As many of you already know, the inimitable Jim D’Ville has re-located to beautiful Cleveland, Ohio. Unfortunately, Cleveland’s gain is our loss, as Jim will not be able to join us at the West Coast ‘Ukulele Retreat this year. However, ‘ukulele superstar (and all around great musician) Gerald Ross will be joining us in Jim’s place with a brand new slate of workshops.
In the meantime, we are putting together our workshop schedule. . . . .and leave it to Nancy Piver to come up with something totally delicious to teach in her ukulele “ensemble” workshop. Scott Joplin’s “Magnetic Rag?” You got it! And yes, an ensemble of ‘ukulele players can sound pretty darn close to the piece below. In addition to Nancy’s arrangement of “Magnetic Rag,” we’ll be offering other ensemble opportunities, as well, with parts suitable for players of all abilities. (Yes, you can!)
You can also count on Catfish Jack to shake things up a bit and introduce us to the original version of “Walk Right In,” written by Gus Cannon in 2013! As I write, Jack and Gary Peare are creating a joint workshop building on this tune, incorporating both harmonicas and ‘ukulele. Should be loads of fun. (Catfish Jack will also be teaching our very beginning ‘ukulele classes for beginners and companions.)
The retreat is pretty close to capacity but we do still have space available in our group cabins for a few more folks. We have set a hard limit of 3 people per cabin and if you have a preferred cabinmate, all the better. And, of course, there is still space available for folks who choose to stay elsewhere, or for those who live in the area and want to commute.
Registration is still open. We still have space. And we would love to have you join us.