Are you ready for some heartwarming ukulele events this December? We have a full line-up of free community activities, performances, a food drive and, of course, our Christmas Ukulele Strum-and-Sing-Along!
Upcoming Ukulele Events
TransLink Skytrain Evergreen Extension Opening Celebration Friday, December 2
1. Free Ukulele Tutorials (10:30am to 7:00pm)
If you’d like to volunteer, please email to sign up. We’ll be teaching basic chords and carols. A couple of hours of your time would make a big difference.
We will give two ukulele performances. If you’d like to volunteer, please email to sign up.
We are holding free ukulele lessons all day and playing two ukulele performances tomorrow at the Coquitlam Central Station in celebration of the opening of the Skytrain Evergreen Extension. Here’s Translink’s media release and a list of the family fun activities from food to music at the new stations. Santa may be making an appearance tomorrow.
Find us at the Coquitlam Central Station. Come and cheer us on, or better yet, join us at the booth and/or on stage! Bring your uke, music stand, Santa’s hat and good cheers!
Terry Fox Library Christmas Tea Ukulele Performance and Sing-Along Friday, December 9
This event takes place from 2 to 3pm. Refreshments and good cheers will be provided.
Jake Shimabukuro’s Ukulele Workshop Monday, December 12
To get your hands on the last few tickets available, go to the Evergreen Cultural Center’s Box Office for workshop tickets. For more info about how to get to learn from this amazing musician, see our webpage:
We are pleased to announce that participants of Jake Shimabukuro’s Ukulele Workshop on December 12 qualify for a 10% discount on ukuleles and printed music for the month of December at any of the Tom Lee Music Canada locations. This event has been designated a Coquitlam 125 sanctioned event in celebration of the City’s 125 years in recognition of the legacy the workshop will bring to the local residents.
Cutie Circle Christmas Strum-and-Sing-Along at Evergreen Cultural Centre Sunday, December 18, 1:30pm to 3:50pm (note early start time)
Celebrate Christmas with us at our December song circle. We will also be holding a food drive for SHARE Food Bank. Your current, quality, non-perishable food item(s) will benefit local families. Last year, we raised 135 lbs of food donation thanks to your generosity.
Community Christmas Dinner at Port Moody Pacific Grace MB Church Sunday, December 18
We’ll be performing at a community Christmas dinner in Port Moody after our song circle.
We are over the moon to announce that Jake Shimabukuro, the international ukulele superstar, will be visiting from Hawai’i to give a rare workshop aimed at inspiring ukulele players of all ages and levels on Monday, December 12 in Coquitlam.
We are also very proud that this workshop has been designated as a Coquitlam 125 sanctioned event in celebration of the City’s 125 years for the cultural legacy it will bring to residents in the region.
What’s more? Translink’s Evergreen Extension will open just in time for ukulele players in Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley to arrive by Skytrain at the terminus station immediately adjacent to the Evergreen Cultural Centre.
Considered one of the world’s most influential ukulele players of all time, Jake will be sharing his expert knowledge and talents on the tiny instrument that has touched the hearts of millions around the globe. This workshop will prove to be a breathtaking event that will give participants a glimpse of the amazing magic one can perform with the approachable and adorable ukulele. Advance tickets went on sale at 10am on Sunday, October 23. Get your tickets early for best seat selection!
Biography
Jake Shimabukuro can still vividly remember the first time he held a ukulele, at age four. It was an encounter that would shape his destiny and give the world one of the most exceptional and innovative uke players in the history of the instrument — an artist who has drawn comparisons to musical titans such as Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis.
That first brush with musical fate took place in Honolulu, Hawai’i, where Jake was born and still makes his home. Growing up, he studied and played a number of other musical instruments — drums, piano and guitar. “But none of those instruments spoke to me the way the ukulele did,” he says. “There was something about the uke that was different. Music was my passion, but I had no idea that I could make it as a musician. I always thought that maybe I’d be a school teacher and incorporate music into the classroom, rather than being on a stage performing in front of people.”
Of course, Shimabukuro would end up performing on many of the world’s most renowned stages. Starting his career in Hawai’i, he took his inspiration from some of the islands’ great uke players — Eddie Kamae, Ohta-San and Peter Moon. But he quickly expanded his scope from there, drawing influences from across the musical spectrum.
