We're back! (... but with dolly steps ...)
We are so impressed with the Carrington Bowlo's leadership around hygiene and social distancing, that we've decided on a tentative return,
but in a very limited fashion.
Read on!
D I A R Y - things emerging
- Tuesday 9 June Next Improvisation Zookulele Workshop series commences
- Thursday 11 June - Book-in Ukestra at the Carrington Bowling Club
- Saturday 13 June - Book-in Ukestra at the Carrington Bowling Club
- Wednesday 17 June - Lizotte's ukulele gig - sold out.
- Weekend 16-18 October 2020 - Newkulele Festival (who knows!?)
C O N T E N T S
- Book In Ukestras - come and have some fun on the Bi-U
- Zookestras still going. Learn more online!
- Learn to Improvise on the Zookulele
- Next Beginners Ukulele Workshop
- Keep Singing! Zookestral Voices
- Price increase
- Have a listen to our fabbo version of Bruce Springsteen's I'm on Fire
- Zookestra Nodes
- Other Isolation things to do
We'll have lots of fun on the Bi-U.
1. Book-in Ukestras (Bi-U)
We are absolutely thrilled (and a tad anxious!) about starting up face-to-face again. We walked into the Carrington Bowlo this week just to pick up our membership cards, and to chat with Jacqui (the Manager). Their social distancing and hygiene protocols were impressive, and a real testament to their commitment to community health regulations.
So next week we launch our Book In Ukestras. Unlike our pre-COVID casual attendance Ukestras, you must book in to a Bi-U in order to attend.
We have a limit of 40 people on the Bi-U at the venue, and some strict conditions. Find out more here or by a clic on the pic above.
We are starting with TWO trial Bi-U's.
Thursday night - 11 June 7-8.45pm
and
Saturday morning 13 June 9.30 til 11.15am.
The Bi-U is what it says. You book in, you pay (from your uketen or direct deposit), and there are no refunds. This is so that we can safely and respectfully predict numbers (for each other, for the club, for us). If, at the last minute, you can't make it, you could sell or swap your ticket with someone you know, or through the
Ukestra Discussion Facebook Page.
We are also going to try to Zoom these sessions. This will be a challenge. But who hasn't been challenged of late!
2. Zookestras will continue . . .
Thanks to everyone who has joined our Zookestras during this very strange time of our lives. Your continued support has ...
- Helped us create a ukestra model where people are learning more than ever before.
- Allowed us to keep our heads above water.
- Provided a lot of social relief for people who like to stay connected with their community.
The Bi-U is a trial. As is everything !
The
Monday and
Wednesday Zookestras will continue for the moment as we test the waters. And we plan to include online Zookestras as part of the Thursday and Saturday (morning) Bi-U trials (if there is demand). We will not be offering anything on Saturday afternoons.
And thank-you to Susan who provided us with a spare camera for our Zookestras. If you haven't been to a Zookestra for over a month you may be surprised by how well we have improved our sound and vision. Thanks Susan!
Saturday afternoon Zookestra will be replaced by the Saturday morning ukestra on the 13 June (6 June is on as normal).
And Zookestras are still on the Monday 8th June Public Holiday
(Monday morning 10am or Monday evening 6pm).
We have a new front page which now also includes a button for Special Courses ... Speak of the Devil!
3. Next series of Improvisational Workshops starts this week. Book in now!
We start a new Improvisation Course this coming week. Like the last, this is a four week course that teaches you how to improvise over different types of songs (folk, blues, jazz etc). We do our best to grade the course to your level of ability, so don't worry if you feel you're new to this. We will probably run two courses: one for people who are new to this and another for the more experienced people.
Go to the Special Courses Tab at www.zookestra.com to get more info and to register interest. Tuesday evening seems a certainty, but there is a selection of times (Tuesday afternoon, or evening, Wednesday afternoon or evening and Saturday evening). Just let us know your preferences.
If you have already done the first course, think about attending again as we might be able to group you with people at your level and keep your learning curve growing!
The cost is $120 for four weeks and includes a lot of resources and support material including videos for improvisation practice.
What did the last Improvisation cohort think?
Here are a few testimonials.
- You all did a great job, so well organised and everyone enjoyed it and is appreciative of the fun and learning.
- I feel so blessed we have three teachers. You are all great, and because you come at each topic from a different perspective we are getting a plethora of input and it's truly amazing. I don't think you realise how clever you are.
- Access to the resources, classes and other material is just fabulous so again thank you.
- The thing that worked well for me was the relatively small size of the class and the use of break out rooms – that makes it personal and a lot easier to ask questions or focus on one thing.
