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!

Bring your uke! AUS’s second meeting is coming up on Tuesday, February 8 at the Central Market, 4001 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, in the Community Room (come in through the produce-side door and keep turning right instead of entering the produce department). The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and run until around 8:30.
If you were at the January meeting, it will be almost the same. If you’re new to the group, we’ll ask you to introduce yourself to the rest of us and tell us why you’re a uker (or why you’re interested in checking the uke out). We’ll be strumming and singing some songs we shared then (Ring of Fire and Three Little Birds) and sharing some new ones (Stand by Me, the Beatles song Eight Days a Week, and maybe something else).

Do you have a song you’d like the group to sing? Send us a message (austinukes [at] gmail [dot] com) & let us know what it is.
We’ll begin a new feature of the meeting, “Tips from Bob,” in which our own Bob Guz will offer suggestions to make you a better player.
We particularly want to encourage you to prepare a solo to perform for the group. We had some great ones at the January meeting. Whether you’re a performer who’s comfortable onstage or a beginner who feels a little hesitant, here is a chance to try out a song, or your performing skills, for perhaps the friendliest audience you’ll ever find.
Check this space again soon! More details coming!

Hi folks! We’re just starting our blog, which will be a great source for everything that’s happening, uke-wise, around Austin, TX. We keep hearing that Austin is the “Live Music Capital of the World,” and there sure are lots of guitars playing in this town. But that hasn’t seemed to be the case for ukes until now.

That’s about to change, with your participation…