Burning Uke 8 (2010) THE CELEBRATION (Part 3)

Jay Holiday's Burning Uke Sculpture in Full Flaming Glory!

There is anticipation Saturday afternoon as the sun starts to set. Sandor’s wife had written a vintage radio-style play and several people had gotten on stage to entertain those seated up along the slope. The play was about a stowaway woman and male uke playing waiter and had us all enjoying the retro feel of those young black and white Doris Day style silly movies. There were a few crooner moments and a hula dance for good course.

Then we move into a variety of musical performances. Some of these came directly from Carolee’s class earlier in the day. Some songs were from the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz song books I and II. [Andy Andrews was on stage and said that there wouldn’t be a UCSC book III but that he is working on a new book I for his students in Hawaii. Andy mentioned that 20 ukuleles had been donated to the group by __________ ukulele company that he had seen the previous week at the Wine Country Ukulele Festival. Andy’s group in Hawaii was in need of their own instruments and he’s hoping to get some music stands, books and tuners from small donations from those who are able to contribute.]

Burning Uke also includes a ceremony. This was a new year and a new beginning. Andy and Pam Andrews had moved to Hawaii. Peter and Donna Thomas were travelling the country in their caravan. There was a void which Sandor, Marty, and Jay Holiday ably continued the tradition. Jay Holiday is a quiet guy behind the scenes. And there is a long story about Jay and his guitar friends meeting at this Burning Uke location several years before Burning Uke came into being. Jay and his musical friends get together here for Thanksgiving each year and celebrate. One year Pam and Andy were camping and walked by the musical festivities carrying their ukuleles… There is more to the story but this was the spark which led to the Burning Ukes.

[Some of you that have followed my personal journey over the last two years know that I was driving 82 miles to Santa Cruz for a ten class course with Rhan Wilson last year. Jay and his very good friend Robbie were in the class too. So I have had the pleasure of getting to know Jay, his sense of humor, his jukebox mind-full-of-memorized songs and his devotion to music in his life.]

There were tiki torches being lit by Robbie behind the mass of players. Soon a small procession of people came single file dancing and wiggling their torches and heading up to the front between the stage and all of the seated players. Much craziness ensued but finally the group of tiki torch holders assembled close to the large black steel ukulele sculpture and lit the flammable portions.As you can see it was a glorious image and the crowd roared at the flaming metal ukulele. The Burning Uke image you see was the brainchild and blacksmith work of Jay to create a new burning uke.

So how do you follow up the ceremony? Well you play more music until a proper musical cue was reached and Andy spoke, “Goodnight Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz” about 10:30pm. Some headed off for sleep and others head upwards towards the firepit and played until about 1:00am. Yes, the firepit music time is essential for the die-hards. Some songs were played by heart, or by music book, or shared song sheet. Andy in his infinite wisdom dazzled us with his singing to a one chord song played solely in Eb.

I am hoping to find a few pictures or videos of this evening to share.

Robbie (L), Jay (Behind), Jeff aka HU (R)

The Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz...

Anyone that knows me very well knows that I try to get to Santa Cruz every month for the gathering at Bocchi's Cellar. The meeting is usually the 3rd Thursday of every month but it is wise to get on their mailing list because it is Santa Cruz and we want to keep Santa Cruz weird and not to predictable. This club is full of love, mostly love. May sound a bit silly to some but I have been travelling down to the "Love Shack" that is known as the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz because of the people.

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This club has just gone through a change, Peter and Donna, "The President and the First Lady," are gone on their book binding caravan travels for 6 months. Andy and Pam Andrews have now made their journey over to their new house in Hawaii. Wild and crazy were their ways. Peter also played the harmonica and Andy wailed on his saxophone. Andy and Pam danced in the heaven of each other's arms. Donna almost always knitted, but occassionally pulled out the recorder or sang. I will never forget Andy's generous spirit, "Spread the love" seemed to be his motto.

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So, Thursday April 15, 2010 was the first meeting of a new era. Sandor, Rhan & Marty are now leading the masses. And what a spectacular beginning. The dining time house band was lead by Rhan Wilson and great as usual. The house was packed full and more people were trying to find seating as the evening moved on.

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The song selection had a Blue theme: Blue Moon, My Blue Heaven, Blue Hawaii, Lovesick Blues, Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain, and Blue Moon of Kentucky. But the energy was cheerful and festive. We continue to socialize, celebrate and SHOW OUR UKES. Sandor, Marty, Rhan and Vince "S.C." Tuzzi led us in the play alongs.

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Last night, I sat at the table in the corner by the bar with Bob "Duh Dog" Rainey, Tomi, and Dr. John B. John leads a ukulele group in Lancaster which in southern California and drives 5 hours one-way almost every month. We had two lady newbies, Diane and Susan that came ukeless but we gave them our ukes and surely overloaded them with information.

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I brought my Balalaika that I restrung with Worth medium brown strings and tuned C-E-A. Bob Rainey who always likes something new - played a few Blue songs worth on it. I call it a Bala-uke-a. The uke club is a also a place for the great kindergarten tradition of Show-n-Tell. The newest ukes are always fun to check out.

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The FANTASTIC evening show was headlined by our very own amazing Ukulele Dick and supported by the lovely Jayme Kelly Curtis and ROMP. Romp is comprised of Rhan, Olaf, Matt and the ever popular P-P-P-Patty M-M-Maxine. Sandor (shawn-door) also joined in to play some of the UkeAholics Beatles and Elvis tunes! I think Jan even got in there for some harmonica melodies.

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Back to the love. Next month, May 2010, will be another Open Mic Night. If you have ever considered doing an open mic night, then this is the safest and most supportive club in the world, every skill level is encouraged, supported and applauded. Share the love, feel the love, come and play.