Cuties are ready to celebrate Canada Day on July 1 with ukulele players of all ages at the City of Coquitlam’s big birthday bash! Join us between noon and 6pm for some singing and strumming! We thank the City of Coquitlam for hosting this family friendly event once again!
For the first time, Cuties will attempt to build a ukulele float to partake in the Coquitlam Celebrates Canada Day Parade this year! Come help us decorate our float.
1. Canada Day Parade (11:40 am to 12:30 pm)
Assemble at 11:40 a.m. at the gravel lot adjacent to the tennis courts. The procession starts at 12 noon.
2. Outdoor Ukulele Jam (1 to 4 pm)
Our outdoor ukulele jam starts at 1pm. Bring your songbooks, a chair and your music stand. Come with a song to perform! Meet new friends and sing your heart out on Canada Day!
3. Free Ukulele Lessons (Noon to 6 pm)
We will be giving free ukulele lessons from noon to 6pm to all guests wanting to try their hands at a fun and happy instrument.
Students earn certificates for participating in the ukulele lessons! Come also for some mini ukulele bumper stickers and the multi-colour ukulele hand stamps, too!
Learn to play “O Canada” on the ukulele with us!
Our booth will be located on the Community Drive. Look for the tent with lots of ukuleles, flower leis, music stands and happy smiles!
See the map below for the Community drive where our tent is located.
“Named one of the top 20 festivals in Metro Vancouver by Business in Vancouver, this is a free community festival with live music and entertainment, food, beverages, family activities and fireworks.”
Limited parking will be available. We encourage you to walk, bike, carpool or take transit to the event site. A free bike valet (11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.) will be available to keep your bike safe and secure during the day. Check out the site map for location. CloseRide the SkyTrain to the Lafarge Lake-Douglas station, it’s located right beside Town Centre Park and is a short walk from the event site.
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! The Cuties will be hard at work practicing and everyone is welcome to join them at the rehearsals even if they cannot attend the performances!
Upcoming Ukulele Events
Terry Fox Library Christmas Tea Ukulele Performance and Sing-Along Thursday, December 7
This event takes place from 2 to 3pm. Refreshments and good cheers will be provided.
Photo Courtesy of Harvey S.
Breakfast with Santa at the Wilson Centre Saturday, December 9, 10am to 11am
Come sing and strum with other ukulele and guitar players while all the boys and girls (and their parents) await Santa’s grand entrance! Have a photo with Santa!
Photo Courtesy of Robert F.
Cutie Circle Christmas Strum-and-Sing-Along at Evergreen Cultural Centre Sunday, December 17, 1:40pm to 4:00pm (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. Santa will be making an appearance with his sack of presents!
Community Christmas Dinner at Port Moody Pacific Grace MB Church Sunday, December 17
We’ll be performing at a community Christmas dinner in Port Moody after our song circle.
City of Coquitlam Jingle Bells Night and Winter Lights Display
Friday, December 22
Join the Cuties and six other choral groups from 7 – 8 p.m. for carolling at the lake. At 7:30 p.m., stop wherever you are and join in a community sing-a-long of Jingle Bells. Help us break our record of 500 voices! Don’t forget to print your song book. Free jingle bells will be handed out to the public, while quantities last. Rain or shine!
Check out the description of the many display light features here.
Join the fun and discover a new instrument as you learn to play a song on the ukulele in just five minutes at our Culture Days events. For a complete listing of all the Tri-Cities’ Culture Days happenings, download this 2017 Culture Days Guide.
Cutie Circle volunteers will be celebrating Culture Days on September 30 from 1 to 4pm in the Michael Wright Art Gallery of the Gathering Place at Leigh Square Community Arts Village in Port Coquitlam and on October 1 in Room 789 at Pinetree Community Centre in Coquitlam.
We will have on hand ukuleles for curious aspiring musicians to try their hands at strumming and singing!
On Saturday, Cuties will also be performing twice at Leigh Square as part of the unveiling of the Canada 150 Mural at 12:15pm and 12:35pm. Come sing and/or strum with us!
Cutie Circle Performs during Canada 150 Mosaic Mural Unveiling Time: 12:15 – 12:25pm; 12:35 – 12:45pm Date: Saturday, September 30, 2017 Location: Leigh Square Community Arts Village, 2253 Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam
Bring your ukulele and join us in the performances as the City of Port Coquitlam unveils its Canada 150 Mosaic Mural.
Cutie Circle Ukulele Jamboree in Port Coquitlam Time: 1:00 – 4:00pm Date: Saturday, September 30, 2017 Location:Michael Wright Art Gallery, Gathering Place, 2253 Leigh Square, Leigh Square, Port Coquitlam
Come for a free ukulele lesson between 1:00 and 3:00pm. Bring your ukulele and come for our open jam from 3:00 to 4:00pm.
Cutie Circle Ukulele Jamboree in Coquitlam Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 noon Date: Sunday, October 1, 2017 Location: Room 789, Pinetree Community Centre, 1260 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Come for a free ukulele lesson between 9:00 and 11:00am. Bring your ukulele and come for our open jam from 11:00am to 12:00 noon.
