| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Elaine |
Posted - 05/06/2009 : 8:36:52 PM
Just to let everyone know, we've decided to move the dates of the Wine Country 'Ukulele Festival back to the second week-end in October (9,10,11). This year we'll have a three-day event, beginning Friday night with a Hula Party/'Ukulele Extravaganza at Judd's Hill Winery in Napa.
We've got a number of Napa Valley wineries on board (the Saturday night lu'au will be at Flora Springs) and keep adding more!
For the most up-to-date information, please visit our weblog at: www.winecountryukefest.com There you'll also find Scenes from 2008 and have an opportunity to Subscribe. (Don't worry, it's free.) Once you subscribe, you will be notified automatically via email whenever there's a new post.
It's going to be amazing. Hope to see you there.
Elaine
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| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ArtSap |
Posted - 10/22/2009 : 10:19:04 AM
I was there on Saturday too, performing with the Academy of Hawaiian Arts (AHA) music ensemble, AHAMele (we came on right after Brittni), as the next-to-last act of the day. Really receptive and appreciative crowd - not to mention an absolutely beautiful day! |
| manapualabs |
Posted - 10/16/2009 : 11:03:07 AM
Aloha kakou!
Put a photo of Liko and David Tachera (of Oiwi 'Ukuleles http://www.oiwiukulele.com/) in the UkeTube Booth kanikapila.
http://www.manapualabs.com/Ukulele/kawika_liko.jpg |
| Julie H |
Posted - 10/15/2009 : 6:59:44 PM
Oh Elaine,
Believe me, I really wanted to be there. It would have been better than struggling in my cubicle trying to beat this stupid deadline the company set for my design!
I MISSED EVERYBODY!!!!
Hugs, Julie |
| Elaine |
Posted - 10/13/2009 : 7:07:18 PM
WoW! What a week-end!
Thank you everyone who came and participated. One event after another, it just kept getting better. And it was all of you who made it so special.
There was just one tiny little problem. I didn't take any photos! So if you have any you'd like to share, please let me know.
Julie, better not miss it next year!
Elaine |
| PearlCityBoy |
Posted - 10/13/2009 : 07:25:49 AM
quote:
Originally posted by PearlCityBoy
Just a short note to say the Wine Country 'Ukulele Festival is off to a great start! Today I stopped by the Gaia Hotel in American Canyon to see Brittni Paiva, who was great as usual--beautiful arrangements, expressive, engaging, and very clean playing. . . .
After the concert, Ukulele Bart, Moe Dixon, and a couple of other folks jammed in the hotel lobby. After selling and autographing CDs, Brittni and Kalei joined the jam session. Good fun! . . .
I found out the next day (Sat.) that one of the guys jamming with Ukulele Bart and Moe Dixon was Freebo, the former bassist for Bonnie Raitt. It was so cool watching them improvise and enjoying the impromptu jam. Freebo also helped Moe teach during Moe's "Tricks and Licks" workshop.
I also met Gordon and Char Mayer of Mya-Moe Ukuleles, http://www.myamoeukuleles.com/index.php . They were very nice and had some beautiful ukes on display, including an awesome resonator uke.
More on the festival later . . . |
| manapualabs |
Posted - 10/12/2009 : 05:47:47 AM
We had a fantastic time this past weekend at the 2009 Wine Country 'Ukulele Festival. Good fun, incredible music, saw lots of old friends (whassup Aunty Faith!) and met some new ones (howzit Aldrine!) and great grinds (well, you know I gotta write about that, I'm with Liko and he wanted to try everyt'ing!).
Check out Liko's YouTube channel to watch him chant the opening blessing and sing Kaulana O Napa, both of which he wrote specifically for the Wine Country 'Ukulele Festival events.
http://www.youtube.com/user/likopuha
a hui hou...
Toki
(for more information about Liko check out - www.nowelo.org) |
| Julie H |
Posted - 10/10/2009 : 8:34:37 PM
Wwwaaahhhh,
I had to work today because I'm on a strict deadline, and all I could think of was missing all that wonderful music and social life up there in Napa Valley.
Julie |
| PearlCityBoy |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 8:16:12 PM
Just a short note to say the Wine Country 'Ukulele Festival is off to a great start! Today I stopped by the Gaia Hotel in American Canyon to see Brittni Paiva, who was great as usual--beautiful arrangements, expressive, engaging, and very clean playing. I hadn't seen Brittni since Uncle George Kahumoku's Maui workshop a few years ago, and it was great catching up with her and her Mom, and meeting her husband Brandon. Brittni had a surprise guest from Hawaii, Kalei Gamiao, another young talent who can really rip on the uke.
For two hours, Brittni and Kalei played solo sets, which included songs from their newly released albums (Brittni's 4th and Kalei's debut album), and finished with a couple of cool duets, including Europa. Not only did we get treated to a wonderful concert, but there was wine, cheese, and fruit--all for free! Mahalo to Brittni, Kalei, the wine company, and the Gaia Hotel.
After the concert, Ukulele Bart, Moe Dixon, and a couple of other folks jammed in the hotel lobby. After selling and autographing CDs, Brittni and Kalei joined the jam session. Good fun!
Anyhow, looking forward to tomorrow's full day of workshops, free concerts, and the luau. Head up to St. Helena tomorrow morning--there's still time to join in on the fun!
