Saturday, July 18, 2009

Our Friends at Andrews of Stratford










Smug performed at Andrews of Stratford, in Stratford Prince Edward Island on Saturday, July 18th, 2009, for many of the residents . Only our second public performance, we are still getting our "sea legs" as the seafarers say, but enthusiastic none the less. Smug performed a short program consisting of seven selections, then passed out songsheets so the residents could sing along with the ukuleles. We were all treated to coffee and muffins at coffee-break time and moved out to the deck for a few more selections before closing the program.

It would be the hope of Smug and the activity director of Andrews that some of the residents might show some interest in playing in a small ukulele group this fall for their own enjoyment. Smug has expressed a willingness to participate in helping to make this happen.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

New Friends Everywhere






YESTERUKES
Back in early April, Smug met up with a group of ukulele players from South Carolina on the internet (where else?).They are the YesterUkes, and have a very busy schedule of playing at many locations all around the State on an almost weekly basis. Since that time we have corresponded with several of the group and their leader, who has been very helpful to us and provided new songs and ideas as we get our feet wet at this ukulele thing. Many very positive comments and words of encouragement have come our way and we are most appreciative. When Smug first began it was our intention to have weekly jams and a bit of fellowship, but a couple of invitations to perform for others has given us a appetite to do more of this sort of thing. This is where YesterUkes have been so helpful and we thank them all for their support. No, we didn't copy the colour of their sweaters, it happened by accident!

STRING ALONG

A month ago, through the Internet again, we met up with another group in Dundas, Ontario, String Along. We find the leaders of the group, Norm and Elayne Ruplens, are retired school teachers who have taught ukulele in schools in their area for many years, and since retiring have continued to do so, as well as do weekly jams with a local group. Last week at the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club, they had a jam which was well attended. You will note in the photo, many of the players are playing Ohana ukuleles; Norm and Elayne are the Canadian dealers. Having ordered a new uke from them is how we got together and I find they have plans to attend the Ceilidh in Liverpool with many of us, and bring some of their group along as well.We look forward to getting to meet them and hopefully get a chance to see and play some Ohanas.



Thursday, May 28, 2009

Smug's First Video with a Lot of Heart



Smug makes first video" Heart of My Heart" taken on the debut of their new T-Shirts

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Smug makes first Nursing Home Appearance



Today saw Smug perform along with the Park Royal United Church Breakfast Club Singers at the Prince Edward Home In Charlottetown. It was their first appearance to an audience other than Masons or Shriners and the accolades handed out were humbling to say the least. The Park Royal Singers are well seasoned performers with wonderful soloists, several piano players and a violin virtuso to boot. They make wonderful music which was much appreciated by the large crowd in attendance. Several of their number are also Smuggers. Jeff Cook, the activity director at the Prince Edward Home was very complimentary to Smug as it was the first time ukulele players had performed at the home. Smug did have a Saturday morning practice at Andrews of Stratford about a month ago, and although almost every resident turned out to see and hear the group, they also sang along with every tune they knew, and what was supposed to be a practice really turned into a two hour performance.

Monday, May 18, 2009

SMUG hits the web!

Hello, folks - and welcome to the blog for the Saturday Morning Ukulele Group, known colloquially as SMUG.

We're a group of friends who have fun and fellowship playing that greatest of all little instruments, the ukulele.

Under the direction of David C., our illustrious bandmaster, we plink and plunk our way through a plethora of tunes, both old and new.

Why do we do it? Playing the ukulele is a blast, and the basics of the instrument are easy - anyone can learn - but it offers the ability to advance to more complicated techniques. It's the perfect social instrument!

We're located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island . . . the capital of Canada's smallest province.

Keep watching this blog for more information!
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