Folks–if you were at AUS’s Mardi Gras meeting at Central Market Tuesday night March 8, you all seemed to enjoy yourselves (we heard bucketfuls of positive remarks afterward). We had 25 people or thereabouts show up, so it looks as if the Austin Ukulele Society will continue strumming in the months ahead.

Bob Guz, our Fearless Meeting Leader, as well as Fearless Tipster (we learned how to execute a Fan Strum at the meeting), gave us his impressions the next day:

Lots of energy in the room last night — everyone looked like they were having a really great time.

I continue to be amazed by the level of ukulele talent and enthusiasm we have right here in Austin.

We had several professional musicians–or they fooled us with their skill–playing during our Open Mic at the end of the meeting, & all were delightful. We heard about the upcoming Maplewood School Fundraiser (see below), & the Lone Star Uke Fest, coming up in Dallas on April 7-9–and the Complete Beatles show coming on Wed & Thurs, March 16 & 17, at Jo’s on S Congress.

Bob also says:

Looking forward to our next meeting: Tuesday, April 12th, in Central Market’s community room, at 7:00pm. If you have song suggestions for future group play-alongs, please send them in – just reply to this message! If you can include a song sheet or a link to one, even better.

We’ll be in touch! It’s a pleasure to play with you all.

Cheers,

Bob G.

PS: Someone left a jacket in the meeting room Tuesday night. [Let us know] if it’s yours. Cheers!

Next meeting: Tuesday, April 12th, in Central Market’s Community Room, at 7:00pm. Same time, same place as always, just a different month. See you there.

What better place to celebrate Fat Tuesday than a supermarket, right?

Not only is it our third monthly meeting, it’s also Mardi Gras, on Tuesday, March 8, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Central Market, 40th and N Lamar. As always, enter through the Produce Dept door near the north end of the building, but don’t enter the Produce Department. Instead, keep turning right until you enter the Community Room.

What will we be doing? Bob Guz will be presenting another of his “Tips from Bob” sessions. Pick up some pointers to improve your playing, and bring your questions. We’ll hear about the upcoming Lone Star Uke Fest in Dallas, and about the Maplewood School Fundraiser (see previous post). And we’ll play a bunch of songs, in particular the Beatles’ Eight Days a Week. Oh, and how about When The Saints Go Marching In, just to show a little respect for Mardi Gras?

We’re sure to hear more about the Uke Beatles program at SXSW. More stuff, too, will happen–just don’t forget your uke, and if you want to, bring along a song to share with the group during our Open Mic! (Well, we don’t actually have a mic, but our room is so small, you don’t need one.)

AUS appears to be establishing itself; we’re not just a one-meeting wonder any more. For the second month in a row, over 20 people have gathered to celebrate the ukulele. (Here are a couple of pix to prove we’re not hot-dogging you. Thanks, Jen, for the pictures.)

Bob Guz, one of our founders (plus a ukulele pro–or at least a pro-quality player–that’s him with the green vest in the picture to your left) did a great job leading the group in a few songs–Ring of Fire, Stand by Me, and Three Little Birds–while encouraging members of the group to stretch their picking and strumming limits.

Bob says,

“I’m so pleased with the turnout and the level of excitement. After the meeting I had several people tell me how much they liked the meeting and are going to pass the word about our group to friends.

“I even had a Central Market shopper ask, ‘What’s the deal with all the ukuleles?’ Turns out he plays and will try to make next month’s meeting.

“There was a suggestion to put up a sign outside the room with our name and web address so passersby could learn about us.”

Remember! Our next meeting is Tuesday night, March 8, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Central Market’s community room, 40th & N. Lamar. See you then! –by Walter

Yes, we’d like to hypnotize all the Austin uke players (can’t you picture little lightning rays zipping throughout Central Texas) and lure them over to Central Market at 40th and North Lamar, on Tuesday evening, February 8th, at 7 p.m..

Follow these instructions: You will enter through the produce department door, but turn right immediately (do not enter the produce dept) and come into the Community Room, where we promise a great time and an opportunity to strum, sing, and learn more about our instrument.

Bring a solo performance to share if you’d like–but don’t forget to bring your uke.

Print off (& practice if you can) these song sheets: Ring of Fire, Three Little Birds, Stand by Me, and Eight Days a Week. Be ready to suggest other songs for next time, if you have some favorites.

Here’s your chance to push your uke envelope and step outside your uke box. See you at Central Market!