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About Marcel Cole

Marcel Cole is a multi-disciplinary artist from Canberra. He comes from a family of musical performers and so music, singing and performing have been a part of life ever since he could walk. Since then, he has trained extensively as a dancer in Canberra and at the New Zealand School of Dance in Wellington, NZ, and has studied theatre, mask and clown in Australia, London and Paris, most notably at the prestigious École Philippe Gaulier. He is currently touring the Australian Fringe circuit and is thrilled to be performing in Melbourne for the first time.

For further information and to purchase tickets:

>> https://melbournefringe.com.au/event/the-ukulele-man-the-story-of-george-formby/

Sally Carter led us in a wonderful workshop on ‘Timing and Counting in’ at Carrum Activity Hub on Tuesday 27th February.
60 members participated in getting the timing right for a number of well known songs. We are now all experienced in getting started with correct counting and maintaining a steady tempo throughout!
Many thanks to Brad for the photos and to Sally for her excellent work shop!

JOURNEY THROUGH SPACE & TIME with the MOSAIC COMMUNITY CHOIR

A nimber of our club members are performing with the Mosaaic Choir this coming Saturday.
Venue: Longbeach RSL at 4 Thames Promenade, Chelsea
Date: Saturday 16th September at 2pm.
Cost: $10
Purchase Tickets: trybooking.com/CKJGN

Recently the question was asked by one of our members - What is a bridge?
Peter McDonald found the great YouTube video that simply explains it. 

we hope it gives you all more insight into the structure of many of the songs we play at LUKES. 

It's ON & Shirley Biggs wanted everyone at LUKES to know about it!!!!!

Save the dates 13-15 October,2023

Featuring the exquisite playing of our international guest:

• Samantha Muir UK supported by
• The Australian Ukulele Orchestra Sydney+Central Coast
• Blue Gum Blossom Jazz Coffs Coast, Manildra, Brisbane, Nowra
• Chris Waite South Australia
• Green Fieldz Melbourne
• Jack n Jel, Mac n Wal Newcastle
• Jackie Anifandis Launceston TAS
• Mama Juju and the Jam Tarts Brisbane
• Snez and Stewart Valla​
• The Wild Women of Anywhere Beach Valla Beach​

​It's a place where the family can have a great time. Great gigs, fun workshops and super learning experiences.

VENUE: Valla Beach Holiday Park

• In accordance with Pam’s wishes, a small private gathering  will be held after the celebration at another venue
• Out of respect, the committee has decided that there will not be a session of LUKES that day (Thursday 22 June) at the Mentone RSL

Here’s a  special opportunity to improve your playing skills,

Fran Paddington thought you might be interested in the following event:

The Boroondara Ukulele Festival will be held on Sunday 18 September 2022, at the Ashburton Community Centre
(160 High Street, Ashburton) and online!
9am - 6pm
Tickets $15 - $50

There will be a variety of workshops, community groups and presenters’ concerts, onsite displays and a music store (thanks Pat’s Music), the BUF raffle, and more, including Community Music Vic’s famous Ukeoke.

For the full program and to secure your tickets visit the BUF 2022 website!

►  https://cmvic.org.au/whats-on/boroondara-uke-festival

►  https://events.humanitix.com/buf-2022

Paul Wadeson & Carolyn Coxhead thought our members might be interested in this event.

ON NEXT SATURDAY 4th JUNE, 8pm

at the MEMO MUSIC HALL

88 Acland Street St, entrance via Albert Street, St Kilda

A two act, musical play written by award-winning Australian playwright, Kieran Carroll and performed by acclaimed Sydney singer-actor, Jackson Carroll, Late, Late At Night is a new stage adaptation based on Rick Springfield’s best-selling autobiography.

https://www.memomusichall.com.au/memo-gig/rick-springfield-late-late-at-night-the-play/

Self-penned, the memoir is written (except for the opening chapter) in chronological form from the 1950s through to 2010. The work traces Springfield’s Australian and British childhood, his early music days in Australia, his rollercoaster ride in 1970s America and the huge pop and acting successes of the 1980s. This is followed by his fall from public view, his mental health demise, and finally, the resurrection of Rick Springfield as an artist in the 21st century.

The aim of this biographical and musical stage adaptation – much like the result of the autobiography – is to go far beyond Rick’s popular pop image or what he is best remembered for on the 1980s pop charts. This stage adaptation captures the heart and essence of Springfield’s major concerns and musings: depression, God, no God, his parents, self-motivation, a long sustaining career, love versus sex, music versus acting, his wife and sons, the way America shaped him and what he left behind in Australia as he built his career to lead the seemingly glamorous and not-so-glamorous expatriate life.

Late, Late At Night is a vast one-man work moving between the text and the songs throughout. It is a tumultuous and exhilarating journey of an Australian-American songwriter whose 17 top 40 hits in America with sales of 25 million albums worldwide make him one of Australia’s most successful musical exports of all time.