Aloha,
Doug |
| Elaine |
Posted - 10/02/2009 : 7:45:40 PM
Thank you, Doug. That was so nice. I'm glad you're coming back! We took all of your comments truly to heart and think this years' festival will be even better. There are two workshops in the morning followed by a lunch break so you'll have time to eat and take in all the beautiful instruments on display and the performances! (But, if you're a real die-hard, you can spend that time learning about what makes your 'ukulele sing from the good folks at Mya-Moe 'Ukuleles or how Victoria Vox does that crazy mouth-trumpet thing.) There's one more workshop in the afternoon, then you're free to shop, visit, or just grab a blanket, lay it out on the lawn in front of the Rhine House, sip a little wine, and take in the concert. And (except for the workshops and winetasting) it's free! And the lineup is stellar: Faith Ako, Steven Espaniola, Ralph Shaw, James Hill, Victoria Vox, and Moe Dixon are all scheduled to appear on the Rhine House stage. But Brittni Paiva, Derick Sebastian, Aldrinne Guerrero, Kimo Hussey, and lots more will all be on the Pavillion Stage. It's just going to be a great day. Hope you all can make it! (And don't overlook the film festival on Sunday afternoon.......) www.winecountryukefest.com AND you can now register online! |
| PearlCityBoy |
Posted - 10/02/2009 : 08:58:49 AM
OK, I'm committed--sent in my registration the other day. Any other Taropatchers going? This is an awesome event--so many talented performers, teachers, luthiers, etc. The costs for the workshops and dinner events are very reasonable for the quality of instruction, food, wine, and entertainment. Major kudos to Elaine for organizing this 3-day uke extravaganza!
To give you a flavor of what to expect, here was my Taropatch writeup from last year. The program and lineup this year are even more impressive.
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Oct. 2008
I’m so glad I was able to make it to the Uke Festival. Since I didn’t pre-register, I got there early on Saturday morning to ensure I could get tickets to the workshops and the Grand Finale Concert. Unfortunately, the luau was sold out a week or so before, but I knew that going in.
The 75-minute workshops were very educational and fun. In the morning I took two classes from James Hill, “’Ukulele, Pass It On,” and “Swing, ‘Ukulele Swing.” I had never met James before and only saw him via YouTube. I knew he was a phenomenal player, but I didn’t know he was a gifted teacher. Not a bad way to start the day!
Although I didn’t want to, I opted out of the 12:30-1:45P workshops so I could eat lunch, say “Hi” to a few friends, and see some of the Mainstage performances. In the afternoon, I took Ralph Shaw’s “Strumzercises & Ornamentology,” and Taropatch’s own Mark Nelson’s “Fun With Your ‘Ukulele.” Both classes were very fun and I learned a lot of new techniques and ideas. Plus, I was glad to finally have met Mark and also Tonya, another fellow Taropatcher.
Unfortunately, since I was in workshops for most of the day, I didn’t have much time to mingle out in the courtyard or even check out the beautiful ukes. And quite frankly, there were so many great workshops going on simultaneously, that it was hard to choose. I would definitely have come back the next day to take the other classes.
The concert was not just a concert. It was an Event--very entertaining and unpredictable. Those wacky Canadians, Ralph Shaw and James Hill, were awesome. They are truly originals. How can you forget that chopstick/percussive/Bobby McFerrin mouth sounds/yodeling/dance number? Or Ralph’s song about how to make a homemade ‘ukulele case. It was so hilarious and clever, and he performed in a tuxedo to boot. James’ virtuosity is as jaw dropping as it is innovative.
Herb and Keoki were fantastic and funny as usual. I’m glad they both got to play a solo set as well as together. Herb’s the master of subtleties, has an incredible touch, and plays so beautifully that you just close your eyes and get taken back to the islands. Keoki mesmerizes you with his soulful singing, an old Hawaiian voice from the past. And of course, his slack key is very expressive, with those signature Kahumoku bass runs. Herb and Keoki never fail to make me homesick.
I didn’t get home until well after midnight, but what a fun and educational day it was. A BIG Mahalo to Elaine, Suzie, Nimbus Arts, and all the volunteers for putting this wonderful festival together. The aloha was overflowing. Can’t wait till next year!
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Aloha,
Doug |
| Elaine |
Posted - 09/27/2009 : 04:47:07 AM
More entries in the You-Tube Commercial Contest:
http://winecountryukefest.wordpress.com/youtube-commercials/
Go ahead and post your comments. Let your voice be heard. |
| Elaine |
Posted - 09/19/2009 : 7:10:03 PM
 We have another entry in the YouTube Commercial Contest:
http://winecountryukefest.wordpress.com/youtube-commercials/
We'll keep posting them here as they come in.
Enjoy! |
| Mika ele |
Posted - 09/18/2009 : 2:07:46 PM
Aldrine is playing here in San Diego next week! |
| Elaine |
Posted - 09/17/2009 : 8:03:41 PM
Check out the first entry in the festival's YouTube Commercial Contest. It's a hoot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKOOQzWg4yM
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| Elaine |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 7:20:34 PM
Due to popular demand, we have now posted the list of workshops we'll be offering and their descriptions on the website:
http://winecountryukefest.wordpress.com/workshops-2009/
The actual schedule will be posted soon. We're still doing a little fine tuning, so hang in there.
We're also delighted to announce that Aldrinne Guerrero of Ukulele Underground fame will also be coming to the festval to perform and give a workshop for us. Details to come.
And, we just found out that Pacific Union College, about 10 minutes away from us(or one very fast bike road--all downhill)has guest rooms available for about $71 a night. More details on our Accommodations page: http://winecountryukefest.wordpress.com/accomodations/
Hope to see you there!
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