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Elaine
Akahai
USA
98 Posts |
 Posted - 05/06/2009 : 8:36:52 PM
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Just to let everyone know, we've decided to move the dates of the Wine Country 'Ukulele Festival back to the second week-end in October (9,10,11). This year we'll have a three-day event, beginning Friday night with a Hula Party/'Ukulele Extravaganza at Judd's Hill Winery in Napa.
We've got a number of Napa Valley wineries on board (the Saturday night lu'au will be at Flora Springs) and keep adding more!
For the most up-to-date information, please visit our weblog at: www.winecountryukefest.com There you'll also find Scenes from 2008 and have an opportunity to Subscribe. (Don't worry, it's free.) Once you subscribe, you will be notified automatically via email whenever there's a new post.
It's going to be amazing. Hope to see you there.
Elaine
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Elaine
Akahai
USA
98 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2009 : 7:28:37 PM
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Aloha friends.
The festival website www.winecountryukefest.com has been updated with additional venues and events.
Beringer Vineyards will be hosting the main event, Saturday October 10, on their historic grounds in St. Helena, so there'll be loads of room for kani ka pila and impromptu jam sessions, in addition to the great performances (probably on two stages), workshops (including some in the wine caves, WOW!), and International Marketplace.
Check it out! (And don't forget to subscribe if you want to receive automatic updates via email.) It just keeps getting better and better!
Elaine |
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Elaine
Akahai
USA
98 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2009 : 5:51:04 PM
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And the winner of the WCUF logo contest is....da..da..da..dahhhhh:
Paul Sirmon of Southlake, Texas! Be sure to visit the festival website and check out the winning design (a very cool tiki fellow holding an 'ukulele and a wine bottle on a wine-colored background): www.winecountryukefest.com.
A few more lodging establishments (make that "resorts") are offering substantial discounts to festival-goers as well, so it's definitely worth checking out.
Elaine |
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Elaine
Akahai
USA
98 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2009 : 5:39:45 PM
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If you haven't visited the Wine Country 'Ukulele Festival site lately, this would be a good time to do so.
www.winecountryukefest.com
In addition to an already stellar line-up, Brittni Paiva, Derick Sebastian, Moe Dixon and Aldrine Guerrero will also be there.
Gaia Hotel and Spa (with rooms under $100) has lifted their 2-night minimum.
Kala Brand Ukuleles will be hosting our Uke-Tube booth and Mike DaSilva will be sitting in as our Ukulele Doctor. Kimo Hussey will be hosting Kimo's Korner and Frank Noviki will be teaching anyone who wants to learn how to play the 'ukulele in 30 minutes at his Rapid-Uke 101 booth. And, if all goes according to plan, Victoria Vox will be teaching a special workshop on how to play the mouth trumpet.
We will be posting registration information soon, in the meantime we are accepting vendor applications.
So, stay tuned...... |
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Elaine
Akahai
USA
98 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2009 : 3:28:14 PM
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I've just posted the schedule of events on the festival website so those of you who haven't subscribed might want to take another look at the weekend's activities:
http://winecountryukefest.wordpress.com/2009-festival/
Registration will open soon, so stay tuned. In order to make sure you don't miss out on anything, be sure to subscribe.
http://winecountryukefest.wordpress.com/subscribe/
It's a two-step process. You enter your email address and will then immediately receive an email asking you to confirm your subscription. If you don't get that email right away, be sure to check your spam folder. (That's where I found mine! )
Hope to see you all in October!
Elaine
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hikabe
Lokahi
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2009 : 11:22:08 AM
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| Wish I could be there. I got to work. Maybe next year. Looks like a great show. Hope all goes well. |
Stay Tuned... |
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Elaine
Akahai
USA
98 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2009 : 8:17:12 PM
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NEW CONTEST!
