Tag Archives: Miss Amber and Stukulele

September 2015 – Happy Folk

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Uke Mullum September 2015

For the theme of our second UKE NIGHT at the new venue Club Mullum in the Ex – Services Club, we went for a feeling… ‘Happy’. We put together a book of happy, uplifting tunes entitled ‘Happy Folk’. Awesome work from the band, Paul Agar on guitar and lap, Al Brooker on bass, Rex Carter on drums and Maria Stratton on violin, percussion and Bv’s. Special guest singer Chris Mallory did a sterling job, specially on 90’s classic, ‘You Get What You Give’ by New Radicals. Also along for the night was rising Uke Stars, Uke Loveys who were very well received and put on a great show, especially Sue Stenning’s original tune – ‘Keeping Up Appearances’. Erina Leech from the Monday night Mullum Uke Club sang the female part of ‘Young Folk’ by Peter Bjorn & John while teenage son Reuben was nonchalant though executed his whistling part with aplomb. Speaking of whistling… we found happy tunes often have whistling… the finale ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ had a massive chorus of whistlers from the audience (including 2 year old Noah). Numbers were consistent with last month just  over 60 payers and the room layout was approved of by our patrons. We had dancers. Great fun night!

whistlers

See the entire album of photos from Lyn McCarthy’s Niche Pix here and awesome video here

August 2015 – New Venue Debut

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Uke Mullum August 2015

It was the first show in the Club Mullum, the new home of Uke Mullum – Miss Amber and Stukulele’s UKE NIGHT. We were nervous about how the room would be received by the fans and Uke players as it is an auditorium… not a pub and requires a different awareness I suppose. All in all the reception was positive.

We put put together a set full of songs that are quintessential to the uke with a bunch of old Hapa-Haole tunes and finishing off with some great Pop tunes. We had Paul Agar on Lap steel (and Pedal Steel and guitar) who adds so much, Acey Jason Caspen on drums and Rod Coe on basses who went the hard yards as usual with the arrangements. Guest Vocalist Misty Henderson and Renee Searles were both wonderful and Miss Amber did a fine job with her tunes. The N.R.U.O. were just perfect for the night adding their big orchestra sound and look to 7 of the tunes in the 2nd set. Nice to see lots of familiar face in the audience like Micheal Smith from the now somewhat scaled down Gold Coast ukuleles.

We are learning as we go in terms of setting up the room. Folk wanted a little more intimacy was the general consensus, though we needed room at the front of the stage for Lilith and Marion from The Mana Aloha Hula Dance Troupe who brought the spirit of Aloha to to our little night and we are forever to grateful to be graced by their beautiful dance.

Most of all thanks to all you wonderful ukers who came to support the night… it would mean nothing with out you and the plan is to make the evening more inclusive of everyone with more local group and solo performances. Thanks to Luke Barnes from The Ex-Services and Luis Christia and Deb who pulled out all stops to make the night a success. Looking forward to the next one in Club Mullum. See pics from Niche Pictures here

July 2015 – Uke Mullum Turns 4

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It was our 4th Birthday and also the last UKE NIGHT at The Courthouse Hotel after 4 years and 47 almost consecutive uke nights. We did it with TV Themes… with many memorable highlights, most of all, the theme from Laverne and Shirley with 3 Little Sisters who have all grown up. Cecilia Brandolini is now an accomplished singing star and still in year 12. Such a thrill to have the girls along… real talent is such a tangible and wondrous thing to behold.

Then there was of course Azo Bell… a master ukulelist and musician who enthralled everyone with his brief set. Some of the happy throng would prefer to be playing along of course though wasn’t not really an option. The N.R.U.O. acquitted themselves with aplomb and no music to be seen… (makes a certain Stu very proud). Glenn Campbell from the Raise The Roof Gospel Choir rose to the challenge and did a particularly good version of the theme from America’s Greatest Hero – ‘Believe It Or Not’.

Great crowd, great night with Rex Carter on drums charting his parts for 4 of the tunes. Massive effort also from Rod Coe also especially in the N.R.U.O’s TV mash up which is not for the lighthearted. Thanks as always to Luis Christia on sound and Deb on the door.

Big thanks to Laurie and Craig and all the staff from The Courthouse and Pete and staff from the Restaurant. We will always look back fondly at our time in the pub. Who knows we may come crawling back with our legs between our tails. Most of all thanks to you the ukers and Uke Night supporters who showed up and made the night so memorable just by coming together in song.

See pics from the night thanks to Lyn at Niche Picture here.

June 2015 – Name Your Poison

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I must have bogarted the joint a little too much last night. I forgot to thank everyone at the end of the 2nd set, which is the best part. Massive thanks to special guests Clelia Adams, Ash Bell and Parissa Bouass who were all fantastic. (Miss Amber and I aspire to be great singers like these guys one day)… Thanks to The Courthouse and the restaurant and thanks to Luis Christia for excellent sound and Deb on the door. Congrats to Donald who took out the raffle (free entry and free meals for two next month + a bottle of wine) and to Erina who won the framed poster (2nd time in a row). Thanks to Lyn from Niche Pics who got to take a few pics before her camera malfunctioned. Rod and Rex the silver haired rhythm section were amazing as usual and special thanks to Rex for charting out the entire drum part for Cheap Wine. (that’s dedication). Although the numbers were down compared to the rest of the year, it was a fun and entertaining evening and we had some new happy faces in the crowd. Mostly, thanks to all of you who made it and joined in the fun. See you next month for our 4th Birthday.

