Lazy Sunday ukelele festival proves popular
More than 70 people of all ages enjoyed the Kihikihi Spring Ukulele Festival at the first Lazy Sunday event on Sunday, September 1.
Cambridge ukulele band StrumD entertained the crowd with some beautiful instrumental and vocal songs.
The ukulele auction was a big success with $650 raised for the Kihikihi School Kia Tau Garden Mural.
Possum, aka Warren Allen, made a surprise appearance and warmed up the workshop crowd with some old favourite tunes with his fun sing-along ukulele style.
Twenty four eager ukulele players enjoyed the first Beginner Ukulele Workshop, led by ukulele enthusiast and expert teacher David Blanchard.
The youngest player was six-year-old Monica Hohepa, from Kihikihi School, with the oldest being 90-year-old Waullie Burns.
Seven children from local schools attended with a parent or grandparent.
The workshop started with a history of the ukulele. David said the instrument originated in the 19th Century as a Hawaiian adaptation of the Portuguese machete.
This was a small guitar-like instrument, which was introduced to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants, mainly from Madeira and the Azores
The name ukulele is a traditional Hawaiian name that translates roughly to ‘jumping flea’ in English.
After its arrival in Hawaii, the ukulele was quickly adopted into Hawaiian culture.
King David Kalakaua was very fond of the small instrument, which is acknowledged as a key factor that led to the ukulele becoming so popular.
By the end of the one-hour lesson the ukulele players were playing and singing This Little Light of Mine and left the workshop with plenty to practise before the next workshop on Sunday, October 6.
Lazy Sunday coordinator Sara Grayson said the first event was a great success with huge support.
“Some people even travelled from Te Ku¯ iti, Cambridge and Hamilton to join in the fun,” she says.
The ukulele fun will continue with ukulele buskers featuring in the outdoor dining area of The Hummingbird cafe´ on Saturdays at 10am.
“It will be a great way to enjoy coffee and cake,” Sara says.
The next Lazy Sunday event at Kihikihi Anglican Church Hall on Sunday, October 6 at 2pm with the Thermaleles, a quirky quintet with a bluesy bass player, from Rotorua.
The Thermaleles enjoy an old kiwi classic or two in three or four-part harmony, a little pop, a little rock a little country, a little jazz and a little blues.