Widespread acclaim brought high-visibility collaborations with a wide range of artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Jimmy Buffett, Bette Midler, Cyndi Lauper, Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley, Dave Koz, Michael McDonald, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Tommy Emmanuel, and Marty Friedman. Jake Shimabukuro has topped Billboard’s World Music Chart on numerous occasions, and has sold out prestigious venues and festivals such as the Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center, Sydney Opera House, Wolf Trap, Bonnaroo, SXSW, and the Playboy Jazz Festival. He even played for Queen Elizabeth II at The Royal Variety Performance in Blackpool, England.
Shimabukuro’s busy touring schedule — 140 dates a year — is complemented by a rich and varied catalog of albums that capture the many moods of the uke. His most recent CD, Nashville Sessions, is one of his most adventurous, multifaceted and engaging records to date, blending elements of jazz virtuosity with heartfelt melodicism.
A husband and father of two, Jake balances his stellar career with family life and community service. He travels to schools around the world spreading positive messages to young people, encouraging them to live drug free and find their passion — just as he did at age four when his mother gave him his first ukulele lesson. In the time since then, he has played a key role in the current revival of interest in the ukulele.
Aussie Ukulele Maestro, Azo Bell, will be including a stop in Coquitlam during his North of the Equator Tour on September 16, 2016. We are extremely thrilled to have Azo teach and perform in Canada.
** Hot off the press **
The multi-talented Azo Bell has just been named this year’s Musical Saw Champion at the 2016 International Musical Saw Festival, Roaring Camp in Felton, California, in August.
Biography
Touted as “Australia’s top-ranked ukulele player” by the online magazine, World Music Central, Azo was already a professional musician with over 25 years experience as a guitarist when he began playing ukulele in 1992.
Since then he has played around his homeland (Australia) and the world as MD for Theatre group Stretch MK1, with his trio The Old Spice Boys, and solo. His tenth ukulele featured album is about to be released. (See his nine ukulele albums here.) His ukulele style stems from involvement in many musical genres, using techniques adapted from the Cavaquinho and the guitar, with an emphasis on improvisation.
Be sure to catch this very rare opportunity to see Azo Bell in action because the last time this ukulele legend toured in North America was almost 15 years ago. Guarantee your spot in the workshop and/or concert and register! There is a $5 discount for attending both workshop and concert.
“Azo Bell is one of the most interesting and creative uke players around the world today. He’s a virtuoso musician who never fails to surprise and delight with his ever-changing ideas. His dedication to this humble yet challenging instrument is evident in the music he produces.”
– Bob Brozman, Bluesman
“Azo Bell is a master musician and a superb ukulele player. In Bell’s hands this modest instrument is an object of wonder. The Old Spice Boys can lift the heart.”
– Rhythms Magazine
“[Azo Bell] He’s an amazingly great player. I’ve seen him in action many times since 2002 and he never disappoints.”
– Ralph Shaw, King of the Ukulele
“As with all the best musical wits, underpinning the hilarity is expert musicianship. Bell, both a virtuoso and highly imaginative improviser, wrests some glorious sounds from his ukulele.” – John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald
“Aussie Azo Bell is one of the best uke players of the new-uke generation. Along with band mates Billy Milroy on single string bass and Tim Reeves on snare drum, Azo shows off some amazing single note picking and strumming that are one part vaudeville, and one part modern jazz. Includes many standards Rag Mop, Foggy Day In London Town, Misty, and a slew of originals including the instant uke classic Spider Walk. Serious chops mixed with a wicked sense of humor.” – Jim Beloff, Flea Market Music, California (from review of ‘Lost In Spice’ CD)
“In a sea of mediocrity it’s nice to watch a uniquely fresh-sounding band like The Old Spice Boys rise to the surface. They never fail to entertain an audience no matter how diverse.” – Keven Oxford Founder/Producer East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival
“Armed with outrageously minimal instrumentation, The Old Spice Boys get more music, more laughs and more style from a ukulele, a tea-chest bass and a solitary snare drum than most bands get from a truckload of instruments and equipment.” – Newcastle Herald
Check out some of his amazing performances.
Workshop (6:30pm)
Azo Bell’s workshop reflects his expertise with the instrument, as a musician, and as a person, and suits ukulele players of all levels and all persuasions. The focus is on musicianship rather than learning tunes. As far as possible the program is flexible to meet the varying interests and abilities of ukulele players.
1. Musicianship is often regrettably overlooked when people begin learning and sometimes continues to be. Azo’s workshop deals with the listening and trust required to be a musician – from the most basic level. The group is directed to listen, play (together), and imagine music in fun ways that encourage a functional relationship with music – and with each other as musicians.
