THE HAPPY WANDERERS at 501 Queen

DOUBLE CLICKING WILL ENLARGE PHOTOS

Thursday May 27 and SMUG once again played for a great crowd at 501 Queen Street in Charlottetown. We presented a new "SUMMER" program which was partly put together by our guest conductor for the evening, Hazel St.Amand. Hazel added her wonderful voice to the group as she led us through six selections she had taught us over the past month. This was added to by another "first" for SMUG; Bobby Acorn sang a solo verse in "Peggy Gordon" and Ray Fralick gave us a verse of "The Mermaid". Our thanks to Hazel for bringing a fresh new approach to our performing. Very generous remarks were heard from those in the audience, and Grace MacIntosh , who schedules the entertainment at 501, invited SMUG to return for a Christmas show once again.

HAZEL ST.AMAND IS OUR GUEST CONDUCTOR


Grace and Hazel "cut a rug"

Grace and David participate in the last waltz

RAY SOLOS A VERSE OF THE MERMAID

BOBBY DOES A SOLO(Peggy Gordon)

At ANDREWS AGAIN WITH THE ANDREWS STRUMMERS

On Friday, SMUG joined forces with the ANDREWS STRUMMERS of Stratford and did an hour program where SMUG did a short program, followed by a great and uplifting set by ANDREWS STRUMMERS of STRATFORD. It was the second performance by the STRUMMERS when an apprearance by SMUG was made, only this time the Andrews group joined in with the SMUG songs and great participation during the whole show. Sharon took some wonderful photos as she always does, and it was great to have Ann Campbell as a part of the STRUMMERS. Ann is a volunteer at Andrews who plays the ukulele and everyone is so pleased to have her a big part of the STRUMMERS great effort.She joins Kendal Godkin, Dennis Wells and Darlene Acorn on Wednesday mornings as we all get together with the enthusiastic group from Andrews. Our hope that it will continue and that others might join this very illustrious and satisfied group of ukulele players. We were all so pleased to see and meet some of Joan Armstrong's family, who arrived on a flight to Charlottetown minutes before the performance began. We even had Joan's daughter join the group for several ukulele songs.What a thrill for Joan I'm sure.

Below are just some of the photos that Sharon was able to take on Friday, but because she was a part of the Andrews group, she was not able to make her usual panorama of those attending the performance, who as always, were so enthusiastic in their participation during the afternoon. The performance finished off with great tea and cookies as always, and supplied from the wonderful kitchen of Andrews.

A REALLY SMUG WEEKEND

A really SMUG weekend indeed. We did two performances and a jam on Saturday, getting ready for a month off in April, but back in full flight in May. Below are some photos and a bit of dialog about the good times we enjoyed playing for some very appreciative people,



We had a pretty busy weekend with a performance at LaPage Court in Hunter River, a regular Saturday morning Jam at the lodge on Saturday and a performance at 501 Queen Street tonight. Fingers are getting in good shape and we're starting to get the Spring Program down not too bad(If the director would only get his act together!)We must have been in their favour though, as they invited us back in May.Tonight was Denise Motard's birthday and her first performance with SMUG. I know she was pleased to have her first performance under her belt, especially on her __ birthday! We missed Harley tonight as we understand he went back to the hospital for a minor procedure which will see him back with us soon. Get well Harley, we miss you.



SMUG had been invited some time ago to perform in April at the LePage Court in Hunter River, but with our growing numbers, lack of enough room at the Court and so many going to be away in April we finally settled on a Friday in March at the common room at the Central Queens United Church next to LaPage Court. We were glad we went because Lois Lajeunesse, the organizer, and her friends provided a most warm atmosphere along with the best lunch we have had for some time. We always remark about our friends the YesterUkes in Laurens, South Carolina, in that everywhere they play they are treated to a great lunch or a sit down meal even. We had a wonderful afternoon highlighted by the appearance of Tim Waite, a local student on March break who provided those assembled with three great ukulele tunes on his own ukulele. Congratulations, Tim, keep up the good work.

SMUG at BEACH GROVE AGAIN

SMUG has done yet another performance at Beach Grove Home for the fourth time. It was great to see so many of our friends there, who have returned to encourage us and bring out our best. The staff were involved as well, and it appeared that after an hour's performance, all were ready to head off to the noon time meal. They have invited us back in June and we all look forward to being there and providing a bit of SMUG excitement as they all participate and sing along with our antics.

EAST ROYALTY LIONS CLUB CEILIDH

Our Saturday Morning Ukulele Band were the guest performers last night at the Malcolm Darrach Community Center in East Royalty, an evening of many gifted local performers doing a monthly Ceilidh and sponsored by the East Royalty Lions Club. The evening was organized by and under the direction of Barbara Perry who was the emcee for the evening, told many great stories and also sang some wonderful songs. SMUG did an outstanding performance for twenty minutes topped off by rousing applause and a standing ovation. Barbara countered with an invitation to do a return performance in the near future. Our photographer was otherwise occupied during the performance, so thanks to Frank MacMillan for taking the photo.

STORMY DAY JAM

After a long stormy day yesterday and a blustery cold morning , a few die hards from SMUG turned out for coffee, cookies, muffins and cheese from the kitchen of Darlene and Bob Acorn, and even jammed for an hour and a half, mostly from Jim Beloff's new Ukulele Daily songbook. It was our first time using the new book which has been acquired by most of our members. The morning only saw 10 Smuggers out, but we had a ball trying new pieces we had never played before. The book might begin to take over at least half of our Saturday morning time limit of two hours and a half. Our thanks to Jim and Liz Beloff for creating this wonderful book, so useful to new and old ukulele jammers alike.

AN UNEXPECTED PLEASURE

On Thursday this week, February 24th, a panic email message from Sharon, the activity director at Andrews of Stratford came to us asking if we could provide some music for their monthly birthday party at Andrews. The booked performer came down with the flu and wasn't able to be there. A quick survey found eight free Smuggers who were more than willing to play and have some fun with the residents of Andrews. As always, Sharon took many wonderful pictures during the party, but room here hardly permits all to be downloaded. SMUG did about 20 numbers for the hour long party and discovered that music really can be made with only 6 ukuleles and a bass. We finished up the party with great birthday cupcakes served with some liquid refreshments.
SMUG is aware that The Andrews Strummers, the ukulele group from Andrews of Stratford, are ready to provide music for some of the future birthday parties as they come along monthly at Andrews. The group have been practicing diligently every week and have now grown to 12 members or more, and having a wonderful time.