Festival Season has Arrived for Tampa Bay

Festival Season is here and in full swing in Florida!

Hurricanes be damned, Floridians love their festivals, and the little UKE is holding it’s own in a world of Rock, Blues, Bluegrass and Jazz.

30s Uke Girl here, and though I post sparingly, I’m going to ramp up the blog cause it’s time to take it to a whole new level! There are so many festivals for ukulele all over the world, and Florida actually has so many that folks are coming from far and wide to experience this epic phenomenon,

October kicks off with the Pinellas County Country Jubilee, and though not exclusive to uke, it will again feature a beginner uke workshop, and our band, The Mungos, will be kicking off the day at 10am.  Yes, with Uke’s! And yes, it’s the same band as Reenee and The Rollers, except this is our originals and it’s country. Lol. October 26th!

Next is The Getaway, Tampa Bay’s Ukulele Society Fundraiser, bigger, better, and SOLD OUT.  Held the 1st weekend in November each year, and for the last five it’s been at the Sirata Beach Resort! This year the headliners for our 10th Anniversary are; Craig Chee and Sarah Jo, Victoria Vox, Ukulele Russ , The Barnkickers, and Luna Artist, Jessica Rose. Our Host is the indomitable Mim! Also featuring jams and workshops with Petey Mack and Devon Scott. This year the festival sports a dual track for workshops, including a beginner track and an intermediate to advanced track. It kicks off Friday November 1st with the wild Rock Costume Theme Party Jam hosted by none other than 30s Uke Girl (aka Norine Mungo) and Vinny Mungo. With our band in tow, this years theme is Sock Hop. The festival ends on Sunday with a luau and music provided by Hawaiian Band Ty Olopai and Maupuana, Bobby, and T J Wedger. Vendors include Loprinzi, UKE Republic, Mainland Uke’s, Gulf Bait and Tackle, and our sponsor, LUNA GUITAR AND UKULELE!

As if that weren’t enough, December 7th kicks off the 5th Anniversary of WMNF’s UKE IT OUT! This festival is held in downtown St Pete at Cage Brewing, and sees crowds up to 700 ukemaniacs. Beginner workshop , Rock Jam with the Crowd, then over six hours of music by Bands including Junction 27, Reenee and The Rollers (aka 30s Uke Girl Norine Mungo), Tom Hood and the Tropical Sons, a Luna Artist tab, and many more tba.  Sponsored by WMNF, Tampa Bay Ukulele Society, Luna Guitar’s and Ukuleles, and vendor Gulf Bait and Tackle. Many IPAs and always great street food! Advance tickets available at WMNF 88.5 Radio, Tampa Bays Community Radio Station.

Not done Yet! February 2nd is World Ukulele Day, and we celebrate it on the 1st Saturday in February. This year it’s Feb 1st. World Ukulele Day Festival III. Downtown Dunedin, and I do mean downtown! In its third year, this free concert in the park is literally encompassing the whole street, with multiple performances going on simultaneously in the restaurants, clubs, and store fronts up and down Main Street. Starting at 11am, with children’s performance at the railroad museum, and buskers up and down main, till 3pm when clubs and performers gather into a sidewalk flash mob parade up aato Pioneer Park. Then the Dunedin UKE Club will lead a massive Jam followed by Headliners, Ty Olopai Band, Lil Rev, and finale The Super UKE Dance Band. Then the after jam party continues at the Honu Tiki Bar! Lil Rev will conduct 2 workshops at a venue during the day.
Bands so far during the street part are The Mungos, Tom Hood, Junction 27, Luna Artists TBA, and about 30 other acts. Vetting is going on now, so start applying!  Sponsored by Tampa Bay Ukulele Society, Luna Guitar’s and Ukuleles, The Downtown Merchants of Dunedin, with vendors Gulf Bait and Tackle, and Replay Guitar Exchange. Food vendors include Bayou Bistro Bites. Others tba.

But wait, there’s even more!! If that wasn’t enough, activities are planned in venues all week including workshops and concerts throughout Tampa culminating in the UkeApalooza Extravaganza at the Florida State Fair in Tampa Dec 8th! Whaaaaat? Yes, one whole week of a UKE in Tampa Bay Florida!!! Who’s ready for a Florida Vacay??? More to come on artists but headliner is Lil  Rev and it’s going to be inside with AC so get ready to have an amazing week long celebration of the Ukulele!

