Tag Archives: Workshop

Cutie Circle’s 2017 Ukulele Workshop Series for Absolute Beginners

For the third year in a row, Cutie Circle volunteers (aka Cuties) will once again be offering aspiring ukulele players a free ukulele workshop series on Saturday afternoons.

Intended for absolute beginners with little to no background in music, this workshop will give participants some basic knowledge to begin a journey into music using the happiest instrument on earth from April 8 to June 10.

It was a fantastic experience for attendees and volunteers alike and we can hardly wait to meet everyone and spread the joy of ukulele this spring. Many of our students have gone on to share music by volunteering their time to perform at municipal and regional events and/or to teach ukulele to other seniors and children in the community.

Photo Credit: Helena M.

We thank the City of Port Coquitlam for offering the beautiful Michael Wright Art Gallery at Leigh Square for this workshop free of charge.

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Gathering Place, Leigh Square Community Arts Village

Date: Saturdays, April 8 to June 10, 2017
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Location: Michael Wright Art Gallery, Gathering Place, 2253 Leigh Square Place, Port Coquitlam
Admission: Free
Pre-registration is required. Registration form is located on the bottom of this page.

Courtesy of City of Port Coquitlam

Courtesy of City of Port Coquitlam

Workshop Requirements

Participants are encouraged to bring their own ukulele, music stand, digital tuner and copy of the textbook, Ukulele for Dummies, 2nd Edition. (Please do not be offended by the title of this rather good publication.)

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Ukulele Kits Loaning Program

We have acquired a few sets of ukuleles, music stands, digital tuners and textbooks (with our personal funds) for loaning to participants who do not own any equipment, upon receipt of a refundable deposit of $60. Please do not mark in (and/or damage) the loaner textbooks (otherwise the deposit will be forfeited). Participants can reserve a set when they register using the form below.

Ukulele Scholarship Initiative

We are in the process of establishing a small scholarship for a few keen students who might otherwise not be able to afford to buy their own ukuleles to continue their music journey upon conclusion of our ukulele workshop series. Those who would like to donate any ukulele in good condition (new or used) to this scholarship program are welcome to contact us. We will put you and the recipient in touch.

Ukulele Lending, Rental and Sales in the Region

As some of you have asked about the availability of ukuleles in the region, we have made some inquiries at local stores.

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Michael Wright Art Gallery, Gathering Place

Ukulele Rental

  • Long & McQuade (Port Coquitlam) has a couple of soprano ukuleles in stock for rent at $10/month. Please confirm with the store regarding availability if interested. (Information current as of March 14, 2017.)

Ukulele Sales

  • Empire Music has a selection of ukuleles available via its website. For pick-up orders only (with a 24-hour advance notice because the company is a warehouse not a store-front), our students qualify for a 5% discount. (Information current as of March 14, 2017.)
    Empire Music has generously offered us a discount on the ukuleles we purchased for this workshop.
  • Long & McQuade (Port Coquitlam) has ukuleles for sale and can offer a payment plan. The store also offers special discounts on ukuleles for all Cuties. The discounts can range from 9% to 15% depending on the make and model of the ukulele. Mention Cutie Circle at time of purchase to receive the discount. Ask for Brandon Smith for further assistance. (Information current as of March 24, 2017.)
  • Tom Lee Music (Coquitlam) has offered participants of this workshop a 10% discount on regular-priced ukuleles and music books. Please contact Dallas Todd or Adam Dean at the store and mention you are a participant of this workshop to receive a discount. (Information current as of March 14, 2017.)

Disclosure: We do not receive commission from any of these merchants. They are mentioned here as a service to the participants only.

Ukulele Lending Collection at the Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL)

  • Cutie Circle and Terry Fox Library collaborated in the Fall of 2016 to create the Uke ‘n Play ukulele public lending collection. The Cutie Circle, Empire Music, King’s Music, Ohana Music and our good friend, Linda Thiessen, collectively donated 50 ukulele kits (including ukuleles, gig bags and tuners) and the FVRL rounded out the collection with ukulele instruction books and plastic containers for each kit. Library patrons of the 25 FVRL branches (from Port Coquitlam to Boston Bar) can now borrow ukuleles for free. In fact, Library network cardholders in the surrounding region (e.g., Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley) can borrow ukuleles in person at FVRL locations as well.

