Kia Ora!
We are doing our own fifteen minute performance at the New Zealand Ukulele Festival on November 30 in Auckland.
Danika, John, Harlan, Tui, Olli, Josh, Sam and Meabh have come a long way in the 2 or 3 years they have been doing ukulele! We are performing 4-5 songs where we show our ukulele skills using modern songs.
30 December at the Trusts Arena
We are performing around midday on 30 December at the Trusts Arena. Click the link for directions and a map. A clearer idea of the time will be emailed to you when we get them!
Trusts Arena 65-67 Central Park Dr HendersonMark & Jane are doing a workshop just prior to our performance.
Contact whilst in New Zealand
We will not have a mobile phone in New Zealand, but are constantly (but not always) in contact via computer / mobile phone type communications – Viber, Skype, Facebook messaging, email.
If you do not have Viber, get it. It is a very useful (free) phone-like app for your mobile which just uses your standard mobile phone number. It only works if you have an internet connection. We will have internet when we are at people’s houses, or at cafes etc.
Our viber contact details are:
Mark’s mobile – 0430434291. Or Jane’s 0478 624 883.
Mark’s Skype address is voicepopfoible. Jane’s is janejelbart.
Mark’s Facebook page is markojackson. Jane’s is jane.jelbart.9
And of course there is email. markjackson@iinet.net.au or janejelbart@iinet.net.au
Our songs
Below are videos of the songs that we are playing. You can play along to practice them.
Royals
Danika & Meabh are sharing the vocals on this one. It is only C mostly, but also Bb and F. Because the C is so plain, we are doing some special things with it. This little video shows you how to do the parts (though not the harmonic ringing tones).
Can everyone please practice along to this (though there are some mistakes). Singing practice is really important!
And this is the audio of the whole song – how it sounds. There is a mistake in it, so be careful!
And then!!!! Let Walk off the Earth wow you! They are playing in the key of C as well, so you can play along. But note, the arrangement is different! It’s our own!!
Sunshine of Your Love
Here is the Ukestra playing it in Dungog recently. Note the bass is a little loud!
My Girl
Another Dungog performance.
Somebody that I used to know
Playing with 2-3000 other kids
We will also be participating in the big stadium play-off where 2-3000 children all come together to play some songs together. There are two files to print from the Kiwilele song book.
File #1 – warning 10MB (has a bunch of songs, including E Papa Waiari, Island Queen, Come on home (p1))
File #2 – Everything’s gonna be alright
The most important pages are 27 to 35 (using the page numbers written on the page).
The songs that we can do with them are:
- E Papa Waiari
- Island Queen
- Come on home
- Weather with you
- Everything’s gonna be alright
E Papa Waiari
Come on Home (by Titanium – a kiwi boy band)
This is not in the key written in the book. But it gives you an idea of how the song goes. A current pop song in New Zealand. This version is in C#. So the chords here are C#, Ab, Bbm and F#. We will play it in D (the version in the book).
Everything’s gonna be alright
Not the right key. We’ll practice this in the right key. It is easy.
Weather With You (by Crowded House)
Practice!!!!
Ukestra Showcase – November 17 – Souths Leagues
On 17 November we will be performing two of these songs at the Ukestra Showcase, being held at Souths Leagues Club in Merewether from 2-5pm. (It was at the Gallipoli, but too many people are coming!). More details on performance time soon. Information here (note the wrong venue is indicated here).
1233 ABC Radio Interview – Thursday November 14 – 10am
The ABC radio interview / performance is on Thursday November 14 at 10am (not 10:30 or Wednesday as previously discussed). The kids seem pretty thrilled that they are missing school! It would be great if the parents can coordinate with each other to car pool for the kids (Newcastle West).
Dress Code for Festival
Pizzazz please. For our performances, I am still rather partial to loud Hawaiianie shirts, flowery skirts / dresses, and funky hats. Formal Hawaiian I call it. And sunscreen! Jane says no stripes! I do know that some of the boys like a more formal approach (vests or braces etc.).
The Grand Parade
I believe there is an opening parade, maybe it is not an ‘opening’ parade. But there is a parade! I have volunteered Rob and his family (Aucklanders) to make us a placard (have a look at this video for an idea of what you could do – don’t go to too much trouble!) for the parade. On that placard / poster it will say Jukestra, Newcastle, Australia.
Thanks Rob.
Rehearsal in New Zealand
10-11am – on Friday 29 November. Venue to be decided. Suggestions welcome.
Jane and I need to be in the vicinity of Western Springs about midday on the Friday. We have not yet booked accommodation, but presume we’ll be in the Westmere, Ponsonby, Western Springs, inner west sorta area. We may have a rehearsal at our accommodation if it is possible (and once we know where it is!).
James Hill Concert
Keep your eye on the festival website for details about James’ Concert on Friday 29 November. Very much worth seeing. For everyone. He is a real wow of a performer and a lovely bloke.
Where are you staying and how are you travelling and when do you get there?
Can you please advise me of the above things? An email now would be great, and any other contact details that you have.