|
|
GMUG Performers & Workshop Leaders
Friday Eve Uke Fest Cabaret
|
Uke Fest is celebrating its eighth year and is marking its first year at the Great Minnesota Uke Gathering. The event, organized by local singer-songwriter Katy Vernon, and emcee'd by Ukester Brown will kick off with registration at 6:00 p.m. and with performances from many local musicians beginning at 6:30. |
|
The first Uke Fest took place in 2012 at Aster Café, featuring performances from a handful of local musicians, including Vernon. After the success of the first Uke Fest, Vernon decided to take up the project the next year, and she has organized it ever since. A wonderful ukulele and community event!
Jim Beloff
- Uke Fest Cabaret performance!
- Ukulele workshops and concert!
- Saturday after concert jam!
Finding a ukulele at the Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Market in 1992 inspired Liz and Jim Beloff to start Flea Market Music, Inc., publisher of the popular Jumpin' Jim's series of ukulele songbooks. This series is sold worldwide and includes The Daily Ukulele: 365 Songs For Better Living and The Daily Ukulele: Leap Year Edition, two of the biggest and best-selling ukulele songbooks ever published.
Jim Beloff is the author of The Ukulele—A Visual History (Backbeat Books), producer of Legends of Ukulele, a CD compilation for Rhino Records and has made three how-to-play DVDs for Homespun. Jim is also an active songwriter. His 2014 two-CD set, Dreams I Left In Pockets, features 33 songs he wrote or co-wrote with uke legends Herb "Ohta-san" Ohta and Lyle Ritz.
In 1999, Jim composed and premiered "Uke Can't Be Serious," a concerto for solo ukulele and symphony orchestra. Since then the piece has been performed many times, most recently with the Choate School orchestra in Germany and Austria and also with the Michigan Philharmonic. In 2017, Jim premiered a new work entitled "The Dovetale" commissioned and performed by the Wallingford (CT) Symphony Orchestra. In 2018 he released a recording of both pieces entitled "Two Ukulele Concertos."
Jim Beloff is the author of The Ukulele—A Visual History (Backbeat Books), producer of Legends of Ukulele, a CD compilation for Rhino Records and has made three how-to-play DVDs for Homespun. Jim is also an active songwriter. His 2014 two-CD set, Dreams I Left In Pockets, features 33 songs he wrote or co-wrote with uke legends Herb "Ohta-san" Ohta and Lyle Ritz.
In 1999, Jim composed and premiered "Uke Can't Be Serious," a concerto for solo ukulele and symphony orchestra. Since then the piece has been performed many times, most recently with the Choate School orchestra in Germany and Austria and also with the Michigan Philharmonic. In 2017, Jim premiered a new work entitled "The Dovetale" commissioned and performed by the Wallingford (CT) Symphony Orchestra. In 2018 he released a recording of both pieces entitled "Two Ukulele Concertos."
Ukester Brown
- Uke Fest Cabaret performance!
- Ukulele workshop!
|
Welcome to Ukester Brown's place!
Ukester Brown is an ukulele (oo-koo-lay-lay) player from Minnesota. The only Palm Trees that are close enough for a glimpse of are not on the shores of one of our 10,000 lakes, but kept under protective glass at the Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul. While Ukester says, "it's true we are not known for normal ukulele tropical weather, we do love music in every style." |
Click on Ukester's Photo for Info
|
From August, 2011 though 2020, Ukester taught seminars and participated in concerts at the Silver Creek Ukulele Carnival hosted by the Two Harbors Ukulele Group in Two Harbors, Minnesota. In October 2011, he participated in a 90th anniversary event for the Hennepin Theater Trust for the Orpheum and State Theaters in Minneapolis, MN. He was in a video featured at MINNPOST.COM. Ukester says, "I am proud to have participated as an artist/teacher at the 2016 South Florida Ukulele Fest in Ft. Lauderdale.
Brenda & Dale Moe
Dale and Brenda are active members of the Two Harbors Ukulele Group. Among their tremendous ukulele skills are working with all levels of ukulele players. They are masters at teaching uke skills in an enjoyable and understandable way.
|
Their smiles show how much fun ukulele is!
|
T.H.U.G.
The Two Harbors Ukulele Group
The Two Harbors Ukulele Group
- Ukulele Workshop from the Silver Creek International Ukulele Carnival!
- Ukulele concert Saturday evening!
Click on the photos to enlarge.
The Two Harbors Ukulele Group (T.H.U.G.) was formed about twelve years ago by Al Anderson. He recruited some members for the Two Harbors Ukulele Group and it grew from there. The Two Harbors Ukulele Group now performs approximately 40 times a year from as far south as the Wayzata Country Club to the Naniboujou Lodge near the Canadian border. Their music ranges from the 1920's to present...quite a variety. They like to say they are the only ukulele group in Minnesota to perform music by Frank Zappa.
T.H.U.G. also hosts the annual Silver Creek International Ukulele Carnival. This ukulele carnival is unique in that the participants are taught several songs and then play them during the Saturday concert. We want to keep people playing and learning as much as possible.
Information - Contact - greatmnukegathering@icloud.com
Twin Cities Ukulele Club Email List - Click here to be added to this email list, and you will receive information about all Twin Cities Ukulele Club events, including GMUG. Just add the subject "Add me to the Twin Cities Ukulele Club Email List." Be sure to add your first and last name.
Twin Cities Ukulele Club Email List - Click here to be added to this email list, and you will receive information about all Twin Cities Ukulele Club events, including GMUG. Just add the subject "Add me to the Twin Cities Ukulele Club Email List." Be sure to add your first and last name.