We are looking for a 30- to 60-second "commercial" that would encourage people to pack up their 'ukuleles and walk, ride, run, swim, or fly to the Napa Valley for the 2nd annual Wine Country ‘Ukulele Festival, October 9, 10, 11. Any of the information posted on the festival website www.winecountryuefest.com is fair game. Originality and humor (in good taste) rank highly. Clever parodies of popular and well-known songs get extra points, as does the subtle (or not-so-subtle) inclusion of "MusicGuyMike," who is donating the prize. Entries will be judged on originality, comments from viewers (even if the viewer is your mother), and the number of views. The winner will receive a Kala KA-ST tenor ukulele with a hard shell case.
It’s up to you to upload your commercial to You-Tube, then send us the link (you can leave it as a comment on the festival website) so we know where to look for it. Assuming it passes the first test (meaning, essentially, that it is suitable for all ages) we will then upload it to the Wine Country Uke Fest channel on You Tube and try to help you promote it. The deadline for posting is September 25 and the winner will be announced October 10, at the festival. (You need not be present to win.)
The Kala KA-ST has a solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, giving this ‘ukulele a rich sound, great volume and tone. Die cast tuners, a nice binding, high gloss finish and GHS strings complete this fine instrument. And did I mention…it comes with a hard shell case.
So give it your best shot, and good luck. We can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Elaine
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Elaine
Akahai
USA
98 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2009 : 7:35:39 PM
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Registration is Now Open!
Be sure to visit the website www.winecountryukefest.com for all the latest, including how to register. There are lots of nifty incentives for getting your registration in early, so don't procrastinate! And, be sure to subscribe if you want to receive automatic updates! |
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Elaine
Akahai
USA
98 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 7:20:34 PM
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Due to popular demand, we have now posted the list of workshops we'll be offering and their descriptions on the website:
http://winecountryukefest.wordpress.com/workshops-2009/
The actual schedule will be posted soon. We're still doing a little fine tuning, so hang in there.
We're also delighted to announce that Aldrinne Guerrero of Ukulele Underground fame will also be coming to the festval to perform and give a workshop for us. Details to come.
And, we just found out that Pacific Union College, about 10 minutes away from us(or one very fast bike road--all downhill)has guest rooms available for about $71 a night. More details on our Accommodations page: http://winecountryukefest.wordpress.com/accomodations/
Hope to see you there!
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Elaine
Akahai
USA
98 Posts |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2009 : 2:07:46 PM
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| Aldrine is playing here in San Diego next week! |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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Elaine
Akahai
USA
98 Posts |
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Elaine
Akahai
USA
98 Posts |
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PearlCityBoy
Lokahi
USA
432 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2009 : 08:58:49 AM
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OK, I'm committed--sent in my registration the other day. Any other Taropatchers going? This is an awesome event--so many talented performers, teachers, luthiers, etc. The costs for the workshops and dinner events are very reasonable for the quality of instruction, food, wine, and entertainment. Major kudos to Elaine for organizing this 3-day uke extravaganza!
To give you a flavor of what to expect, here was my Taropatch writeup from last year. The program and lineup this year are even more impressive.
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Oct. 2008
I’m so glad I was able to make it to the Uke Festival. Since I didn’t pre-register, I got there early on Saturday morning to ensure I could get tickets to the workshops and the Grand Finale Concert. Unfortunately, the luau was sold out a week or so before, but I knew that going in.
The 75-minute workshops were very educational and fun. In the morning I took two classes from James Hill, “’Ukulele, Pass It On,” and “Swing, ‘Ukulele Swing.” I had never met James before and only saw him via YouTube. I knew he was a phenomenal player, but I didn’t know he was a gifted teacher. Not a bad way to start the day!
Although I didn’t want to, I opted out of the 12:30-1:45P workshops so I could eat lunch, say “Hi” to a few friends, and see some of the Mainstage performances. In the afternoon, I took Ralph Shaw’s “Strumzercises & Ornamentology,” and Taropatch’s own Mark Nelson’s “Fun With Your ‘Ukulele.” Both classes were very fun and I learned a lot of new techniques and ideas. Plus, I was glad to finally have met Mark and also Tonya, another fellow Taropatcher.
Unfortunately, since I was in workshops for most of the day, I didn’t have much time to mingle out in the courtyard or even check out the beautiful ukes. And quite frankly, there were so many great workshops going on simultaneously, that it was hard to choose. I would definitely have come back the next day to take the other classes.