PS: March will mark the 10th Anniversary of the Tampa Bay Ukulele Society ‘s Ukulele Open Mic at the famous Whistle Stop Bar and Grill in Safety Harbour. This will be a night to remember, as Steve Boisen , founder of TBUS, joins The Mungos to cohost this party. This night will start earlier at 5 pm instead of 7.  We will be getting EVERYONE up and many surprises as well!

April marks our annual TBUS Picnic, always well attended, followed by May, National Play you Ukulele Day, in which we incorporate a twist, and party down dudes, another festival, UKE O De Mayo, date tba. Many performers, including Hispanic Ukulele, Art, Crafts, Children’s Performance, Contests, and workshops. Stay tuned!

I’ll be announcing more as it comes in, like the workshop on Feb 22nd given by, shut the front door, ONSONG CREW!!!    YES!

Ever Strumming,
Norine Mungo (aka 30s Uke Girl)
Tampa Bay Ukulele Society
Board of Directors
Event and Performance Coordinator
Every Day, It’s An Ukulele Day
Https://www.itsaukuleleday.comu

Tampa Bay Ukulele Society's Annual Getaway Festival

Tampa Bay Ukulele Getaway has come and gone.  What a weekend! What a line up!  What a concert!

Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel This was sweet, jazzy, and harmonies were ethereal! I must say I teared up at the lyrics, the vocals and the exceptional playing of the Ukulele.  The workshop they gave was so awesome for all levels.  I found myself practicing much of what they taught throughout the days following the session!  They filled in at the last minute for a cancellation of performer, Hal Manitoba!  We were all thrilled that they were able to swing by and be a part of this festival again!

Stuart Fuchs What can I say? Stuart Fuchs has become a dear friend of mine.  The versatility of this performer is mind boggling!  Running the gamut from Jazz, Gypsy, Formby, Vamp, Rock A Billy, he kept us guessing as to what he would do next!  The Brazilian/Latin pieces were exquisite! Classically, there is none to compare, but pair that with a spiritual take on performing and throw in Didgeridoo, and you have an experience bordering on ZenErgy!   That is a word I made up to explain Stu to all my peeps!! ZenErgy!!! His workshop is still being talked about today on Facebook. Everyone LOVED this workshop!

Danielle Ate The Sandwich Then! OMG!  LOL.  This girl of whom I honestly didn't know a great deal about, just stole our hearts!  Her lyrics were honest and soul searching, and irreverent at times!  I LOVED IT!  Here we have someone who seems so natural and confident, and funny and sure and true, AND, what a vocalist and ukest!  I honestly didn't know what to expect but I am SO glad I got to experience her workshop and performance in person!  She is also very delightful in person, with a relaxed demeanor, and upon meeting her, you feel like you've known her and have been friends all your lives.  Def want to see this performer again!

Aldrine Guerrero  Shut The Door!!!!  What a go give spirit this guy has!  And to top off his humble soft spoken personality, add the driven expertise of a heavy metal Shimabukuro looping monster talented Uke-Al-Alien! Aldy G blew the roof off of the Concert with a feverish build up to a finale that NO ONE WILL EVER FORGET!  His hand was moving so fast at the end, that I literally couldn't see it anymore!  He had about 20 (or so it seemed) amazing loops going together that had us standing and screaming at the end when he raised his hands and just let all that music sink in as it played on without him!  O. M. G.  Workshop was awesome with finger exercises, (that we were so happy to do, lol, cause that didn't hurt or stretch our hands at all, no, no, it was so kind to show us that we needed to do this every time we are going to practice! LOL), and again, referring to Ukulele Underground, we can  continue to build and grow our skills!  

Overall, it was a spectacular weekend, with the exclamation point on awesome fun being Mike Hind, the MC for Tampa Bay Ukulele Getaway!  More on him and his unbelievable journey on another post!  Needless to say, don't know what it would be without him!  He is so very much a part of this festival, and this Bermudian is one heck of a Floridian!!  LOL

A big thanks to all the volunteers and the committee for all the hard work and planning that went into giving us the Super  Sized Fun Weekend of a lifetime!  Jay Nunes and the whole committee are to be applauded for this fantastic line up and a seamless three days that will be memorable for all who attended!

