Beginner Ukulele Hints and Helps Group on Facebook

Hello fellow Ukers, 
I finally figured out how to get back into my blog. Not an easy feat apparently,  when your computer is on the fritz. 

Happy to say,  I've figured it out on my phone and next I will try the iPad.  Ok,  so,  you're getting the idea that I'm not a teen,  nor young adult.  That's right,  30s Uke Girl is ancient in a child's eye,  but let me tell you,  I'm still pretty savvy.  Hahaha. 

My information today is on a group that I started about 6 to 7 years ago,  on Facebook,  called Beginner Ukulele Hints and Helps.  It started out with about 80 folks,  mostly local,  and was a place for beginners and professional performers to meet and interact.   Beginners post questions and videos,  then peers and professional instructors give feedback. 

Let me tell you about the last 4 months.  We've been growing steadily over 6 years till about 5 months ago,  when we hit 1k members.  I was like,  whoah,  so happy to see so many artists,  luthiers,  bloggers,  providing so much info,  and many many beginners joining and learning. 

In the last 4 months,  we've toppled over 2k and daily growth,  as of last night,  2300 members. 

It's the quarantine!!! Everyone is buying Ukuleles,  and they are eager and hungry for knowledge.  And,  with so many professionals out of work,  festivals canceled,  workshops canceled,  I'm more than happy to let them post links to their patreon pages,  and websites,  to generate funds.  Even more thrilled at how they are engaging the beginners,  with how to's  and recommends. 

I'm going to be posting a lot more content on this blog now,  and cleaning up the site,  as far as festival dates e.t.c.  and I hope to find and bring you tons of info about great sites,  awesome performers,  and cool clubs. Heck,  we're all under quarantine till who knows when.  Right?? So,  I've no excuses to not brighten your Ukulele Day!!!

So,  back to  the subject at hand,  whether you're a professional or a beginner,  go check out Beginner Ukulele Hints and Helps  on Facebook.  You'll be glad you did.  Make sure you answer all the questions when you request to be a member.  Makes it easier for me as admin. 

Ever Strumming,
Norine Mungo
Aka 30s Uke Girl

Tampa Bay Ukulele Getaway 2018

Hey there Dudes and Dudettes!

 30s Uke Girl here aka Norine Mungo, and howdy do we have some fun news about the Tampa Bay Ukulele Getaway 2018!  

It's gonna be a  weekend packed full of activity and it is again at the Sirata Beach Resort!  Newly remodeled and bigger and better, the Sirata is def an affordable Luxury resort experience that has partnered with TBUS to bring you the best of everything that is Florida and Tropical. 

Tickets are just about gone, so if you're sitting on the fence, don't get disappointed if you miss getting one. 

With an all star line up,
Rachel Manke , Matthew Kirkland , Liz and Jim Beloff  ,
 Ari Chi and many new added activities, this is going to be one jam packed weekend of fun! 

Friday, after opening ceremonies, the crowd will move outside to the beach bar for open mic hosted by Mim of Mims Ukes.  Mim will also be our MC for the weekend and will do a performance on Saturday as well as  a SET UP workshop.  Now wouldn't you want to know how to take care of and set up your UKES?  Though, if you buy from either Mim or from Jim at Uke Republic they automatically set up your uke before shipping!  Open mic ends about 8pm.

Then the Friday night concert jam by Reenee and The Rollers (aka Norine and Vinny Mungo of the South Tampa Ukulele Rock Jam) starts up in the Ballroom about 8pm.  This years theme is  60s Folk Rock and Rock. The room will be Hippiefied and attendees are asked to bring their tye dye shirts and flowers in their hair etc. Peace Love Dove Baby!
  
 Then Endless jamming for sure, with a spare room set aside with AC or on the beach, ala natural.  Also, there will be some beginner sing and strum sessions on both days by Pete McCarty of whom you can read about here. From the infamous Memphis Flash Mob, Petey Mack will bring fun and laughter to our crazy weekend. 

Other new workshops include Songwriting, taught by Norine Mungo,  Nashville songwriter, member of ASCAP , under Norine Mungo Publishing, writer of It's An Ukulele Day  also recorded  by Ukus In Fabula! 

An Onsong workshop!  Yes, the dreaded beloved OnSong!!!! 

Of course there will be the huge Silent Auction again, our biggest fund raiser of the year, chaired by Pat Spera, who is still accepting donations.  This has been a highlight of this festival since it's inception.  Many folks have walked away with Ponos and Mighty Moes, jewelry, books, art, it is always new each year and our members from all over the world contribute, as this funds the charities that we are involved in.  

If that isn't enough for you, we raffle off a whole load of Ukuleles as well.  

