Get Plucky with the Ukulele

Do you feel plucky, punk? Well do you?

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain's Will Grove-White has a new book coming out on October 6, 2014. Will's site has a bunch of interesting music and trivia and is worth checking out in any event. Link

Vote in the Fall 2014 Ukulele Magazine Video Contest

The swell folks at Ukulele Magazine have posted a video contest. Each entrant is performing one of four songs pre-selected by the editors. Vote for your favorite! The winner receives a new LuLu ukulele. (Disclaimer: yes, I've written for the magazine; no, I'm not one of the entrants.) View and vote here.

TUKUO 1: UOOGB 0

A little hard to parse out this article from The Daily Express, but here 'tis. The UOOGB, aka the Original One, tried to keep the knock-off TUKUO from performing in the UK, claiming that the latter's name might confuse consumers and thus infringes on their trademark.

They failed to get the injunction, but it seems that the trademark issue is yet to be settled. A court date is forthcoming.

Maybe the knock-offs should change their name to the First United Kingdom Ukulele Orchestra. Think about it.

Link

(Thanks, Random!)

It's Uketoberfest Time!

Happy Fall, everyone! Yes, it's that time of year when our thoughts turn to cider, football, autumn leaves, and, naturally Uketoberfest. We noticed that there are now two such-named events, which we wistfully mention here.

I say "wistfully," because I've learned that the major drawback of becoming a ukulele teacher is that one is never free to go on all these wonderful cruises, burnings, campouts, retreats, junkets, or boondoggles.

Uketoberfest, Springfield, Oregon: October 10-12, 2014

• The oldest (to our knowledge) Uketoberfest. Across the river from Eugene.
• Instructors/performers include Aaron Keim, Ben Bonham, Ronnie Ontiveros, Brook Adams, Casey Macgill, and Maggie Matoba.

Uketoberfest, Interlochen, Michigan: Saturday, October 4, 2014

• Held at the ledgendary Interlochen Center for the Arts. South of Traverse City.
• Instructors/performers include The Ukulele Kings (Ben Hassenger, Pat Mallory, and Steve Szilagyi), Gerald Ross, Danielle Ate the Sandwich, and Chester Winowiecki.

Helpful footnote: the annual Chicago, Illinois Uketoberfest already happened in August. But then, it's a Ukrainian festival, so while we're sure it was a splendid event, ukulele enthusiasts probably didn't miss too much. - Editor

Kiwi Travel Writer on Kamaka

Sharon Stephenson wrote a nice breezy piece featuring a trip to the Kamaka factory. On new (to me, at least) bit of information from Fred Kamaka is that Sam traveled to Europe at one point to learn about construction. Link

Give Peace a Chance

Post by The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain (Official).

In celebration of Peace Day, September 21, 2014, a subset of the UOGB channels John, Yoko, and--the room service guy, I guess.

Doghair Finish Collings Concert

Wow. This is the most remarkable looking ukulele I've seen in years.

"Doghair" finish mahogany, with an ivoroid binding and mother of toilet seat headstock.

It looks like it should be called the Edward Gorey Signature Model. Link