 Also, the vendors this year as always, they Brought IT!  Perfect selection and blends from each vendor, Augustino LoPrinzi ,  Uke Republic , Mainland Ukulele , Rhythm Inlet Ukulele , Dixie Ukulele  and none other than Mim's Ukes
A big thank you to all the vendors and your family and friends who came and helped everyone take home new babies, and helped with set ups and strap pegs etc.  Also for all the donations for the raffles!  So many happy ticket holders!
  Next years plans are already in the works and TBUG is going to the BEACH!  YAY!!!!  More on THAT later too!  
Ever Yours, 30s Uke Girl, Norine Mungo

 

Tampa Bay Ukulele Getaway lineup announced!

Holy Cow!  The line up for the 2015 Getaway is Stupendous!  I'll post videos from the various artists as time permits.  The tickets will disappear the moment they open the gates on July 1st Midnight!  Manitoba Hal, Stuart Fuchs, Danielle Ate The Sandwich, Aldrine Guerrero, and MC Mike Hind will perform concerts and conduct workshops in the November extravaganza! I can hardly wait.  I'll post when I get done with all my events.  Lots of great bios on the TBUG Site!!!  Ever, 30s Uke Girl.

Tampa Bay Ukulele Getaway was wild!!!

Boys and Girls, OMG!  Attended my first Ukulele Getaway with TBUS, and it was a wild one!  My cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing all weekend.  My fingers hurt from the Workshops that were excellent.  The entertainment/performers were top rated nationally, and the local talent on the Friday concert were just a good!  

I met so many people that I'd become acquainted with on Facebook, and also got to spend the weekend with all the friends and peeps I've made in the Tampa Bay Ukulele Society.  Oh man, and people were there from all over the state as well as from other states.  

We met great people from Pensacola, and from Naples and Fort Meyers, and of course people trekked across  from the "Other" coast, so pretty much most of Florida was represented! 

On top of all that, and adding in the jamming that we all did, we were treated to a Sunday concert and Luau with Ty and his band.  Hawaiian music and lots of the members got up and did the hula!  LOL

Lastly, but most significantly, I, 30s Uke Girl, WON an Ohana!  It is the TK 35G.  Again, OMG!!  I got home today, freshened up, and ran down to our friends house were a nice bbq party was ensuing.  Vinny and I played Ukulele songs for them on the new Acquisition!!  lol.

I will post a video soon of me playing the new Ohana!  Did I mention my cheeks hurt from smiling???  Pictures coming soon!  Ever, 30s Uke Girl, aka Norine Mungo

October is Busy for Ukulele Enthusiasts!

Guys and Gals, October is heating up to be one very cool month of Jams, Festivals and concerts!  Where to start!!!

  http://seatgeek.com/jake-shimabukuro-tickets/  
His tour rages on!  But he is back here in March • Jake Shimabukuro, 7:30 p.m. 

March 19 at Capitol Theatre, Clearwater,
 $39-$49,

 on sale at noon Saturday at the Ruth Eckerd 

Hall box office. Tickets go on sale this week!!!

For all things Jake, click link to his 

website! http://jakeshimabukuro.com/#/home

Kauai's Festival and Event calender is cooking for October!  http://www.kauaifestivals.com/festivals/10/2013/

Full Calender of events is packed full of great concerts and festivals, many with slack key and Ukulele performances!

And if you missed it, they are already planning the 2014 Uketoberfest in Eugene, Oregon!  Here is the link to the website!  

http://uketoberfest.com/

http://www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org/en/maui.htm

The Hawaii Ukulele Festival is upon us!  October 13!!

Local Tampa Ukulele Jams are as follows for Tampa Bay Ukulele Society: : http://www.meetup.com/tampabayukes/

Wednesday Night Beginner Sessions South Tampa, hosted by Norine Mungo October 9th.

2nd Saturday Jam in Largo hosted by Jay Nunes October 12th.

Flea Bitten Dawgs concert at Grams Place, Tampa, Mar Deuce hosts Sunday October 13th.

Wednesday Night Beginner Sessions South Tampa, hosted by Norine Mungo October 23rd

Ukulele Open Mic at The Whistle Stop, Safety Harbour, hosted by Steve Boisen  Thurs Oct 24th.

2nd Annual Ladies Picking Weekend at Grams Place Tampa, hosted by Mar Deuce October 25th thru 27th 

South Tampa Jam at Homes of Regency Cove hosted by Norine Mungo October 26th. 

So, lots of activity for your October jaunts.  There were many festivals this month, so check out the sidebar on the left and catch a few!  Happy Strumming and Ever Yours, 30s Uke Girl!