Wednesday, September 25, 2019

If you missed our group's second open mic night (this time with a real mic and sound system) you missed the musical stylings of Thelma, Verna, Judy, Linda, Lynn, Cathie, Heather, Lana, Louise, Zenith, Marge and her special guest, husband Dale.

We gathered in the gallery area of the Golden Prairie Arts Council building, utilizing the new sturdy mic stands and comfortable chairs purchased by the council.

The current art display at the gallery, Writing on the Wall, with framed copies of song lyrics written by Ernie Enns and Brenda Major, was a perfect backdrop for the evening.

Song selections ranged from at least the 1920s to 2019 and included everything from gospel favourites to alternative rock. We heard covers of artists like John Prine, John Mayer, Joni Mitchell, David Bowie, Don Ho, and more with plenty of opportunities for everyong to join in for the choruses and a variety of ooo and ah parts. Players also demonstrated their picking, chord melody and blues skills, inspiring me at least to go home and practice some different techniques. We also played some old favourites together like We Are Going to be Friends, Angeline the Baker, You Belong to Me, and, of course, our signature set-ending song.

It was scary playing with an actual mic this time (thanks for setting that up Lynn) but a great opportunity to share our love of singing and playing ukulele and a chance to hear and learn about some new songs.

The group decided we would try to have another open mic in a couple of months so watch this space for more information.

Also, Linda asked us on behalf of the Sonatrice Singers if we would play a couple of selections at their Christmas Cheer concert on Sunday, December 1. We agreed in principle and will discuss song selections in the coming weeks. 

Hope to see you at our next meetup on Wednesday, October 2.

Until then, keep strumming! :)

- Heather

P.S. Feel free to send me the titles of the song or songs you played and I will add them here.

Verna - a homemade 12 Bar Blues tune based on Manitoba Hal's workshop lesson 
Thelma - Pearly Shells (Don Ho)
Cathie - Both Sides Now (Joni Mitchell)
Heather - I Guess I Just Feel Like (John Mayer), Perfect Situation (Weezer), Space Oddity (David Bowie)

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Lorna, Zenith, Shirley, Marge, Cathie, Barry, Heather, Thelma, Lana, Louise, and Lynn met in the gallery of the old train station to sing and play a number of old favourites and a new tune.

We played: Eight Days a Week, I Can See Clearly Now, If I Needed You, When They Ring the Golden Bells (new song), What a Wonderful World (a little different from the add-on to Somewhere Over the Rainbow), Goodnight Irene (which Barry said he was able to use to put his grandson to sleep), Silver Wings, Relax Your Mind, I‘ll See You in my Dreams, Runaway, Ukulele Lady, Wayfaring Stranger (we also listened to Lynn and his daughter Emily’s rendition on Youtube which was recorded on Lynn’s birthday last week), Fish and Whistle, Red Wing, Moon River (Cynthia Lin’s version with 1, 2, 3, 4, 2 picking), Puff the Magic Dragon (in G), Bad Moon Rising, Walk Away, Log Driver’s Waltz, Farewell to Nova Scotia (in honour of the residents out east who went through the hurricane-related weather last week), and our signature set-ending song.

Louise suggested we hold another optional Open Mic night in two weeks time on Wednesday, August 25^th. We held one (not with an actual mic) last year before Christmas. It’s a great way to practice performing in front of a small, appreciative crowd – your fellow club members. Feel free to play any song you choose, including songs from our repertoire.  We will attempt to have a real mic this time. You can also bring a friend.

Hope to see you next time. :)

-         - Heather

August 28, 2019

Despite the rain that came near the end of the evening, many of our members were able to play and sing at the Golden Prairie Art Council's BBQ in the Courtyard event on Wednesday, August 28th.

We had a lovely time and were honoured to be joined by music instructor Melanie Schwartz on cello.

When the rain started we moved indoors to the gallery space and continued to play with Melanie. We hope she joins us again soon!

She will be teaching keyboard, piano, ukulele and cello at the gallery. Check the Golden Prairie Art Council's webpage or Facebook page for more details.

- Heather