes. Mike & Suzie are taking Sponge Bob on an excellent tour (in Gypsy Belle) of Central Australia. Follow Sponge Bob's excellent adventure here.

Maitland Ukestra, Monday nights, 6:30pm, Grand Junction Hotel

The ukulele revolution has begun in Maitland. The Grand Junction Hotel (which is the pub next to the Railway Station) are hosting us on a Monday night. The Grand Junction's Bistro room (which is closed on a Monday night) is our little private home for our Monday evening gathering, starting at 6:30pm and going for two hours. This is a very welcoming pub, with some great music on many nights / days of the week. I think as ukulele hosts they will be fabulous.  Thanks to Kath & Anna from the Maitland Mercury for the story and lovely photo! (hint! click on story to read it!).

LakeMacUkestra moves

Seems we have gotten too big for our collective boots at Teralba, so we are on the move. As of 3 August, the LakeMacUkestra will meet at 2pm at the Five Islands Recreation Club (formerly the Speers Point RSL).

Wallsend Fair Performance

The Ukastle Ukestra is performing at the Wallsend Winter Fair on Sunday August 8th at 2:30 in the Rotunda. We will meet at 1:15 next to the Rotunda and head down for some informal plays on the street, prior to performing in the Rotunda more formally. The repertoire will consist of selections from both the LakeMacUkestra and the Ukastle Ukestra, so members of both are welcome to participate.

Here is a little poem about the Ukestra - by Di Pope.

Ukuleles in Newcastle and the Lake

The Sum of the Parts (music) started a Ukestra at the Wickham Croatian Sports Club (Albert St, Wickham) in November 2009. It was immediately popular amongst younger people who were enjoying their ukes in the quiet of their house, and amongst older folk who wanted to learn ukulele (neither of which is meant to exclude the possibility that older folk already knew the uke well, or that those of the younger persuasion were utter uke novices!)

All are welcome to the local Ukestras. They are still evolving, but generally involve a beginners lesson for those who need it followed by a formal rehearsal. The aim is to perform in whatever forums, but still to allow room for people whose uking (and singing) skills need to develop further. Please contact Mark to make a booking.

Ukastle Ukestra

The Ukastle Ukestra rehearses Tuesday evenings at the Wickham Croatian Sports Club from 6:30pm at which time there is a formal group lesson. However some Ukestra members also gather at 6:30pm to have a drink, compare instruments, chinwag, exchange songs and practice (either uke or singing).

The formal Ukestra rehearsal commences at 7:30pm with Mark Jackson arranging, conducting, and generally keeping things on track (and keeping some people in line! That means you John!).

LakeMacUkestra

The LakeMacUkestra is on Tuesday afternoons at 2:00pm.   We meet at the Five Islands Recreation Club (formerly the Speers Point RSL), with a format similar to that described above for the Ukastle Ukestra. The photo shows our early days gathered at the Teralba Bowling Club.

Tomaree Ukestra

It may take a while to get things up to a sustainable uke level at the Bay. But I think I now have 4 very enthusiastic regulars, with a few more signalling that they wish to come but haven't yet found the time.  If you know anyone up at the Bay, please tell them that the Tomaree Ukestra happens at the Fingal Bay Sports Club on Monday mornings (9:30am) each week, except for the second Monday of the month (when the local Probus Club have their meeting). For 2 hours we learn and rehearse, and the current ukestrans are also getting together at another time during the week. That is what I call sustainable!

There is an unbelievable array of web based ukulele resources. Explore the links in the right hand column to get started.

The Sum of the Parts goes global with Uke Workshops (starting with Forbes, NSW)

(Does Forbes count as global???)

With wonderful assistance from Jane Jelbart, The Sum of the Parts (music) ran a very successful workshop in Forbes in May 2010. We had 10 people ranging in age from 6 to 64 (ish). It went very well  with people really enthused about the uke afterwards. I am very hopeful that a uke group will now get off the ground in Forbes. If Lightning Ridge can have one, why not Forbes?

Much thanks to Marg Willmott of the Mitchell Conservatorium for her assistance in organising it and putting out the word. Bundaburrah Music, the Forbes Advocate and Central West ABC were also very generous with promoting the workshop.

I hope to do more of these workshops in rural areas to spread the 'gospel according to the ukulele'.

Our very first public performance!!!

The Ukastle Ukestra performed magnificently at the Olive Tree Markets (held at the Junction Primary School) on May 1st 2010. This was our public DEBUT! And right here is the video evidence (Thank you Sue Herd from LakeMacUkestra for the video)!!!

Christine? Are you Hawaiian perchance?

The NBNTV report can be seen here. Congrats Ted & Betty for your eloquence, Suzie for your harmony and laughter, and Christine for holding the playing together so well!

Happy Uking!!!!