Ukulele Ceilidh
Last week I attended a Cèilidh in Westmeath. This small town has a lovely community hall. It was big enough to host around 100 ukulele players with a few people playing their guitars. This was the 5th Ceilidh that the Westmeath group has organized and the 3rd one that I have attended. The theme was British songs from the 60’s and 70’s and it was a blast from the past.
The happy group of ukulele players (with a few people strumming their guitars).
Some of the songs we sang included: Love Potion Number Nine, Eight Days a Week, A World Without Love, A Hard Days Night, Downtown, Help (heavy on The Beatles) and many more. We ended with a teaser of what we will be singing next time we get together in the fall - hint, hint, the song was Canadian Pacific (so might be Canadian songs or songs about railroads, who knows).
I began playing the ukulele a couple of years ago. A group at St Barnabas restarted monthly meetings after COVID; it had been popular before. I checked it out and about ten people were there that Sunday. Martin lent me a uke and showed me how to play some basic chords. I was hooked. The next day I bought a Twisted Wood ukulele from Bob’s in Pembroke. It sounded rich. I printed out some songs, followed beginner lessons on YouTube, and practiced every evening.
The group I initially attended has since dissolved but I am thinking it might just be time to see if we can get a group together once a month to sing and strum and keep our fingers good and callused.
My Twisted Wood Ukulele from Bob’s in Pembroke.
Brennan told me about his uke. He has a red one from Magic Fluke in the US. I checked out the website and discovered I could custom make a uke with a piece of my artwork. I sketched out a design idea, fixed it up a bit then sent it to the company and a month later I was holding a “Flea” with my own design on the front. (This was purchased before the craziness down in the States!!!) It wasn’t cheap and I hadn’t taken into account duty, but it is unique and it sounds pretty darn good.
I just checked out their website and see that my design is there. I think it’s an example of what you can create for $318 US. I don’t think you can purchase my design but maybe I should inquire if they are sold with my design.
This is the draft of what I was thinking would look good on a custom ukulele. I decided on a painting of the nesting pair of loons that build a nest on Three Pine Island just in front of our cottage.
This is the design I sent to the company.
And here is my uke at the Ceilidh.
I shouldn’t have gone into Long and McQuade one day last year. After all, I had 2 ukuleles already. I found myself purchasing a third one. The sound isn’t as great and the sides of the frets had to be filed as they dug into my fingers but look at the colour. It’s sooooo pretty.
My third ukulele by Fender purchased at Long and McQuade. I added the butterfly.
Now getting back to the Ceilidh…at break I walked around and took photos of some of the instruments. They all reflect their owners. Some are tiny and some are bigger, some are showy and some are plain.
There is something magical about singing and strumming together. I highly recommend it. 😜
One creative person designed this treat of a British Ukulele for us to enjoy during a half time break. Yum.
I am looking forward to practicing my instrument(s) this summer at the cottage so I’m good and ready for the next ceilidh in Westmeath in the fall. Stay tuned (hehehe…that’s a Ukulele pun 🤣)