The concert was not just a concert. It was an Event--very entertaining and unpredictable. Those wacky Canadians, Ralph Shaw and James Hill, were awesome. They are truly originals. How can you forget that chopstick/percussive/Bobby McFerrin mouth sounds/yodeling/dance number? Or Ralph’s song about how to make a homemade ‘ukulele case. It was so hilarious and clever, and he performed in a tuxedo to boot. James’ virtuosity is as jaw dropping as it is innovative.
Herb and Keoki were fantastic and funny as usual. I’m glad they both got to play a solo set as well as together. Herb’s the master of subtleties, has an incredible touch, and plays so beautifully that you just close your eyes and get taken back to the islands. Keoki mesmerizes you with his soulful singing, an old Hawaiian voice from the past. And of course, his slack key is very expressive, with those signature Kahumoku bass runs. Herb and Keoki never fail to make me homesick.
I didn’t get home until well after midnight, but what a fun and educational day it was. A BIG Mahalo to Elaine, Suzie, Nimbus Arts, and all the volunteers for putting this wonderful festival together. The aloha was overflowing. Can’t wait till next year!
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Aloha,
Doug |
Edited by - PearlCityBoy on 10/02/2009 09:01:01 AM |
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Elaine
Akahai
USA
98 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2009 : 7:45:40 PM
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| Thank you, Doug. That was so nice. I'm glad you're coming back! We took all of your comments truly to heart and think this years' festival will be even better. There are two workshops in the morning followed by a lunch break so you'll have time to eat and take in all the beautiful instruments on display and the performances! (But, if you're a real die-hard, you can spend that time learning about what makes your 'ukulele sing from the good folks at Mya-Moe 'Ukuleles or how Victoria Vox does that crazy mouth-trumpet thing.) There's one more workshop in the afternoon, then you're free to shop, visit, or just grab a blanket, lay it out on the lawn in front of the Rhine House, sip a little wine, and take in the concert. And (except for the workshops and winetasting) it's free! And the lineup is stellar: Faith Ako, Steven Espaniola, Ralph Shaw, James Hill, Victoria Vox, and Moe Dixon are all scheduled to appear on the Rhine House stage. But Brittni Paiva, Derick Sebastian, Aldrinne Guerrero, Kimo Hussey, and lots more will all be on the Pavillion Stage. It's just going to be a great day. Hope you all can make it! (And don't overlook the film festival on Sunday afternoon.......) www.winecountryukefest.com AND you can now register online! |
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PearlCityBoy
Lokahi
USA
432 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 8:16:12 PM
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Just a short note to say the Wine Country 'Ukulele Festival is off to a great start! Today I stopped by the Gaia Hotel in American Canyon to see Brittni Paiva, who was great as usual--beautiful arrangements, expressive, engaging, and very clean playing. I hadn't seen Brittni since Uncle George Kahumoku's Maui workshop a few years ago, and it was great catching up with her and her Mom, and meeting her husband Brandon. Brittni had a surprise guest from Hawaii, Kalei Gamiao, another young talent who can really rip on the uke.
For two hours, Brittni and Kalei played solo sets, which included songs from their newly released albums (Brittni's 4th and Kalei's debut album), and finished with a couple of cool duets, including Europa. Not only did we get treated to a wonderful concert, but there was wine, cheese, and fruit--all for free! Mahalo to Brittni, Kalei, the wine company, and the Gaia Hotel.
After the concert, Ukulele Bart, Moe Dixon, and a couple of other folks jammed in the hotel lobby. After selling and autographing CDs, Brittni and Kalei joined the jam session. Good fun!
Anyhow, looking forward to tomorrow's full day of workshops, free concerts, and the luau. Head up to St. Helena tomorrow morning--there's still time to join in on the fun!
Aloha,
Doug |
Edited by - PearlCityBoy on 10/09/2009 8:29:51 PM |
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Wine Country 'Ukulele Festival
We have another entry in the YouTube Commercial Contest: