Registration has opened for the 2023West Coast ‘Ukulele Retreat at beautiful Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria , California, November 1 – 5. And, the incomparable Del Rey is among the star-studded cast of characters who will be on hand to entertain and inform us.
Additional instructors for the West Coast ‘Ukulele Retreat will be added and highlighted in the weeks to come. For now, rest assured, this is “the most fun you can have with your ‘ukulele on!”
By all counts the first (now annual) ‘Ukulele Reunion at Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria was a huge success.
Just one of the very creative acts at our Ukulele Reunion Halloween Party/Open Mic. This is a keeper, for sure.
Workshops! Sing-alongs! Trivia Games! Open Mics! and More!
What did folks enjoy the most?
Incredible workshops with great instructors: 12th Street Rag with Gary, Ukulele Gospel Hour with Rick & Rhan, ‘ukulele ensembles with Nancy, and just about anything with Dave Egan.
Our new venue at Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria: its proximity to the ocean; magical sunsets; the sea lions barking at night; the delicious, fresh, and healthy food; and the spacious, yet cozy, strawbale-constructed cabins.
The warm, friendly experience: making new friends; making music together; and having unrivalled fun.
Winning the trivia challenge!
And the whole thing ended with Rick & Rhan’s iconic Ukulele Gospel Hour and the gift of a classic choir robe to everyone who came.
Feeling the rapture
We hope you can join us next year! No excuses!
You’ve been warned…it not too soon to start planning your costume and rehearsing…
Here’s another fun video showcasing a couple of our instructors posing as the Ghoulspell Choirboys. So much talent and creativity wrapped up in these two. It just isn’t fair!
Hope to see you next year! And just because we call it a reunion, doesn’t mean newcomers aren’t welcome.
Gary Peare, one of our key instructors for the upcoming‘Ukulele Reunion at Camp Ocean Pines never disappoints. His ‘ukulele workshops cover the gambit from simple tunes we all know to a few more obscure tunes we should know. When asked for a little tune and some ‘ukulele tips to share with you before the big weekend, he right away came up with “Mysterious Mose.”
Unfamiliar with the tune? Check out this version by R. Crumb and his Cheap Suit Serenaders.
“If you look closely, you’ll that there are only two different fingering shapes needed to play it,” says Gary.
The best part is that there are lots of great tunes that can be approached this way…tunes that will help ratchet up your repertoire a notch or two.
If you’re coming to the ‘Ukulele Reunion at Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria, October 29 – 30, and this is for you, you’ll want to take Gary’s ‘ukulele workshop called “Meet the Family: an Easy Introduction to the World of Chords.” In it, you’ll learn this and a few more tunes that have simplified approaches to basic chord shapes.
But that’s not all we have in the way of ‘Ukulele Workshops. Please check out the full array.
And if you haven’t registered for the‘Ukulele Reunionjust yet, don’t fret. We still have plenty of room, whether you’re staying off campus, or want to stay at camp in one of the spiffy cabins or in your own truck, trailer, or camper van.
In the meantime, we are working on an ‘Ukulele Adventure in Alaska for next summer. Again, we expect this one might fill quickly, so please let us know if you’d like to be among the first to know!
That’s it for now. Stay tuned. We have more tips and trips to come.