Scheduling Notes and Supplementary Materials

The Workshop Series will start on April 8.

There will be no workshop on April 15 due to the Easter long weekend.

There will be no workshop on May 13 due to the May Day Parade.

There will be no workshop on May 20 due to the Victoria Day long weekend.

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Registration

Online registration began on March 15, 2017 and is now closed.

Thank you for your support. All seats have been filled.

Registration confirmation has been sent to email addresses supplied via the form below. We look forward to meeting you at the workshop.

The workshop series is geared towards adult learners and is unsuitable for young children and unaccompanied minors due to the length of each 2-hour session and the pedagogy employed. Adult participants who would like to bring along minors must supervise and assist their children at all times during the workshop.

As seats are limited, we kindly ask that all who register for this workshop commit to attending all sessions. Participants with full attendance will receive a Certificate of Completion for the workshop. Registration is required for all participants.

If you would like to be put on the waiting list, please complete the form below. To assist us in our lesson planning, please let us know briefly your music background.

Volunteers who are registering to help with the workshop, please indicate availability in the “Music Background / Comments” box.

Heartwarming Ukulele Events All December in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody

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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.

2. Ukulele Christmas Performances (2:30pm–3:00pm; 5:30pm–5:50pm)

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!

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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

Jake Shimabukuro

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:

https://cutiecircle.com/2016/10/21/jake-shimabukuro-ukulele-workshop-in-coquitlam/

Tom Lee Music Special Discount for December 2016

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.

See you at our events!

Jake Shimabukuro Ukulele Workshop in Coquitlam

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.

Tom Lee Music Canada is offering 10% off ukuleles and print music to participants of the workshop for the month of December. Be sure to save your workshop tickets.

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.

Jake Shimabukuro Timeline

Workshop


Title: Jake Shimabukuro Ukulele Workshop

Date: Monday, December 12, 2016

Time: 8:00pm (Doors open at 7:30pm)

Location: Evergreen Cultural Centre, Studio Theatre, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam

Parking: Free

Advance Ticket: $43.25 (inclusive of GST and Capital Improvement Fee) Reserved Seating

Ticket at the Door: $53.75 (inclusive of GST and Capital Improvement Fee)

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Tickets are also available through the Box Office by phone at 604.927.6555 or in person at the Evergreen Cultural Centre.

Participants may bring their ukuleles to the workshop.

Map:

Thank you for the tremendous enthusiasm and support!

Local Accommodations

Directions and Parking

Visit Evergreen Cultural Centre’s Find Us page.
Road Condition Traffic Camera: Drive BC’s Highway 1 in Coquitlam

Azo Bell, Aussie Ukulele Maestro, Gives Workshop and Concert

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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.

“I have a new ukulele hero, Azo Bell from Byron Bay. He closed out the all-day festivities at the Melbourne Ukulele Festival on Sunday with his combo The Old Spice Boys. Wow! I’ll be spending some time with him this week as I make my way to Brisbane and the Gold Coast.”
– Jim D’Ville, “Play By Ear” Ukulele Educator

“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

“I met Azo Bell in 2002 in New Jersey, attending my first ukulele festival. I will always remember his stage performance, getting sounds and tones I never thought possible out of his soprano ukulele.”
– DaSilva Ukulele Co., Berkeley, California

“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.

Local Accommodations

Directions and Parking

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.

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Jim D’Ville Gives Play By Ear Workshops

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We are so pleased to announce that Jim D’Ville will be in town on August 14, 2016 to give Cuties two popular ukulele workshops: Picking Ukulele by Ear and Play Ukulele by Ear: Chord Progressions and the Circle of Fifths . Jim is known for his Play By Ear approach to ukulele pedagogy all around the world. This is a rare opportunity to learn from Jim in person! Sign up early to guarantee your spot in the workshops! There is a $10 discount for attending both workshops.

Biography

Jim D’Ville is a music educator and facilitator who is on a mission to get ukulele players off the paper and playing music by ear. Over the last six years he has taught his Play Ukulele By Ear workshops to thousands of players in the United States, Australia, Canada and the Caribbean. Jim is the author of the Play Ukulele By Ear DVD series and hosts the popular Play Ukulele By Ear website.  Jim is sponsored by Kala Brand Ukuleles.