Late, Late At Night is an epic journey of a suburban boy whose journey to fame and fortune came with enormous personal costs.

With the permission of and based on the best-selling autobiography Late, Late At Night by Rick Springfield.

The Girgarre Moosic Muster is on again from 5th - 9th January 2022.
Girgarre was one of 6 rural towns in Victoria to be selected for a Regional Arts Victoria Transformation / Development Grant with  help from the art and music world. It has a strong community group, who have been through some tough times but who welcome all warmly to this and other festivals held locally throughout the year. 
The Moosic Festival begins Wednesdaynight, 5th January with a bush dance and any musicians are welcome on stage to join the bands playing .........  dinner this evening may be arranged prior to the night but please check out the website at: https://www.girgarre.com.au/music-muster - also visit FaceBook and join the event to get the latest updates.

Costs can be:

• $90 - includes: 2 meals and a Sunday brekkie plus for for a pass and to camp at Girgarre
• $60 - for entry pass but staying at Kyabram or similar spots a short 11 km away.

There is an Arts Trail, so check all the options out on-line
Looking forward to seeing you there,
Shirley Biggs

In 2020, Mandy Cooper introduced us to Play Music on the Porch Day.
This event is held on the last Saturday of August. and is an International Day of music which began with a simple idea back in 2013. The idea is that music is powerful and universal and goes beyond words. When you pick up an instrument and start to play the world disappears and you get lost in the sounds.  

The idea is to just  go outside and play music - share our talents, our passions, and our music. Together let us show the world the power that music holds to transcend the most difficult barriers.

A number of us from LUKES did just that on Saturday 28th August, 2021.. Please enjoy the photographs sent in so far.

==> View the Photos of 2021 Play Music On the Porch Day
 

If you have photographs that haven't been include please email them to Alison D.

• When you plug in the USB microphone, you need to check that it is turned on (on ours the blue light appears when it is plugged in but you also have to turn the switch to ON.
• In ZOOM click on the arrow immediately to the right of the Mute button - this brings up a range of options. Make sure that you click on the USB Microphone.
• On the same button is the option to test it - click on that - it will firstly ask you to test  your speakers and then it enables you to speak and test the microphone
• In order to save bandwidth and increase intelligibility, Zoom does various tricks with sound. The main one is that it decides who is speaking at any given moment and concentrates on their sound and quietens down everyone else's. There's not much you can do about this apart from mute your mic when someone else is singing or playing.  It also prioritises speech over other sounds such as music, which it can regard as extraneous noise. However, there is a way to minimise some of the effects of this by using what they are pleased to call 'Original Sound', ie. the sound captured by your computer's microphone before Zoom get their mitts on it.
• To make this work there are things both the meeting host and the participants have to do, but almost all of it needs to be done once only.. Once the host has enabled the "Show in-meeting option to Enable Original Sound from microphone"
• The participant(s) also have a job to do. Again, you'll only ever need to this once but it has to be done while you're in a meeting, because the audio settings aren't available outside of meetings on some platforms. At the bottom left-hand corner of your screen you'll see a picture of a mic and an upward–pointing arrow ('^'). Click on the arrow and a menu of options will appear. The one you want is the bottom one: 'Audio Settings...'. Click on this and you'll get a screen full of settings. Clear the setting that says 'Automatically adjust microphone volume'.. If you need to you can set the mic level here yourself.
• At the bottom right-hand corner you'll see a button labelled 'Advanced', which takes you to another screen full of settings. Towards the top of this you'll see 'Show in–meeting option to Enable Original Sound from microphone'. Make sure it has a tick next to it. You should also set both 'Suppress Persistent Background Noise' and 'Suppress Intermittent Background Noise' to Disable.

• Having done that you can now close the settings screens and return to the main screen. You should never need to do that again.

• Back at the main screen (if the meeting host has done their job) you'll now see a new box at the top left-hand corner saying 'Turn on Original Sound'. Click on this and it will change to 'Turn off Original Sound'. Once you've done that you're using original sound. You may need to do this last bit at the start of most Zoom meetings.

If you purchase a USB microphone and would like to have a practise run, give Alison a call and we can set up a ZOOM meeting to make sure you're on the right track and that it works for you.. You can only test these by way of ZOOM we've found.

NOTE: Original Sound - allows you to preserve the sound from your microphone without using ZOOM's echo cancellation and audio-enhancing features.

Technical infromation thanks to https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/how-make-zoom-work-music
I hope this is helpful.
Cheers
Alison

Dear LUKES members. 

Keep up the good work!  From our limited sample survey last week as to the vaccination status of LUKES members, we can happily report that we are very responsible citizens.

The situation last week was that one third of us had had a double dose, and two-thirds one dose, with plans to have the second.  We expect to see this change quickly as second doses become due after 12 weeks, and some of us are opting for an earlier second dose at between 8 and 12 weeks.