- Thank you for putting together the 4 week course on improvisation. I’m sorry that it is over as I have really enjoyed the weekly get together. I have got a lot more out of this than a normal Ukestra session (or zoom equivalent).
4. Beginners Ukulele Workshop - 21 June
It's been 3 months since we had our last Beginners Ukulele Workshop. We finally feel confident and safe to do our next one.
5. Zookestral Voices
Friday's Zookestral Voices online continues, at least until things are much clearer around COVID-19. Please don't wait till we meet face-to-face again because at this stage that could be 2021!!!
If you are skeptical about our hesitancy, perhaps you should read the article about the Skagit County Choir in the USA, which has now been called a 'superspreader event'.
So don't hesitate! Join us online! Stay safe! People are telling us how much fun the Zookestral Voices choir is. And no-one is telling us it is unsafe!
But you don't have to believe us. Here is just some of the feedback we got in our mail box.
Thank you so much for yesterday, and the opportunity to stand up and sing full blast in harmony (and softly too, of course) – first time in more than three decades for me, and an absolute joy!! Thanks Jane for the warm-up, and the explanation of how to identify voice type.
It was just wonderful, and along with a number of other positives to come out of this freaky time, has convinced me to finally join a ‘live’ choir whenever that becomes possible again…
Thanks Mark and Jane (and Ruth and Elliott) - that was good for the soul and it was fun!
Thank you Jane ... it was bloody marvellous to sing with you again! and thank you Mark also for your fine tenor/bass leadership.
6. Price Increase
It has been two years since we last increased prices, and our accountant tells us we should keep up with the times! So, alas, it has come to that moment where we need to keep up with rising costs (this is not COVID-related, just reality-related).
So from 1 July our Uketen price will rise to $145 for ten sessions, and the casual cost will be $18. Uketens paid up until 30 June (at $135) will be honoured at $13.50 per session until you use it up (within a year of purchase).
Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding. We are indebted to our community who make this all possible.
7. Jason Hillcrest Hillbillies sing I'm on Fire
Just a little bit of fun that you might enjoy! A side benefit of lockdown is that we get to sing together more!
8. Zookestra Nodes
As things COVID loosen up, we are aware that people are starting to enjoy Zookestras together. These 'Zookestra Nodes' enhance zookestrans enjoyment of their own sound, and of learning and socialising together.
If it is possible, comfortable and safe, we encourage you to coordinate this with each other. But a few elements need to be considered to make it work well in terms of maximising safety and what you can get out of a Zookestra.
- Keep consistent visitors (better for contact tracing)
- Ensure people are not sick or recently returned from travel
- Don't have more than 3-4 guests, otherwise it can become too hard to hear the session with in-room distractions.
- Each guest should register with the Zookestra on their own device so they can participate in breakout groups better suited to their level.
9. Other news and related things
a. Lizotte's Ukulele Night sells out (again!)
As things start to open up, it is gratifying to see that
Lizotte's Live & Local Ukulele night is one of the first things. We were going to advertise the one on 17 June, but it has sold out already! Well done Eliza!
b. The One Song Sing
Sadly, at this stage, we can't see this mass joyous singing event happening this year. But stay tuned! Things are evolving quickly.
c. Where is the Burn Your Name Video?
Our timing with filming the video was impeccable. But not so much our timeliness with finishing the editing. Hopefully it'll be this week! We've seen the draft (as have some Zookestrans), but the delay is our fault. Busy lives ... you know, pandemics, staying alive and all that.
d. Almost Home
Back in early COVID days, James Hill asked friends from around the world to contribute a clip for the new
Almost Home video from he and Anne Janelle. It was released just last week, and Jane's contribution from Merewether Beach just shines out amidst the northern hemisphere gloom. Watch and enjoy. We love the song and hope you do too.
Something else James and Anne did in May was four Wednesdays of concerts (it was 5am Thursdays in oz) - it was delightful. We highly recommend you watch
James and Anne's lovely home concerts now available in your own comfortable time zone.
e. AMEB Free Music Theory until the end of June
There is an incredible array of resources out there for you to learn lots in downtime. Of course we are offering the
Improvisation Workshops, but you also can supplement that with the free
Australian Music Examination Board Online Theory Courses. Go on! Challenge yourself!
f. Dolly Parton podcast
And if you wonder why we used a Dolly Parton image up the top - it was for fun. But we've been enjoying the musical and social education we have been getting from this podcast. We recommend it. Click the graphic for more info.
g. And finally, just some NSW COVID-19 context