2. Technical aspects of the instrument – can make it hard to play or spoil the sound. Azo will demonstrate some simple tests to reveal the most common problems and show how most can be corrected using common tools (or how to avoid buying an instrument that will be difficult to set up).
3. Azo will demonstrate his unique strumming technique. There will be some rhythm exercises. If there is interest, he’ll break it down (slow it down) and describe the learning process he followed to develop it and how to enjoy it.
4. Some time will be devoted to Q & A and general discussion. Whenever possible this will continue after the allocated time and wind down when everyone’s had enough.
5. Unless specifically asked, Azo will avoid harmonic theory. It is possible to be a fine musician knowing nothing about it, and discussion can easily get boring for those who already understand it and for those who don’t want to.
If asked, Azo will describe his pathway to understanding the instrument harmonically and how to draw “continuous fretboard” diagrams showing all possible chord and scale fingerings.
Solo Concert (8:45pm)
Azo’s dynamic multi-genre playing will charm uke lovers all over. Uke-flipping is just one of his many specialties! Be mesmerized by his masterful musicianship and his witty on-stage presence.
Date: Friday, September 16, 2016
Time: 6:30pm — 8:30pm; 8:45pm — 9:30pm
Location: Studio A, Evergreen Cultural Centre, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Cost: $30 for workshop; $15 for concert; $40 for workshop and concert.
Please complete the registration form below. A confirmation email will be sent to all registered participants.
Visit Evergreen Cultural Centre’s Find Us page. Please check this page for latest updates on road construction near the Evergreen Cultural Centre. Studio A is on the North side of the Evergreen Cultural Centre.
This Canada Day, we will have some fun activities for all Cuties and friends: a community parade with ukuleles, free mini ukulele tutorials, and a ukulele jam.
The march will happen at 12:15pm at the Coquitlam Celebrates Canada Day event in the Coquitlam Town Centre Park. Let’s make this the largest ukulele march on July 1 again!
1. The Community March with Ukuleles @12:15pm
Come and strum “O Canada” during the parade. Here’s the simple ukulele version.
2. Mini Ukulele Tutorials
Courtesy L Steele.
At our tent (located on the east side of Trevor Wingrove Way) from 1:00pm onwards, Cutie volunteers will be giving free mini ukulele tutorials to visitors. Send your aspiring ukulele friends along for some fun. We can always use more volunteers.
Free Public Parking Map:
3. Ukulele Jam (and Practice)
At 5pm, we’ll have our ukulele jam (and practice). Everyone is welcome to join us.
Join us and RSVP below to participate in the march, volunteer at the booth and/or join us at the jam!
See you all and Happy Canada Day!
Schedule
11:00am Set-up at the Cutie Booth on the “Community Drive” (see attached map)
12:15pm @the Meadow Stage
We will all meet at the Meadow Stage at 12:15pm, each group has been assigned a position and we will arrange ourselves in that order. The parade will be led by the performers on the Meadow Stage, Ache Brazil at the end of their set at 12:30. Please be ready to go by 12:15pm so that it is a seamless procession once they leave the stage at 12:30pm to start the Procession. We will be walking towards the Meadow Stage, first circling the Meadow area and then heading down the right side path around the front of the stage. The Mayor and Council, RCMP and MPs and MLAs will have chairs on the stage. See attached map. Please fill out the area in front of the stage getting ready for the singing of O Canada Day.
After the singing of O Canada we will have the formal speeches ending with a ribbon cutting and cake give away.
The order that we will go in is:
Ache Brazil
RCMP
Mayor and Council
Dignitaries
777Roayal Canadian Air Cadets
Coquitlam Martial Arts
Coquitlam Ukulele Tine Instrument Enthusiasts Circle
Arthur Murray Dance Studio
Coquitlam Express with Mascot
City of Coquitlam Environmental Mascot
Tri City Iranian Cultural Society
Immigrant Service Society of BC
Society Francophone de Maillardville
Tri-City Chinese Community Society
1:00pm Cutie Circle Ukulele Tutorials
5:00pm Ukulele Jam
6:00pm Wrap-Up and Take-down of Booth
10:00pm Fireworks
Sign-up Form
Let us know how many are attending the Ukulele March by signing up here. We’ll have flower leis to loan to add to the summer feel. If you need to borrow a uke for the march, just let us know when you sign up!
Cutie Circle 