Bob Guz, one of our group of AUS organizers, has placed a short video of a uke solo on YouTube, “Ahe Lau Makani,” accompanied by a pair of guitar-playing friends. Here it is (that’s Bob on the right) :

Bob presents his “Tips from Bob” segment for the first time at tonight’s (Feb 8th) meeting at 7 p.m. at Central Market. Bring your ukes and your questions. –by Walter

In the January 31, 2011 issue of TIME magazine is a story titled “A String Thing,” about our favorite four-stringed instrument. The author, Tim Morrison, quotes several uke players about why they love the jumping flea.

[Record producer Roger] Greenawalt left New York for San Francisco to stay with his cousin, an amateur musician who had ukuleles around the house. “I started playing one and just started feeling un-bummed-out,” he says. “Even playing depressing songs, the ukulele cheers you up. It’s like a happiness machine.”
[Player Jake] Shimabukuro, who now tours 10 months a year, says he’s often approached in airports by people curious about his instrument. “There’s friendliness to the ukulele that’s very rare,” he says. “If everyone played the ukulele, the world would be a better place.”

Except for a stub, the article, unfortunately, isn’t available online unless you’re a TIME subscriber. But it’s always good to see the uke getting recognition in the mainstream media, outside its band of enthusiasts. We’ve already known for quite a while that keeping a ukulele nearby always helps. —by Walter

We’re fortunate to have a wonderful ukulele festival here in Texas. It’s the Lone Star Ukulele Festival, and it’ll be held, for its third year, on April 7 – 9, 2011 (Thursday through Saturday) in Dallas. If you want to take some great classes, hear some really good music from performers you don’t usually get a chance to experience, and get the opportunity to try out a lot of different ukes at the vendors’ stalls, this is the place to go.

The theme is “Bach to Texas with Aloha.” Visit the site to learn why, and to register. We hope to see you there. —by Walter