Then on Sunday Mim hosts the Open Mic for groups, 3 or more, and then after the raffle and silent auction, we move out to the beach for a Luau lunch with music from Ty Olepai and band. 

Did I mention that lunch and dinner are provided on Saturday as well as the Luau lunch on Sunday?  All this with the price of your ticket. 

So there you have it, a tropical resort vacation with concerts, workshops, great food, epic jams and open mics, in beautiful Florida, the East Coast Hawaii!!!  

I'll be seeing YOU there!  

As Always,
Ever Strumming, 30s Uke Girl
aka, Norine Mungo , Reenee and The Rollers

Tampa Bay Ukulele Getaway! Almost Here!!!

We are fast approaching the Tampa Bay Ukulele Getaway weekend festival! Held in Clearwater, it runs from Nov 7 to Nov 9. 

 Everyone is bristling with excitement, anticipating one of the best weekends ever for Ukulele Fests here in the Bay Area.  Not only are there great performers for the Saturday night concert, but most of these amazing performers also will be conducting workshops on Saturday, as well as participating in the "Jam" that goes on throughout the weekend in various spots all over the hotel. 

 That is the big draw and a big reason why the tickets sell out in hours for this getaway.  To be up close and intimate with these National and International performers, well, it's Priceless!!

 This year we have headliners that include Victoria Vox, Lil' Rev, Uncle Elvis aka Mike Hind,  Narciso Lobos, AmandaLynn, Uncle Zac, Colin Coleman,and a special performance by the TBUG Allstars!! 

 Ty & Mapuana  accompanied by Steve Boisen, TJ Wedger & Big Jim Allen  will finish the weekend with the Sunday Luau! 

On top of all that, the vendors are supreme this year!  Uke Republic is back in the house by popular request!! Featured in the Fall issue of Ukulele Magazine, this power house out of Atlanta has quite the story, from it's humble beginnings to the speed of light transformation that has become a household name in Ukulele circles around the globe!  

Vendors also include  custom ukulele artists  Augustino Lo Prinzi luthiers, need I say more? Then   Mim's Ukes, Mainland Ukes, & Dixie Ukuleles are also major favorites and represent a large portion of all the major brands of ukuleles. Mim loves to set up your ukulele and has all the tools right there at the event!!

 Rhythm Inlet returns again this year to bring sunshine from the Venice Sarasota area. They have built a huge following in our Southern counties of Tampa Bay in all things percussive!  From that foundation, they began with a humble selection of Ukuleles, and now have expanded their efforts to supply the Sarasota and all surrounding areas with the happy little fleas!



On Friday, the Tampa Bay Ukulele Society members gather together for a Mini Concert given by the TBUG AllStars, followed by a huge jam led by Jay Nunes who not only hosts a monthly jam event in Clearwater/Largo area for Tampa Bay Ukulele Society, but also gives Private Lessons, and has a serious  following of ADDICTED Ukulele enthusiasts who can attest to his dedication to all things Ukulele and his amazing teaching style!  Jay also performs with Todd Hughes as The Two Ukes here in the Tampa Bay Area! Fun, eclectic music from many generations that everyone loves to sing and dance to, performed, of course, on the Blessed Ukulele! 

  This jam will be followed by an Open Mic hosted by yet another event leader with Tampa Bay Ukulele Society, Big Jim Allen.  Allen performs in many groups around Tampa Bay as well as solo, and is the founder and performer of Ukulele Weddings!  Getting married on the Beach?  Coming to Florida for your Wedding?  Contact Big Jim Allen for classy beach ukulele music.  

Speaking of our own talented performers here in Tampa Bay, if you haven't checked out AmandaLynn yet, oh man, you better do it quick, so you can say, "I knew her when!"  Her voice and lyrics, well, talk about floating on a pink sunset cloud of trills and content that speaks to the heart and soul, I am amazed with each impactful session she produces!  You can catch more of AmandaLynn on Youtube or click on her name above under headliners to visit her website and get information on CDs and performance schedule. 

The weekend moves on with workshops and concerts by the headliners on Saturday, and then on Sunday,  more mega jams, raffle giveaways of amazing Ukuleles and merchandise, and a Luau with Hawaiian music and great buffet.  

Really, who could ask for more?? As always, I will be showing many of the event leaders from other parts of the state and outlying areas my transitional chording technique that is helping many first timers move quickly into jamming with the groups. Since the article came out about our happy crazy 3rd largest uke group in the nation in Ukulele Magazine, I've had many inquiries from these other leaders as to what I am teaching at the Beginner Sessions. Just watch for me as I will be there all weekend.  Happy to share with you!  Ever yours, 30s Uke Girl, Norine Mungo!!