We believe that music is for sharing joyous time together. Everyone should do it, and the ukulele is the best and often first way to do it together.

Except not now. Not right now. We are all keeping our distance, and look forward to returning to our normal touchie-feelie ways when the COVID-air is clearer.

Maybe you need a beginners workshop? Or maybe you want to just go to the main game – ukestras! Read on for our schedule (including for the Newkestra for newbies every Saturday morning).

The ukulele is the best first instrument (and for many people – the last!), and the best way to learn uke (and to play music) is with others. Our ukestras are designed to help you learn and enjoy in a low-stress, fun environment. We have a lot of fun, and get to have new experiences in life because of the ukulele. We are sooooo proud of the following video, shot and produced by a lovely French couple (called Groovy Banana).

The Sum of the Parts (music) holds regular 2 hour beginners classes and we have a session called the Newkestra designed for new players where we take it slow and easy. If you already play guitar then you may just fit straight into any of our ukestras.

We hold nine Ukestras (and two choirs) at various clubs, pubs and halls in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and Port Stephens. Each Ukestra varies in character, ability, demographic profile and amount of people going along. Attendance is casual – come whenever or wherever you like – no commitments – though most people do. A two hour session (except for the Beginners Ukulele Workshop) costs between $11 and $17. Go here for details.

It’s a good idea to contact us first to make sure we are not having a break or away at a performance.

This Google Map will let you zoom right into the various Ukestra locations in the Lower Hunter.

Here’s our regular schedule. Please come along and join in!

The Weekly Ukestra Schedule

Saturdays and Sundays:

The Newkestra – a Ukestra for Newbies – Carrington Bowling Club, 10:30am-12:30pm

Mondays:

Mornings – Tomaree Ukestra – Fingal Bay Sports Club. 9:30am, with Mark (half hour beginner lesson available from 8:45am)
Evenings – Tomaree Ukestra at the Shoal Bay Country Club – 6:30pm
Evenings – Merewether Bowlo (Caldwell St, Merewether) – 6-8pm, with Jane

Tuesdays:

Afternoons – LakeMacUkestra – with Mark at the Teralba Bowling Club in the 2:00-4:00pm timeslot. The Teralba Bowling Club is on York St, Teralba, right on the romantic Cockle Creek water front.
Evenings – Tuesdays@Wil&Sons – with Mark and Jane. 6:30-8:30pm.

Wednesdays:

Mornings – Wednesday Wanderers – Kotara Bowling Club, Howell St, Kotara – 10:15am to 12:15pm, with Kathy.
Evenings – Wednesday Night Ukestral Voices – Adamstown Uniting Church Hall (Barnes Room) – 6.45-8.30 pm, with Jane.

Thursdays:

Evenings – Ukestra@Wil&Sons on Darby St, Cooks Hill – 7-9pm with Mark and John (sharing the love and the load).

Fridays:

Ukestral Voices – Choir with Jane (with a little ukulele, but a strong focus on singing) – Fridays 2-3.45pm, Adamstown Uniting Church Hall (Barnes Room), cnr Glebe and Brunker Rds.