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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
 Posted - 04/04/2011 : 2:03:13 PM
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Just thought I would post a short review of the 17th Annual N.C. Ukulele festival:
In general it looked to me to be a huge success this year. This is the oldest Ukulele festival running on the mainland (started 18 years ago by Hollis Baker and John Ogao). Last year's event had to be cancelled due to withdrawal of some funding support from the state (State budget problems of course), but this year it was re-located to a better site (Chabot College). The event actually took place in a real auditorium with cushioned seats and a balcony (instead of a Gym-like multi-use hall) and with much better acoustics. The sound-crew generally did an outstanding job (and I am picky about that issue), given that there were around 350 performers (yes, that many) during the day. There were a fair number of large groups with 30 to 60 performers, and some acts consisted of only one performer. One peformer in a group brought out a Harmonica (for the Japanese song Sukiyaki), and the sound guys had already added the proper reverb for it, and they stayed on-top-of things like this generally the whole day. Of course, if someone does not know how to use a mike (and stands too far away from it), and then also plays/sings quietly, there is really nothing the sound person can do except to raise the level as much as possible (until feedback ensues) and then back off some. So there were a couple of very minor feedback episodes throughout the day, but less that the usual number of such events at the previous venue or these kind of events in general.
The Auditorium was beautiful and the lovely adjacent outdoor amphitheatre, as well as some low walls lining the plaza, made great places for groups to gather and jam. There was plenty of free parking too (nice covered parking spaces).
AND, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 18 YEARS, the event SOLD OUT.
The Auditorium is substantially larger in seating capacity than the last venue (as far as I could tell), but of course, due to fire code regulations, they can only sell so many tickets. This is somewhat sad, because, at any given time, almost half of the attendees are outside the hall browsing the vendor booths or jamming with friends. I guess the fire-code folks must assume that all those people are potentially in the Auditorium.
So, if you are planning to come to next year's event, and you want to be able to get into the Auditorium, purchase in advance or get there early! I have observed, over the years, that some folks come to the event and never come into the Auditorium, but just hang around outside and Jam and visit the vendors. There were six food booths and about 20 other vendor booths this year, so lots of time can be spent just visiting them.
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 04/04/2011 2:09:11 PM |
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hikabe
Lokahi
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2011 : 09:45:04 AM
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| Hi Lawrence. Was nice to see you and your girlfriend on Sunday. I like the new venue. The event went great thanks to the volunteers and staff. Too bad a lot of people were turned away because of the sellout. Maybe next year they can run speakers outside so people can at least hear the stage performers. All in all, I think it is the most colorful, friendliest, happiest ukulele festival I have ever experienced. A hui hou... Akamai Okole |
Stay Tuned... |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2011 : 1:25:33 PM
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Yes... It is good my wife did not show up, otherwise she would have seen my girlfriend and then Pilikia nui loa au.
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
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catheglass
Lokahi
USA
312 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2011 : 7:38:54 PM
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E Lawrence E Hiram
And the weather was great - sometimes it's blowing a gale during the Festival. I played with the Royal Hawaiian 'Ukulele Band and have to say it was the best organized backstage ever! And the acoustic was lovely - we could all hear each other, a first. Audience was very welcoming, and my, those plush seats! |
cathe |
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les_maverick
Lokahi
USA
238 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2011 : 10:55:19 AM
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Aloha Lawrence
It was a great festival, good food, good music, good people and good prizes !!
Les |
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ArtSap
Lokahi
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2011 : 07:19:42 AM
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| Yeah Les, I'd think they had great prizes too if I won the Kamaka uke like you did! By the way, congrats on that... |
Art
SF Bay Area, CA / Mililani, HI
"The real music comes from within you - not from the instrument" |
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les_maverick
Lokahi
USA
238 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2011 : 7:48:10 PM
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Thanks Art
I was so shocked when they called my name.
I would like to thank Kamaka Ukulele for supplying the prize.
It was exactly what I was shopping for. |
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ArtSap
Lokahi
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2011 : 10:49:34 AM
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| Yeah, I remember one year when Ronnie, the MC, won it! Was funny because he didn't believe it and thought they were just kidding... |
Art
SF Bay Area, CA / Mililani, HI
"The real music comes from within you - not from the instrument" |
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Northern California Ukulele Festival Success
