Reposted from John Vagnoni of the Green Parrot ------ TEN YEARS OF UKELELE -----
Spawned on a whim, or some might say a dare, back in 2011 after we found a ukulele on the sidewalk outside the Parrot, The Green Parrot Ukulele Association will celebrate its tenth anniversary on Wednesday June 9th, beginning at 8:00 p.m.
The monthly meetings have become one of the Parrot’s Cultural crown jewels, giving locals and tourists the chance to ascend to the Parrot stage and be part of “One Ukin’ Family”.
Planned as part of our ten-year anniversary festivities are a Birthday cake, a group photo and a ukulele donated by Wayne Sorbelli’s Bone island Music to be raffled off to benefit The Bahama Village Music Program, itself now in its 21st-selfless year of giving free music instruction and education to the children of our community who otherwise would not have access to private music instruction.
The first-ever meeting of The Green Parrot Ukulele Association (GPUA) was held Thursday night, June 2, with 20 or more uke-toting enthusiasts attending led by NOLA punkster and Dash Rip Rock frontman Bill Davis, a seemingly unlikely Uke enthusiast and instructor along with locals Tim McAlpine, Jeff Clark and Jay Gewin.
It seemed that first, fateful night we uncovered a Key West ukulele scene that was simmering just below the surface and The Green Parrot was the perfect vessel for this unique way for Key Westers to meet people and make music at the same time.
We continue to encourage everyone to dig out that old ukulele from your attic or closet and strum your way down to Green Parrot Ukulele Night, Key West’s only ukulele-powered jam session.
Come to just listen, or join in. All levels are welcome and spare ukes for instruction are available.
© Ralph De Palma Photographer