We’ll have on display a fresh-off-the-factory-floor Populele, a smart ukulele that helps ukesters learn new songs.
Check out Canada’s only Conchalele and be immersed in the tropical island-feel!
Better yet, bring your uke and attend our open jam.
We thank Leigh Square of City of Port Coquitlam and the Pinetree Community Centre of City of Coquitlam for sponsoring our events. Special thanks go to Place Des Arts for including us in the Tri-Cities promotion.
Come join the Cuties for some outdoor ukulele fun between 1 and 6 pm on Saturday, September 2, 2017 as we have been invited to participate at the Tri-City Chinese Community Society‘s First Annual Mid-Autumn Carnival. Find us by Lafarge Lake at the Coquitlam Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam.
This is a multicultural festival showcasing many diverse cultural performances by groups including:
There will be musical performances on cello, drums, piano, ukulele, violin, zither, etc. and, Bhangra and belly dancing, martial arts demonstrations, traditional Chinese costume fashion show, and much more.
We will be hosting an open ukulele jam and giving free ukulele tutorials to everyone who is interested in picking up a new instrument. Learn to play a song in under one minute. Participants will each receive a certificate for their achievement! Ignite your musical spark within and take the first step to becoming the musician you have always wanted to be.
The Cuties will also entertain on stage as part of an exciting line-up of cultural musical and dance performances . We can’t wait to share our love for the ukulele with you and yours. Colourful ukuleles and musical adventures await you on Saturday!
There will be information booths from a variety of organizations. Food trucks will be serving up delectable treats. Gardening enthusiasts may share their experiences and participate in a plant swap. Kids can have fun in the play area including a bouncing castle.
There will be a special Birthday Party complete with cake and moon cake as colourful lanterns are being displayed by the lake. The first 100 attendees with birthdays in August or September will receive a birthday gift at the Carnival.
Our dear friends, Gary Cyr, Jerry Santa Cruz and Glen Towns, will be leading us and playing drums and bass respectively during our performance on July 15 as a part of the Multicultural Fair at Spirit Square in Coquitlam. Our presentation is coined “Ukulele Extravaganza”.
If you would like to participate but have not signed up yet, complete the form below to let us know as the more the merrier!
The Fair starts at 11 am and there will be “a variety of live entertainment, music and dance.” There will be activities for kids as well as adults. Visitors can try their hand at wood carving and arts and crafts.
Like last year, we will also have a booth to give mini ukulele tutorials and to just hang out with other aspiring ukulele players over an outdoor jam. To sign up for the volunteer table, please use the same form below.
Free Admission and Raffle Draw
Admission to attend the event is free and there will be a concession with a barbecue lunch and other food available for purchase. There will also be door prizes and raffle draws. We are also contributing a couple of prizes for the event.
Performance
Date: Saturday, July 15, 2017 Time: Check-in by 1:40pm. Be ready to go on stage by 1:50pm. Location:Glen Pine Pavilion, 1200 Glen Pine Court, Coquitlam, BC Attire: Hawaiian-themed outfits (e.g., leis, grass-skirts, etc.) or Cutie t-shirts Accessories: Bring an uke, a music stand and songbooks. Parking: Available under the Glen Pine Pavilion, access from Glen Drive. Outdoor parking, access from Burlington St., plus the City of Coquitlam staff parking are beinig made available for this event across the street on Burlington St. with additional street parking around the area. See also Glen Pine’s Parking Information page.
Photo Credit: Terry Wilson
Free Ukulele Mini-Lessons at Our Outreach Booth and Outdoor Jams
Our outreach booth is our home base to hang out during the performances. We will have a few colour ukes to show visitors how to play (or for us to have a jam)! Earn a certificate for complete your ukulele lesson!
We will have a hand-stamp station for kids to stamp their hands. We will also have some free stickers to give away!
Time: 11:00am – 2:30pm (We’ll be setting up our table around 9:00am.) Location:Glen Pine Pavilion, 1200 Glen Pine Court, Coquitlam, BC Wi-Fi: Wireless devices should be able to pick up wi-fi signal from the Glen Pine Freenet.
Map:
Sign Up for Performance and/or Ukulele Mini-Tutorial Assistant on July 15
The Coquitlam Ukulele Tiny Instrument Enthusiasts (Cutie) Circle will be hosting a ukulele birthday bash on Sunday, July 9, to celebrate its third birthday!!!!
There will be cake, a couple of prizes and lots of strumming and singing with friends! First-time visitors are welcome to join us for free this weekend! We’ll be bringing a few extra ukuleles for brand new players to try out at the Circle!
Come between 2 and 4pm this Sunday to the Rehearsal Hall at the Evergreen Cultural Centre.
We are especially grateful to the many participants of our free 7-Week Ukulele Workshop Series for Absolute Beginners who have gone on to spreading joy by volunteering their time to host ukulele circles in their own communities and workplace including in Pitt Meadows, Port Moody, Vancouver and soon in Maple Ridge this September.