Workshop 1 (4:10pm)

Picking Ukulele by Ear

Learn to pick the melodies to your favourite songs without tab! This ground-breaking workshop is the first of its kind to use the solfege syllables to organically train your ears to hear and play the scale patterns where all the melodies live. Topics will include playing scales, arpeggios, rolls and fills, and of course songs! This workshop is the first step to being able to play anything that comes into your head!

Workshop 2 (5:25pm)

Play Ukulele By Ear: Chord Progressions and the Circle of Fifths

Being able to hear and identify chord progressions will go a long way toward demystifying music. Before you know it you’ll be hearing and recognizing dominant seven and diatonic chord progressions. This exciting workshop will open your ears to the way all songs work around the Circle of 5ths and see how we can use it to understand the underlying structure of how all songs work. Knowledge of chords C F G7 A7 D7 E7 Am Dm Em is helpful.

Date: Sunday, August 14, 2016

Time: 4:10pm — 5:10pm; 5:25pm — 6:25pm

Location: Coquitlam

Cost: $30 for one workshop; $50 for both workshops

Please complete the registration form below. A confirmation email will be sent to all registered participants.

Local Accommodations

Directions and Parking

Visit Evergreen Cultural Centre’s Find Us page.

A Mid-Summer Eve’s Delight of Romantic Favourites by Ukulele Jazz Masters Kimo Hussey and Zanuck Lindsey

Jazz Ukulele Concert

Once again we are bringing Kimo Hussey and Zanuck Lindsey to Coquitlam this July. We are pleased that they will be offering the new Chord-Melody Secrets for Ukesters workshop (July 9), a jazz ukulele concert, A Mid-Summer Eve’s Delight of Romantic Favourites (July 10), and the MasterClass for Ukulele Mentors (July 11). Attend both the workshop and concert for a discounted value package. Get your tickets now for best seat selection!

Delight your senses and enjoy the mastery of jazz played with a Hawaiian flair by two world-renowned musicians. This fine summer evening promises to be filled with sweet sounds of romantic ballads. Expect an evening of extraordinary music featuring talents that are rarely found in both instrumentalists and vocalists. Kimo’s latest album is a nominee for the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts’ 2016 Ukulele Album of the Year distinction.

Biography

Kimo Hussey is a much sought after performer and teacher, traveling extensively to ukulele festivals and workshops worldwide. He has recorded two solo CDs, “Eminent Ukulele” and “Low G” (from iTunes), and has participated in several composite CDs. He is an author of the multiple award-winning Hawaiian songbook,”He Mele Aloha” which has sold millions of copies and has been translated into other languages. Kimo is the president of the Ukulele Guild of Hawaii and his love for the instrument has made him a natural bridge between players and luthiers.

Zanuck Lindsey has been a professional musician, bandleader, teacher, composer, and producer for 30+ years. He has traveled extensively, performing internationally. A few highlights include performances at the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Irvine Meadows, Shoreline Amphitheater, Aloha Stadium, Royal Hawaiian and the Oneness Center in Golden City, India to mention a few.

Concert


Title: A Mid-Summer Eve’s Delight of Romantic Favourites

Date: Sunday, July 10, 2016

Time: 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:30pm)

Location: Evergreen Cultural Centre, Studio Theatre, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam

Parking: Free

Cost: $25 (inclusive of GST and Capital Improvement Fee) Reserved Seating

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Tickets are also available through the Box Office by phone at 604.927.6555 or in person at the Evergreen Cultural Centre.

Workshop

If you are looking to move to the next level of your ukulele pursuit and would like to venture into chord melody, this workshop is for you! Learn from ukulele masters, Kimo and Zanuck, the techniques that can bring more joy and pleasure to your playing! This is the first time we are offering a workshop on chord-melody and we have been looking forward to it for sometime now! Be sure to take advantage of this rare opportunity!


Title: Chord-Melody Secrets for Ukesters

Date: Saturday, July 9, 2016

Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Location: Evergreen Cultural Centre, Rehearsal Hall, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam

Parking: $0.75 per hour.

Cost: $30

Buy tickets for both the concert and workshop for only $50.

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For tickets to the workshop only, please call the Evergreen Cultural Centre’s Box Office at 604.927.6552, complete the registration form, or visit the Evergreen Cultural Centre in person.