 

Beatles Uke Night – Repeat Performance

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Betles Night Repeat Performance

 

Amazingly, we had a great turn out and most of the audience were newbies… (they didn’t come to the first night). The band were on fire with the luxury of having performed the songs once before. Fiona Knight again rocked the house… she found her special growl that she doesn’t know how to reproduce in any other circumstance other than singing ‘Twist and Shout’.

Clelia Adams came along and sang harmonies and lead on ‘Yesterday’…. It was a show stopper. Guy Kaychel and Raku O’Gaia again excelled and most notably was the applause Evan Sun received for his solo in ‘Something’. We even pulled out ‘Birthday’ for an audience member who was celebrating his birthday, (Happy Birthday Mason!)…

A great night and well worth repeating. As one of the happy throng commented.. “It was gear!”

April 2015 – Beatles Night

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Beatles Uke Night

We have always wanted to do a Beatles Night. The reasons we put it off for so long were:  (A) It’s a massive amount of work learning all the harmonies and iconic guitar lines… and (B) What do we follow it with? The vibe at the Courthouse last Thursday 30th was so great. Every one knew all the words to all the songs. We began with all the 64 era tunes.. Hard Days Night, Can’t Buy Me Love, I Should Have Known Better  – Beatlemania was building then Fiona Knight ignited the room with her rendition of Twist and Shout – spontaneous dance erupted and this was before the break. Guy Kachel (pronounced Kay- Chull) battled the flu and delivered and Raku O’gaia as always took us higher than we though imaginable. In fact it was so much fun, we are going to do it all again on Wednesday 30th May. Hope you can make it.

Uke Mullum Beatles

See slide show from Niche Pictures here | Photo Gallery

March 2015 – Gospel

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Uke Mullum Gospel Night

The Monday night Mullum crew were horrified… Had Stu been saved? Has he lost his mind? What are all these God Bothering songs? ‘Gospel’ is a musical genre like any other and has specific themes. In these sensitive times of ‘PC non religious gatherings’ words like ‘The Lord’ and ‘Heaven’ can ruffle some feathers. It was one of the biggest and many many people have said it was one of the best Uke Nights at The Courthouse ever.

Thanks to Jessie Vintilla who brought along her 50+ piece choir who really did raise the roof! It was great to have Jason Caspen back behind the drums (called in at the last minute),  Evan Sun for Mandolin, Guitar and Slide Guitar and the ever dependable and solid Rod Coe on Double Bass. Gareth Baajland of The Barker Vale Brothers played some blistering Banjo, Renee Searles sang like a beautiful Song Bird and Miss Amber and Stukulele were imbued with the holy spirit. There were impromptu repeat choruses and unexpected Violin solos – a great night was had by all.

Gospel Night

Nice, easy, repetitive chord changes go down well with the newer players and also the singing comes naturally as these songs are designed to bring a community together. We will definitely be doing more Gospel again. Thanks as always Deb on the door and Luis on sound who really had his job cut out for him and did an outstanding job. See some wonderful pics From Niche Pics here

Christmas Uke-Tacular 2014

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Christmas Uke Tacular 2014

What a great night. Daughter Rose did a dandy version of ‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus’ and Stu’s favourite Warren Earl on guitar gave us just the right 50’s tone. Rockin’ Rod Coe and Rex Carter were a swingin’ and boppin’ rhythm section. We welcomed back the uber-talented Misty Henderson, who at the age of 14 has an amazing voice which keeps getting stronger and stronger. Her take on Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ (with singin’ buddy Chloe) raised the roof.

Being Christmas… of course it was hot. Max Strong was our Santa… he wasn’t too sure which way to wear the costume… and his joke about bringing the wrong bag (he brought his washing instead of the toys) didn’t go down so well with the kids.  The bubbly Kathryn Jones and Miss Amber were in fine voice, sweet harmonies abounding… (though we did do Meli Kaliki Maka again to get it right just once). Bede Cooney offered up some new Uke night lyrics for the 12 days of Christmas… phew!

A really fun, relaxed and happy time was had by all… ‘cept poor ol’ Santa who had to ride of on his bike early to aid his ill-feeling teenage son.

 

March 2014 – 4 Chords or Less

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Uke Mullum March 2014

What a fun night we had with the amazing Misty Henderson with her new song ‘Island Boy’. Misty has an incredible voice for her age and we are very proud to able to share the stage with such a talent. Then came Chris Mallory’s sweet tones… a lovely gent with oodles of charisma and charm, his songs were very well received as well. In fact the numbers were much more like the previous year… the four chord or less songbook seemed to attract more ukes in the audience. Really Great to see. Mat Aikhurst on drums did an incredible job with the mighty Rod Coe on double bass and Chad on support Uke. Thanks as always to the Courthouse Hotel, Luis on sound and Deb on the door