As we look ahead to the coming season, we invite you to be a part of our community outreach at the City of Coquitlam’s Multicultural Day on July 15, 2017 at the Glen Pine Pavilion. We’ll be performing on stage and giving our very popular, free mini-lessons on the ukulele to the public.
We would like to thank the Cities of Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, especially the folks at the Evergreen Cultural Centre and Leigh Square, for the support we receive and look forward to many more happy times shared at these outstanding venues.
As we contemplate the amount of ukulele fun we have had, we send our gratitude to our mentors, including Azo Bell, Jim D’Ville, Manitoba Hal, Kimo Hussey, Zanuck Lindsey, Ralph Shaw, and Jake Shimabukuro. We are thankful to our friends and local ukulele leaders, Gary Cyr, Braden Deans, and Ron Usher who have generously lent their hands from the very start to make sure the Cutie Circle would thrive! We finally thank all the Cuties who volunteered and/or participated in ukulele activities of all manners. Your enthusiasm inspires us daily to spread the ukulele spirit and passion to a larger audience! Thank you for your friendship!
Cuties’ Song Circle Dates for the 2017 – 2018 Season
Cutie Circle’s Regular Meeting Dates
We’ll be meeting from 2:00pm to 4:00pm on the following dates.
July 8, 2017 (We’ll be celebrating Cutie Circle’s Third Birthday.) August 13, 2017 September 10, 2017 October 15, 2017 ** (moved back for Thanksgiving) November 12, 2017 December 17, 2017 ** (moved back due to room availability) January 14, 2018 February 18, 2018 ** (moved back for Family Day) March 11, 2018 April 8, 2018 May 13, 2018 June 10, 2018
July 8, 2018
Complete Event Calendar
Venue Location – Address, Directions and Facility Map
The Evergreen Cultural Centre’s address is 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, BC.
We’ll be meeting in the Rehearsal Hall at the Evergreen Cultural Centre. As in the past, we will have free parking on Sundays and evenings.
DIRECTIONS
TransCanada Route
From Hwy# 1 take exit 44 and take Highway #7 NORTH (Lougheed) towards Coquitlam Town Centre. We are located just north of Coquitlam Shopping Centre at the corner of Guildford and Pinetree.
Barnet Route
From Barnet Hwy travel east through Port Moody, (along St Johns Street), and Coquitlam (along Barnet Hwy). Turn north (left) on Pinetree Way just east of Coquitlam Shopping Centre.
The Evergreen Cultural Centre is located on the northeast corner of Guildford Way and Pinetree Way, four blocks north of the Coquitlam Shopping Centre.
PARKING
Evergreen Cultural Centre has a north and south parking lot operated by the City of Coquitlam. Parking is free on Sundays. Parking is also free in the designated 30-minute parking spaces.
North Lot (Studio Theatre/Art Gallery/Box Office)
Travelling northbound on Pinetree Way, turn right at the traffic control signal at Town Centre Boulevard. Travelling southbound on Pinetree Way, turn left at the traffic control signal at Town Centre Boulevard.
South Lot (Rehearsal Hall)
NEW – note that there is no longer access to our south lot (backstage lot) from Guildford. Access to the lot via the North Lot and then via the driveway on the west side of the building.
NEW LOT – there is a new City of Coquitlam PAID parking lot located at the SE corner of Pinetree and Guildford. Parking is free after 6pm.
TRANSIT
Beginning December 2, 2016, patrons will be able to travel to the Evergreen Cultural Centre on the Evergreen Skytrain Line extension. We are located immediately adjacent to the Lafarge Lake – Douglas station at the north end of the Evergreen Line.
For more information and a transit schedules, please visit the Translink website.
ACCESSIBILITY
Evergreen Cultural Centre is an entirely wheelchair accessible facility. There are three wheelchair parking spaces next to the drop off area and in close proximity to the centre.
Facility Map
Once you arrive at the Evergreen Cultural Centre, refer to this Facility Map for finding the parking lot, the ramps, the Rehearsal Hall and the Studio Theatre. (Click the image below for a larger version.) The doors to the facility will be opened 15 minutes before our meeting time.
Cuties are ready to celebrate Canada 150 on July 1 with ukulele players of all ages at the City of Coquitlam’s big birthday bash! Join us between noon and 6pm for some singing and strumming!
We will be having an outdoor jam all day and be giving free ukulele lessons to all guests wanting to try their hands at a fun and happy instrument. Students earn certificates for participating in the ukulele lessons! Come also for the multi-colour ukulele hand stamps, too!
Learn to play “O Canada” on the ukulele with us! Come with a song to perform!
Our booth will be located on the Community Drive near the basketball courts. Look for the tent that has lots of ukuleles, flower leis, music stands and happy smiles!
See the map below for the location of our tent.
“Named one of the top 20 festivals in Metro Vancouver by Business in Vancouver, this is a free community festival with live music and entertainment, food, beverages, family activities and fireworks.”
Limited parking will be available. Event-goers are encouraged to walk, bike, carpool or use skytrain. A free bike valet service will be available. Ride the SkyTrain’s Evergreen Extension to the Lafarge Lake – Douglas Station, it provides direct access to Town Centre Park.
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.
Cutie Circle 