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MasterClass


Intended for practising and/or aspiring ukulele teachers, Kimo Hussey will be providing a small MasterClass focused on techniques and insights on becoming ukulele mentors. This MasterClass is limited to a total of ten (10) participants to allow for exchange of ideas in an intimate setting. SOLD OUT.

Thank you for the tremendous enthusiasm and support!

Title: MasterClass for Ukulele Mentors

Date: Monday, July 11, 2016

Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Location: Coquitlam

Cost: $50

Please complete the registration form below. A confirmation email will be sent to all registered participants.

Local Accommodations

Directions and Parking

Visit Evergreen Cultural Centre’s Find Us page.

Cutie Circle’s 2016 Ukulele Workshop Series for Absolute Beginners

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Cutie Circle volunteers (aka Cuties) will once again be offering aspiring ukulele players a free ukulele workshop series on Saturday afternoons from April 16 to June 11. Intended for absolute beginners with little to no background in music, this workshop will give participants some basic knowledge to begin a journey into music using the happiest instrument on earth!

It was a fantastic experience for attendees and volunteers alike last fall and we can hardly wait to meet everyone and share the joy of ukulele this spring.

Photo Credit: Helena M.

We thank the City of Port Coquitlam for offering the beautiful Michael Wright Art Gallery at Leigh Square for this workshop free of charge.

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Gathering Place, Leigh Square Community Arts Village

Date: Saturdays, April 16 to June 11, 2016 (*note the start date has moved to April 16)
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Location: Michael Wright Art Gallery, Gathering Place, 2253 Leigh Square Place, Port Coquitlam
Admission: Free
Pre-registration is required. Registration form is located on the bottom of this page.

Courtesy of City of Port Coquitlam

Courtesy of City of Port Coquitlam

Workshop Requirements

Participants are encouraged to bring their own ukulele, music stand, digital tuner and copy of the textbook, Ukulele for Dummies, 2nd Edition. (Please do not be offended by the title of this rather good publication.)

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Ukulele Kits Loaning Program

We have acquired a few sets of ukuleles, music stands, digital tuners and textbooks (with our personal funds) for loaning to participants who do not own any equipment, upon receipt of a refundable deposit of $60. Please do not mark in (and/or damage) the loaner textbooks (otherwise the deposit will be forfeited). Participants can reserve a set when they register using the form below. [The new deposit amount reflects the increased costs of textbooks and music stands.]

Ukulele Scholarship Initiative

We are in the process of establishing a small scholarship for a few keen students who might otherwise not be able to afford to buy their own ukuleles to continue their music journey upon conclusion of our ukulele workshop series. Those who would like to donate any ukulele in good condition (new or used) to this scholarship program are welcome to contact us. We will put you and the recipient in touch.

Ukulele Rental and Sales in the Region

As some of you have asked about the availability of ukuleles in the region, we have made some inquiries at local stores.

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Michael Wright Art Gallery, Gathering Place

Ukulele Rental

  • Long & McQuade (Port Coquitlam) has a couple of ukuleles in stock for rent at $8/month. Please confirm with the store regarding availability if interested.

Ukulele Sales

  • Empire Music has a selection of ukuleles available via its website and has offered us a discount on the ukuleles we purchased for this workshop.
  • Long & McQuade (Port Coquitlam) has ukuleles for sale and can offer a payment plan. Please ask for Girard Knox for more information.
  • Tom Lee Music (Coquitlam) has offered participants of this workshop a 10% discount on regular-priced ukuleles and music books. Please contact Dallas Todd or Adam Dean at the store and mention you are a participant of this workshop to receive a discount. (Information current as of March 3, 2016.)

Disclosure: We do not receive commission from any of these merchants. They are mentioned here as a service to the participants only.

Scheduling Note and Supplementary Materials

The Workshop Series will start on April 16.

There will be no workshop on May 7 due to the May Day Parade.

There will be no workshop on May 21 for the Victoria Day long weekend.

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Registration

Online registration began on March 15, 2016.

Registration confirmation will be sent to email addresses supplied via the form below. We look forward to hearing from you.

As seats are limited, we kindly ask that all who register for this workshop commit to attending all sessions. Participants with full attendance will receive a Certificate of Completion for the workshop. Due to the length of each afternoon session, the workshop is unsuitable for young children. To assist us in our lesson planning, please let us know briefly your music background.

