Science Fiction, Movies, Ukuleles

A demo of one of my newest songs, "Returning to Mars", is basically about the Edgar Rice Burroughs character "John Carter". Oddly enough, after I wrote it, I was informed that there is a movie being made about John Carter and his Martian travels.

So...the song is now up on the site for all (non-ukulele) people to see. (I don't actually think it's a "tribute", but that's probably quibbling)

The Site

Hint Hint Hint

Not that anyone I know will ever see this, but you know I am turning 50 this year. I didn't get it for Christmas. And it just got $2,000 cheaper. Just sayin' Link

My winner...

The Bushman video contest has picked their winner...but this is the Robertson pick for best ukulele video. Danielle Ate The Sandwich performs this Hall and Oates song with incredible panache. She also does some wonderful original songs.

Check them out

ever effervescent

All you ukulele/music fans in the Green Bay area, listen up. The irrepressible Ms. Vox is bringing her show to the Meyer Theatre. If you haven't heard her, you've certainly heard OF her...so now's your chance! With melaniejane=cello, jess=drums and John Elliot opening.

What are you waiting for? Go.

Ukulele Hunt: Craig Robertson

Uh oh. Now Craig is really going to be impossible to live with.

"Craig Robertson towers over the ukulele scene."

Link

(Thanks a lot, Woodshed.)

(Just kidding, Craig.)

Bette You Want One of These

Ed Wojtowicz let us know about these Swarovski crystal-encrusted Flea ukes that Bette Midler has been playing in her show at Caesar's in Las Vegas. They're evidently for sale, too. (Thanks, Ed!)

Mitch O'Connell Uke Art Skate Deck

Check out Mitch O'Connell's Keane-cum-tiki-infused art on this sweet skate deck. If you're not a shredder, Mitch's art is also available on his site under Giclee Prints. (Caution: cartoon noodity.)

Tiki Surf City

Attention Beach Bums and Tiki Topers. Surf's up for Tiki Oasis 9, August 13 - 16, 2009 in San Diego. Bookmark the Tiki Oasis page and check back for deets, Moondoggie. Two ukes for ev-ry boy!

Enchanted Tiki Room Inspired Art Ukes

Last year was the 45th anniversary of the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland. As part of the celebration, a number of artists created commemorative pieces, including at least two painted ukuleles. You'll need to scroll down the page to see them both, but the trip down the page is a real delight. Link

Lil' Rev in the Hood, '09 Tour

Bay area ukers. Don't Miss Lil' Rev this week. Sez Rev:

Upcoming stops on my California tour will include the following:

Thurs. January 22nd. Santa Cruz Ukulele Club (Workshop/Guest Performer)
Fri. January 23rd- Novato, House Concert
Sat. January 24th –Palo Alto-Gryphon String Instruments-Workshops
Sun. January 25th- Berkeley –Da Silva Ukulele Workshops

Visit: www.lilrev.com for more info

Hope to see you!

Lil Rev

It's a shame, it's a crime.

It is, it is...and Dan Scanlan is doing something about it. He's written a song called "It's a Shame, It's a Crime". If you go here, you can listen to three different versions of the song and read the lyrics. It makes my woodyguthrielovin' heart proud.

It's pouring...

Slow night in Ukuleletown. Snow is piled everywhere. Makes you long for Spring and those lovely, warm, drenching rain showers. They seem to wash away Winter and present a new face to the year.
April Shower in a new ukulele band from France. Three ladies from across the big puddle who play ukuleles and sing. They have a new CD coming out in February...
Link.

Bushman World Ukulele Video Contest Winner

The winners have been announced, and the top honor has been taken by MMMBop by Monique Macasaet. Congratulations! Link

Denver UkeFest

Mark you calendar for the Denver UkeFest at Swallow Hill, February 7, 2009. The line-up includes James Hill, the Sweet Hollywaiians, Victoria Vox, the Boulder Acoustic Society, the Hobo Nickels, Mad Tea Party, and Ukulele Loki. Sounds like a whole lotta hottness in the middle of a Colorado Winter! Link

Free Nina Paley!

We've written a couple of times about Nina Paley's amazing animated film Sita Sings the Blues, which features vocals by Annette Hanshaw.

Sita's gotten terrific reviews, and just recently the equivalent of an 42-Million-Thumbs-Up from Roger Ebert. Now the tough news. Turns out that while the Hanshaw recordings that Nina used are in the public domain, several of the songs themselves are not. (You may recall that we ran into this last month when we tried to locate all the sheet music online. See the Sita Sings the Blues Songbook that we've set up on Delicious.)

Nina says they're being Mean to Me. Am I Blue? You Bet.

So Nina is being held hostage by the copyright owners, and the moolah they're trying extort is completely out of line with the budget of an indie filmmaker. You can read and hear more about her plight by checking out this story today on our sister site BoingBoing. Better yet, check out the call for help on Nina's blog. She's looking for angels, attorneys, and people with connections to both.

Now if Warren Buffett turns out to be an Annette Hanshaw fan, too, I think this can all be resolved with the stroke of a pen...That's All!

Guide to Ukulele Clubs

If you got a new uke last month, consider joining a local uke club. You'll find lots of like-minded folks, willing to share tips and techniques. Here's an online directory of many clubs worldwide. Link

The Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz Wins Gail Rich Award

I don't know if this award involves any money, but congratulations are still due to Andy, Peter, and all the folks at the UCSC Where You Get a Real Education on receiving one of the Gail Rich Awards for 2009. Link

SoCal Slack Key Festival

Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual Southern California Slack Key Festival at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd in (where else?) Redondo Beach. It's January 18th, 2009. Complete details at the Link.

Surfin' Bird

It's Official: Here's the Word for 2009. From Gus and Fin. Link