If we needed reminding, our current lockdown is proving our actions in getting vaccinated to be a very wise choice.  Then again, we knew we were wise (comes with age, they say).  

See you on Zoom in the short-term and hopefully soon in person.

Jill Thompson

There is a pattern attached (including how-to video) for a mask which is not technically a singers’ mask but is relatively user friendly for singing and fairly easy to sew.

On Saturday 8th May, Fran, Veronica, Beni and Mandy, on behalf of LUKES Entertainment Group, provided entertainment for the Cheltenham/Dingley VIEW CLUB Luncheon. 

VIEW members support the education of disadvantaged Australian children by raising much needed funds for The Smith Family. Through fundraising activities and social events in local communities, members raise money that goes directly to The Smith Family's learning and mentoring programs for disadvantaged students.

The ladies at the luncheon enjoyed listening to the performance which included some old favourites and a couple of new songs as well.There was much toe tapping and singing along, and quite a few questions about the Lukes Club and playing ukulele in general. A lovely afternoon, enjoyed by all.

Sixteen members of the LUKES Entertainment Group (LEGS) enjoyed wonderful 25 degree weather as we entertained the crowds on the lawn adjacent to the new Mentone Railway Station at its official opening on Saturday 1st May from 11am till 2pm.
We were booked by the LXRP - Level Crossing Removal Project for a 3 hour gig.. There were breaks as we watched an official welcome to country smoking ceremony and later the Mayor of Kingston opening the Station and launching a book on the historyof the Mentone Railway Station.

Mandy Cooper the LEGS Gig Co-ordinator devised a lively program - including a variety of train songs in conjunction with some old favourites. Along with our group of ukulele players the ensemble included a mandolin, a bass, a washboard, a guitar and numerous percussion items and of course a number of train whistles to add to the overall effect.

• Bring your own instrument, music stand and music.  (Sharing is only possible by people living in same house)
• Bring your own drink and nibbles if needed. The kitchen will be closed.
• Do not enter the hall before 6.30pm
• Wear your mask until seated
• Do your QR code before entering foyer.
• One member at a time in the foyer
• Do not move your chair from its position.
• Remain seated while the session is in progress
• If not singing wear your mask
• There will be no microphones in use for the time being. We will review this as soon as it is allowable.
• If you need an amp please bring your own. 

Did you see this article on the ABC recently (March 6, 2020) ?

'It's the happy instrument': Surge in popularity of ukulele shows no sign of slowing down

This fun cartoon featured on Facebook from the Michael Leunig Appreciation Society:

Les Fox who always leaves us with a sense of anticipation about what badge will be accompanying our chocolate, did the same as he led us in his first LUKES Session "Songs Sung Blue" on Tuesday 3rd March:

The majority of members were dressed in Blue and sang an eclectic choice of Blue Songs or songs featuring Blue. The singing was punctuated by the inevitable Blue Badges, Blue Decor, Blue Jokes (not too rude!) and Blue Prizes.

The joy in the room was infectious and everyone left with a spring in their step, a Blue Gift and definitely not in a Blue mood at all. Well done to Les for a wonderful night - you've set the bar really high.

⇒ View the photographs of our Songs Sung Blue night.

ALL MEMBERS NOTE:

⇒ Download 2020 Registered Club Membership Application Form

The form can be filled out, scanned and emailed to LUKES Membership Administrator: Veronica Young, or handed to the person on the door on Tuesday nights with $10 cash.

Payment can be made by EFT into our bank:

• Account Name: Longbeach Ukes Inc.
• BSB: 633 000
• Account Number: 164527905
• Reference: Surname & Initial

Chelsea - Mordialloc - Mentone NEWS 22-11-2017

Happy Song

Beginners Classes will be run on Thursday nights, in two periods this year, each of six consecutive weeks.

Ukuelele; Please do not buy a ukulele from ALDI or a really cheap one - from experience they do not hold their tune. Expect to pay upwards from $60 for an insturment which is not a toy. Consider a Tenor Ukulele if your fingers are stiffer and less dextrous as they have bigger fret boards than the smaller sized Soprano Ukuleles. Ukuleles range in size from Soprano (smallest) to Concert (mid size) up to Tenor (large size). Try out ukuleles from local music shops and see which one suits your fingers best - our Club's preferred supplier is Guitars Plus at 5 Melrose Street, Sandringham. We have a few ukuleles we can lend to our beginners until you are able to purchase your own, on both Tuesday and Thursday nights. 

LUKES MEMBERS - Do you have a friend who has shown an interest in joining LUKES? - why not encourage friends or family members to come along to the Beginners' Classes to try it out and gain some confidence along the way.

Street Performance Charman Road, Cheltenham November 15th 2019

⇒ View the photogallery of all the Cheltenham Street Party