Volunteers who are registering to help with the workshop, please indicate availability in the “Music Background / Comments” box.

It’s All About Ukulele – Concert and Workshop Tour by Hawaiian Masters Kimo Hussey and Zanuck Lindsey

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This July, we will be welcoming world-renowned ukulele masters, Kimo Hussey and Zanuck Lindsey, from Hawaii. They will be having a BC Tour of concerts and workshops entitled, “It’s All About Ukulele,” which will include rare duet ukulele performances. The ukulele workshops will be co-taught by Kimo and Zanuck who have years of teaching experience. Be sure to take this opportunity to learn from two experts under one roof! A discounted price of $35 is offered to all registering in both the concert ($20) and the workshop ($20). This tour is sponsored by Arbutus Music in Nanaimo and the Cutie Circle. Eventbrite - It's All About Ukulele: Kimo Hussey & Zanuck Lindsey's BC Tour

Biography

Kimo Hussey is a much-sought after performer and teacher, traveling extensively to ukulele festivals and workshops around the world. He has recorded two solo ukulele CDs, “Eminent Ukulele” and “Low G” (from iTunes), and has participated in several other composite ukulele CDs (including Legends of the Ukulele, Island Style Ukulele 2) . He is an author of the multiple award-winning Hawaiian songbook,”He Mele Aloha” which has sold millions of copies around the world and has been translated into other languages. He will be presenting a five-day “Ukulele Forever” workshop at Hollyhock on Cortes Island this July.

Read the exclusive artist interview of Kimo by Ukulele Mike.

Zanuck Lindsey has been a professional musician, bandleader, teacher, composer, producer, and contractor for 30+ years. He has traveled extensively, performing internationally. A few highlights include performances at the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Irvine Meadows, Shoreline Amphitheater, Aloha Stadium and the Oneness Center in Golden City, India to mention a few.

Enjoy the duo’s performance of Blue Lei with a kiku and a ukulele

Concert

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2015

Time: 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:30pm)

Location: Evergreen Cultural Centre, Studio Theatre, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam

Parking: Free

Cost: $20

Workshop

Date: Sunday, July 12, 2015 Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Location: Evergreen Cultural Centre, Rehearsal Hall, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam

Parking: Free

Cost: $20

Map:

Local Accommodations

Directions and Parking

Visit Evergreen Cultural Centre’s Find Us page.

Registration Form

To pay with credit card, Eventbrite - It's All About Ukulele: Kimo Hussey & Zanuck Lindsey's BC Tour. To register and pay cash at the door, please complete the following form:

All New Hawaiian Ukulele Song Workshop with Gary Cyr

Gary Cyr Workshop

If you enjoyed the first Hawaiian workshop Gary brought us then you will love his second with new songs and strums to learn! Let’s kick off summer aloha style!

Gary Cyr Gary Cyr

Date: Sunday, June 14, 2015 (ONLY THREE SEATS LEFT)

Time: 12:15pm – 1:45pm

Location: Evergreen Cultural Centre, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam

Parking: Free

Cost: $20 (please bring exact change)

Map:

Registration Form

To register, please complete the following form:

Ralph Shaw’s Ukulele Songshop Series: Songs from the 1940s Workshop

Songshop 1940s

The Cuties are happy to announce that, Ralph Shaw, the King of Ukulele and leader of the Vancouver Ukulele Circle, once again will be returning to the suburbs to present the third workshop in his Ukulele Songshop Series.

Songs from the 1940s

In this workshop you’ll discover a range of song types from one glorious decade of music. It was a period overshadowed by World War II and the songs are some of the finest expressions of love, yearning and joyful escapism you’ll ever play. 1940’s people interacted through music and dance and it was a time of exceptional songwriting. Each song is handpicked as a means for learning a variety of techniques and strumming styles (samba, syncopation, waltz, triplets, rolls and more.) And you‚Äôll pick up some swell new repertoire along the way! You may also record the lesson for your personal use! Seats are limited so RSVP soon.

Date: Sunday, May 10, 2015

Time: 4:00pm – 5:30pm

Location: Room 4, Pinetree Community Centre, 1260 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam

Parking: Free

Cost: $20 (please bring exact change)

Map:

Registration Form

To register, please complete the following form: